Small World simulates the rise and fall of civilizations in a fantasy setting. You choose a combination of race and special ability and then extend your realm, conquer others and hoard victory coins. In round 1 a move comprises choosing race and ability, conquer regions and receive victory cons, in further rounds extending your influence by conquering regions or extinguishing your race and choosing a new one and again getting victory coins. After a given number of rounds you win with most victory coins.

Im Netz der Spinne expands Small World with three new races and three new special abilities, all very specialized and very effective. Races are Eishexen, Schleudermenschen and Skags. Special abilities are Lava, Nachahmer and Wiederbelebende, all packed into a tuckbox for a few expansions.