Review of The Magical Quest 5th Edition Board Game

Embarking on thrilling quests through perilous dungeons for treasures and magical artifacts has been a staple in board games, much like peanut butter complements chocolate. Talisman: The Magical Quest Game series was one of the pioneers in mastering this blend. Initially launched in 1983 by Games Workshop—more recognizable today for their Warhammer and Lord of the Rings tabletop war games—Talisman invited players into its mystical realms to compete for the coveted Crown of Command. Fast forward over 40 years, and Avalon Hill has brought out the fifth edition of Talisman, allowing players to once again challenge the formidable dragon and vie for dominion over the crown.

In Talisman, two to six players can choose from a roster of 12 characters, each vying for the Crown of Command. The choices include a stealthy thief, a powerful wizard, and a fearsome warrior, to name a few. The latest edition retains the familiar gameplay elements—roll the dice, move to a new space, and draw an adventure card. This could mean confronting a monster, acquiring a magic item, or tumbling into a tavern where a dice roll determines your fate. Play continues in this manner until a player who has secured one of the magic Talisman relics battles their way through the Valley of Fire, defeats the Elder Dragon, and claims victory by securing the crown.

This seemingly straightforward—and possibly old-fashioned—approach is actually part of Talisman’s charm. In today’s gaming landscape, there are countless campaign-style board games promising grand adventures, from Elden Ring to Divinity: Original Sin, and even HeroQuest, Avalon Hill’s other revival from Games Workshop. Many of these modern games can seem daunting and pricey for new or younger players. While Talisman might not be my go-to game with a group of seasoned board gamers, it’s a delightful option for playing with my nephews or friends who are new to the board gaming world and eager to try something different.

The allure of Talisman isn’t in flashy, modern gaming actions but in the strategic decision-making of whether to enhance your character’s strength or push forward. There’s an ongoing mental tug-of-war about becoming powerful enough to face the final dragon without lagging behind in the game, introducing an element of suspense every turn. Do you risk forgoing an enemy’s rewards now to potentially outpace others later on?

While strategy plays a role, Talisman heavily leans on luck, with most outcomes dictated by dice rolls. Some may liken it to “Adventure Monopoly,” though Talisman is quicker and more entertaining. Movement is determined by a single die, leaving players to decide which direction to go. The results of new spaces are controlled by another die roll or a random card draw, and combat involves another roll of the dice. This reliance on chance might not appeal to everyone, and while this edition offers a Fate resource to reroll dice or take extra movement, it still doesn’t fully address the game’s dependency on luck. I’d have appreciated new features to reduce this randomness and offer more rewards for strategic gameplay.

This latest iteration has introduced adjustments to quicken gameplay and lessen penalties for players. Take the game’s notorious Toad transformation, for instance—it used to debilitate a character for three turns, now it lasts just one. And character death is no longer as unforgiving; previously, a dead character lost all possessions and players restarted with a new one. Now, characters retain their items and move to the Village space, where they can purchase additional lives.

While this makes the game experience less severe and more forgiving, it arguably diminishes some of the thrilling tension in battles. Wisely, the rulebook includes many older rules labeled as “Alternate Rules,” clearly marking the fifth edition’s changes for veteran fans of Talisman.

Although the refreshed artwork enhances the game’s visual appeal, several design aspects of Talisman Fifth Edition feel a tad outdated. For instance, the text on the board and cards is small, making it difficult for anyone to read comfortably regardless of their seating position. A player aid sheet listing descriptions of the spaces—common in contemporary games—would have been useful, and it’s something I plan to create for my own game. Even the iconic stat-tracking cones could use a modern facelift.

Moreover, distinguishing between the slightly different cone sizes is challenging, especially from across the table. While this design has been part of Talisman’s identity, introducing varied shapes or textures or emphasizing size differences could vastly improve usability. Perhaps a future premium component addition could address this, and there’s always the possibility of creative solutions from the fan community through 3D printing.

On the topic of additions, Talisman’s allure is its range of expansions, and its first expansion for the fifth edition does something unprecedented—it introduces a cooperative mode. Talisman Alliances turns the game into a light campaign experience with five Trials for players to surmount together, reaping rewards they can carry into subsequent games.

With interactive elements like envelopes and small boxes, my friends and I found this cooperative twist exciting, providing more strategic layers during play. We could strategize over objectives, trade to optimize our chances, and watch as the Doom Track added escalation to our adventure. Though the process of swapping out cards from the main deck was a minor hassle, Alliances offers clear guidelines for returning to the standard Talisman game afterward.

Despite being a 2024 release, Talisman Fifth Edition has its roots firmly planted in traditional gaming mechanics—both its strength and its shortcoming. Some might see its mechanics as dated, while others appreciate them as cherished classics that have kept Talisman thriving for decades. I find myself torn, wishing for less reliance on luck and more strategic rewards, yet valuing the new rules that offer a more welcoming, quicker game experience. With its first expansion and a fair price point, Talisman Fifth Edition serves as a charming introduction into adventure board games.