I own this game, a big reason was this review. I should have researched more-- it is SO LUCK BASED. The deck of cards is great, but there is very little strategy. In addition, the set up/clean up time and play time are too long. I'd rather play Forbidden Island-- better balance, and quicker all around.
I had the same instant reaction when my cousins brought it out, but it is AWESOME. You get sucked into the entire play, quests, avoiding darkness spreads, slaying minions, talking about strategy for battling generals, and you don't even notice the board. Honestly, it isn't even that bad with all the kick ass generals and minions on it. The game is HARD though, my cousins are 0 and 6 on it so far, havn't won once. If you are winning too often, you are doing something wrong.
This game is pretty epic. It really combines fun, tactics, and ease all in one. My wife, whom doesn't normally like fantasy games like this really enjoys it. I highly recommend it!
I played Pandemic at the cafe tonight and I enjoyed it a lot, I'm a big fantasy guy though so this seems like it'll be better for me. I'll have to check it out seeing as they have this available to play too
This is a "play against the deck and dice" type of game like Chainsaw Warrior. Even if you are an excellent player, it matters only a bit. 75% luck, 25% strategy. Beautiful artwork and great feel for theme though.
I love this game so much more than standard Pandemic. The atmosphere in DotR is so much stronger and more immersive. The only thing I dislike about it is a really small detail. When drawing a card to check the movement of the enemy, or to see where evil spreads, they should have made a way to find that spread on the map more easily. Just a number for example. But looking all over the board again and again where this is going on is no fun.
The box art,cards, miniatures, etc all look nice but I agree that the board is kinda blah.. A better background image behind the circles would help a lot..
I thought one of the interesting things about Pandemic was reading how much everyone praised the way it completely removed dice from the equation. It's fascinating how many reviews of DotR praise the use of dice combat in that game. I'm not calling hypocrite or anything but i just think it's odd.
I played this game for the first time with some friends who had played it a LOT. It's less fun when some people know what they're doing and some people don't because it becomes very unbalanced. Or maybe my friends are just bossy. But anyhow I do think it takes away from the game some when newbies and veterans can't play relatively equally.
They aren't praising the lack of dice or the inclusion of dice. They are praising the way in which those mechanisms were implemented in the games. Dice rolls can be fun of annoying depending on the game.
Complaints about the art? Really? I hope not for the cards which is painted by legendary TSR artist Larry Elmore. This is a great game. So much better compared to Pandemic which is just going around a board and pretty much doing nothing but just.....going around a board which is actually a map. I mean speaking about boring boards. Forbidden Desert and Forbidden Island are children geames I think. Quite boring. This one however is a good game.
good review but the board radiates a truly repulsive force which destroyed all my interest in buying this. a good game spoiled by the visual aspects of the board =/
Once again I'm reminded that Eagle really sucks at graphical design. Good art doesn't help when you hire your nephew to do the designwork! It's true for almost all their games and really turns me off them.
The idea sounds good but the look ruins this game for me. That board is ugly with those large circles with artwork that doesn't match and the way too big white text. Those hero cards with the pink trim? YUCK. Comic Sans too?
Comic Sans as the main font on character cards? NOOOOOOO
I own this game, a big reason was this review. I should have researched more-- it is SO LUCK BASED. The deck of cards is great, but there is very little strategy. In addition, the set up/clean up time and play time are too long. I'd rather play Forbidden Island-- better balance, and quicker all around.
If you still have it, I can buy it from you ;)
I had the same instant reaction when my cousins brought it out, but it is AWESOME. You get sucked into the entire play, quests, avoiding darkness spreads, slaying minions, talking about strategy for battling generals, and you don't even notice the board. Honestly, it isn't even that bad with all the kick ass generals and minions on it. The game is HARD though, my cousins are 0 and 6 on it so far, havn't won once. If you are winning too often, you are doing something wrong.
When Tom said some characters are better "cleansing the taint" , I had a Beavis and Butthead laugh.
convicsik
same here!
(When watching Ranger) He said Woods Lore. Eh hehehe.
This game is pretty epic. It really combines fun, tactics, and ease all in one. My wife, whom doesn't normally like fantasy games like this really enjoys it. I highly recommend it!
@UnBoxingBoardGames That's the blue dragon that cannot stand up. Notice how Tom showed off the miniature, but did not try to stand it up on the board.
Tom, are you excited for the new expansions coming out?
Maybe? I haven't read much about them yet.
I played Pandemic at the cafe tonight and I enjoyed it a lot, I'm a big fantasy guy though so this seems like it'll be better for me. I'll have to check it out seeing as they have this available to play too
I still want this game - viewed this video 7 years ago
Is there a Heroic Brew card?
This is a "play against the deck and dice" type of game like Chainsaw Warrior. Even if you are an excellent player, it matters only a bit. 75% luck, 25% strategy. Beautiful artwork and great feel for theme though.
Are there difficulty levels like there are in pandemic?
I love this game so much more than standard Pandemic. The atmosphere in DotR is so much stronger and more immersive.
The only thing I dislike about it is a really small detail. When drawing a card to check the movement of the enemy, or to see where evil spreads, they should have made a way to find that spread on the map more easily. Just a number for example. But looking all over the board again and again where this is going on is no fun.
Is this a game those would still be recommended in 2017?
^^this guy can't type. those = that
whoa, you're looking different Mr. Tom. :)
What expansions
The box art,cards, miniatures, etc all look nice but I agree that the board is kinda blah.. A better background image behind the circles would help a lot..
I thought one of the interesting things about Pandemic was reading how much everyone praised the way it completely removed dice from the equation. It's fascinating how many reviews of DotR praise the use of dice combat in that game. I'm not calling hypocrite or anything but i just think it's odd.
I played this game for the first time with some friends who had played it a LOT. It's less fun when some people know what they're doing and some people don't because it becomes very unbalanced. Or maybe my friends are just bossy.
But anyhow I do think it takes away from the game some when newbies and veterans can't play relatively equally.
They aren't praising the lack of dice or the inclusion of dice. They are praising the way in which those mechanisms were implemented in the games. Dice rolls can be fun of annoying depending on the game.
@jfridy
There is a vast difference between artwork and design. In this case the artwork is fine while the designwork is horrible.
@Kennymiester Yep. That line got to me, too.
;)
I don't think Tom knows the other meaning.
@Lethargyman Ugh it is. Just came off my list. Until someone else publishes it.
Some people DIDN'T like the Larry Elmore artwork?
This board game among with expansions is GREAT! very good teamplay coop and expirience!!
Someone said this game was a game played "against deck and dice"; is it worse than or more lenient than Arkham Horror??
It's a beatable game until Denethor shows up, then it's over.
feel kinda sorry for dwarf. It's not a class really is it and yet we assume his/her skills are. Could always be a magic dwarf :P
Is this game good???
New expansion on Kickstarter
Complaints about the art? Really? I hope not for the cards which is painted by legendary TSR artist Larry Elmore. This is a great game. So much better compared to Pandemic which is just going around a board and pretty much doing nothing but just.....going around a board which is actually a map. I mean speaking about boring boards. Forbidden Desert and Forbidden Island are children geames I think. Quite boring. This one however is a good game.
"Cleanse the taint." *giggle*
I'm sorry, but... on those cards... is that... Comic Sans?!
*rage*
Sounds interesting otherwise.
Uh, Tom..."Cleanse the taint!?"
LOL!!!
I love Tom Vasel's reviews, but the word "minions" has only two syllables.
Eagle Games "puts fear in my throat"
good review but the board radiates a truly repulsive force which destroyed all my interest in buying this. a good game spoiled by the visual aspects of the board =/
The box contains 2 fingers !
The board of this game really screaming at me "DON'T BUY ME"
A fantasy version of Pandemic is good, but I'm not happy to see those dice.
Looks like a good game with bad visuals
Lol, giggity
Once again I'm reminded that Eagle really sucks at graphical design. Good art doesn't help when you hire your nephew to do the designwork! It's true for almost all their games and really turns me off them.
The idea sounds good but the look ruins this game for me. That board is ugly with those large circles with artwork that doesn't match and the way too big white text. Those hero cards with the pink trim? YUCK. Comic Sans too?
say mini-yuns again.
no
The looks like a more luck oriented Pandemic, imho
it doesnt worth the money.