#Ad-Gifted All thoughts and opinions are honest and our own
We were recently sent Ravensburger’s “Enchanted Forest”- “A Magical Treasure Hunt Game in the Land of Fairy Tales”, from Smyths Toys Superstore to review. We love fairy tales and board games so we were looking forward to playing this. Read on for more information about “Enchanted Forest” Board Game and our thoughts about it:
Enchanted Forest by Ravensburger
Enchanted Forest by Ravensburger is a magical treasure hunt game set in the land of fairytales.
All those courageous enough to accept the King’s challenge, throw the dice to make their way over to the castle. It is here where the first treasure card is revealed, and the hunt begins. Each time a treasure is found, a new card is revealed, until all the King’s treasures have been found.
The player who has collected the most treasures, wins. Enchanted Forest is a fun and clever game of memory and strategy. Families with kids aged 4 and up will love hunting the forest for the hidden treasures.
Each game takes about 20 minutes to play on average. Find “once upon a time” fairy-tale treasures & inherit the kingdom! Cinderella’s glass slipper, Aladdin’s lamp, Puss n’ boots, the Emperor’s crown, 13 magical surprises hidden in the Enchanted Forest.
Explore the lovely forest, peek at treasures. When the king asks for help, race to the palace to become the next to take the throne. Lovely classic illustrations.
Unboxing Enchanted Forest Board Game
We began to unbox “Enchanted Forest” Board game. Our First impressions were we loved the fairytale design. It came in a sturdy box, handy for keeping the game tidy for years and years of play. This is the type of game to gest passed don the generations. When we opened the box we found a message on a scroll (actually our instructions) to read from the King before we began our quest.
My Dear Loyal Subjects,
Having no children of my own, and seeking to pass on my crown and rule over this fair kingdom,
I am seeking among you a subject-wise and clever enough to succeed the throne. I am hereby challenging each and every one of you to embark on an adventuresome quest throughout our Enchanted Forest to find three fabled treasures.
Prove yourself as most worthy to be my successor in this way, and all the kingdom will be yours!
Good luck,
your devoted King.
We could see this was going to be a great fantasy game.
Enchanted Forest: What’s in the Box?
Inside the box, you will find everything you need to play the game:
- 1x playing board
- 13 x trees
- 13 x fairytale object cards (treasure tokens)
- 13 treasure tiles
- 6x playing pieces
- 2 x dice & Instructions
Just add some eager players and you’re ready to go!
How to Set up the Enchanted Forest Board Game for the First Time
The first time you play the game, you’ll need to press out the 12 treasure tiles and 13 treasure tokens from the card sheet. Then insert the 13 treasure tokens into the bottoms of the 13 trees. Once pressed in place, they stay there permanently ready for future games.
Set up Enchanted Forest Board Game
Each time you play, mix up the trees and place them on the tree icons next to the blue spaces on the game board. No one should know which treasure is hidden where (so no peeking!).
Each player has to choose a colour mover. Place this on the star space in the village, this is the start of the game.
Shuffle the treasure tiles and place them face down in the castle courtyard. Turn the top treasure tile face-up revealing a treasure. This is the first treasure you will seek…
How to Play Enchanted Forest Board Game
This game can be played by 2 – 6 players. The youngest player goes first and play moves clockwise (we did have a funny moment when Caitlyn thought this meant we could only move our pieces clockwise on the board too, but no we mean in terms of players rolling the dice).
Roll both dice and move the number of spaces rolled. You can’t share a space with another players mover, but you can move it past them, still counting that space.
If your mover lands on a blue space, look under the tree next to that space to discover what is hidden there. Try to remember what you find and don’t let the other players see it.
Don’t worry if you’ve visited lots of blue spaces and not found the treasure you need, as long as you’re remembering the ones you do find, these will come in handy when other treasure tiles are revealed.
As soon as you think you know the location of the treasure shown on the face-up treasure tile at the castle, you need to make your way back to the key space next to the castle as soon as possible.
At the castle, you must land precisely on the space with the key, using the number on both dice or on only one. If you cannot do so, you must carry on past the castle and then try again on your next turn.
If you land on the space with the key, you may disclose the hiding place of the treasure called for by the card. For example, you may say: “Sleeping Beauty’s spindle is under this tree” and lift the tree which you think is the right one. Look underneath to check if you made the right choice.
If it is the RIGHT TREE, show the underside to the other players, then put the tree back in its place and keep the card as a reward. The next card is then turned over and the turn passes to the next player. Your piece, meanwhile, remains at the castle, and on your next turn you may try to answer the next card as well– unless, of course, another player lands on the key-space and sends you back to the village. Instead of answering the next card you may throw the dice and move away from the castle.
If, on the other hand, it is the WRONG TREE, put the tree back quietly, and without another word take your piece straight back to the village. Do not show the treasure under the tree to your opponents.
Extra Rules For a Longer Game
If you’re new to this game, I’d recommend playing the basic version above first to get used to the game. Once you’re experienced you can add extra rules to make the game longer with more competition and strategy:
1. Movement
When advancing your mover, you must use both dice, but they are used separately.
Start with either die and advance your mover any direction that die’s full value, then advance your mover any direction with the other die’s full value.
This movement rule applies to all movement, including trying to land on the key space
2. Sending Opponents Home
If your mover lands on a space occupied by another player’s mover – after either die’s movement – the other player’s mover is placed back on the star space in the village.
3. Using Magic
Magic Whenever you throw a double – the same number with both dice – you may, if you wish, use magic. That is, you may do one of the following, whichever you find most advantageous:• move your piece to any unoccupied blue space and look under the tree there; • move your piece towards the castle, to the first space beyond the stone bridge; or, if it is already beyond the bridge, move it directly to the space with the key; • change the legend card in the castle courtyard. Shuffle the cards, replace them face down and turn over the top one. If the same card turns up again, it remains on top. You may not use the throw of a double for moving your piece if you use it for performing magic.
Playing an Easier Game for Younger Children
The beauty of board games is you can buy them when your children are young and they will grow with your child. Here are two ways you can play a simpler version of Enchanted Forest with your child:
1. Collect the Trees
Place the 13 trees on the thirteen hiding places. In turn, players throw the dice and move around the board. If a player lands on a blue space, he/she gets to keep the tree. Play continues until all the trees have been collected. The one with the most trees is the winner. (The cards are not used in this version.)
2. Play with less Treasure Tokens
Select five legend cards and their corresponding trees. Place the remainder aside – they will not be used in this game. Place the five trees on five hiding places evenly distributed around the board. Place the legend cards face down on the castle courtyard; turn the top one face-up. Continue playing as in the regular version, until all five legend cards have been claimed. Once they get more confident with the game, you can add more trees.
Our Thoughts on Enchanted Forest
Enchanted Forest board game is a classic game from the 80’s. As a child of the 80’s anything from this era is nostalgic and brings back memories for me. My girls enjoyed it too. It’s a fun game, a combination of using strategy and a roll-and-move memory game. Playing this game is a good way to improve kids’ literacy, memory and strategic skills through play. My kids did get very competitive playing it, especially while racing to the key. I love that an element of luck is needed too so it makes it fair for all players, with different skill levels.
It’s the perfect game to pull out on a Sunday afternoon. Quick to set up and fun to play for all the family. I wish I’d bought it when the kids were all younger, as it’s one to keep and treasure.
We recommend Enchanted Forest and think it would make a great gift. Ravensburger Enchanted Forest – a Magical Treasure Hunt Game is currently available from Smyths Toys for £15.99 (price correct at time of publishing). It is suitable for ages 4 and up.
Pin this Post for later:
