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Is Spirit Island fun to play?
Spirit Island

Players: 1 – 4 players | Game Duration 90 – 120 mins |
Min. Age 13+ | Game complexity: EASY Genre: Environmental, Fantasy, Fighting, Historical, Mythology, Territory Building
Solo game mode: Yes | Co-op: Yes |
Online Version: No

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Hate Rulebooks? Check out our condensed How to Play Spirit Island Rules Guide

What is Spirit Island about?

A Tale of Spirits and Settlers: Spirit Island at a Glance

Spirit Island, designed by R. Eric Reuss and published by Greater Than Games, is a unique cooperative game for one to four players that takes place on a remote island populated by ancient spirits. This is not a tale of questing heroes or powerful wizards, but of primal spirits who willfully rise from the island to fend off the great colonial powers that seek to exploit its resources.

The game distinguishes itself with a “reverse colonisation” theme, where players take on the roles of powerful island spirits, each with their own playstyle and abilities. Faced with the impending onslaught of settlers, you must harness your unique powers to defend the island and, ultimately, drive out the invaders.

In the following sections, we’ll unravel the enigmatic realm of Spirit Island: exploring its gameplay intricacies, dissecting its mechanics, and uncovering the intangible elements that render it an essential addition to your board game nights.

Forging a Resistance: Understanding the Spirit Island Gameplay

The Setup

The game board consists of a randomly-generated island with various regions, each adorned with its unique landscape, which determines the mechanics and difficulty of the game. Players select their spirits — starting with uniquely-empowered basic spirit boards — each with innate powers that grow and become more potent as the game progresses.

At the outset, players will face a wave of settlers that begin to infest the island with towns and cities, exacerbating the pressure on the native Dahan inhabitants. Time is not your ally; for each turn, invaders spread unchecked, and the island’s destruction inches closer.

Strategic Planning

Collaboration is key. Players must combine their spirits’ powers with careful planning and coordination to stave off the invaders’ onslaught. Effective communication and teamwork are vital, making this a game not only of strategy but of diplomacy and synergy.

Tactical Play

Timing is everything. Each turn, players must choose growth options, develop powers, and finally, unleash a crescendo of elemental control to repel the invaders. With options ranging from summoning powerful allies to wreaking havoc with elemental forces, the game grants players a vast strategic toolkit with which to defend the island.

The Invader Phase

At this stage, the game will strike back with the invader phase, where settler actions escalate, towns spawn, and the island’s defense is tested. It is here you will feel the full weight of your decisions, as you battle to maintain control of the island’s elements and force the enemies back.

Unearthing the Game’s Unique Mechanics

The Power Grid

At the heart of Spirit Island lies the Power Grid, a dynamic system through which players grow their influence and effectiveness. Beginning with a small pool of power cards, each representing a unique ability, players can strengthen their spirit by adding stronger cards as they level up.

Fear: The Settlers’ Bane

Fear is a resource players generate by intimidating the invaders with their powers. When sufficient fear is amassed, it triggers powerful benefits, ranging from dispersing the invaders to healing the island.

Elements and Invocations

Invocations are the more powerful abilities in the game, relying on players to generate and harness elemental forces. The timing and combination of these invocations are critical and can turn the tide of battle.

Scaling Difficulty

Each spirit can become stronger through the course of a game. However, this power progression is mirrored by an ever-increasingly difficult enemy escalation. The game’s scales cater to both casual and hardcore players, ensuring a formidable challenge at all levels of expertise.

Scenario Play

Spirit Island also offers a variety of scenarios, adding a narrative element to the game and changing up the gameplay mechanics. Each scenario comes with its win conditions and unique rules, enhancing the game’s replayability.

What Makes Spirit Island an Engaging Quest?

The Thematic Element

One of the most universally lauded aspects of Spirit Island is its rich thematic elements. Players don’t merely push chits on a board; they feel like they are breathing life into the spirits, commanding the forces of nature and primordial might.

Depth of Strategy

Spirit Island is a connoisseur’s game, rich in deep-seated strategy and player choice. The game offers a kaleidoscope of tactical possibilities, ensuring that each playthrough is a unique puzzle to solve.

A Sense of Accomplishment

Victory in Spirit Island is not served on a silver platter; it’s earned through grit, ingenuity, and a dash of luck. When players feel the sweet taste of victory after arduous teamwork, it creates a sense of accomplishment that’s hard to match.

The Arsenal of Powers

The game boasts an extensive library of power cards, granting each spirit an array of abilities. The sheer variety of powers allows for a high degree of replayability, with different combinations leading to vastly different strategies and outcomes.

Who Will Find ‘Spirit Island’ an Island of Fun?

Gamers Looking for Depth

If you crave games that offer layers upon layers of mechanics to master and enjoy picking apart complex systems to form unbeatable strategies, Spirit Island is your oasis.

Co-op Enthusiasts

Fans of cooperative games that emphasize teamwork and social interaction will find Spirit Island a beacon of collaborative role-play, with just the right amount of tension and challenge.

Story-Driven Players

For those who relish a rich narrative interwoven with gameplay, Spirit Island‘s thematic elements and scenario play are sure to strike a chord, providing a compelling backdrop to your gaming experience.

Solo Gamers

Solo gamers are not left in the cold; Spirit Island offers a robust single-player experience, ensuring that the island’s spirits are never alone in the fight against invasion.

Find out about Spirit Island How to play Spirit Island

Rules

Condensed How to Play Spirit Island Rules Guide for rulebook haters

Spirit Island Videos

Awards Won by Spirit Island

2019 Spiel der Spiele Hit für Experten Recommended
2019 As d’Or – Jeu de l’Année Expert Nominee
2017 Golden Geek Most Innovative Board Game Nominee
2017 Golden Geek Board Game of the Year Nominee
2017 Golden Geek Best Thematic Board Game Nominee
2017 Golden Geek Best Strategy Board Game Nominee
2017 Golden Geek Best Solo Board Game Nominee
2017 Golden Geek Best Cooperative Game Nominee
2017 Golden Geek Best Board Game Artwork & Presentation Nominee
2017 Cardboard Republic Striker Laurel Nominee
2017 Board Game Quest Awards Game of the Year Nominee
2017 Board Game Quest Awards Best Coop Game Winner
2017 Board Game Quest Awards Best Coop Game Nominee


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Spirit Island is an award winning game that uses the action mechanism in its design, find out more about this mechanism

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