Glad you enjoy it and have found a game you can play so regularly. Unfortunately most 2 player games I play are also with my wife and she abhors Tolkien. Even if the theme were different I doubt we’d be able to get it to the table as often as we usually do.
Yeah this game can be tedious if you are not into Lord of The Rings. But it is amazing if you’re a fan and love just how in depth all the mechanics are. It is a treat of a 2 player game and I can’t wait to see how the 3rd expansion elevates the game
Wonderful game, especially with the expansions. But the review is spot on, you need to invest loads if time to really get the best from this game. A true classic epic game.
That’s right mate. I’m not saying the game is crap it’s just not for us...I’m probably going to get rid of it tbh. Better off being played than sat on the shelf/floor stack.
War of the Ring is the most amazing game ever, if you're talking about capturing the feel of the source material. If you want to be immersed in Lord of the Rings, this game puts you there. It certainly takes time and effort. 2021 is going to be the year we play it - hopefully - once a month. Failing that, at least once a quarter!
We went into it for the grand LOTR theme, to paint it, and to be challenged for an epic adventure, so we did not mind learning each unique mechanic, making some mistakes, and improving over time. We used the board map to point out where the characters were in a movie marathon while at the same time playing our own parallel-universe quest. We are loving that experience! We agree, WOTR is not if you are looking for a quick and easy evening, but more if you want a challenging middle-earth experience where the game is oozing with the theme! We own more than 1 type of game and this currently fills our 'up for a serious experience' section.
I too have painted all the miniatures (including all those in the expansions - 260 in all) and it was a monumentally huge effort! That being said, it really brings the game to life and adds a lot of character to the game, making it more immersive.
Found your channel and wanted to hear your feedback on one of my favorites as I shop around for new games. I really respect your honesty and holistic view, all the while being concise, thank you for being a great resource!
Man i just did my second full playthrough of this game and this is my favorite board game now. Every detail and mechanic of this game makes sense with the lore, but its all somehow still balanced and alllof the mechanics make sense for the wargame. There is some luck with the dice rolls in battle, which i think adds to the excitement since there is some fuzziness there. The action dice rolls sometimes felt inconvenient but never like a real hindrance. This also keeps you from planning your actions multiple rounds in advance, which keeps the game moving a little quicker and creates a bit more unknown, which i find very exciting. In both games that ive played, at the end of the game me and my buddy were not sure whether or not to go all in and count on the right dice the next turn or to plan for 2 or 3 more turns. Just like in a real war, you can plan ahead, but you still cant be sure of how well things will go according to plan so sometimes you have to play it safe, and sometimes you take the risk for the chance of the big payoff. In both games ive played, the victory came down to the last round or two, it was tense and engaging throughout, and every single battle felt meaningful. Absolutely incredible and i am already counting down the days until we play again (hopefully next month).
This is easily one of my favorite board games as well. I would recommend picking up all three expansions as they address what can be boring as the shadow player and create vast differences in the journey to completion. I’ve had games where I meticulously hoarded a couple cards and used the spiders to just obliterate the fellowship in the dead marshes and save the game, used the army of the dead to take Minas morgul, or even sail the black fleet to the grey havens and burn eriador. Adding new generals and alternative companions and minions does wonders for replayability and strategem and adding kings and rulers to both sides for flat out bonuses helps push the needle from balance to skill in a thematic and engaging way
I saw people painted the bases or got some coloured ones from Etsy to save time. We don’t play it enough to warrant the time or money but if you love the game it’s definitely worth it.
@@BoardGameBollocks Fair comment buddy.I also note that youre not really a Tolkein fan,so thats another bar to liking the game.I managed to get my hands on a copy of the "Strategy Companion" that came with the Anniversary Limited Edition and i am sure if you had read it you might change your mind a wee bit.Also the Expansions do make it better,and the final Expansion "Kings of Middle Earth" is dropping soon.
Thanks for the review! I was interested in this game for ages, but never bought it because it's so expensive and my wife wasn't really interested in the genre or theme of the game before, though recently she reluctantly agreed to buying it. I decided to look into it one more and realized that right now I'm looking for something different in the board games. I'd much rather play something more streamlined and something which takes much less time.
I agree, it is so hard to get this game played because of it's length and because of the quantity of the rules. But do I blame the game for that ? No. I think it is good as it is : the rules should not be any less complete and the length should not become anecdotic. This is what makes this game so epic, and why we love it blablabla. I could blame the people not caring about getting invested enough in a game that is so much worth it. Why is it so ? Maybe because there are so many easier games that are easy-entertainers and it makes this one seem overcomplicated. It's great that simple games exist but they shouldn't be compared : it's just not the same kind of experience. So the gaming industry of fun just makes people not caring about spending the time and effort for this one, maybe the game industry is to blame too. And why so much competition between games ? They are so numerous nowadays, they compete so hard for our time, attention, money... is this the result of capitalism ? Maybe, I'm not competent enough to judge. But maybe capitalism killed War of the Ring, and that's a shame. But the main point is : do not blame the game when the fault lies elsewhere :) Here I am, trying to look interesting.
Standard great review as always, I was tempted to pull the trigger on this one, might give it a swerve and look for an alternative amount of epicness. Keep them coming thoroughly enjoy your content.
Never really got on with Tolkiens work. Loved Robert E Howard's stuff though so I went the Age of Conan route. As I understand it its a similar set of mechanics but with more players and a lower fantasy setting. It's all conquest and treasure... Plus Conan is intimidating and useful in equal measure.
Much preferred the d&d stuff like I said in the review. Tolkien is too tea and scones in the parlour while fighting fantasy and d&d is more fish and chips out of newspaper.
Thanks for this. I feel you have to love the theme to get the most out of this game. Without that love, the problems it suffers, of which I agree with all your points (with the exception that I actually enjoy playing the Shadow Player), are definite obstacles to enjoyment. But as a LOTR fan I feel that this is definitely worth getting today and in the future. Mechanically it does get a bit samey over time but again, it's all about the theme with this. That's my opinion anyway. The first time it's clashed with yours that I remember but you lack of enjoyment for the theme would explain that I feel.
I played AD&D and Fighting Fantasy before reading Tolkien way back in the early 80s. I guess I already had an idea of what ‘fantasy’was all about and LotR always felt a bit stuffy and middle class toff stuff to me. I’ve definitely mellowed on it over the years though.
@@BoardGameBollocks Yeah I get that it would be a bit mince on that basis. Also the game definitely feels like the mechanics were built around the theme rather than the other way around and I guess that affects it as a game somewhat.
Only one I played (aside from WotR) is dominant species and we got rid of it. Always wanted to play TS but 2 player games are with my wife and she hates the theme.
If you're a hard-core fan of the books & lore, you will LOVE this game. If you're just a casual fan (enjoyed the movies etc) or have never read the books, you will NOT enjoy this game. In fact, you will probably hate it. WotR is an immersive and grand commitment game. It demands a lot to learn and even more to master.
While luck is Definitely in the game, it definitely isn't luck focussed. With more playtime you'd find ways to mitigate the luck. Not rolled a sword to move the fellowship? Use a will of the west result. Not got one? Use one of your cards that allow you to move them. Not got any of those? Use one of the elven rings to change it two a sword icon. Not got those left? Use a palantire to draw cards from the character deck, as they have cards tailerd towards the fellowship. You'll rarely ever find yourself in a position that its impossible to move the fellowship. Theres usually always a way to mitigate luck in this game. Need a 6 in combat? Use a combat card to add a multiplyer to the dice. Or move a nazgul there for rerolls. Or play a card that forces your opponent to roll less dice potentially keeping you in the fight longer. Can't roll a 6 when the fellowship move? Put more eyes in the hunt box. Move army units or a nazgul into there space to get rerolls on missed dice. Having to draw hunt tiles everytime you move on the mordor track? Mitigate it by adding blue positive tiles to the pool. Or saving special cards like axe and bow or mithril and sting to lower hunt damage. Or save healing cards to play in times of need. Or keep companions in the fellowship to tank hunt damage. The game has a nearly 50% 50% shadow/ free peoples win ratio. If it was down to luck, those ratios would not be so close.
@@BoardGameBollocks Thnx again, mate! Christmas is early this year! I just realized my browser was still logged in under my other email account but I'm the same guy that messaged you. No worries.
@@BoardGameBollocks I actually like you and your videos, that's why I'm subscribed. Don't know why you're answering like that. I'm trying to help, does it look like the opposite?
Mate. It’s a RUclips video, not Fellini’s magnum opus. I slapped on a LUT because I ran out of time (that review took f£&;ing ages to make) so it is what it is. I’m glad you like my vids though 👍🏻
@@BoardGameBollocks I was not trying to be rude at all. I understand your point. As a fan of your work I thought I could give you a suggestion. Keep up the great work.
Игры
This is my #2 game of all time. Last year my wife and I played it once a month for 6 months straight. It did not get old at all.
Glad you enjoy it and have found a game you can play so regularly. Unfortunately most 2 player games I play are also with my wife and she abhors Tolkien. Even if the theme were different I doubt we’d be able to get it to the table as often as we usually do.
What is number one?
Fury of Dracula@@FuerstMykisch
Yeah this game can be tedious if you are not into Lord of The Rings. But it is amazing if you’re a fan and love just how in depth all the mechanics are. It is a treat of a 2 player game and I can’t wait to see how the 3rd expansion elevates the game
Wonderful game, especially with the expansions. But the review is spot on, you need to invest loads if time to really get the best from this game. A true classic epic game.
That’s right mate. I’m not saying the game is crap it’s just not for us...I’m probably going to get rid of it tbh. Better off being played than sat on the shelf/floor stack.
War of the Ring is the most amazing game ever, if you're talking about capturing the feel of the source material. If you want to be immersed in Lord of the Rings, this game puts you there. It certainly takes time and effort. 2021 is going to be the year we play it - hopefully - once a month. Failing that, at least once a quarter!
We went into it for the grand LOTR theme, to paint it, and to be challenged for an epic adventure, so we did not mind learning each unique mechanic, making some mistakes, and improving over time. We used the board map to point out where the characters were in a movie marathon while at the same time playing our own parallel-universe quest. We are loving that experience! We agree, WOTR is not if you are looking for a quick and easy evening, but more if you want a challenging middle-earth experience where the game is oozing with the theme! We own more than 1 type of game and this currently fills our 'up for a serious experience' section.
Glad you found something that gives you so much. That’s what TTG is all about 👍🏻
I too have painted all the miniatures (including all those in the expansions - 260 in all) and it was a monumentally huge effort! That being said, it really brings the game to life and adds a lot of character to the game, making it more immersive.
Found your channel and wanted to hear your feedback on one of my favorites as I shop around for new games. I really respect your honesty and holistic view, all the while being concise, thank you for being a great resource!
👍🏻
Man i just did my second full playthrough of this game and this is my favorite board game now. Every detail and mechanic of this game makes sense with the lore, but its all somehow still balanced and alllof the mechanics make sense for the wargame.
There is some luck with the dice rolls in battle, which i think adds to the excitement since there is some fuzziness there. The action dice rolls sometimes felt inconvenient but never like a real hindrance. This also keeps you from planning your actions multiple rounds in advance, which keeps the game moving a little quicker and creates a bit more unknown, which i find very exciting. In both games that ive played, at the end of the game me and my buddy were not sure whether or not to go all in and count on the right dice the next turn or to plan for 2 or 3 more turns. Just like in a real war, you can plan ahead, but you still cant be sure of how well things will go according to plan so sometimes you have to play it safe, and sometimes you take the risk for the chance of the big payoff.
In both games ive played, the victory came down to the last round or two, it was tense and engaging throughout, and every single battle felt meaningful. Absolutely incredible and i am already counting down the days until we play again (hopefully next month).
This is easily one of my favorite board games as well. I would recommend picking up all three expansions as they address what can be boring as the shadow player and create vast differences in the journey to completion. I’ve had games where I meticulously hoarded a couple cards and used the spiders to just obliterate the fellowship in the dead marshes and save the game, used the army of the dead to take Minas morgul, or even sail the black fleet to the grey havens and burn eriador. Adding new generals and alternative companions and minions does wonders for replayability and strategem and adding kings and rulers to both sides for flat out bonuses helps push the needle from balance to skill in a thematic and engaging way
I added "codes" to the various areas for set up,i.e. 1R,1E,1L for 1 regular,1 Elite and 1 leader.Makes it far,far quicker to set up.
I saw people painted the bases or got some coloured ones from Etsy to save time. We don’t play it enough to warrant the time or money but if you love the game it’s definitely worth it.
I have coloured rubber bases on the minis to tell them apart,makes set up a damn sight faster.
Where did you get the bases from?
@@BoardGameBollocks I got them of Etsy. www.etsy.com/uk/listing/760546916/full-set-rubber-bands-for-war-of-the?ref=shop_home_active_17
Nice find. I don’t love the game enough to shell out £43 though. Wish i did because you just sorted out one of my major issues with it. 👍🏻
@@BoardGameBollocks Fair comment buddy.I also note that youre not really a Tolkein fan,so thats another bar to liking the game.I managed to get my hands on a copy of the "Strategy Companion" that came with the Anniversary Limited Edition and i am sure if you had read it you might change your mind a wee bit.Also the Expansions do make it better,and the final Expansion "Kings of Middle Earth" is dropping soon.
Thanks for the review! I was interested in this game for ages, but never bought it because it's so expensive and my wife wasn't really interested in the genre or theme of the game before, though recently she reluctantly agreed to buying it. I decided to look into it one more and realized that right now I'm looking for something different in the board games. I'd much rather play something more streamlined and something which takes much less time.
This is a bit of a slog. Some people like that, me not so much.
Good review mate, the editing and sound are nice 👍
Cheers Mitchell 👍🏻 have a great Christmas 🎄
What a great voice and calmed review. Suscribed!
Word up 👍🏻
I agree, it is so hard to get this game played because of it's length and because of the quantity of the rules. But do I blame the game for that ? No. I think it is good as it is : the rules should not be any less complete and the length should not become anecdotic. This is what makes this game so epic, and why we love it blablabla. I could blame the people not caring about getting invested enough in a game that is so much worth it. Why is it so ? Maybe because there are so many easier games that are easy-entertainers and it makes this one seem overcomplicated. It's great that simple games exist but they shouldn't be compared : it's just not the same kind of experience. So the gaming industry of fun just makes people not caring about spending the time and effort for this one, maybe the game industry is to blame too. And why so much competition between games ? They are so numerous nowadays, they compete so hard for our time, attention, money... is this the result of capitalism ? Maybe, I'm not competent enough to judge. But maybe capitalism killed War of the Ring, and that's a shame. But the main point is : do not blame the game when the fault lies elsewhere :)
Here I am, trying to look interesting.
Standard great review as always, I was tempted to pull the trigger on this one, might give it a swerve and look for an alternative amount of epicness. Keep them coming thoroughly enjoy your content.
You wont find Epicness more that this Game!
If you love the IP, you cannot go wrong. If you don't, probably best not to bother!
Never really got on with Tolkiens work. Loved Robert E Howard's stuff though so I went the Age of Conan route. As I understand it its a similar set of mechanics but with more players and a lower fantasy setting. It's all conquest and treasure... Plus Conan is intimidating and useful in equal measure.
Much preferred the d&d stuff like I said in the review. Tolkien is too tea and scones in the parlour while fighting fantasy and d&d is more fish and chips out of newspaper.
lol The Crack of Doom 6:43 yep, been there before. Usually the result of a drunken party dare 🙄
I’m not sure what you mean mate 😂
If it came with a massive fantasy baseball bat I would have to buy it!😁
Excellent review
Cheers
Steve
😂
Thanks for this.
I feel you have to love the theme to get the most out of this game. Without that love, the problems it suffers, of which I agree with all your points (with the exception that I actually enjoy playing the Shadow Player), are definite obstacles to enjoyment. But as a LOTR fan I feel that this is definitely worth getting today and in the future. Mechanically it does get a bit samey over time but again, it's all about the theme with this. That's my opinion anyway. The first time it's clashed with yours that I remember but you lack of enjoyment for the theme would explain that I feel.
I played AD&D and Fighting Fantasy before reading Tolkien way back in the early 80s. I guess I already had an idea of what ‘fantasy’was all about and LotR always felt a bit stuffy and middle class toff stuff to me. I’ve definitely mellowed on it over the years though.
@@BoardGameBollocks Yeah I get that it would be a bit mince on that basis. Also the game definitely feels like the mechanics were built around the theme rather than the other way around and I guess that affects it as a game somewhat.
This amazing lad brings Jason Statham vibe to boardgame hobby.
my second fav game and I still agree with all your points - especially the negatives. 100% true
What’s your first fave game?
1. The Lord of the Rings LCG (250+ plays of this)
2. War of the Ring
3. Twilight Struggle
4. Dominant Species
5. Pax Renaissance
Only one I played (aside from WotR) is dominant species and we got rid of it. Always wanted to play TS but 2 player games are with my wife and she hates the theme.
If you're a hard-core fan of the books & lore, you will LOVE this game. If you're just a casual fan (enjoyed the movies etc) or have never read the books, you will NOT enjoy this game. In fact, you will probably hate it.
WotR is an immersive and grand commitment game. It demands a lot to learn and even more to master.
Roger that 👍🏻
While luck is Definitely in the game, it definitely isn't luck focussed. With more playtime you'd find ways to mitigate the luck.
Not rolled a sword to move the fellowship? Use a will of the west result. Not got one? Use one of your cards that allow you to move them. Not got any of those? Use one of the elven rings to change it two a sword icon. Not got those left? Use a palantire to draw cards from the character deck, as they have cards tailerd towards the fellowship.
You'll rarely ever find yourself in a position that its impossible to move the fellowship.
Theres usually always a way to mitigate luck in this game. Need a 6 in combat? Use a combat card to add a multiplyer to the dice. Or move a nazgul there for rerolls. Or play a card that forces your opponent to roll less dice potentially keeping you in the fight longer.
Can't roll a 6 when the fellowship move? Put more eyes in the hunt box. Move army units or a nazgul into there space to get rerolls on missed dice.
Having to draw hunt tiles everytime you move on the mordor track? Mitigate it by adding blue positive tiles to the pool. Or saving special cards like axe and bow or mithril and sting to lower hunt damage. Or save healing cards to play in times of need. Or keep companions in the fellowship to tank hunt damage.
The game has a nearly 50% 50% shadow/ free peoples win ratio. If it was down to luck, those ratios would not be so close.
Not my games mate…and that’s all that matters
4:13 One of those tokens is not an Elven ring :P
I get it. This game is not for everyone.
Yea I know...couldn’t be arsed to root around in the insert. Hoped no one would notice...you win a prize. Email me. 👍🏻
@@BoardGameBollocks Thnx again, mate! Christmas is early this year!
I just realized my browser was still logged in under my other email account but I'm the same guy that messaged you. No worries.
Still Worth it ? yup
Do not saturate your videos so much, please. The colors are really off...
I’ll do what I like thanks...if you don’t like it watch Tom Vasel 👍🏻
@@BoardGameBollocks I actually like you and your videos, that's why I'm subscribed. Don't know why you're answering like that. I'm trying to help, does it look like the opposite?
Mate. It’s a RUclips video, not Fellini’s magnum opus. I slapped on a LUT because I ran out of time (that review took f£&;ing ages to make) so it is what it is. I’m glad you like my vids though 👍🏻
@@BoardGameBollocks I was not trying to be rude at all. I understand your point. As a fan of your work I thought I could give you a suggestion. Keep up the great work.
Cheers geezer
if you don't like The Lord of the RIng book I wonder why i listen to your advice on what is fun/exciting etc....
Don’t listen then…good grief, man 🤷
any chance of hearing you moan and whinge about the card game version?
I’ve not played it I’m afraid. I’ll take a look and see if anyone here wants to play it.
I’ve not played it I’m afraid. I’ll take a look and see if anyone here wants to play it.
This guy reminds me of my skinhead past of the late 70's early 80's. FOIGHT!
Bic Orange?