The Collection Grows

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

Indeed. It is a great game with exceptional artwork and book-based questions. Only problem I have is finding someone willing to play it with me. Mrs Saucepan and I have played a few games, but since I always managed to win ...

Have you got the Lord of the Rings board game? It seems to be one which anyone could enjoy, not just fans of the books. This is the one with artwork by John Howe, that has 'expansion packs' available. We got this today as it looked interesting and as the Trivia Game was a big hit; so we've been trying it out and enjoyed this one too!

For anyone who thinks of getting it (it has Gandalf on the box), it's very difficult to grasp at first, and you will need the rule book to hand for a good while! You might even begin to wonder if you're ever going to get the hang of it, but in the middle of the game, it all dawns on you. Even when you have learned the rules, it is a difficult game so it keeps you entertained and absorbed, as you have a lot of thinking to do.

It is a strategy game, where you have to get to Mount Doom by way of several different boards or 'scenarios'. Game play involves deciding what to do on a turn, to be proactive or to conserve resources or to make moves to save yourself from Sauron, and you also face stiff challenges which can bring the game to a sudden halt. The big twist with this game is that it is non-competitive! You must work together to ensure that you get to Mount Doom, and that Sauron does not get you first.

We played it for a good two hours and were focussed on it all the way through; it looks as though it can be expanded or made more difficult for more advanced players too which is a good thing. Another highly recommended new toy for 'Downers.

EDIT: This is the game

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Have you got the Lord of the Rings board game?

Which one?

Being both a Tolkien fan and a board game nut, I have just about every Tolkien-related board game going.

I assume from your description that you mean the co-operative game where the players team up to try to destroy the ring, effectively playing against the game. Yes, it is a challenging game, especially with only two players. Mrs Saucepan and I have not managed to destroy the Ring on a number of attempts.

If you're interested in LotR-related games, there's more info on that game and others here:

LOTR Risk

But this one is the best of all:

War of the Ring

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by SpM

I assume from your description that you mean the co-operative game where the players team up to try to destroy the ring, effectively playing against the game. Yes, it is a challenging game, especially with only two players. Mrs Saucepan and I have not managed to destroy the Ring on a number of attempts.

That's the one! We got halfway through the Mordor scenario board but then the 'events' caught up and the ring was claimed. The only ways I can think of that could get you through this last board is either to have the luck not to draw 'event' tiles too soon (and thus also to have lots of 'Hobbit' cards to move through it quickly) or maybe to save the 'Gandalf card' which allows you to reject an 'event' 'til the very end?

I do like it though. I used to enjoy strategy/sim games on the computer, such as Civilisation, Sim City and the Sims which likewise require more thinking skills than just the urge to win.

The expansion packs looked interesting, though it seems that only the "Friends & Foes" expansion has a board, while the "Sauron" expansion seems to involve a slightly different style of play?

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

The only ways I can think of that could get you through this last board is either to have the luck not to draw 'event' tiles too soon (and thus also to have lots of 'Hobbit' cards to move through it quickly) or maybe to save the 'Gandalf card' which allows you to reject an 'event' 'til the very end?

You need a lot of luck. Just when we think we are doing well, a whole batch of Event Tiles seem to turn up and overtake us. And with only two players, there never seems to be enough Hobbit cards. I should imagine that the game is slightly less precarious with more players and therefore more Hobbit Cards. As for the Gandalf cards, well you need Shields for those. But then you need the Shields for other things too. And you need to try and get the other Tokens while still making it through each scenario as unscathed as possible ...

Halfway through Mordor is as far as we have ever got in 10 or so games.

Yes, it's a tricksy game, and no mistake.

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

The expansion packs looked interesting, though it seems that only the "Friends & Foes" expansion has a board, while the "Sauron" expansion seems to involve a slightly different style of play?

Tried the "Friends & Foes" Expansion. It makes a nice change, but it mostly concerns foes ( ) and I still prefer the original game. Haven't tried the Sauron expansion.

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

... such as Civilisation

Ah, the best PC game ever devised IMHO. Terribly off-topic I know, but Civilisation IV is gorgeous ...

[Lalwendë]

I think it might be worth trying the game with a 'dummy' player or two, just to see if it does make it any easier to complete it... though we will persist with two players just to see if it can be completed that way. Perhaps with more players the Ring-bearer can be left to concentrate on staying in the 'light' while other players can gather up as many Hobbit cards/shields as possible. Or maybe other combinations besides just Frodo and Sam may work?

One thing I cannot quite understand is whether every player has to have all three of the tokens at the end of each round. Also, we could not decide if the Gollum card was worth having or not as it seemed to mean giving up on a lot too, though it meant moves could be done more quickly. Bit like the book really...

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Lal

One thing I cannot quite understand is whether every player has to have all three of the tokens at the end of each round.

Yes. They do.

[Child of the 7th Age]

The "real" Shadowfax is for sale: here

Ths will cost a mere $38,000!

Anyone out there considering a purchase?