The Initiative (Board Game)
The Initiative — a unique co-operative board game of story, strategy, and code-breaking — lets players take on the role of teenagers in 1994 who have found a mysterious board game called “The Key”. Not only will they play The Key, but players will help the teens through a pivotal chapter of their lives by following a series of missions linked together via an interactive comic book. The story advances even if players fail a mission, but winning may provide a reward in the future. Each chapter builds on the knowledge and story from previous chapters, weaving narrative, code-breaking, and mystery into one thrilling game experience. Exciting Puzzle and Mystery Game A game campaign with number of chapters Each taking 30-60 minutes to complete Starting with reading a page of the comic book.
The Initiative — a unique co-operative board game of story, strategy, and code-breaking — lets players take on the role of teenagers in 1994 who have found a mysterious board game called “The Key”. Not only will they play The Key, but players will help the teens through a pivotal chapter of their lives by following a series of missions linked together via an interactive comic book. The story advances even if players fail a mission, but winning may provide a reward in the future. Each chapter builds on the knowledge and story from previous chapters, weaving narrative, code-breaking, and mystery into one thrilling game experience. Exciting Puzzle and Mystery Game A game campaign with number of chapters Each taking 30-60 minutes to complete Starting with reading a page of the comic book.
The Initiative — a unique co-operative board game of story, strategy, and code-breaking — lets players take on the role of teenagers in 1994 who have found a mysterious board game called “The Key”. Not only will they play The Key, but players will help the teens through a pivotal chapter of their lives by following a series of missions linked together via an interactive comic book. The story advances even if players fail a mission, but winning may provide a reward in the future. Each chapter builds on the knowledge and story from previous chapters, weaving narrative, code-breaking, and mystery into one thrilling game experience. Exciting Puzzle and Mystery Game A game campaign with number of chapters Each taking 30-60 minutes to complete Starting with reading a page of the comic book.
The Initiative — a unique co-operative board game of story, strategy, and code-breaking — lets players take on the role of teenagers in 1994 who have found a mysterious board game called “The Key”. Not only will they play The Key, but players will help the teens through a pivotal chapter of their lives by following a series of missions linked together via an interactive comic book. The story advances even if players fail a mission, but winning may provide a reward in the future. Each chapter builds on the knowledge and story from previous chapters, weaving narrative, code-breaking, and mystery into one thrilling game experience. Exciting Puzzle and Mystery Game A game campaign with number of chapters Each taking 30-60 minutes to complete Starting with reading a page of the comic book.
in 45 offers
The lowest price for The Initiative (Board Game) right now is $44.00 at nobleknight.com, compared across 38 retailers.
The all-time low was $25.99 on 26 Jan 2026 — today's price is 69% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 4 Oct 2026.
Last updated at 04/10/2026 20:56:20
The Initiative
Free delivery
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Initiative, The
Delivery $59.95
The Initiative (Ex Demo Copy)
Delivery $10
The Initiative
Delivery $12
The Initiative
Delivery $12
The Initiative
Delivery $8.99
The Initiative
Free delivery
The Initiative
Delivery $10
The Initiative
Free delivery
Asmodee The Initiative Game
Delivery between 7–14 Oct $9.95
originally posted on miniaturemarket.com
The card game portion of this game is ok, although slightly easier if you're playing the game solo (as I did). The puzzling portion of the game has some innovative moments, but tends towards the easier side of things. There is a heavier lean towards word puzzles and ciphers when it comes to the puzzles, which some people might be a bit disappointed with, depending on their preference of puzzles, but the game also includes some number sequence puzzles as well to balance things out. The game has great value because it includes a fully-fledged campaign with tons of post-campaign scenarios for added replayability.
originally posted on ebay.com
It's fun packed in a box. It's like D&D turned into in a board game, with cards instead of dice and DM. Takes time to unbox and set up (huge amount of token and cards), but this is fun too. Quality of parts is top notch. Gameplay is amazingly designed. You can choose how much you role play, but you can definitively role play if you want. Feels like a campaign setting for D&D.
originally posted on miniaturemarket.com
I got this game because the kids seemed interested in it, puzzles are fun. Card play is ok. I’d recommend getting it for a light puzzle mystery style game.
| Recommended Age | 8+ |
| Language | English |
| Count | About 14 missions (in the campaign), 100 envelopes, 24 post-campaign missions, 2 suits (cards) |
| Material | Cardboard |
| Maximum Players | 4 |
The Initiative
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Initiative, The
Delivery $59.95
The Initiative (Ex Demo Copy)
Delivery $10
The Initiative
Delivery $12
The Initiative
Delivery $12
The card game portion of this game is ok, although slightly easier if you're playing the game solo (as I did). The puzzling portion of the game has some innovative moments, but tends towards the easier side of things. There is a heavier lean towards word puzzles and ciphers when it comes to the puzzles, which some people might be a bit disappointed with, depending on their preference of puzzles, but the game also includes some number sequence puzzles as well to balance things out. The game has great value because it includes a fully-fledged campaign with tons of post-campaign scenarios for added replayability.
It's fun packed in a box. It's like D&D turned into in a board game, with cards instead of dice and DM. Takes time to unbox and set up (huge amount of token and cards), but this is fun too. Quality of parts is top notch. Gameplay is amazingly designed. You can choose how much you role play, but you can definitively role play if you want. Feels like a campaign setting for D&D.
I got this game because the kids seemed interested in it, puzzles are fun. Card play is ok. I’d recommend getting it for a light puzzle mystery style game.
Gameplay is a little too simple for me, but I enjoy cracking the codes. Definitely better for kids because it's easy to pick up
Still haven't played the game but played jaws of the lion and it was awesome. When I got mine, the box was bit teared up (fixed it with tape), definitely was the fault of the post. To conclude, if you have time and friends to play with I definitely recommend.
So, I'm not gonna spoil anything, I still haven't beaten the game. The core game is split into two parts basically? You have the code breaking puzzles, and the board game that gives you parts of the answer key as you play. I found the puzzles to be really enjoyable, but the board game part has been extremely easy for me and feels kind of boring after the first game. I'm still really liking it, but I do wish that half of the game was more exciting.
Puzzles, code breaking, cooperative, fun. I was optimistic about this game and I wasn’t wrong. I love the artwork in the guidebook and gameplay is great too. The story is fun and the game gets progressively tougher. All in all this game is great my wife and I really enjoy it.
Fun 80s style code-breaking co-op adventure. The puzzle difficulty is pitched just right, and the gameplay is simple enough that almost anyone can play. The included comic is great fun.The only thing which stops me giving it 5 stars is that the actual gameplay lacks a bit of bite - it's very simple apart from the code-breaking bit. Still, you will want to race through it so fast, you may not notice!
Great game for the family. I was able to get my mom to play. Puzzles are challenging but not impossible. The Storyline is intriguing so far.
Bought this as a present for my son. Not yet played it, but delivery etc all top notch.
| Recommended Age | 8+ |
| Language | English |
| Count | About 14 missions (in the campaign), 100 envelopes, 24 post-campaign missions, 2 suits (cards) |
| Material | Cardboard |
| Maximum Players | 4 |
