Embarking on a daring adventure through treacherous dungeons in pursuit of treasure and mystical artifacts has long been the essence of classic board games, the same way peanut butter perfectly complements chocolate. Among the pioneers of this captivating synergy is the Talisman: The Magical Quest Game series. It all started in 1983, when Games Workshop, now famed for their Warhammer and Lord of the Rings tabletop war games, unveiled the first edition of Talisman. Players were introduced to the game’s dynamic regions and the ultimate chase for the Crown of Command. Fast forward over four decades, Avalon Hill brings us the fifth edition of Talisman, where yet again, players can prove their valor against dragons to seize the crown.
In Talisman, up to six adventurers have the chance to choose from a dozen unique characters, comprising a nimble thief, a wise wizard, and a fearless warrior, among others. The gameplay in this new edition preserves the spirit of its predecessors: roll the dice, land on a spot, and draw an adventure card that could reveal a lurking monster, a valuable magic item, or even transport you to a tavern where another dice roll determines your fate. The turns continue in this fashion until one character acquires a Talisman relic, traverses the formidable Valley of Fire, and topples the Elder Dragon to claim victory.
This approach, which might seem straightforward or dated, actually enhances Talisman’s charm. While the gaming landscape today is teeming with ambitious campaign-style board games like Elden Ring or Divinity: Original Sin—and even Avalon Hill’s revamped HeroQuest—these modern iterations can often feel daunting and pricey for those just stepping into the gaming fold. Talisman’s simplicity might not cater to the appetites of seasoned board gamers, yet it’s perfect for a casual gathering with younger folks or friends new to the genre.
On each turn, players juggle decisions: Should I bolster my strength or advance quickly? This inner dialogue spices up each move with its constant tug-of-war, balancing the need to grow mighty enough to vanquish the final dragon against the desire to outpace other players.
Luck plays a prominent role in Talisman, with nearly every action hinging on dice rolls. While it might echo elements of “Adventure Monopoly,” it undoubtedly offers a more engaging and quicker experience. Movement direction diverging into clockwise or counterclockwise paths, unpredictable outcomes dictated by card draws, and the reliance on fate during combat—all add to its charm. Despite these elements, the fifth edition presents a Fate resource, providing opportunities to reroll dice or jump up to six spaces, which somewhat counters the randomness but doesn’t fully diminish reliance on chance.
The fifth edition introduces clever tweaks to accelerate the game and soften its harsher edges, like the transformation into a toad being cut down from three turns to one. Even character death is more forgiving, as players retain their amassed items and start anew at the Village rather than being left stripped and starting from scratch.
This lenience enhances gameplay, yet it does dilute the intensity and risk that once underscored confrontations. The rulebook thoughtfully caters to long-time fans by tucking away older rules at the back as “Alternate Rules,” and clearly highlighting all fifth-edition changes.
Visually, while the revamped artwork shines, much of the design feels like it’s stuck in the past. The tiny text on both the board and cards poses a readability challenge, making it difficult for players to discern all board details. A modern player aid could have been a handy inclusion, and while stat tracking cones keep the nostalgia alive, they too could have used an update for clarity and accessibility. The colorblind need for differentiation is significant, as distinguishing sizes of cones on one’s board isn’t easy, let alone from across the table. Perhaps one day, we might see enhanced components or turn to the fan community (and 3D printing) for custom solutions.
Speaking of expansions, Talisman games have always had a rich tapestry of add-ons, and the fifth edition hasn’t broken that tradition. Its debut expansion, Talisman Alliances, brings a never-before-seen co-op mode, turning the base game into a campaign-like experience with five trials to jointly overcome, retaining rewards for future games.
Despite my dislike for swapping out cards beforehand, Alliances did introduce a new layer of strategy, prompting cooperative planning and trade-offs as the Doom Track ramped up the difficulty. Resetting the game afterwards is a breeze with the comprehensive guidance in the rulebook.
Even with a release in 2024, Talisman Fifth Edition remains firmly anchored in its origins, for both its strengths and its shortcomings. While some might find its methods outdated, others treasure the faithful homage to the qualities that have sustained Talisman’s legacy for over four decades. Personally, I’d prefer if it leaned less on mere luck and favored strategic finesse more. Yet, I still appreciate the gentle, quicker gameplay of this edition. The Alliances expansion makes it a wonderful entry point into adventure board gaming, especially with its appealing price point.
