I agree Forbidden Island is just a simplified version of Pandemic, but I think Forbidden Island plays an important role that Pandemic does not as a filler game. With the depth and length of Pandemic it doesn't really work as a filler, but Forbidden Island captures a lot of what makes Pandemic enjoyable while still being fast enough as break between bigger games.
Tom, I think you've just helped me decide which game to get with my Birthday money. This looks fantastic. I don't have kids, but I have a group of non-gamers that I have been trying to introduce to some of the great Boardgames out there. I'll definitely check this out for my next purchase.
I play this game solo, taking all 2-4 players parts. I have discarded the diver as a weaker version of the pilot. Highly recommended for single person play
I love this game and would say that it is fun for adults too due to its variable difficulty settings and its simple to understand and quick gameplay. We took it on a trip to China as it was easy to pack, would not get damaged in the box and we could squeeze other small games in the tin too! Great for airport waits and long train journeys! I would highly recommend it!
I own Pandemic and the expansion. I also own Forbidden Island. Yes, it's VERY similar however this is much more laid back than Pandemic, IMO. My wife and I enjoy a few games of Forbidden Island every week.
Thanks for the review Melody & Tom. I was thinking it would feel just like Pandemic, yet surprisingly it feels unique. We love it so much that we're picking up Forbidden Desert soon (yes your review of them both were that good)!
Really enjoy this game: Easy to learn, tense, fast paced, really enjoyable. The only grumble I would have is the "Diver" character IMO is pretty underpowered compared to the others. Also, the "Messenger" character tends to make the game a touch too easy (being able to give cards anywhere to others is really powerful).
After playing this game I like it better than Pandemic. It's very easy to set-up, much more streamlined, and thus plays very quickly. It can also be quite difficult to win.
I have both Pandemic and Forbidden Island. I find that it works well with adults who are looking for a fast, shorter version of a Pandemic like game. Also can see it working well as a gateway game. I agree that it works well with kids but also feel that it has wider appeal.
I haven't played this, but it already looks more attractive to me than Pandemic. Well, there are no cubes here :)))) Seriously though, it is a card game version of Pandemic. Not exactly, but that's how i see it. It is simple, mostly just cards and pawns, no board, etc. Also mechanics are more simple than Pandemic and it should be playing quicker. Pandemic is a quite long game (if you are lucky) and then when you loose it doesn't give much satisfaction for this time spent.
I have only played this game with groups of adults, and everyone who plays loves it and wants to buy it. Maybe it's just my friends, who are very used to Munchkin and other competitive games, but playing cooperatively was a new challenge. They quickly got quite deep w/ strategy, stacking special abilities and thinking several turns ahead, so it does play well w/ an older crowd, but I've never played in a group with kids so.. Looks like I'll have to pick up Pandemic next!
@sstrunks5555 That hasn't been the case for my group. We tend to win about half the time. On the higher difficulty levels, cooperative strategy becomes more important, but really, bad luck with the cards can sink you at any level. That said, it's not so hard or arbitrary that we don't enjoy playing!
This is “Pandemic lite”. I was excited to play another coop game because I loved Pandemic. I was saddened to see that this game IS Pandemic simplified. It is the same game and will leave you wishing you just played Pandemic instead. This IS a good game, but I still feel I wasted my money owning Pandemic and Forbidden Island.
I reckon what happened here is that the guy who designed probably had someone to say to them 'pandemics ... theyre a bit grim arent they? How about you just take the game and reskin it with something parents will want to buy their kids' Shame. Luckily though, Pandemic is good! I just wish somewhere he acknowledged it by saying in the corner of the box 'hey, this is like ... Pandemic junior'. Otherwise it just looks cynical
I love this game but I hate this video. You should be more interactive with your kids. Let them talk about how fun it is. We aren’t all about hardcore, complicated, insane games. Let your kids tell how fun the game is. You seem too strict about the fun in it.
I agree Forbidden Island is just a simplified version of Pandemic, but I think Forbidden Island plays an important role that Pandemic does not as a filler game. With the depth and length of Pandemic it doesn't really work as a filler, but Forbidden Island captures a lot of what makes Pandemic enjoyable while still being fast enough as break between bigger games.
Tom, I think you've just helped me decide which game to get with my Birthday money. This looks fantastic. I don't have kids, but I have a group of non-gamers that I have been trying to introduce to some of the great Boardgames out there. I'll definitely check this out for my next purchase.
I play this game solo, taking all 2-4 players parts. I have discarded the diver as a weaker version of the pilot. Highly recommended for single person play
I was lent this game by a friend and decided to do the same thing, I lost badly but had fun
@@RichardCheshire I do the same
I love this game and would say that it is fun for adults too due to its variable difficulty settings and its simple to understand and quick gameplay. We took it on a trip to China as it was easy to pack, would not get damaged in the box and we could squeeze other small games in the tin too! Great for airport waits and long train journeys! I would highly recommend it!
Looking back at this old review, Tom you have really come a long way! Your videos look way better these days!
I own Pandemic and the expansion. I also own Forbidden Island. Yes, it's VERY similar however this is much more laid back than Pandemic, IMO. My wife and I enjoy a few games of Forbidden Island every week.
just played first game last night, loved it. Barely won on novice level. The tension is real!
Thanks for the review Melody & Tom. I was thinking it would feel just like Pandemic, yet surprisingly it feels unique. We love it so much that we're picking up Forbidden Desert soon (yes your review of them both were that good)!
Which one is better, forbidden desert or island
Really enjoy this game: Easy to learn, tense, fast paced, really enjoyable.
The only grumble I would have is the "Diver" character IMO is pretty underpowered compared to the others. Also, the "Messenger" character tends to make the game a touch too easy (being able to give cards anywhere to others is really powerful).
After playing this game I like it better than Pandemic. It's very easy to set-up, much more streamlined, and thus plays very quickly. It can also be quite difficult to win.
I have both Pandemic and Forbidden Island. I find that it works well with adults who are looking for a fast, shorter version of a Pandemic like game. Also can see it working well as a gateway game. I agree that it works well with kids but also feel that it has wider appeal.
I haven't played this, but it already looks more attractive to me than Pandemic. Well, there are no cubes here :)))) Seriously though, it is a card game version of Pandemic. Not exactly, but that's how i see it. It is simple, mostly just cards and pawns, no board, etc. Also mechanics are more simple than Pandemic and it should be playing quicker. Pandemic is a quite long game (if you are lucky) and then when you loose it doesn't give much satisfaction for this time spent.
I have only played this game with groups of adults, and everyone who plays loves it and wants to buy it. Maybe it's just my friends, who are very used to Munchkin and other competitive games, but playing cooperatively was a new challenge.
They quickly got quite deep w/ strategy, stacking special abilities and thinking several turns ahead, so it does play well w/ an older crowd, but I've never played in a group with kids so..
Looks like I'll have to pick up Pandemic next!
your videos and yourself have come a long way, tom :D
Lol, really nice tin. Back when he used to like tins
@Dann7000 i didn't say Pandemic is not using cards :) It's just that Forbidden Island mostly uses just cards (and tiles, which are cards too).
@wr00t... Pandemic uses cards probably more than this. The main difference is that the flipping tiles replace the cube mechanic.
I use this game as a gateway game to Pandemic or as a basic game when friends who are non-gamers come over. It is always a blast!
It's Pandemic I can play with my kids! I will be getting this game. Thanks
Melody saying "which one's whispering garden?" cracked me up.
@jesper79 hello! just listen what Tom says in the beginning.. Though most of the bgame geeks already now who is the designer of this game :)
@sstrunks5555 That hasn't been the case for my group. We tend to win about half the time. On the higher difficulty levels, cooperative strategy becomes more important, but really, bad luck with the cards can sink you at any level. That said, it's not so hard or arbitrary that we don't enjoy playing!
You guys rock!!! Hayden can't wait to get a copy and try it out.
Yeah, I bought it for $8 used. Definitely worth it for that price.
This is “Pandemic lite”. I was excited to play another coop game because I loved Pandemic. I was saddened to see that this game IS Pandemic simplified. It is the same game and will leave you wishing you just played Pandemic instead. This IS a good game, but I still feel I wasted my money owning Pandemic and Forbidden Island.
That's where I saw it. Then again, I also saw Cosmic Encounter there. Some B&N have better game sections.
Great review. Game looks really cool.
Hi, Vasel. When is next year's top 100 games gonna' come? I'd like to know.
Thanks great review.
not so good on the explanation and video but still better than everybody else. must be hard to make good instructions and a good video.
It's funny because the designer would have only had to have changed a few things only slightly to make it a more unique game!
can you move to a location where there is a player already?
Its like 16$!
Its it's biggest asset.
Wow you guys went to some really nice stores. I got this game for $20!
we got this at walgreens $16!
how does one choses between forbidden island and forbidden desert?
Exactly why I looked this review up lol
@TsuKing Shadows over Camelot (with traitor), Arkham Horror
Retro review!
How many people saw this game at their Barnes and Noble??!
I just grapped a copy for 4 € from a second hand store but haven't played it yet.
...a Pandemic variation? Seems like similar mechanics.
you sound like an MMO Doubter with that comment
I reckon what happened here is that the guy who designed probably had someone to say to them 'pandemics ... theyre a bit grim arent they? How about you just take the game and reskin it with something parents will want to buy their kids'
Shame. Luckily though, Pandemic is good! I just wish somewhere he acknowledged it by saying in the corner of the box 'hey, this is like ... Pandemic junior'. Otherwise it just looks cynical
I love this game but I hate this video. You should be more interactive with your kids. Let them talk about how fun it is. We aren’t all about hardcore, complicated, insane games. Let your kids tell how fun the game is. You seem too strict about the fun in it.
He's not like this in the other reviews I've seen with the kids!
im going to stick with pandemic