Shadows of Brimstone: Forbidden Fortress

Shadows of Brimstone: Forbidden Fortress

AdventureExplorationFantasyFighting
Players
1-4
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
3 players
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
120 min
AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
12+
ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
3.6 / 5
Year
2018

About the game

Shadows of Brimstone: Forbidden Fortress is a cooperative dungeon-crawl adventure set in a Feudal Japan overrun by Oni, Tengu, and undead samurai, playable standalone or combined with other Shadows of Brimstone products. Players choose from four heroes - Samurai Warrior, Ninja Assassin, Traveling Monk, or Sorceress - to battle through dynamically generated missions using dice rolling and modular map tiles. A built-in campaign system lets heroes carry over items and abilities between sessions, with double-sided tiles offering a second OtherWorld setting inside a living creature. With over 250 cards, plastic miniatures, and a mission-based structure, it delivers a heavy, replayable co-op crawl for 1-4 players.

Hobbli's Notes

Forbidden Fortress is a satisfying, if hefty, addition to the Shadows of Brimstone cooperative crawl series. The Feudal Japan setting and new hero options give it real identity apart from the base game. We recommend it to groups already invested in campaign-style dungeon crawlers rather than as a first co-op purchase.

What we like

  • Rich cooperative campaign system lets heroes progress across multiple sessions.
  • High-quality plastic miniatures and modular double-sided tiles boost immersion.
  • Distinct Feudal Japan setting with strong thematic enemies like Oni and Tengu.
  • Fully compatible with other Shadows of Brimstone products for expanded play.

Keep in mind

  • Heavy complexity and 120-minute playtime require a serious time commitment.
  • Large component count means longer setup and storage demands.
  • Best experienced with prior Shadows of Brimstone knowledge or willingness to learn a dense ruleset.

Who it's for

Ideal for cooperative dungeon-crawl fans who enjoy miniatures, campaign progression, and a moderate-to-heavy rules load; works solo or with a group of up to 4.

Mechanics

Cooperative GameDice RollingMovementModular BoardVariable Player Powers

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