TeamPlay's Monthly Game Review: Forbidden Island

An in-depth look at the cooperative treasure-hunting adventure game, as reviewed by our Osh-based team.

A group of diverse players gathered around a table, engrossed in playing Forbidden Island. The game board shows a colorful island made up of tiles, with miniature adventurers and treasure pieces scattered across it.

Game Overview

Forbidden Island, designed by Matt Leacock, is a thrilling cooperative board game that challenges players to work together to collect treasures from a sinking island before it's too late. As our Osh-based team discovered, this game perfectly embodies the spirit of teamwork and strategic thinking that we value at TeamPlay.

Gameplay Mechanics

In Forbidden Island, 2-4 players take on the roles of adventurers with unique abilities. The goal is to collect four sacred treasures before the island sinks into the abyss. Each turn, players must navigate the ever-changing landscape, shore up flooding locations, and strategize their moves as a team.

Key Features

Modular board that changes every game
Six different adventurer roles with special abilities
Scalable difficulty levels for replayability
Average playtime of 30 minutes

Close-up of the Forbidden Island game components, showcasing the colorful island tiles, adventurer pawns, and the four sacred treasures (Earth Stone, Statue of the Wind, Crystal of Fire, and Ocean's Chalice).

Team Dynamics

Our team found that Forbidden Island excels in fostering communication and collaborative decision-making. The game's cooperative nature means that every player's input is valuable, and success depends on utilizing each team member's strengths effectively.

Difficulty and Challenge

Forbidden Island offers adjustable difficulty levels, making it accessible for newcomers while providing a substantial challenge for experienced gamers. Our team particularly enjoyed how the increasing water level creates a palpable sense of urgency as the game progresses.

Visual Appeal

The game's artwork is vibrant and immersive, with each tile representing a unique location on the island. The quality of the components, from the sturdy cards to the detailed treasure figurines, adds to the overall enjoyment of the game.

A series of images showing the progression of a Forbidden Island game, from the initial setup to a nail-biting endgame scenario with only a few tiles remaining above water.

Final Thoughts

Forbidden Island has quickly become a favorite among our TeamPlay group in Osh. Its blend of strategic depth, cooperative gameplay, and thematic immersion makes it an excellent choice for both family game nights and team-building exercises. The game's ability to create memorable moments of triumph (or defeat) aligns perfectly with our focus on cooperative games and team-oriented experiences.

Our Rating

4.5 out of 5 stars

Pro Tip: For an extra challenge, try playing Forbidden Island with the "legendary" difficulty setting. It'll push your team's communication and strategy skills to the limit!

Whether you're new to cooperative games or a seasoned player, Forbidden Island offers an engaging experience that embodies the spirit of teamwork. It's a testament to how board games can bring people together, fostering the kind of collaboration and problem-solving skills we value here at TeamPlay.

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