SPIEL new release · PhantomLab Games
Release date (catalogue)August 2026
None of our partner shops lists Monster Decoy yet – new shops show up in the daily sync.
€18.00 RRP
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Not in any shop yet · None of our partner shops lists this title yet – neither in stock nor as a pre-order. Publishers often open pre-orders only weeks after the fair – the daily sync updates this page.
Data from the official SPIEL catalogue; state . Prices and availability from the partner shops, state .
MechanicsArea ControlTile Placement
ThemeFantasy
'Capture the Monsters, and control the territories.'' '''''Monster Decoy''''' is 2 player tile placement game where players are battling to surround and capture monsters. You and your opponent are in a battle of light and dark. Take turns in placing a tile adjacent to another tile to form areas of your color. Enclose your areas to surround and capture the monsters in your territories. The larger the area and the more monsters you capture will multiply your points. Plan carefully to gain the territorial advantage in Monster Decoy. ''—description from the designer''
PhantomLab Games
PhantomLab is an independent game publisher based in Japan, founded in 2012 by game designer and graphic designer Kotori. By 2026, PhantomLab has published 14 tabletop games, creating original titles that combine distinctive visual design with engaging and thoughtful gameplay. In 2024, PhantomLab introduced its games to international audiences with Acornism, a delightful tile-laying puzzle game about feeding adorable creatures. The game successfully launched internationally through Kickstarter, receiving an enthusiastic response from players around the world. Following Acornism, PhantomLab continued its international lineup with OrthoGnomes, a unique three-dimensional puzzle game played on a rotating table, and Astraios: Starlight, a glow-in-the-dark constellation tile laying game. In 2026, PhantomLab is excited to present two new titles: Monstery Decoy, a 2-player tile-laying puzzle game, and Spot Me Gaffe!, a spotlight puzzle game that challenges players to observe, think, and react. PhantomLab’s goal is not only to entertain but also to inspire imagination and learning through cute, delightfully puzzling games with simple rules and thoughtful, creative gameplay. Visit the PhantomLab booth at Essen Spiel 2026 to discover the latest games and experience the unique ideas behind these creations.
€25.00 RRP
Spot Me Gaffer! is a spotlight puzzle game set behind the scenes of a dazzling circus. You are the circus’s lighting technician, “Gaffer”, and your job is to fo…
With a photo of the booth as proof, your report is visible to everyone right away – please only report what you have seen at the booth yourself.
Editorial team: your report goes live right away without proof.
€25.00 RRP
Massenweise Monster ist ein rasant gespieltes Plättchen-Legespiel, in dem ihr eure eigene Geisterbahn baut, mit verschlungenen Strecken, verzwickten Kurven und …
With a photo of the booth as proof, your report is visible to everyone right away – please only report what you have seen at the booth yourself.
Editorial team: your report goes live right away without proof.
Massenweise Monster ist ein rasant gespieltes Legespiel für 2–5 Personen, in dem ihr eure eigene Geisterbahn baut, mit verschlungenen Strecken, verzwickten Kurv…
With a photo of the booth as proof, your report is visible to everyone right away – please only report what you have seen at the booth yourself.
Editorial team: your report goes live right away without proof.
€12.99 RRP
Als Meister der Täuschung und Tarnung verändert Monster Max ständig sein Aussehen. Die Kinder setzen die Monsterteile schnell richtig zusammen. Wer die meisten …
With a photo of the booth as proof, your report is visible to everyone right away – please only report what you have seen at the booth yourself.
Editorial team: your report goes live right away without proof.
€25.00 RRP
Very Big Monster is a family card game with a twist on drafting. Build your exploration area, choose the best card for yourself, and decide who gets the rest of…
With a photo of the booth as proof, your report is visible to everyone right away – please only report what you have seen at the booth yourself.
Editorial team: your report goes live right away without proof.
€39.00 RRP
When midnight strikes, the monsters come hungry! In Monster Munch: Midnight Madness , 2–4 players run paranormal food trucks, scavenge strange ingredients, and …
With a photo of the booth as proof, your report is visible to everyone right away – please only report what you have seen at the booth yourself.
Editorial team: your report goes live right away without proof.
