Complicated - for the LOTR aficionado (Lord of the Rings Board Game)

Member Name: Divvyellen

Product:	Lord of the Rings Board Game
Date:	06/01/03 (291 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: You get a lot for your money as there are so many pieces, Good graphics., Good for keeping the in-laws out of the way at family gatherings

Disadvantages: Too complicated for younger players, Need to be sober (if you want to) understand the rules, Very expensive

The Lord Of The Rings Board game pits the wits of between two and five players against the Dark Lord Sauron. The idea is that you all team together and use your collective 'powers' against him to destroy the ring and prevent him reaching the light.

The rules are lengthy and complex. There are many pieces, cards, tokens etc. who’s functions you need to remember. Set aside an hour simply to read the instructions and try and work out what’s what. If you're anything like me - i.e. average intelligence, reasonable knowledge of the story line - you will then need to play a 'practice' game. I have yet to play a game where the rulebook has not been essential.

As a brief overview, each player becomes one of the characters from the Fellowship (Frodo, Sam, Merry ,Pippin & Fatty Bolger) but these are fixed so you have to play certain characters depending on the number of players. The game comes with a master playing board and four scenario boards. On the master board are a series of squares moving from the dark to the light. Sauron starts on the darkest square and you are on the lightest. As you complete/fail each of the scenarios you and Sauron move towards each other. The game is over when you meet.

Each of the scenario boards takes you through a place in the book. There are various different cards, markers, characters, tokens and things. These are designed to help you through the game, - some you collect and others you can call on for assistance (I think). So, in between following paths, collecting shields and rings, changing boards and trying to remember what all the symbols and cards mean you are supposed to formulate a strategy to fight Sauron. I'm afraid it's as much as we can do to get through each board without forgetting something important (i.e. Gandalf) let alone actually win.

There isn’t any momentum when you play this game. Just when you think you have got the hang of it something
new happens which involves more reference to the rules, or you realise you have forgotten to try and collect shields or something equally important to actually have a chance at willing.

This is not the sort of game you can just pick up and play. It’s not for the easily distracted, simple minded or 'quick win' type of person. If you are a die-hard LOTR fan with lots of time and friends then I am sure you could get into this and maybe even win!

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