Forbidden Desert

2013

Forge your path through the scorching Forbidden Desert in this cooperative board game. Use strategy, resource management, and teamwork to uncover a legendary flying machine.

45
minutes

2 - 5
player(s)

10+

Medium

About the game

Welcome to the thrilling world of Forbidden Desert, a collaborative board game that is as challenging as it is engaging. This is no ordinary board game, this is a journey, an adventure, a test of wit and strategy. So prepare to dive into the heart-wrenching setting of an unforgiving desert and unravel the mysteries that it holds.

The theme of Forbidden Desert is all about survival and cooperation. As a team of adventurers, you are stranded in a desolate, sand-filled desert after your helicopter crashes. Your mission is to find the pieces of a legendary flying machine buried somewhere in the desert and escape before the merciless heat and sandstorms beat you.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Forbidden Desert is a thrilling board game that provides players with a challenging adventure. The game’s components each play a critical role in the gameplay. Here is a comprehensive list of all the components included in ‘Forbidden Desert’ along with their functions:

1. Game Board:

The game board is a grid of 5×5 cards, representing the desert and the city buried under the sand. Each card can be flipped from its sand-storm side to its location side, revealing a part of the lost city or special equipment. The game board constantly changes as the storm moves the tiles around.

2. Sand Markers:

These markers are used to simulate the accumulation of sand in the desert. They are placed on top of the game board tiles. A tile with at least one sand marker on it is considered blocked and must be cleared before any action can occur on that tile.

3. Storm Meter:

The storm meter helps track the intensity of the sand storm throughout the game. The meter increases when players draw Storm cards, making the game progressively more difficult. Once the storm meter reaches the top, the players lose the game.

4. Storm Deck:

The Storm Deck contains cards that dictate the movement of the sand storm, increasing the storm meter and adding sand markers to the tiles. These cards are drawn at the end of each player’s turn.

5. Treasure Cards:

These cards represent four parts of the legendary flying machine that players are trying to recover: The Engine, The Propeller, The Navigator, and The Solar Panel. Players must find all of these parts to win the game.

6. Adventurer Cards:

Each player receives one of these cards at the beginning of the game, which represent the role they will play in the adventure. Each card provides a unique ability that players can use during their turn.

7. Adventure Pawns:

Each player uses a pawn to represent their adventurer on the game board. The pawns move around the board, clearing sand and excavating parts of the lost city.

8. Equipment Cards:

These cards provide special abilities that can help players survive the desert and find the flying machine parts. Equipment cards are found by excavating tiles on the game board.

9. Water Tokens:

Each player has a water carrier with a certain amount of water represented by these tokens. Players must manage their water carefully, as running out means losing the game. Water can be replenished by finding wells in the desert.

10. Flying Machine Model:

This is the final goal of the game. The model is assembled as players find the four parts depicted on the Treasure Cards. Once the flying machine is complete, the players win the game.

Game flow Round and round we go

Forbidden Desert is a cooperative board game where players work together to survive in a desert and recover a legendary flying machine. The game is played in rounds, each consisting of two main phases: the Player Actions Phase and the Storm Phase.

Player Actions Phase:

Each player, in their turn, can perform up to 4 actions which can be any combination of the following:

Move: A player can move their pawn to an adjacent, unblocked tile.
Remove Sand: A player can remove sand markers from their tile or an adjacent tile.
Excavate: A player on an unblocked tile with no sand markers can flip it over to reveal its other side.
Pick Up a Part: A player on a tile with a revealed flying machine part can pick it up.

Players can also pass equipment cards to other players in the same tile, which does not count as an action.

Storm Phase:

After a player has taken their actions, they draw cards equal to the current storm level from the storm deck. Each card tells the player how to shift the tiles and increase the sand markers.
If the storm deck runs out of cards, the storm picks up, increasing the storm level.
If a sand marker needs to be placed but none are available (i.e., 8 are already on the board), the players lose the game.

Players continue to take turns in this manner, aiming to excavate and collect all the parts of the flying machine before they run out of water, get buried by sand, or the storm becomes too intense. If the players can successfully collect all the parts and return to the launch pad tile, they win the game.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In Forbidden Desert, each player’s turn consists of four actions, which can be taken in any order. These actions and their strategic implications are as follows:

1. Move

A player may move their pawn to an adjacent, unblocked tile (orthogonally, not diagonally). This action is key as it allows players to explore new tiles and get closer to discovered parts.

2. Excavate

A player may choose to excavate the tile they are standing on, as long as it is not covered by sand. This reveals the tile’s function, whether it is a part of the flying machine, a well, or a special equipment. Excavation is crucial for gaining resources and unearthing parts of the flying machine, which are necessary to win the game.

3. Remove Sand

A player may choose to remove sand from an adjacent tile or the tile they are on. This is important because a tile covered in sand cannot be excavated or moved onto. Removing sand can free up paths and allow access to crucial tiles.

4. Pick Up a Part

If a player is on a tile with a discovered part of the flying machine, they may pick it up as an action. Collecting all the parts is the main objective of the game.

After performing their actions, the player must then draw storm cards equal to the current storm level. These cards change the game state by moving tiles and adding sand. The player must strategically deal with these changes on their next turn.

Throughout the game, players must also manage their water levels. Certain events can cause players to lose water, and if a player’s water level reaches zero, the game is lost. Wells and some equipment can help replenish water levels.

Strategically, players must balance their time between excavating new tiles, removing sand to keep the board manageable, and collecting parts of the flying machine. Coordination and teamwork are key to managing resources and surviving the ever-changing desert.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

Forbidden Desert is a cooperative board game where players are stranded in a desert and must work together to survive and escape. The game ends in two possible ways – either victory or defeat.

Victory Conditions:

The game ends in victory when all four pieces of the ancient flying machine have been located and excavated by the players, and all players have successfully moved to the Launch Pad tile.
The final action to secure victory is to play the Launch Pad special action. This can only be done by a player who is on the Launch Pad tile, and only if all players and all four parts of the flying machine are also on this tile.
This action does not cost any action points and can be done at any time during the player’s turn.

Defeat Conditions:

The game ends in defeat if any player’s canteen is empty and they need to drink water but cannot.
It also ends in defeat if the sand rises to the top of the storm meter.
Additionally, defeat occurs if players are supposed to draw storm cards but the deck is empty.

There is no final scoring in Forbidden Desert as the game is fully cooperative. Players either win together or lose together. The goal is survival and escape, not accumulating points.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Forbidden Desert is a cooperative board game where the scoring system is not based on individual points, but on collective success or failure. The main objective is to find and assemble a legendary flying machine and escape before you all become permanent artifacts of the desert. Here’s how the scoring system works:

Finding the Parts

A team scores when they successfully locate a part of the flying machine. There are no individual points awarded as it’s a team effort.

Each part is hidden under two matching ‘part’ tiles. When the second matching tile is found, the part is located.

Once a part has been found, a player can pick it up by ending their turn on the tile where the part is located.

Escaping the Desert

The team scores and wins the game when they have found all four parts of the flying machine and all players have made it to the launch pad tile.

Once all four parts have been collected and all players are on the launch pad tile, they can spend an action to lift off and escape the desert, thereby winning the game.

Losing the Game

The team loses the game if they run out of sand tiles, if any player dies of thirst, or if the storm meter reaches the skull and crossbones.

There is no scoring in the event of a loss; the game simply ends.

Tie-Breaking Rules

Since Forbidden Desert is a cooperative game, there are no tie-breaking rules. The players either win together or lose together. The goal is to strategize and work as a team to overcome the challenges of the desert and escape with the flying machine.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

In the board game ‘Forbidden Desert’, there are several unique rules, exceptions, and rule clarifications that players need to be aware of. These aspects of the game add a layer of complexity and challenge that can greatly affect how the game is played.

Storm Picks Up Cards:

The ‘Storm Picks Up’ cards are important in ‘Forbidden Desert’. When drawn, they increase the storm level. This makes the game progressively harder, as more and more sand markers get placed on the board. It’s crucial to note that the game ends in a loss if the storm level reaches the top of the storm level track.

Water Carrier:

The Water Carrier is a vital role in the game. This player has the ability to take water from wells, even if they have already been revealed. However, they cannot do so if the well has already been used (i.e., if a player has already removed the water tokens from the well).

Jet Pack:

The Jet Pack is a special equipment card. When used, it allows a player and one other player on the same tile to fly to any unblocked tile on the game board. However, it’s important to note that the Jet Pack can only be used once, after which it is discarded.

Interactions with Sand Markers:

There are specific rules regarding sand markers. Players cannot move onto or off of a tile that has two or more sand markers. Furthermore, players cannot excavate a tile that has one or more sand markers. They must first remove the sand markers before they can excavate the tile.

Sun Beats Down Cards:

When a ‘Sun Beats Down’ card is drawn, each player loses one water unless they are in a tunnel or have a Solar Shield. This rule highlights the importance of staying hydrated in the game and adds a layer of challenge to the gameplay.

Forbidden Desert Winning Condition:

To win the game, players must not only find all the parts of the flying machine but also make their way to the landing pad tile. All this must be done before they run out of sand markers, before the storm level reaches the maximum level, or before any player runs out of water.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Forbidden Desert is a cooperative board game that requires strategic planning and teamwork. Here are some strategies, tips, and common mistakes to avoid that can help you and your team survive the desert and find the legendary flying machine.

Advanced Strategies:

Consider the Role’s Abilities: Each player has a unique role with special abilities. Use these abilities strategically to maximize your team’s efficiency.
Plan Ahead: The desert is unforgiving. Always plan your actions ahead and consider the potential consequences before making a move.
Manage Your Water: Water is a precious resource in the game. Keep an eye on your fellow players’ water levels and share water whenever possible.
Keep Moving: Staying in one place for too long can be dangerous due to the shifting sands. Try to keep moving and exploring new tiles.

Beginner Tips:

Understand the Game: Before you start playing, make sure you understand the game mechanics, the roles and their abilities, and the importance of each item.
Communicate: Communication is key in Forbidden Desert. Discuss your plans with your teammates and coordinate your actions.
Use Your Equipment: Don’t forget to use your equipment. They can be life-saving in critical situations.
Take Risks: Sometimes, the only way to win is by taking risks. Don’t be afraid to make bold moves but also know when to play safe.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring Teammates: Forbidden Desert is a cooperative game. Ignoring your teammates’ needs or not sharing resources can lead to your team’s downfall.
Wasting Actions: Every action counts. Avoid unnecessary moves and focus on the objectives.
Underestimating the Storm: The storm is a constant threat. Don’t underestimate its impact and always take it into consideration when planning your moves.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Balance Roles: Try to have a balance of roles in your team. Each role has its strengths and weaknesses, and a well-balanced team can tackle various challenges more effectively.
Adapt Your Strategy: The desert is unpredictable. Be ready to adapt your strategy according to the changes in the game board.
Maximize Actions: Make every action count. Consider the most effective way to use your actions before making a move.