Enchanted Forest
$24.99
Enchanted Forest at a Glance
| Game Type Fantasy, Memory, Adventure, Card Game, Deduction, Roll and Move | Play Time 30 - 60 mins | Skill/Complexity (1.5 - 5) Light |
| Age 6+ | Publisher(s) Ravensburger | Published 1981 |
| Categories Family / Children | Players 2 - 6 | Rules Manual Official Rules |
| Our Rating 8.3/10 | Cost $24.99 |
About – Description
A game filled with adventure, Enchanted Forest is a game that’s perfect for younger players who want to get involved in board game playing a little more seriously.
It was designed in 1981 by Alex Randolph and Michel Matschoss and made for players aged 6 and over and it’s perfect for up to six players.
This is a game that offers a lot of fun for children and the family, especially with its quick playing time.
In 1982, a year after release, it won the Spiel Des Jahres award, which indicates that this is a highly enjoyable and recognized game.
Who’s it best suited for?
The game has a young age rating and the theme alone means that it is predominantly aimed at children. However, it is a game that the family can play while the memory aspect and the deduction aspect of the game delivers an educational experience for younger players.
Skill – Complexity
This is not considered to be a complex game due to the way that it requires a roll of the dice to move around the game.
It’s a game based around a fantasy theme and that means that it is more about having fun than making detailed and complex decisions. As the game is suitable for players aged six, it is fair to say that it’s an easy game to play.
Set Up – Playing Rules & Instructions
Setting up the game is easy and quick. The board is laid out and the trees are shuffled before being placed in the forest next to the blue spots. Players then have to select a playing piece and put that on one of the spaces in the village. The cards then have to be shuffled with the top card being placed face up in the castle. Players then roll the dice in order to determine who starts the game.
The aim of the game is to find objects that the king requests based on the item that is located on the card that has been turned face up on top of the castle.
Players need to roll the dice and move the required spaces on the dice and then the required number of spaces on the other die. If players land on a space that that is used by another player, the player has to move back to the starting village.
As players move around the board they will land on blue spaces and here they will be able to look underneath the tree located next to that space before placing it back. The item that is found under the tree has to be kept a secret from other players.
Once a player knows where the item is located, they then need to head to the castle. Once they land on the key space, they then have to identify the tree that the item is located under. If they have it right, they get to keep the card for that item.
The game is continued to be played in this way until one player collects three cards, they are then classed as the winner.
Versions – Editions
Enchanted Forest has remained almost unchanged since it was released, however, it has been released in a number of countries around the world.
Likes & Dislikes
- Great theme.
- It’s a classic still worth playing.
- Good for memory.
- Easy to learn and teach.
- Possibly a good intro for kids into more complex games.
- Some may find it lengthy in play for a kids game.
- May not captivate some players enough.
The game is brilliant for children given that they have to use their memory while playing. It’s also simple to learn and play which also makes it easier for children to embrace. However, some players believe that the game is not captivating enough to keep children hooked.
Final Thoughts
This simple game offers children the perfect chance to explore a new game that is based around enchantment and adventure. They can get involved in the game quickly due to the memory aspect of it and that gives everyone a chance to win.
