In my ongoing quest to explore all gaming things related to Middle-Earth, I have long had my eye on Fantasy Flights, The Lord of the Rings - The Card Game...
But I am more of a miniatures kind of guy... so I like tabletop miniature wargames obviously, and boardgames that feature miniatures of some sort... so the card game stayed on the shelf, as I was unsure whether I'd get a kick out of playing with just 'cards'...
But I eventually caved in to temptation, especially when I stumbled across it online at a reduced price compared to that which I had normally seen advertised, thanks to the "Book Depository"... so I bought it for Xmas... but as you can probably tell... its stayed unopened for some months as other hobby/gaming activities held my attention...
However, the other week I got to grips with it, thanks in part to the online video tutorials from Fantasy Flight, also available at Youtube...
Intro here:
The game follows a series of missions or quests you can complete, and it's that Living Card Game system where you can collect further themed packs to add to this Core Set, to enhance the gaming experience...
From my perspective, it plays a little like a Role-play session, but without the GM, the game itself being the GM against you, and your mate, if you wish. It's a game that can be played solo against the game, or co-op with a friend against the game. An interesting concept.
It is lavishly filled with wonderful art work on the cards themselves, and the game certainly feels like adventuring in Middle-Earth.
The video tutorials will help with getting to grips with the game and completing the intro training scenario. This one is fairly easy...
The problem comes with the second scenario in the game, and this one presents a serious learning curve... thus far I've tried it about 6 times with my son... and we haven't got past it yet!
But we'll keep trying...
Must admit, if we'd found it a little easier, I'd be buying all the expansion packs, to continue the fun... but with coming up against a road block of a mission, in 2nd one in the game, I do feel a little that I am being compelled to buy more expansion sets, to get the extra cards I need, to get past this hurdle... which is slightly annoying... In theory we should be able to do it with just the core set cards, but that requires 'Deck Building' - another experience I am yet to figure out how best to do...
Still, no doubt over time I may collect some of the extra sets, especially as there are Hobbit sets too...
An entertaining game, that's quick to set up an play and perfect for a wet weekend afternoon... so if you're a Middle Earth fan, and used to these living card games and deck building, you're sure to enjoy it...
reade more...
But I am more of a miniatures kind of guy... so I like tabletop miniature wargames obviously, and boardgames that feature miniatures of some sort... so the card game stayed on the shelf, as I was unsure whether I'd get a kick out of playing with just 'cards'...
But I eventually caved in to temptation, especially when I stumbled across it online at a reduced price compared to that which I had normally seen advertised, thanks to the "Book Depository"... so I bought it for Xmas... but as you can probably tell... its stayed unopened for some months as other hobby/gaming activities held my attention...
However, the other week I got to grips with it, thanks in part to the online video tutorials from Fantasy Flight, also available at Youtube...
Intro here:
The game follows a series of missions or quests you can complete, and it's that Living Card Game system where you can collect further themed packs to add to this Core Set, to enhance the gaming experience...
From my perspective, it plays a little like a Role-play session, but without the GM, the game itself being the GM against you, and your mate, if you wish. It's a game that can be played solo against the game, or co-op with a friend against the game. An interesting concept.
It is lavishly filled with wonderful art work on the cards themselves, and the game certainly feels like adventuring in Middle-Earth.
The video tutorials will help with getting to grips with the game and completing the intro training scenario. This one is fairly easy...
The problem comes with the second scenario in the game, and this one presents a serious learning curve... thus far I've tried it about 6 times with my son... and we haven't got past it yet!
But we'll keep trying...
Must admit, if we'd found it a little easier, I'd be buying all the expansion packs, to continue the fun... but with coming up against a road block of a mission, in 2nd one in the game, I do feel a little that I am being compelled to buy more expansion sets, to get the extra cards I need, to get past this hurdle... which is slightly annoying... In theory we should be able to do it with just the core set cards, but that requires 'Deck Building' - another experience I am yet to figure out how best to do...
Still, no doubt over time I may collect some of the extra sets, especially as there are Hobbit sets too...
An entertaining game, that's quick to set up an play and perfect for a wet weekend afternoon... so if you're a Middle Earth fan, and used to these living card games and deck building, you're sure to enjoy it...
