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Game Info
Year
2022
Players
1-3
Age
14+
Playtime
120 min
Collection
Ratings
Creator Score
Expansions & Family
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Mechanic profile
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Vibe profile
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Description
Horizons of Spirit Island features the core mechanisms of Spirit Island, but features a new double-sided game board with a streamlined set-up, punchboard components, and five new Spirits designed to be ideal for those playing a Spirit Island game for the first time. These new Spirits are compatible with all existing Spirit Island components, but to play with expansions like Jagged Earth, you would need a copy of Spirit Island itself.
Spirit Island Family
(3 games)
Part of the Spirit Island family — see Spirit Island for the combined view.
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 10
This page: 10
Sentiment:
pos 6 ·
mix 2 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–10 of 10
Video iE7n1hh5NH0
Board Games UnLocked Review at 0:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 113019 · mention_pk 324670
Click to watch at 0:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- A more succinct and condensed version of Spirit Island, making it less overwhelming for new players.
- Centralized board elements (fear, blight, invader track) make it more manageable.
- The five spirits are unique, powerful, and feel different from existing ones.
- Can be integrated with the main Spirit Island game for more spirit options.
- Backwards compatible with existing Spirit Island content.
- A more affordable entry point into the Spirit Island system.
- Lower footprint compared to the base game and expansions.
- Keeps the crunchiness and complexity of Spirit Island without watering it down.
- Thematic elements like power progressions are integrated effectively.
Cons
- Not truly a simpler introduction to Spirit Island as initially expected.
- Player count is capped at 1-3, which is considered odd.
- The cardboard pieces for cities, towns, and invaders can be cumbersome and clutter the board.
- Two-handing multiple spirits can be overwhelming due to the game's nuance.
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Spirit Island
- Jaws of the Lion
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Power Progression — Includes power progressions that are helpful for players, indicating which Power Cards to get and how they function.
- Static board — Unlike the base game, Horizons of Spirit Island uses a static board with centralized elements like fear and blight pools, and the Invader track.
- Unique spirit abilities — Features distinct spirit abilities, such as Sunbrite Whirlwind focusing on control, increased range, and energy management for playing cards multiple times.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- my initial thoughts of Horizons of spirit Island was that it was going to be kind of a Jaws of the lion experience in that it would ease you into the game so that you understand how Spirit Island works and either maybe because I've played Spirit Island so much or because the game is what it is I don't think it quite does that
- but nothing made me more aware of kind of how complex Spirit island is than playing this game and thinking it was supposed to be a simpler version and then realizing it's really not it is Spirit Island
- on a scale of 1 to 10 Horizons of spirit Island is going to get it's going to get a nine for me like there's no reason why this should get anything less because that means I would have to kind of rate Spirit Island less and I think this is a very solid entry
- it's still so good it's still just as crunchy um like it's not like again I'm kind of Blown Away at how much they were able to keep pure to Spirit Island without making it like without watering it down almost
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video -sy3ZSxlGa0
Watch It Played News at 0:22 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89491 · mention_pk 237717
Click to watch at 0:22 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Standalone game
- Ideal for new players
- Accessible price point
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Spirit Island
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Core mechanisms — Horizons of Spirit Island features the core mechanisms of the very popular Spirit Island.
- Double-sided game board — Features a new double-sided game board.
- new spirits — Features five new spirits designed to be ideal for those playing a Spirit Island game for the first time.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- trailblazers where one to eight adventurers will create the longest hiking biking and kayaking paths by the ageless medium of tile length with a catchy is that you can't get lost as you always have to find your way back to camp and you only score points for paths that begin and end at matching colored campsites
- you're gonna get stabbed in the back it's just i mean it's a guarantee
- point city a sequel to the wonderful hit game point salad which i linked to my friend beth now i think about it not important in point city your drafting cards similar to the original point salad but you're building a city and as such there's a little more going on with resource management and engine building aspects but gosh if i'm not excited for it when it's out next year
- board game day which is written by amy valdez from the board game blitz podcast and illustrated by rachel kramer from the semicolo internet comic and they've teamed up to create board game day a 16 page fully illustrated children's book the game follows a group of friends two pandas a cat a bird and an octopus as they prepare for and have a board game day illustrations include many actual children's games so the kid might recognize them and i think this is a lovely project to finish on
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video QI5ZMAtW5ZY
Getting Games Top 33 List at 38:35 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89514 · mention_pk 237932
Click to watch at 38:35 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
No quotes stored for this video.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video FhRwBoeY3GA
slickerdrips Playthrough at 6:08 sentiment: positive
video_pk 85219 · mention_pk 218013
Click to watch at 6:08 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Complete base game
- Cheap accessible way of getting into Spirit Island
- Core game is there
Cons
- Only plays one to three players
- Spirit boards are cardboard rather than thick punch board
Thematic elements
- Spirits defending an island from invaders
- An island
Comparison games
- Spirit Island
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Limited player count — Plays one to three players.
- Reduced complexity — Has 'added complexity bits missing' compared to the base game.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It's fantastic. It's one of my favorite games
- We'll see, won't we? We'll try and do more things.
- So, this is kind of a mishmash of stuff.
- This is very, very, very close. Like literally the fear card saved it.
- I don't think of it as like a really intense game that takes ages.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video tkKO5O6OE3U
Meeple University Unboxing
video_pk 70219 · mention_pk 167129
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
No quotes stored for this video.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video nahZTh_qreQ
Meeple University Playthrough
video_pk 70220 · mention_pk 167130
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
No quotes stored for this video.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video fJMGA6KrogA
The Broken Meeple Unboxing at 8:27 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13189 · mention_pk 38605
Click to watch at 8:27 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Entry point to Spirit Island
- Good guided walkthrough for first round
- New spirits included
- Excellent design
Cons
- Still has substantial rules complexity
- Guided walkthrough only goes through round one
Thematic elements
- Environmental protection
- Island spirits
- Cooperative gameplay
Comparison games
- Spirit Island
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I don't normally do unboxing videos it's not normally my thing
- this is my game room there's a bunch of games and some of those are buried underneath other games
- I'm not going to fully unbox every single one of these games tonight
- the idea of a co-op version of Kinder Tokyo was enough to make me go yay
- this could be a good way to start playing Spirit Island
- the advanced guide to quantum physics is what Spirit Island is
- give respect to composers
- those tokens are very basic and they're really boring
- caberner is already a heavy game and forgotten folk made it a little bit more heavier
- not everything fits in the base box
- 80 euro is too much
- this is too many games
- I mean I've got North guard Vengeance roll and fight endless winter
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Me7VJwbDWWw
3 Minute Board Games Review at 2:51 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 8297 · mention_pk 24317
Click to watch at 2:51 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Preserves Spirit Island depth and variety
- Unique spirits with strong thematic flavor
- Cooperative play remains engaging
- Growth and power management adds strategic depth
- More user-friendly setup compared to the base game
Cons
- Still very heavy and complex
- Potentially diverts components to the main game
- Long playtime and steep learning curve
- Some copies may end up unused or repurposed
Thematic elements
- defense of an ecosystem against external exploitation; collaboration and strategy under siege
- An island paradise threatened by colonial invasion; players are spirits defending the land and people.
- mythic-cooperative with evolving powers and invader threat
Comparison games
- Roll Camera
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- blight and Dahan interactions — Destruction of towns/cities creates blight; Dahan counterattack to defend.
- card management — Draw and manage power cards; can gain minor and major powers with costs.
- cooperative win condition — All players win or lose as a team based on invader elimination and fear on the board.
- Fear mechanism — Fear cards are drawn as the fear pool empties, altering the game state.
- growth phase — Players select actions such as reclaiming cards, adding presence, or gaining power.
- invader phase (ravage, build, explore) — Invaders attack, build settlements, and explore new regions, driving tension.
- Limited Resource Pool — Resources tied to the top/bottom spirit tracks power the innate abilities.
- power pool / element pool — Resources tied to the top/bottom spirit tracks power the innate abilities.
- presence and board control — Presence tracks allow expansion and influence on the board and power generation.
- standalone variant design — Horizons aims to be more accessible while preserving core Spirit Island mechanics.
- Unique Player Powers — Each spirit has unique powers and power cards that shape gameplay.
- Variable player powers — Each spirit has unique powers and power cards that shape gameplay.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Horizons of spirit island is just Spirit island with a quick start book, more user-friendly board and some low complexity Spirits
- this is both its strength and its weakness
- it's still Spirit Island and Spirit Island is an incredible Cooperative game design
- the best thing about this game is still drowning Invaders with tsunamis and firestorms in the late game
- Horizons of spirit Island: it's still pretty damn heavy
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video mLMnLtUMNaI
Before You Play Playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 4249 · mention_pk 12398
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Standalone variant with starter-friendly changes
- New board layout and five new spirits across complexity levels
- Two-player setup with guided teach-through and quick-start adaptation
Cons
- Limited to a maximum of 3 players (not 4), which constrains group size
- Coastal regions introduce heavier build/ravage pressure later in the game
- Despite starter polish, still a relatively heavy cooperative strategy game for new players
Thematic elements
- Cooperation, ecological defense, asymmetrical spirits
- Islands threatened by Invaders with native Dahan allies; spirits defend regions
- mythic fantasy with multiple spirits shaping the story
Comparison games
- Spirit Island (base game)
- Spirit Island expansions
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- asymmetric spirits — Each spirit has a unique innate power and playstyle influencing strategy.
- Cooperative Game — Players work together as spirits to defend the island against Invaders.
- cooperative play — Players work together as spirits to defend the island against Invaders.
- Dahan and blight — Natives (Dahan) defend land; blight pool tokens represent land deterioration and potential loss conditions.
- Energy economy and card play — Players manage energy to play power cards; fast vs slow powers resolve at different times.
- Fear deck and Terror levels — Defeating Invaders generates fear; fear cards drive Terror level shifts and affect victory conditions.
- Invader deck and phases — Invaders go through Explore, Build, Ravage phases in a cyclical deck system with terrain cards.
- Sacred sites and presence — Presence tokens form sacred sites; they influence range, power costs, and special rules.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this version of spirit island is of course Standalone
- the game comes with a game board rather than tiles
- it's essentially a fully Cooperative game where we're going to be taking on the roles of asymmetric Spirits
- we are playing as asymmetric spirits who are trying to protect this entire Island
- starter friendly
- the game only goes up to Max 3 players rather than four
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video rudwNTNM_3A
AzureDeath | Solo Board Gaming Review at 0:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 688 · mention_pk 2000
Click to watch at 0:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Excellent portability due to compact, consolidated board
- New low-complexity spirits provide fresh gameplay
- All-in-one board streamlines setup and organization
- Good value for the price
- Power card layout clarity without color corner markers
Cons
- Not ideal for complete beginners; still complex
- Quick Start Guide is not helpful for solo/two-handed play
- Cardboard tokens can clutter the board and feel less durable
- Fewer options to escalate difficulty than base game
- Limited player count (2-3 players)
Thematic elements
- Cooperative environmental defense with escalating threats
- Islands under threat from invaders, defended by powerful spirits
- Emergent cooperative puzzle with strategic planning
Comparison games
- Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
- Gloomhaven
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative Game — Designed for one or two players controlling multiple spirits; compatible with solo play
- Difficulty escalation — Limited escalation options compared to base game; designed as introductory experience
- Fear mechanics — Fear cards help win conditions and adjust game dynamics
- Invader deck — Deck-based events driving the game's progression
- Ladder Climbing — Limited escalation options compared to base game; designed as introductory experience
- Power management — Starting power cards for spirits; minor and major power cards without color corners
- Setup efficiency — All-in-one board streamlines setup and improves organization
- Solo/Co-op play — Designed for one or two players controlling multiple spirits; compatible with solo play
- Variable Set-Up: Board — All-in-one board streamlines setup and improves organization
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the spirit Island system is a 10 out of 10
- for thirty dollars I think it's incredible
- it's still an amazing game
- the quick start guide is only for three players
- I can't recommend this for inexperienced board gamers
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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Showing 1–10 of 10