Post by Gilvan Blight on Aug 31, 2005 7:48:44 GMT -5
Overall - some fun. Will probably play again. Better with expansions.
Summary: A co-operative game (you don't see many of those) where 2-5 players take on the roles of hobbits and journy through the classic Tolkien Story. Players must work together to overcome the many obstacles in their path. Very unique system. 1 main board tracking your progress in the 'plot'. Many of the spots on the main board have sub-boards that detail a specific area (eg. Mines of Moria). Each sub board is divded into multiple tracks. Only the main track must be completed, but finishing a sub-track often gives and advantage or saves you from an event. Cards are used to move along the track (fellowship cards move along the fellowship track, battle cards the battle path etc). You can only play two cards a round (one white, one grey) and you run out of cards quickly. You can chose not to move to get more cards.
Okay this game is hard to describe. On a turn you draw tiles that let you know if you can move and play cards or events happen. Most of the events are nasty things, but can be benificial if you have completed certain paths Example; a ringwraith attacks, get 2 corruption, if you have completed the hiding path, collect two cards instead (or something like that, don't have the game in front of me).
The goal is of course to destroy the ring. There are alot more details that I skipped in this summary that make the game much more interesting and harder.
The Good: It's a co-op game. These are few and far between. All players are working together trying to beat the game and not each other. It takes a bit to get used to but is a ton of fun. The boards and art are beautiful. The components are of good quality. The rules are very unique and convey the story well. The concept of the 1 main board and multiple sub boards works well.
The Bad: There are a few rule questions that I still can't find an answer to. (Like if the giant sauron Eye at the end of the Mordor board means Sauron wins or if it means he just moves 1 closer). It can be very frustrating when you run out of cards which happens alot. It's hard to plan ahead on your first few games.
The Ugly: This game is HARD. I mean really really HARD. I am starting to doubt that anyone has beaten it. Most games you won't even make it to Isengard, and we have never been close to destroying the ring. The game can lead to arguments about the best thing to do. Being a co-op game requires much more co-ordination from the players then any other game.
Final words: its worth a try. If you know someone who has it try it out before buying. Some people will love it, some will hate it. I will play it now and then, but it's not nearly as good as my usual games (Catan, Peurto Rico, Princes, Carcassone, etc.)
Summary: A co-operative game (you don't see many of those) where 2-5 players take on the roles of hobbits and journy through the classic Tolkien Story. Players must work together to overcome the many obstacles in their path. Very unique system. 1 main board tracking your progress in the 'plot'. Many of the spots on the main board have sub-boards that detail a specific area (eg. Mines of Moria). Each sub board is divded into multiple tracks. Only the main track must be completed, but finishing a sub-track often gives and advantage or saves you from an event. Cards are used to move along the track (fellowship cards move along the fellowship track, battle cards the battle path etc). You can only play two cards a round (one white, one grey) and you run out of cards quickly. You can chose not to move to get more cards.
Okay this game is hard to describe. On a turn you draw tiles that let you know if you can move and play cards or events happen. Most of the events are nasty things, but can be benificial if you have completed certain paths Example; a ringwraith attacks, get 2 corruption, if you have completed the hiding path, collect two cards instead (or something like that, don't have the game in front of me).
The goal is of course to destroy the ring. There are alot more details that I skipped in this summary that make the game much more interesting and harder.
The Good: It's a co-op game. These are few and far between. All players are working together trying to beat the game and not each other. It takes a bit to get used to but is a ton of fun. The boards and art are beautiful. The components are of good quality. The rules are very unique and convey the story well. The concept of the 1 main board and multiple sub boards works well.
The Bad: There are a few rule questions that I still can't find an answer to. (Like if the giant sauron Eye at the end of the Mordor board means Sauron wins or if it means he just moves 1 closer). It can be very frustrating when you run out of cards which happens alot. It's hard to plan ahead on your first few games.
The Ugly: This game is HARD. I mean really really HARD. I am starting to doubt that anyone has beaten it. Most games you won't even make it to Isengard, and we have never been close to destroying the ring. The game can lead to arguments about the best thing to do. Being a co-op game requires much more co-ordination from the players then any other game.
Final words: its worth a try. If you know someone who has it try it out before buying. Some people will love it, some will hate it. I will play it now and then, but it's not nearly as good as my usual games (Catan, Peurto Rico, Princes, Carcassone, etc.)