Forbidden Desert: Thirst for Survival (Co-op, MENSA Select Family Game) GWI0415

If you’ve ever dreamed of navigating treacherous deserts while laughing in the face of adversity, then Gamewright Forbidden Desert is your ticket to a mirthful and thrilling adventure! This cooperative board game is a delightful blend of strategy, teamwork, and desert drama that will keep you on your toes and rolling with laughter.First off, let’s talk about the game’s design. The vibrant multi-colored artwork is a feast for the eyes, transforming your table into a sun-soaked desert landscape that is both mesmerizing and slightly mischievous. The components are sturdy and well-crafted, from the detailed desert tiles to the nifty player pieces that make you feel like you’re truly embarking on an epic journey.The gameplay is where the real fun begins. As you and your fellow adventurers work together to survive the scorching heat and unearth the hidden treasures of the Forbidden Desert, you’ll find yourselves in the midst of a thrilling challenge. Each turn brings a new twist, and the cooperative nature of the game means that every victory feels like a team triumph, and every setback becomes a shared adventure.But here’s the whimsical twist: despite the intensity of the desert sun and the cunning sandstorms, you’ll be surprised at how much fun you can have in this arid wasteland. The game’s blend of strategy and chance ensures that no two games are ever the same, and the laughter you’ll share with your fellow explorers will make every setback feel like a minor hiccup in an otherwise glorious quest.One thing to note is that this game does not come with a complimentary camel or magical oasis—but if it did, it would make the experience even more enchanting! Instead, you’ll have to rely on your wits, teamwork, and a sprinkle of good humor to make it through the desert unscathed.In summary, Gamewright Forbidden Desert is a whimsical, cooperative adventure that will make your game nights memorable and your desert escapades unforgettable. Whether you’re strategizing with friends or working together as a family, this game offers endless fun and laughter. So gather your fellow adventurers, brace yourselves for the heat, and let the desert adventure begin!

I'm a big fan of the "Pandemic Light" game of Forbidden Island. It's a beautiful game that fun to play and helps people like how cooperative board games are played. Coming off my high from Forbidden Island I snatched up the sequel game Forbidden Desert. After purchasing it I realized it might be a mistake. Why have two slightly different versions of the same game? It sat on my shelf for a long time. I kept meaning to play it but never got around to it. Until now.This game may be similar to Forbidden Island, but it is not the same game. Forbidden Island had one thing out out to kill you (the slowly sinking island). Forbidden Island required you to collect and exchange cards in order to get the artifacts needed to win the game. Forbidden Island have a couple of "powers" to use to prevent disaster or press your advantage. This game on the other hand, has TWO things trying to kill you (you're slowly being buried in sand, and you're quickly dying of thirst). Forbidden Desert does away with card collecting and exchanging for artifacts and instead gives you mission to hunt for coordinates for said artifacts, shelters from the sun, precious water, and gear that again gives you powers to help keep you alive and win the game. All of this means...A Worthy SequelWhen I finally got to play this game with just one other player, I enjoyed it very much. The artwork is fantastic. The gameplay is actually much simpler than it sounds, and its easy to get going right away. The "treasure hunting" mechanic works extremely well and makes the game exciting, as does the moving storm and draining water levels. I actually like this game better than Forbidden Island, because it seems to be more "action" oriented as you are dune-blasting, jet-packing, and digging for treasure, water, and clues, rather than just collecting cards and passing them around most of the time. This game is an outstanding value and whole lot of fun. If you enjoyed Forbidden Desert and want to try something new I highly recommend it. It's similar enough to feel familiar, and different enough to feel fresh and fun. Highly recommended to fan of Forbidden Island and Newcomers alike! Here's hoping for a sequel called (wait for it) Forbidden Planet! :)

This game is fantastic. It is the closest thing to a perfect game I've seen/played. It's very easy to understand and teach. The instructions are extremely well written. The character cards also each have well written rules for what you do on your turn. Despite being really easy to pick up/understand, it's still a challenging game. I've played it with 2 and 5 players and it was great with both numbers. Great game for 2-5 players that is quick, co-op, and still a good challenge yet something you could still play with children probably years and up.In addition to the rules being well done, the game also has great items, there are no bad ones. Every time someone got an item, no matter what item, someone would say, "oh, that's a good one". The characters are also all unique and solid. Each character feels useful to the party and you can strategize well depending on what items and characters you have, plus the board is always moving/changing so it has a ton of replay-ability. This is a must have for any board gamer, and again, so easy to understand and get started that it's a good game for anyone.The only thing that is somewhat unnecessary is the model of the flying ship. You don't really need that, but it's not really a negative that it's included. It might not be my favorite board game of all time as I increase my collection, but I think it'll be hard for something else to be a better game. It's just so well designed. Kudos to the designers!