Released in 2018 by Swedish Free League Publishing, Forbidden Lands delivers a fresh take on fantasy RPGs—embracing a gritty, survival-focused sandbox rather than heroic quests. Its post-apocalyptic medieval setting strips players of traditional heroics and casts them instead as raiders, explorers, and opportunists in a land freed of a lethal mist but haunted by what it once protected.
What’s Inside the Box?
- Player’s Manual (hardcover, faux leather): Streamlined creation, visceral combat, dangerous magic, survival travel—plus rules to build your own stronghold.
- Gamemaster’s Guide (hardcover, faux leather): Deep setting insight, rich bestiary, random encounter tables, and three ready-to-use adventure sites.
- Legends & Adventurers Booklet: Flavorful character backgrounds that tie personality and goals into adventure hooks.
- Massive Full-Color Map + Stickers: A hex-by-hex wilderness sandbox that evolves with your campaign.
- Included PDFs via DriveThruRPG for digital ease.
- Packed in a sturdy box with exceptional production values—no wonder it earned four ENnie Awards in 2019 (Gold: Cartography, Production; Silver: Rules, Product of the Year).
Core Gameplay & System
Built on the Year Zero Engine, Forbidden Lands uses a simple dice pool: roll d6s made up from Attributes (Strength, Agility, Wits, Empathy), Skills, and Gear. Successes are sixes, while 1s (“banes”) impose damage or consequences—granting Willpower in return. This ties resource management, risk, and power into one simple loop.
- No hit points: Physical damage reduces Strength directly; psychic damage chips away at Wits.
- Resource tracking matters: supplies, travel, gear durability—and yes, if you survive long enough, you can build and maintain your own stronghold!
- Modular exploration: Instead of quest-based adventuring, you’re free to map out locations in hexes, using adventure site tables to organically generate the world as you go.
Highlights
| Strengths | Supporting Points |
|---|---|
| Sandbox Freedom | Open exploration with hex-map travel, emergent site placements, and self-directed play. |
| Survival Depth | Realistic gear degradation, tracking rations/fuel, and wilderness hazards emphasize endurance. |
| Stronghold Mechanics | Not just loot—but stakes: build and defend your own base over time. |
| Aesthetic & Design | Gorgeous maps, art, and layout evoke older RPGs with modern polish. ENnies for Cartography and Production. |
| Cohesive Mechanics | Bane-Willpower system ties risk to reward; one core roll engine supports all actions. |
| Thematic Tone | Gritty heroism, broken people, and reclaimed lost worlds—far from high fantasy. |
Considerations
- Not Heroic Fantasy: Expect scavenging, surviving, staking out territory—not knightly quests.
- Death & Consequence: Lethal combat and environmental danger are the norm; high mortality is built-in.
- Learning Curve: Survival travel systems and stronghold mechanics are immersive but require careful GM planning.
- Print Volume: No included dice or starter scenarios; GMs need to flesh out campaigns themselves.
Supported Expansion: The Bitter Reach
While The Bitter Reach isn’t part of the core box, it’s the premier expansion—and adds:
- New rules: Icy terrain, element magic disciplines, cold-specific hazards, and expanded survival rules.
- New content: Champion profession, 40+ random encounters, 8 new monsters (Frost Dragon, Ice Giant, Wendigo), and the Wake of the Winter King campaign—a 312-page sandbox arc with 10 adventure sites and a campaign-ending finale.
- Player Maps and Card Deck: Optional map & card pack to visualize your progress via stickers and artifact cards.
Final Verdict
Forbidden Lands is a masterclass in sandbox survival RPG design. Beautifully produced, mechanically engaging, and thematically rich, it invites players to carve legends from a harsh world rather than slay dragons for glory. If you’re ready for exploration, danger, resource management, and building power on your own terms, this game offers unmatched depth.
It’s not the place for epic quest arcs or noble saviors. But if you want the thrill of reclaiming a cursed land for yourself? This is your game.
