# Forbidden Island — user reviews > 158 indexed App Store user reviews of Forbidden Island by Button Mash Games Inc., rated 4.80/5 from 938 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/forbidden-island/id427419772/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/forbidden-island/id427419772.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 807 · 4★ 99 · 3★ 15 · 2★ 5 · 1★ 12 ## What do users think of Forbidden Island? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Great co-op game - 👍 Faithful to board game - 🎨 Beautiful graphics - 💡 Helpful tutorial - 🕹️ Easy to play - 🕹️ Challenging gameplay - 👍 Replayability **Cons** - 🐛 Card shuffling issues - 🐛 Difficulty level too high - 🕹️ Lack of online/remote multiplayer - 🕹️ No single-player mode - 🐛 Crashes at end of game - 🔋 Slow animations **Commonly reported bugs** - Card shuffling issues - Crashes at end of game **Most requested features** - Online/remote multiplayer - Single-player mode - Retina display support - Customizable island layouts - Action counter for players ## Newest reviews (16 of 158) ### 3/5 — This game is great when travelling *2021-10-24, version 3.25* Fun game, it needs more of a storyline or events to make it better. Still good for couples looking to spend time together. Easy to learn, hard to master. ### 4/5 — Update? *2021-04-27, version 3.25* Needs an update for 2021 but still a great game! Make it HD and republish it.👍 ### 4/5 — Perfect, but I wish it was compatible with iPhone *2020-12-06, version 3.25* I really liked the app version. It works very well, I love that I don’t need to setup, and the app also helps with special habilites. My only complain is that for the layout, they could make compatible with iPhone. I wouldn’t mind having a smaller screen and play on the go, when my iPad is not available ### 4/5 — Cards are not random *2020-02-23* This would be a 5 star game if the cards were drawn randomly. The game always pulls the same cards to sink no matter what the odds. Additionally it rarely gives you pairs of treasure cards. The Developers are always giving strategy tips in the responses. I don’t need the tips, I understand the strategy and have won several times despite the game cheating!!! It almost feels as if you are playing against an AI opponent. The developers should just make this an option and deal the AI RANDOM location cards to play against you after each turn. ### 4/5 — Great game *2019-08-20, version 2.31* We love this game!! Please allow this game to be connected with other devices in multiplayer mode rather than pass n play... that’ll be 5* for me!! ### 3/5 — The game will cheat. *2019-07-04, version 2.31* The harder option you go for the game cheats the chances of bad cards and loosing tiles. Weak and obvious ### 4/5 — Great, except one thing *2019-06-08, version 2.31* I think the water rise cards happen too often, especially for novice levels ### 4/5 — Great version of board game *2019-02-04, version 2.31* I really enjoyed the board game...and I enjoy this version as well. Unfortunately as the game ends (win or lose) the app closes. ### 4/5 — Completely hooked! *2019-01-22, version 2.31* I’m completely hooked on Forbidden Island! Awesome game play with a gorgeous interface on iOS. Regrettably, I’m docking it one star because it always crashes at the end of a game on my iPad Pro. ### 5/5 — One of the best games, one of the best apps *2018-12-29* An excellent adaptation of one of the best games ever made. Interface is clear, clean, and simple. Good options available. Works well with no bugs. ### 5/5 — Great one player game *2018-12-27, version 2.31* I pick the 4 player option and play all four characters by myself. It’s actually a heap of fun. Yes, of course I have friends. The engineer, the pilot, the diver, to name a few. ### 4/5 — Good game but double waters rise card draw glitch *2018-11-08* Novice mode consistently had the first waters rise draw back to back which seems like a glitch. Can definitely win still but it seems like something worth fixing for more realistic gameplay. ### 4/5 — Wonderful game, app crashes for me *2018-07-21* Love the game itself. Great game to introduce people to cooperative play. Also plays wonderfully solo. The app functions just fine until the end game. Win or lose, as soon as the message comes up the game crashes every single time on my iPad (5th gen/2017, 11.3). Would be a five star app for me if it weren’t for that. I do still recommend, though, as you can fully play the game to the end. ### 5/5 — The best intro to coops! *2018-07-14* This game was my intro to cooperative games (and my reintroduction to modern gaming). Leacock's design is implemented beautifully, and there are plenty of options to keep the gameplay challenging. Great fun by yourself or with a group of friends. ### 5/5 — Really great game *2018-06-25* This is a fantastic game. The only issue was the I couldn’t turn down the music in game. It was grayed out. Really well thought out game though, very fun and runs smoothly! ### 5/5 — Great game *2018-03-17, version 2.30* Lots of fun, a good challenge for the family. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — No one player *2020-09-14, version 3.24* I love this game but I don’t like that you can’t play one player. ### 1/5 — Stupid *2020-04-25* Description says for 2-4 players. Yeah if they want to pass 1 iPad around. Why would I buy a game for that? I would just play the actual board game. The whole point of multiplayer video games is to do it online, which this app will not do. Hopefully they will give me my money back and update the description to make it clear it’s pass and play only. **Developer response:** It’s true, Forbidden Island is pass-and-play multiplayer only. I’ve updated the app description to make it clearer. My friends and I created this app as a hobby project and, unfortunately, we don’t have the dedicated time available to maintain online features (they tend to need a lot of maintenance). ### 1/5 — Lazy coding *2019-06-09, version 2.31* This is an extra hard game even on the easiest levels. The developers of the game responded in previous posts how sometimes it is the luck of the random shuffle which is stuff that is excusable in the physical version but a digital version the developers should have the wherewithal to code around a random shuffle and actually make the difficulty levels in the game mean something. There is no reason a game on its easiest mode should be frustratingly hard to beat! Do not buy unless you hate yourself. ### 1/5 — Game too hard even on novice difficulty! *2017-03-22, version 2.10* The idea is brilliant, however each player has 3 actions only and the board floods too quickly! Far too many rise water cards! Exchanging treasure cards is so much of a hassle! I'm sorry but I can't play this game when it's so difficult that takes away the fun. I wish i could get a refund... ### 1/5 — Doesn't Work Anymore *2017-03-17, version 2.10* Used to play all the time, but there hasn't been an update since April 2016 which is most likely the issue. Game keeps crashing, can't use the helicopters at all, when you go back in you're lucky if you go back to where you left off. Needs an update BAD! ### 1/5 — Essentially impossible to win *2017-02-19, version 2.10* Like others said, impossibly large number of Waters Rising cards appear. Even on Novice have never gotten close to avoid losing. Physical boxed version not like that. ### 1/5 — Disappointed *2016-04-21* I have ticket to ride and really love playing it with my wife... Me on my iPad, she on hers. It's awesome playing that game local wifi or online. I bought this game thinking we could do the same. Unfortunately, they missed a huge opportunity by making it pass-and-play only. In fact, I don't ever want to play it when other games offer that feature and the games can be more involved. You might as well just buy the actual board game. ### 1/5 — GHOST STORIES and WHOOWASIT Are Better (To Me) *2014-06-30, version 2.5* Update, 2/6/14, few weeks after original review: My 8 year old daughter stops playing about half into the game because she loses interest. And, for me too, FI doesn't hold my interest for long and becomes bland fairly quickly. I still enjoy GHOST STORIES and WHOOWASIT much better. Original Review: As others mentioned, cards seem to not be randomized realistically. Flood Rising cards come about VERY frequently, which makes the game very difficult to beat. My family has yet to beat the game on "easy" with four players in the game. For a cooperative board game, I REALLY like GHOST STORIES and WHOOWASIT. Even if Forbidden Island had better card randomization, I would still prefer the gameplay in GHOST STORIES and WHOOWASIT. Compared to Ghost Stories and Whoowasit, I found Forbidden Island to be a bit boring. ### 1/5 — You can't play alone! *2013-02-09, version 2.0* I bought this because I enjoy the actual board game of Forbidden Island and I thought this would had been great to play on the iPad when friends weren't available. But instead, you cannot play without friends. There is no way you may play with computer allies nor may you play an online game with other players. I might as well just play the actual board game with friends rather than trying to pass around or play on an iPad mini. What awful flaw in development! They are capable of doing so much more with this game and they reach the full potential, perhaps an update could resolve this. ### 2/5 — Very Disappointed *2020-04-11* I was very disappointed to discover there was no network/remote multiplayer support. Was hoping to play with friends while under stay-at-home direction. HUGE missed opportunity for the developer. That being said, it seems to otherwise be a good adaptation of the board game. Would probably give a 4 or 5 if I could play online with friends and family. **Developer response:** It’s true. Unfortunately, Forbidden Island doesn’t have online multiplayer. It was only designed for local multiplayer with up to 4 people. My friends and I created this app as a hobby project and we don’t have the dedicated time available to build and maintain online features - especially since having kids. Sorry to disappoint you. One workaround is that you can share your iPad screen on some video chat apps. You’ll be the only person able to control the board, but it works okay because the game is entirely cooperative. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Best collaborative board game *2023-08-25, version 3.25* Play 2-4 players against the rising waters on a sinking island. Use skill and judgement and most importantly help each other to get off. You all win or you all loose. Works really well on the iPad. ### 5/5 — Plays just like the board game! *2022-02-03* I shared my screen in a virtual meeting and used the game as a lesson in working together, co-operation, and resource management for the youth leadership project that I facilitate. I had 8 to 17 year olds divided into 4 teams. They had a great time and actually won the first time they played. I highly recommend for long distance team building. And game night with distant friends and family. Personally, I don't care much for playing it alone, but it can be done, you just act as all of the players. ### 5/5 — Loving this game *2021-07-01, version 3.25* I’m going to have to get the physical version too. This is great! ### 5/5 — Great co-op or solo puzzle board game *2020-12-29, version 3.25* Very nice aesthetics and implementation of the classic board game, lots of fun and puzzling from both novice to elite! ### 5/5 — Great game. Very faithful to the original board game *2020-10-29, version 3.24* This is a very well done game. If you enjoy playing the Forbidden Island Board game, you will enjoy this version as well. I only have one minor suggestion for improvement. It would be great if I could play this with friends over the Internet. I understand that this would Involve more than a small amount of code, so I would recommend that you release internet playability as a separate, enhanced version. I would definitely be willing to buy the game again at a higher price to be able to play it with my friends over the Internet. With many of us being socially isolated due to the current coronavirus epidemic, I imagine that a Internet version would sell like hotcakes. ### 5/5 — Great game that plays just like the physical version *2020-07-22* I have the physical copy of this game so buying the digital game seemed like the right thing to do. It is great to play solo and it plays just as the original physical version. Some people prefer pandemic over forbidden island but I like forbidden island better. It’s simpler, easier on the eyes, and still has a good amount of strategy. ### 5/5 — Nice customer service *2020-05-09* I bought it, I think I would like it, but it crashes every time. Never worked once despite deleting and reinstalling several times. Deleted the app and left a review. They emailed me right away offering to help. I eventually installed the app to try and take them up on their offer to troubleshoot and it worked. The game seems fun too **Developer response:** I’m sorry the game is crashing for you. If you email me at feedback@buttonmashgames.com, I can try to diagnose the problem. ### 5/5 — Love this game!!! *2019-06-30, version 2.31* Such a good game. Love how they've integrated it into an app!!! ### 5/5 — Forbidden Island *2019-01-27, version 2.31* This is a co-operative strategy game that demands careful co-ordination and negotiation even at the Novice level! A brilliant, involving and exciting way to get up to four people working together. The quick-start option eliminates the tedium and time of setting up. There are six possible adventurers to use, each with a special skill to help themselves or others. All must work as one, or the island wins... ### 5/5 — Awesome *2018-12-31, version 2.31* I have the physical game. It’s so hard to beat. This app is fun and if you set it as two players you can play by yourself....if you have no friends. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*