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Spirit Island (2017) Board Game

ByMichail

Spirit Island is a cooperative board game designed by R. Eric Reuss and published by Greater Than Games, LLC in 2017. The game takes place on a mystical island where players take on the roles of powerful spirits trying to defend the island from colonizers. With a unique theme focusing on environmentalism and mythology, Spirit Island has gained popularity among gamers who enjoy strategic and cooperative gameplay.

Game Components of Spirit Island

  • Game board depicting the island divided into different regions
  • Spirit panels representing the different spirits players can control
  • Invader cards to determine the actions of the colonizers
  • Fear cards to track the fear level of the colonizers
  • Presence tokens for players to establish their presence on the island
  • Fear tokens to track the fear level of the colonizers

How To Setup Spirit Island

  • Set up the game board and place the Invader deck and Fear deck nearby.
  • Each player chooses a spirit panel and takes the corresponding Presence tokens.
  • Place the corresponding Invader cards based on the difficulty level.
  • Start the game by drawing Invader cards and resolving their actions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Spirit Island, players work together to prevent the colonizers from ravaging the island. Each spirit has unique powers that players can use strategically to push back the invaders. The game involves a mix of area control, resource management, and tactical planning. The objective is to repel the colonizers and protect the island from destruction.

Player Experience

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Pros:

  • Engaging cooperative gameplay that promotes teamwork
  • Deep strategic depth with a variety of spirit powers to explore
  • Unique theme that sets it apart from traditional board games
  • Challenging gameplay that rewards careful planning and coordination

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Cons:

  • Steep learning curve for new players
  • Can be overwhelming with the number of rules and mechanics to keep track of
  • Requires good communication and coordination among players to succeed
  • Limited replayability once players have mastered the strategies

Personal Thoughts on Spirit Island

Spirit Island is a beautifully crafted game that offers a unique and immersive gaming experience. The thematic elements of environmentalism and mythology add depth to the gameplay, making it more than just a typical territory control game. While the learning curve may be steep, the satisfaction of successfully defending the island with your fellow spirits is well worth the effort.

In terms of build quality, Spirit Island is well-made with sturdy components that enhance the overall gaming experience. The game falls under the category of cooperative, environmental, fantasy, fighting, and mythology, appealing to a wide range of players who enjoy strategic gameplay.

Pricing and availability of Spirit Island can vary, but it is generally well-received in the board gaming community. For those looking for alternatives or similar games, titles like Pandemic and Gloomhaven offer similar cooperative gameplay experiences. Ultimately, whether Spirit Island is worth your time depends on your preferences for thematic depth, strategic gameplay, and cooperative challenges. It is recommended for players who enjoy in-depth strategy and thematic immersion, while those looking for a more casual gaming experience may want to skip it.

Check out my full review on Spirit Island for more!

Game Components of Spirit Island

  • Map Boards: One per player, double-sided and interlocking to form the island.
  • Spirit Boards: Unique to each spirit, detailing their abilities and playstyle.
  • Cards: Power cards for each spirit, Fear cards, and Invader cards.
  • Wooden Pieces: Presence markers, blight tokens, and other tokens.
  • Plastic Minis: Representing invaders and Dahan locals.
  • Dividers and Organizers: For managing components.

    How To Setup Spirit Island

    To set up the game, players start by creating the island using the interlocking map boards, each with a unique layout of land types (wetland, mountains, jungle, and sands). Each player chooses a spirit board and begins with a unique starting deck of four cards. The Invader deck is shuffled and placed within reach, along with the Fear deck and other components. The Dahan locals and initial blight tokens are placed on the board according to the map layout. Players then place their presence markers on their spirit boards and prepare for the first turn.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Mechanics

  • Cooperative Gameplay: Players work together to defeat the invaders.
  • Card-Driven: Players use power cards to execute actions.
  • Simultaneous Turns: Players take actions simultaneously.
  • Area Control: Managing presence on the island to use powers effectively.

    Objective

  • Defend the Island: Drive off the invading colonizers by clearing explorers, towns, and cities from the island.
  • Win Conditions: Exhaust the Fear deck, or meet the conditions listed on the Fear tab on the board (clearing towns and cities).
  • Loss Conditions: Presence removed, all blight tokens on the board, or inability to draw an Explore card.

    Player Experience

    Playing **Spirit Island** is a deeply strategic and thematic experience. Each spirit has unique elemental powers, requiring players to balance card draws, energy, and presence on the island. The game is challenging, with escalating threats from the invaders, but offers a gradual increase in player power as the game progresses. This balance creates a tense and satisfying narrative arc, with players constantly discussing strategies and coordinating their actions to achieve victory. The game avoids the “alpha gamer” problem by ensuring each player has unique cards and abilities, making cooperation essential but not dictated by a single player.

    Pros

  • Unique Theme: Flips the colonial narrative, focusing on native spirits and their struggle.
  • High Replayability: Multiple spirits, adversaries, and scenarios offer vast variability.
  • Deep Strategy: Complex gameplay mechanics that require careful planning and cooperation.
  • No Alpha Gamer Issue: Each player has unique cards and responsibilities.

    Cons

  • Steep Learning Curve: The game is challenging and can be overwhelming for new players.
  • Lengthy Games: Typical gameplay lasts around 1.5 hours, though additional players do not significantly increase the duration.
  • Complex Setup: Requires careful setup and understanding of the components and rules.

    Personal Thoughts on Spirit Island

    **Spirit Island** is an excellent choice for fans of cooperative strategy games who appreciate a rich, thematic experience. It is particularly suited for experienced gamers or those who enjoy solving complex puzzles. While it may be too deep for younger audiences or casual gamers, it offers immense replay value and a unique narrative perspective that sets it apart from other games in the genre. For those who enjoy strategic planning and cooperative gameplay, **Spirit Island** is a must-play.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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