Forbidden Island is a game of peril, cooperation, and pulse-racing strategy, where you and your team of fearless explorers race against time to recover four sacred treasures before the island sinks beneath the waves. It’s a game where tension builds with every turn, where every decision can mean survival or catastrophe, and where victory is never guaranteed.

The moment I opened the box, I was drawn into the world of lost relics and ancient ruins. Inside, I found a set of beautifully illustrated island tiles, a deck of Treasure Cards, a set of Flood Cards, adventurer pawns, and, of course, the legendary four treasures—The Earth Stone, The Statue of the Wind, The Ocean’s Chalice and The Crystal of Fire.

These treasures are symbols of power, history, and the very reason we risk setting foot on this doomed island. The game also includes a water level tracker—because, in this adventure, the island is constantly sinking, and if we don’t move fast enough, we’ll be swallowed by the sea.

Setting up was an adventure in itself. The island tiles were arranged in a random pattern, creating a fresh layout every game. Each of us received a random adventurer role, each with a unique ability to aid in our mission.

Some of us could shore up the land to prevent it from disappearing into the ocean, and one lucky soul could fly over the floodwaters, making daring rescues. We placed the treasures on their corresponding locations, positioned our adventurers on the designated starting tiles, and prepared for the rising tide. These are the first six tiles to be flipped over.

The game unfolds in a race against time. On each turn, we could move, shore up flooded areas, trade cards with teammates, or attempt to claim a treasure. But after every player’s turn came the ominous Flood Phase, where the island began to sink before our very eyes. The Flood Cards determined which tiles became waterlogged and which were lost forever, plunging into the depths and never to be seen again. The tension was palpable—the more we delayed, the less ground we had to stand on.

The real magic of Forbidden Island lies in its cooperative gameplay. I was able to give a fire and a stone card to the other player. That way, on their turns, they could collect the treasures. We had to strategize, plan our movements carefully, and make sacrifices to ensure our survival. Do we prioritize saving a vital location from sinking, or do we rush to gather the last treasure before it’s too late? The discussions, the debates, the focus was definitely on collecting the treasures. We rocked this challenge while I shored up as much as possible. Since I was the Engineer, I could shore up two islands for the price of one move!

As the game neared its climax, we were running out of safe ground. The waters were rising faster than we could keep up, and only a narrow path remained to the Fools’ Landing—our only escape. With the treasures in hand, we made one final sprint to the helipad. Our pilot, the only one who could fly us to safety, was on the opposite side of the island. Could we hold the waters at bay just long enough for everyone to make it? The last few turns were agonizing. We barely, managed to get everyone on the helipad and with a final, desperate push, we escaped!

That’s the kind of edge-of-your-seat storytelling Forbidden Island delivers. The cooperative nature makes it perfect for families, friends, and even new gamers, as the rules are simple to learn, but the challenges are ever-changing. It’s a game that will have you cheering, panicking, and planning your next move down to the last second. The motto of the game, is NO ONE WINS ALONE!

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