- BGG rank
- BGG #710
- BGG rating
- 7.2
HeroQuest
- 2–5 players
- 90 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 1989
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,020
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Shadows in the Forest
1985
Rules assistance for Shadows in the Forest
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–8 players
- 15 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.1/5
Rules assistant for Shadows in the Forest
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Shadows in the Forest is a board game released in 1985 for 2–8 players, 15 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Walter Kraul and its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move, Area Majority / Influence, and Cooperative Game.
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About the game
You are deep in a dark, ancient forest with only your lantern to guide you. Tall, looming trees cast shadows all around. Off in the distance you hear a faint rustling sound and your heart begins to race. Could the legend be true? Will you finally discover the creatures who hide in the forest shadows? Shadows in the Forest is a thrilling, immersive play experience that brings a distinctive twist to game night - you play it in the dark! One player moves the lantern around in search of Shadowlings, mysterious creatures who avoid the light. The lantern illuminates the forest and trees, casting real shadows on the game board. The rest of the players work together, strategically moving their Shadowlings to stay out of the light in this innovative board game for kids and families. If one of the Shadowlings is hit by a beam of light, he is enchanted and can no longer move. The other Shadowlings will try to free him again. To do this, they have to wait until the light has moved far enough away so that another dwarf can reach him in the shadows. The Shadowlings all want to meet under a tree while the lantern tries to cast a spell on all of them. Who will win?
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- ThinkFun
- Kraul
Questions and answers
Shadows in the Forest supports 2–8 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 Shadows in the Forest is 15 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 Shadows in the Forest for ages 8 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.
Shadows in the Forest has a complexity rating of 1.1 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.
Shadows in the Forest belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Children's Game, and Party Game. Its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move, Area Majority / Influence, and Cooperative Game. 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 Shadows in the Forest are: Walter Kraul. 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 Shadows in the Forest 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.