Few board game series have captured my attention quite like Matt Leacock’s Forbidden games from Gamewright. These titles were among the first to pull me into the world of board gaming, and I have fond memories of lunch hours vanishing into the depths of Forbidden Island.
With the recent release of Forbidden Jungle, the series now boasts four entries, each brimming with the spirit of adventure and clever, tile-based cooperative puzzles. They’re also packed with unique touches: the iconic metal tins that set them apart from standard game boxes and the irresistible toy factor of plastic components that beg to be picked up and played with.
In this article, we’re setting off on an adventure through the Forbidden series to rank all four games. From the sandy shores of Forbidden Island to the untamed chaos of Forbidden Jungle. Which one will claim the crown of cooperative adventuring? Let’s find out.
4. Forbidden Sky (2018)
I’m not sure where it all went wrong with Forbidden Sky. But it did. Some of the basics of what makes a Forbidden game were missed.
For starters, it didn’t come in a tin, a small detail, perhaps, but a hallmark of the series. More importantly, it lacked the sense of adventure that defines its predecessors. Instead, Forbidden Sky leaned heavily into its toy factor, arguably to the detriment of everything else.
To be fair, the central gimmick is undeniably cool. As you explore a floating platform in the sky, you place and connect metal contact points to create a real-life electrical circuit. Pull it off, and by the end of the game, your rocket ship lights up, complete with sound effects, as if it’s about to blast off.
But beneath the flashy components, the game falters. It feels more like a rigid puzzle and less like the dynamic, adventurous experience the series is known for. There’s less freedom for individual players to act, and the cooperative element feels stifled by its overly mechanical focus.
In the end, Forbidden Sky feels like the odd duckling of the series—a well-meaning experiment that ultimately misses the mark. Making it an easy number four in these rankings.
Curious about what went wrong in the skies?
👉 Read the full Forbidden Sky review
3. Forbidden Jungle (2023)
After the misstep of Forbidden Sky, Forbidden Jungle was a fantastic return to form, and, thankfully, a return to the iconic metal tins. This time, your ship crash-lands on an alien planet teeming with hungry extraterrestrials who are all too eager to make you their next meal.
As with the other Forbidden games, you begin with a map of face-down tiles, revealing their secrets as you explore. You’ll need to move quickly though, since the planet is quite literally falling apart.
If that weren’t enough, there are also carnivorous aliens moving around the jungle. Starting as eggs, they age quickly, turning into adults with enough venom in their sting to knock you out.
Between the planet blowing up (tiles being removed from the map) and the aliens you have your work cut out for you. You’ll need to gather enough crystals to power up a portal tile and escape.
Compared to the other games in the series Forbidden Jungle increases both complexity and creativity. Almost every tile you uncover has an activatable ability, encouraging players to come up with inventive solutions to the game’s escalating challenges. This added depth makes for a more interesting sandbox to play in, but it’s also a step up in difficulty to learn and play compared to earlier entries.
Still, it’s a thrilling, satisfying continuation of the Forbidden series. Just be prepared for a slightly steeper learning curve—and maybe a few alien encounters—before diving in.
Want to keep exploring this alien planet?
👉 Read the full Forbidden Jungle review
2. Forbidden Island (2010)
The game that started it all. There’s a reason Forbidden Island is still a go-to recommendation for cooperative gaming. It’s just that good.
Your team finds itself stranded on a rapidly sinking island, racing to collect four legendary treasures before the whole place disappears beneath the waves. You can try to hold back the flood by shoring up sinking tiles, but your best bet is to grab the loot and make a break for it.
What makes Forbidden Island such a standout is the sheer urgency of its gameplay. The island doesn’t just flood—it vanishes. Every turn feels like a race against time, pushing you into fast, frantic decisions as the water level rises.
That said, compared to the later Forbidden games, it’s lighter on strategy and complexity. But that’s exactly why it’s such a great entry point. If you’re playing with kids or introducing someone new to board gaming, this is an easy recommendation.
It’s also perfect if you’re short on time. As I mentioned in the introduction, this was once our go-to lunch break adventure. We could set it up, play through a full game, pack it away, and still have time to spare.
1. Forbidden Desert (2013)
Through the process of elimination, you probably saw this coming. But let me be clear. Forbidden Desert is, hands down, the best game in the series.
This time, you’re stranded in the scorching dunes of a relentless desert, with only one way out: scavenge for missing parts to repair a broken airship and escape. Of course, the desert has other plans. A raging sandstorm constantly reshapes the board, burying tiles under ever-mounting sand, while the brutal sun threatens to drain your water supply and leave you for dead.
Forbidden Desert is a masterful blend of adventure and strategy. It’s the closest I’ve ever felt to experiencing a desert’s harsh, unforgiving nature—without actually being there. The sense of immersion is fantastic, but so is the puzzle.
Every turn, you’re making crucial decisions: when to clear sand, how to navigate tunnels, how to best use items, and how to maximise each player’s unique abilities. There’s so much to explore strategically, and it keeps you engaged from start to finish.
And then there’s the finale. More often than not, the game comes down to the wire, with someone pulling off a last-second, pulse-pounding rescue.
Simply put, this is the best Forbidden game. You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t love the thrill of battling the odds and making a daring escape from the desert.
Need more convincing this is the series’ high point?
👉 Read the full Forbidden Desert review
There you have it, all of the Forbidden games, ranked. But now it’s your turn! Which Forbidden game is your favourite? Cast your vote in the poll below and let us why in the comments below.
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