Imagine squeezing a whole dungeon crawl into something about the size of a large mint tin. That’s exactly what Dark Tomb: Bloodthorn Island promises, and successfully delivers- as I discovered hiding from midges in a tent in Scotland.
Naturally this isn’t some massive epic like Gloomhaven, but it is a surprisingly full-featured fantasy crawl in 20–50 minutes.
In this coop adventure, 1-5 players take on uniquely skilled heroes who travel through three distinct stages, exploring randomly laid map tiles, battling monsters, collecting items, and trying desperately not to die horribly at the hands of the evil serpent Lorgon.
It’s pocket-sized, which means compact components, including a custom d20, cards, cubes, a tiny tray of tiles and even a small boat! You and your friends (or just your own heroic self) reveal tiles, pick up items, move, fight, and explore, all while trying not to get overwhelmed by the enemies.
Gameplay Highlights
Cooperative dungeon crawl: Characters work together through three stages culminating in a showdown on Bloodthorn Island.
Portable and punchy: Fits in a tin; plays in under an hour.
Randomized exploration: Map tiles, monsters, and items are different with every playthrough.
Interchangeable characters: You can even use characters from the previous Dark Tomb game (Crypts of Aurelian) for cross-game fun.
There’s a simple and familiar flow to your turn: move, attack (or use your special actions), reveal tiles, grab items. Monsters have health that scales with player count, giving solo and small-group play a chance to shine without being hopelessly outgunned.
Tone & Experience
This game isn’t trying to be the deepest dungeon crawl ever- it’s trying to be fun. It’s snappy, unique, and you'll say "let's try just one more time" even if you’ve already lost three in a row. The random setup means each jaunt feels new, and the small tin makes it perfect for throwing in a backpack for a long train journey or camping.
Overall Rating
82/ 100
This game knows what it is: a compact, fun little coop crawl, not a sprawling epic. If you want epic depth, go elsewhere- but if you want light, easy to learn, quick to set up and very portable, this hits the sweet spot.
