Fantasy Forest (1980) Board Game

Fantasy Forest is a board game that was released in in 1980. Designed by Larry Elmore and illustrated by Tactical Studies Rules (TSR), the game is categorized as a children’s game with a fantasy theme. The game is designed for 2 to 4 players, with a runtime of approximately 30 minutes and is suitable for players aged 5 and above.

Game Components of Fantasy Forest

Game board

Deck of cards featuring different monsters with corresponding numbers

Pawns

Optional: Hero Cards and accompanying figures (not part of the original version)

How To Setup Fantasy Forest

To set up Fantasy Forest, each player chooses a pawn and places it at the starting point on the board. Each player begins with three cards from the deck. The remaining cards are placed within reach of all players. The game is ready to start once all players have their pawns and initial cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective: The first player to reach Morley’s castle wins.

Card Play: Players draw a card and choose one from their hand to play, moving the corresponding number of spaces on the board.

Dueling: A player can choose to duel another player; the winner moves to the space in front of the challenged player.

Ambushes: Landing on a red space triggers an ambush; players must play a card and compare it to a drawn card from the deck to determine movement.

Sharing Spaces: If a player lands on a space occupied by another, they take the other player’s three cards and return any three cards of their choice.

Card Management: Players must always have three cards in hand, drawing cards as necessary after playing or resolving duels and ambushes.

Player Experience

Fantasy Forest offers a simple yet strategic gameplay experience. Players must balance moving forward with saving high cards for duels and ambushes. The game is relatively fast-paced and less tense compared to other children’s games, making it a enjoyable break from roll-and-move mechanics. The interaction between players, such as dueling and sharing spaces, adds a layer of strategy and social interaction.

Pros

Simple and easy to learn

Introduces strategic thinking for young players

Interactive elements like dueling and ambushes

Quick gameplay sessions

Cons

Limited complexity for older players

Some luck involved in card draws

Potential for significant lead changes due to duels and ambushes

Personal Thoughts on Fantasy Forest

Fantasy Forest is ideal for young children looking for their first fantasy adventure game. It teaches basic strategy and card management while providing a fun and interactive experience. For collectors and enthusiasts of vintage games, it’s a nostalgic find that still offers entertainment value today. While it may not be complex enough for older players, it remains a charming and engaging game for its target audience.

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