Spirit Island

Spirit Island

Released Jul 2020

Become the spirits of the land, and defend the island from colonizing Invaders spreading blight and destruction! Your spirits work with the native islanders to increase your power and drive the invading colonists from your island in this strategic area-control game.

91% positive · 1,707 reviews
Not yet
Released, but content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned
Not yet
Released, but content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned

Where to buy

Steam $24.99
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Evaluation

Spirit Island launched on July 29, 2020 and has been receiving substantial paid expansions ever since, each of which Handelabra Games delivers using a phased rollout model: the DLC launches with initial content, then receives additional free content drops until the expansion is complete. The most recent paid expansion, Nature Incarnate (released November 6, 2025), launched with the developer explicitly stating that "more content and features will be available in future updates, with no additional purchase required." A September 2025 announcement confirmed the expansion would be delivered across 8 named phases. Five of those eight phases have now shipped: the initial launch (Aggression Unleashed, November 6, 2025), version 3.1 — Inescapable Menace (January 15, 2026), version 3.2 — Sanctuaries (March 19, 2026), version 3.3 — Deeps of Earth and Sea (June 11, 2026), and version 3.4 — Smothered and Surrounded (October 1, 2026). The three remaining committed phases — Relentless Focus, Brought Together, and Transformations — have been publicly named and promised by the developer but have not yet shipped. The developer has been consistently delivering new phases roughly every 6–12 weeks since launch, and the game continues to receive bug fix updates between major drops (most recently July 24, 2026). With three explicitly named phases of free content still outstanding, the game has substantial committed content yet to arrive.
Evidence
Version 3.4 (Smothered and Surrounded) launched — the fifth phase of Nature Incarnate content — with a new Spirit and 3 Aspects for existing Spirits, free to Nature Incarnate owners.
news post · Oct 1, 2026 source content shipped
high
Version 3.3 (Deeps of Earth and Sea) launched — the fourth phase of Nature Incarnate content — with a new Spirit, an Adversary, and 2 Aspects.
news post · Jun 11, 2026 source content shipped
high

Content

9 of 9 released · no outstanding content

Media

Details

Publisher
Handelabra Games Inc.
Achievements
54
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player · Multiplayer · Co-op · Local/Split Screen

About this game

In the most distant reaches of the world, magic still exists, embodied by spirits of the land, of the sky, and of every natural thing. As the great powers of Europe stretch their colonial empires further and further, they will inevitably lay claim to a place where spirits still hold power - and when they do, the land itself will fight back alongside the islanders who live there.

Spirit Island is a cooperative settler-destruction strategy game designed by R. Eric Reuss and set in an alternate-history world around A.D. 1700. Players become different Spirits of the land, each with their own unique elemental powers, forced to defend their island home from colonizing Invaders spreading blight and destruction. Your Spirits work with the native Dahan to increase your power and drive the invading colonists from your island in this strategic area-control game.

In Spirit Island, players choose between 1-4 Spirits to control. The number of Spirits determines the size of the island:

Spirit Island includes all of the content from the award-winning tabletop game:

  • 8 different Spirits, each with 4 Power cards unique to that Spirit

  • 36 Minor Power cards that enhance the abilities of your Spirits

  • 22 Major Power cards with more powerful effects to devastate the Invaders

  • A modular island, made up of 4 balanced island boards, for a variety of layouts

  • Thematic island boards that reflect the canonical island and provide a new challenge

  • 3 multi-tier Adversaries (specific Invaders) for play variety and fine-tuned challenge: Brandenburg-Prussia, England, and Sweden

  • 4 optional Scenarios for even more play variety

  • 15 Invader cards driving a distinctive Invader expansion system

  • 2 Blight cards with challenging effects as the Invaders blight the Island

  • 15 Fear cards with beneficial effects, earned as you terrify the Invaders

Every rule & interaction in the game has been carefully adapted and thoroughly tested by expert Spirit Island players, as well as the designer himself. If you’re wondering how a certain situation works in Spirit Island, this game is the ultimate rules lawyer!

Features:

  • Original dynamic music composed by Jean-Marc Giffin brings Spirit Island to life. Each Spirit has unique musical elements that wax and wane as the game progresses.

  • 3D Textured maps bring a realistic look and isometric perspective to the Island.

  • 3D Classic maps present the Island the way it looks on the tabletop.

  • 2D Classic maps provide a simplified top-down option for all you number crunchers out there.

  • Over 78,000 different potential game configurations to choose from.

  • Play a solo game with 1 to 4 Spirits, or pass & play with your friends (locally or with Steam Remote Play Together).

  • Cross-platform online multiplayer with friends and others from around the world.

Expand your gameplay options with DLC!

  • Branch & Claw adds two Spirits, an Adversary, four Scenarios, many new Power, Fear, and Blight cards, and new mechanics including the Event Deck.

  • Jagged Earth adds new Spirits, Island Boards, Adversaries, Scenarios, many new Power, Event, Fear, and Blight cards, and much more.

  • Horizons of Spirit Island adds five Spirits and three Island Boards, especially suited for newer players to Spirit Island.

  • Promo Pack 1: Flame includes two Spirits: Heart of the Wildfire and Serpent Slumbering Beneath the Island.

  • Promo Pack 2: Feather includes two Spirits, an Adversary, two Scenarios, Aspects for Core Game Spirits, and Fear Cards.

  • Nature Incarnate includes powerful new Spirits, many Aspects, an Adversary, Scenarios, and many new Power, Event, Fear, and Blight cards. Partial content is now available and more will be released in coming updates.

Last evaluated Oct 1, 2026
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