- BGG rating
- 6.5
La Isla Prohibida: La Expansión Prohibida
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,046
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Forbidden Island
2010
Rules assistance for Forbidden Island
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.7/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Forbidden Island
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Forbidden Island is a board game released in 2010 for 2–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Matt Leacock and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Set Collection.
Expansions
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About the game
Forbidden Island is a cooperative board game - everyone must work together to win the game. Players take turns moving their pawns around the 'island', which is built by arranging the tiles before play begins. As the game progresses, more and more island tiles sink, becoming unavailable, and the pace increases. Players use strategies to keep the island from sinking, while trying to collect treasures and items. As the water level rises, it gets more difficult- sacrifices must be made. Player move around the tiles, using their individual strengths to shore up tiles and explore for treasure. If the water level gets too high, the island floods and everyone loses. But, if all 4 Treasures have been captured AND all players are at Fools' Landing AND someone has a Helicopter Lift card to save the team, everyone wins! With multiple levels of difficulty, different characters to choose from (each with a special ability of their own), many optional island formats and game variations available, Forbidden Island has huge replay value. The game can be played by as few as two players and up to four (though it can accommodate five). More players translates into a faster and more difficult game, though the extra help can make all the difference.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Devir
- Arclight Games
- Kaissa Chess & Games
- Broadway Toys LTD
- ADC Blackfire Entertainment
- NeoTroy Games
- Rebel Sp. z o.o.
- Schmidt Spiele
- uplay.it edizioni
- AURUM, Inc.
- Reflexshop
- Competo / Marektoy
- Lifestyle Boardgames Ltd
- Gamewright
- Kanga Games
- White Goblin Games
- Lex Games
- Cocktail Games
- FoxMind Israel
- Spilbræt.dk
- Brädspel.se
Questions and answers
Forbidden Island supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Forbidden Island is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Forbidden Island for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Forbidden Island has a complexity rating of 1.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Forbidden Island belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Adventure, and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Set Collection. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Forbidden Island are: Matt Leacock. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Forbidden Island as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.