Shadows of Brimstone: Forbidden Fortress

Flying Frog Productions · Board game · 2018
8.7 Ludopedia 8.5 BGG 1–4 · best 3 Solo 120 min Weight 3.6/5
Buy · from US$ 90.97
8.7 rating Ludopedia
8.5 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy oriental-themed dungeon crawlers with plenty of cooperative action, Forbidden Fortress is a great pick! It's a robust game, packed with miniatures and an engaging campaign.

Highlights
  • Cooperative and immersive
  • Unique Japanese theme
  • Fantastic miniatures
  • Addictive campaign
Keep in mind
  • High language dependency
  • Dense rules for beginners
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

Prepare for an epic adventure in Shadows of Brimstone: Forbidden Fortress! In this dungeon crawl board game, you and your friends team up to face hordes of demonic creatures that have invaded a castle in Feudal Japan. Choose from heroes like the honorable Samurai, the stealthy Ninja, the mystical Monk, or the powerful Sorceress, each with unique abilities to stop them. Explore a modular board that reveals itself with each step, featuring double-sided tiles that lead from a haunted castle to a bizarre alien world. In each mission, confront monsters inspired by Japanese folklore, such as the fearsome Oni and Tengu, or more sinister creatures like the Harionago and the Living Statue. The game is fully cooperative, requiring everyone to work together to survive. With a campaign system, your heroes evolve, gain new skills and equipment, and you can even visit a Japanese village between missions to resupply. Forbidden Fortress can be played solo or combined with other games in the Shadows of Brimstone series, further expanding your adventure possibilities. It's a fantastic entry point to the Brimstone universe, with incredible miniatures and an engaging story that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

4 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–4 players
1 REC
2 BEST
3 BEST
4 BEST

Where to Buy

Prices monitored daily

Finding best prices...

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.

Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Category: Dungeon Crawler Country: Japan Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Game: Shadows of Brimstone Mechanism: Campaign Games Theme: Ninjas Theme: Samurai
Publisher Flying Frog Productions
Designer Jason C. Hill
Artist Ben Wootten, Brian Snoddy, Gaël Goumon, Jack Scott Hill, Mariusz Gandzel, Matthew Morgaine, Ralph Horsley, Tomasz Jedruszek

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

2,758owners
522wishlist
114want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many players can play?
Shadows of Brimstone: Forbidden Fortress is for 1 to 4 players, perfect for playing solo or with friends.
How long does a game session take?
A game session typically lasts around 120 minutes (2 hours), but this can vary depending on the mission and player experience.
Is the game difficult to learn?
It's considered medium-heavy complexity (3.55/5 on BGG). The rules might seem a bit dense at first, but the cooperative nature helps a lot. It's worth dedicating time to understand them well!
Do I need to know English to play?
Yes, the game has a considerable language dependency, with lots of text on cards and in the rulebook. A full translation is essential for comfortable play.
Is it a standalone game or do I need others?
Forbidden Fortress can be played completely on its own! But if you're already into Shadows of Brimstone, it integrates perfectly with other products in the series, adding more content and worlds.
Does it come with many miniatures?
Absolutely! The game includes 27 high-quality plastic miniatures for heroes and enemies, which look fantastic on the table.
Is it more focused on story or combat?
It's a balance! There's a strong narrative with missions and events, but tactical dice-rolling combat and abilities are at the heart of the experience. Get ready to roll a lot of dice!

Other Games You'll Like

Based on mechanics and theme

8 games