Forbidden Island – Cooperative Adventure Board Game

Can you recover four legendary treasures before the island disappears beneath the waves? Forbidden Island by Gamewright is a fast, exciting cooperative board game where everyone works together against the game itself. Explore a sinking island, collect treasures and escape before it is too late.

Designed by acclaimed game designer Matt Leacock, Forbidden Island combines accessible rules with tense decision-making, making it a fantastic choice for family game nights and players discovering cooperative board games.

What Is Forbidden Island?

Forbidden Island is a cooperative strategy board game for 2–4 players aged 10+, with games taking around 30 minutes. Rather than competing against each other, players share the same goal: recover four sacred treasures and escape from the island.

The island is made from randomly arranged tiles, so every game creates a different challenge. As the game progresses, locations become flooded and eventually disappear, constantly forcing your team to adapt.

How to Play

Each player controls an adventurer with a unique ability. On your turn, you can move around the island, shore up flooded locations, trade treasure cards or capture one of the four treasures.

After your actions, Flood Cards determine which parts of the island become flooded. As the water level rises, the pressure increases and previously flooded locations can sink completely.

Communication is key. Your team needs to decide where to move, which areas to protect and when to take the risk of pursuing a treasure. Collect the four treasures, reach Fool’s Landing and escape together to win.

Why You’ll Love Forbidden Island

• Fully cooperative: Everyone works together towards one shared victory.

• Fast-paced: A complete game takes around 30 minutes.

• Easy to learn: Straightforward rules make it ideal for families and newer gamers.

• Different every time: The modular island creates plenty of replayability.

• Constant tension: The sinking island means your plans can change quickly.

• Great gateway game: A brilliant introduction to cooperative strategy games.

Forbidden Island has also earned major recognition, including a Mensa Select award and a Spiel des Jahres nomination.

Who Is Forbidden Island For?

Forbidden Island is ideal for families, cooperative game fans and groups looking for an engaging game without a huge time commitment. It works especially well for players who enjoy planning together and making difficult decisions under pressure.

If you enjoy Pandemic, Forbidden Desert, Forbidden Sky, Horrified or other cooperative adventure games, Forbidden Island is well worth adding to your collection.

Main Mechanics

• Cooperative gameplay

• Set collection

• Variable player powers

• Tile placement

• Modular board

• Grid movement

• Hand management

• Pick-up and deliver

• Rising difficulty

• Shared decision-making

Games Like Forbidden Island

Looking for similar games? Try Forbidden Desert, Forbidden Sky, Pandemic, Horrified or other cooperative family strategy games.

Game Information

What’s Included?

• 58 Playing Cards

• 24 Island Tiles

• 6 Pawns

• 4 Treasure Figurines

• Water Meter

• Water Level Marker

• Rules of Play

Forbidden Island FAQ

Is Forbidden Island cooperative?
Yes. All players work together against the game.

How many people can play Forbidden Island?
Forbidden Island supports 2–4 players.

What age is Forbidden Island for?
It is recommended for players aged 10 and over.

How long does Forbidden Island take?
A game takes around 30 minutes.

Is Forbidden Island good for families?
Yes. Its accessible rules and teamwork make it an excellent family strategy game.

Buy Forbidden Island from Roll The Dice Cornwall

Ready for an adventure? Add Forbidden Island to your collection and work together to recover the treasures before the island sinks. It’s a fantastic choice for family game night, cooperative gaming groups and anyone looking for a quick but tense strategy challenge.