Embarking on quests through perilous dungeons to unearth treasure and magical relics is an experience as classic to board games as peanut butter to jelly. Among the pioneers in making this combo irresistible was Talisman: The Magical Quest Game series. The original Talisman launched in 1983 by Games Workshop—now famed for their Warhammer and Lord of the Rings tabletop creations—offered a rich world full of various regions and the legendary Crown of Command. Fast forward more than four decades, and Avalon Hill has brought us the fifth edition of Talisman. Players again face off against dragons, testing their courage to see who will ultimately claim the crown.
In this magical board game, you can team up with up to five friends, choosing from a lineup of 12 unique characters like a stealthy thief, a powerful wizard, or a formidable warrior. The latest Talisman still maintains a familiar rhythm: roll dice, move to a spot that could yield adventure cards unleashing monsters, gifting magical items, or whisking you away to a dice-determined fate. This turn-based cycle continues until someone captures a Talisman relic, braves the Valley of Fire, and defeats the mighty Elder Dragon to seize victory.
Some might call its straightforward style a bit old-school, but Talisman’s simplicity is what sets it apart. Today’s world brims with complex, campaign-style board games offering grand journeys like Elden Ring or Divinity: Original Sin, and even HeroQuest—another Avalon Hill-Games Workshop collaboration—feels like an evolution of Talisman’s concept. However, many modern games can be daunting and pricey, especially for newcomers or young players. Though seasoned gamers might not naturally gravitate toward it, Talisman is a fantastic pick for a casual night with nephews or friends less versed in board gaming but eager to try something fun.
While actions in Talisman might seem straightforward compared to more contemporary games, its charm lies in strategic decisions about whether to become stronger or push forward. This decision-making balance brings a thrilling tension: will you risk an encounter to gain rewards or dash ahead to outpace opponents?
Luck plays a huge role in Talisman, much like a fast-paced “Adventure Monopoly,” albeit much more enjoyable. Movement is decided by dice, and every space’s fate is a dice roll or a card draw, while battles hinge on luck too. Though the reliance on luck isn’t to everyone’s taste, the fifth edition introduces a Fate resource allowing rerolls or moving additional spaces. This addition, while helpful, doesn’t entirely reduce the random element, and I wish it leaned more into strategy over luck.
Updates in this edition shave off some of the rough edges, speeding up gameplay and softening punishing elements. The notorious Toad transformation, once lasting three turns, now lasts one cycle, and player deaths no longer necessitate a complete do-over. Instead, you keep your items and resume play from the Village, paying for lives at the start.
These changes make Talisman more user-friendly but slightly detract from its thrill factor during confrontations. Wisely, the rulebook includes “Alternate Rules” featuring traditional rules, easily making these new updates accessible to long-time fans.
Though the artwork in Talisman Fifth Edition is stunningly redrawn, other aspects might feel a tad outdated, especially regarding accessibility. The small text on cards and the board, always oriented outwards, makes it hard for players to read from any position. Including a player aid—a common feature in modern games—with space descriptions would be ideal, and is something I plan to create myself.
Even simple updates to the iconic stat tracking cones would improve things, as differentiating between sizes is tricky, especially from a distance. Adding unique shapes or textures to the cones or making size differences more obvious would be a step forward. Perhaps a special component add-on might address these issues, or a committed fan community might tackle a 3D-printed solution.
Talking of add-ons, Talisman is famous for a vast array of expansions, and the latest edition introduces something innovative—a co-op mode. Talisman Alliances, the first expansion, transforms the base game into a campaign-like adventure. Players tackle five trials together, securing rewards they carry through the game.
This cooperative twist was a hit with my group, nudging Talisman toward strategy. We could plan, trade, and watch the Doom Track elevate the stakes. While I found swapping out cards slightly tedious, the rulebook’s reset instructions back to the original deck offset this minor hassle.
Set to release in 2024, Talisman Fifth Edition harks back to its roots, for better and worse. Some might see its mechanics as dated, while loyalists value its timeless appeal. I’m somewhere in the middle, craving less reliance on luck and more acknowledgment of strategic play, while respecting rule changes that foster a smoother experience. With its friendly price point and cooperative expansion, Talisman remains a gateway for those venturing into the adventure board game genre.
