Spirit Island
- Players
- 1-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 2 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 120 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 13+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 4.1 / 5
- Year
- 2017
About the game
Spirit Island is a cooperative game in which players take on the roles of powerful island spirits defending their home from colonizing invaders. Each spirit has unique elemental powers played simultaneously via cards, with faster powers resolving before invaders spread and slower ones requiring careful planning. As the game escalates, spirits grow their presence and gain new powers while the invaders expand more aggressively. Victory comes from driving out or destroying the invaders before the island is overrun.
Hobbli's Notes
Spirit Island stands out for flipping the usual colonization narrative on its head, casting players as the defenders of the land rather than the settlers. Its simultaneous action selection eliminates the quarterbacking problem common in cooperative games, letting every spirit's distinct playstyle shine. It has a steep learning curve loaded with symbols and interactions, but experienced cooperative gamers consistently rank it among the best in its category.
What we like
- Highly asymmetric spirits each with distinct playstyles.
- Simultaneous action selection keeps downtime low.
- Excellent solo and low-player-count experience.
- Unique thematic subversion of the colonization trope.
Keep in mind
- Steep learning curve with dense icons and interactions.
- Can overwhelm players new to cooperative games.
- Escalating difficulty can feel punishing if the invaders get ahead.
Who it's for
Experienced cooperative gamers, playable solo or in groups up to 4, ages 13 and up, especially fans of thematic asymmetric strategy.
