2025Matt Leacock
- Videos
- 182
- Creators
- 113
1 - 5 players60 - 150 minHeavy weight

2010Matt Leacock
Mainly playthroughs. Forbidden Island is covered on BoardGameVideo.com by 2 reviews, 2 how-to-play guides, 6 recorded sessions, 1 unboxings, and 1 other video.
From BoardGameGeek
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.
Forbidden Island has 12 videos from 11 creators: 2 reviews, 2 how-to-play guides, 6 playthroughs, 1 unboxing and 1 other video. They date from 2022 to September 2026.
To learn the rules, start with "how to play Forbidden Island" by The Game Reporter, which runs 13 min.
For an opinion before you buy, start with "Forbidden Island in about 3 minutes" by 3 Minute Board Games. To see it played, watch "Forbidden Island Playthrough | Tom and Mom Play | Se1Ep6" by Tom And Mom Play, one of 6 playthroughs.
If you like it, try The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship, Pandemic Legacy: Season 1, Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West and Pandemic, also by Matt Leacock.
8 of 11
2025Matt Leacock
1 - 5 players60 - 150 minHeavy weight
2015Rob Daviau, Matt Leacock
2 - 4 players60 minMedium weight
2023Rob Daviau, Matt Leacock, Alan R. Moon
2 - 5 players20 - 90 minMedium weight
From BoardGameGeek:
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.
Designer
Matt Leacock
Artist
C. B. Canga
Publisher
Gamewright
Categories
Mechanics