Forbidden Desert (2013) Board Game

Forbidden Desert is a cooperative board game designed by Matt Leacock, known for his work on other popular cooperative games like Forbidden Island and Pandemic. Published by Gamewright in 2013, Forbidden Desert has garnered positive reviews for its challenging gameplay and unique theme of surviving a desert storm.

Game Components of Forbidden Desert:

49 cards

48 sand markers

24 tiles

6 pawns

6 meter clips

4 flying machine parts

1 flying machine model

1 sand storm meter

1 storm meter stand

1 sand storm meter stand

How To Setup Forbidden Desert:

Lay out the tiles in a 5×5 grid.

Place sand markers on the tiles to represent the building up of sand.

Set up the sand storm meter and meter clips.

Distribute roles and pawns to players.

Shuffle the cards and place them in a deck.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective:

Players must work together to uncover and collect the parts of a flying machine buried in the desert before succumbing to the ever-increasing sand storm. Each player has a unique role with special abilities to aid in the mission. Players must manage their resources, move strategically, and work together to stay alive and escape the desert.

Player Experience:

Pros:

Challenging cooperative gameplay

Unique theme and setting

Strategic decision-making

Replayability with variable setup

Cons:

Can be overwhelming for new players

Luck-based elements with card drawing

Personal Thoughts on Forbidden Desert:

Forbidden Desert offers a thrilling and immersive gaming experience with its cooperative gameplay and intense theme. The build quality of the components is high, and the artwork adds to the overall atmosphere of the game. While the game may not appeal to all players due to its challenging nature, it is worth trying for fans of cooperative games and those looking for a unique and engaging gaming experience. The pricing and availability of Forbidden Desert can vary, but it is often found in major retailers and online stores. For those interested in similar games, Forbidden Island and Pandemic are great alternatives from the same designer. Overall, Forbidden Desert is a worthy addition to any board game collection and is recommended for those who enjoy a good challenge and cooperative gameplay.

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