War of the Ring Review - A Lord of the Rings Wet Dream

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ก.ค. 2024
  • The Lord of the Rings experience perfectly summed up as a board game, War of the Ring is the most faithful representation of the lotr trilogy to ever hit the tabletop hobby. This review covers how Middle Earth is done justice in a two player area control war game where one player controls the shadow armies and the other the free peoples. With incredibly unique dice rolling and card actions, War of the Ring does asymmetric gameplay justice in not only being balanced, but also in accurately depicting each side in how they play.
    There’s even multiple win conditions such as by military through capturing cities and strongholds, or when Frodo can either destroy the One Ring or get corrupted by it. These incredibly flavorful mechanics only get further improved when War of the Ring throws its iconic characters into the fray. Sauron is absolutely thirsty in his hunt for the ring, Gandalf can show up in Fangorn to sway the Free People Nations to fight back against Sauron, the stars of the Fellowship like Legolas, Strider, Gimli, and many more. Seasoned fighters like Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn will even add combat dice of their own during all combats, making them essential on the battlefield. The great captain of Gondor, Boromir, can even travel back to Minas Tirith defend the great city. Meanwhile the Shadow can have the Nazgul swoop in, leading their troops to battle. Of course the Mouth of Sauron can come about late game too give tons of combat reroll bonuses.
    War of the Ring produces amazing stories and pays massive homage to the incredibly moving struggles of the books and films, producing the best what-if scenarios that gets you to love Lord of the Rings even more. If you’re a LOTR fan and love board games, shut up and get War of the Ring asap, you won’t regret it. Seeing these miniatures come to life with the tabletop experience brings an all new look into Middle Earth, and a potentially new ending to what goes down at Mordor.
    Support us on Patreon:
    / shelfside
    Our Website!
    www.shelfside.co
    Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
    amazon.com/shop/shelfside
    Table of Contents:
    Intro - (0:00)
    Overview - (1:17)
    Pros - (3:59)
    Cons - (22:18)
    Recommender Score - (27:27)
    Ashton's Personal Score - (32:33)
    Shelfside Social Media:
    / shelfsideyt
    / shelfsideyt
    / shelfsideyt
    Links to our other stuff:
    Ashton's Channel: / ashtonwu
    Daniel's Channel: / doyduh2
    Stuff Used:
    Bloodborne Soundtrack OST - Lady Maria (The Old Hunters)
    • Bloodborne Soundtrack ...
    Music provided by Royalty Free Zone: / royaltyfreezone Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/...
    #Boardgames #LordoftheRings #Review
  • เกม

ความคิดเห็น • 283

  • @Shelfside
    @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +87

    So turns out that I accidentally swapped the minis for the Witch King and Mouth of Sauron for all my playthroughs and this review! It just made more sense for the Witch King to be mounted for me, even if it wasn't on a Nazgul. Thanks to the commenters for pointing this inexperienced halfling mistake!

    • @jacobhoffman5462
      @jacobhoffman5462 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Do you mean mounted on a fell beast? The witch king is a nazgul

    • @matteosoldo
      @matteosoldo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It's great review, just used it to try to get a friend to play haha thanks

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@matteosoldo that's awesome to hear! enjoy the game :)

    • @sh4rk535
      @sh4rk535 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@jacobhoffman5462 they used horses and fell beasts

    • @picivyvortac2641
      @picivyvortac2641 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Unacceptable. Unforgiven.

  • @Crovax
    @Crovax 3 ปีที่แล้ว +189

    a Tolkien fan should never be afraid of a wall of text so that instruction manual is thematic.

  • @johnjones6115
    @johnjones6115 3 ปีที่แล้ว +270

    Game is Lord of the Rings, but the rulebook is the Silmarillion.

    • @worldofazeroth
      @worldofazeroth 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      lol!!! so true

    • @chrisperrien7055
      @chrisperrien7055 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      There are people who have made the Simarillion - 1st/2nd Age adaptions out of this game.
      Yea, the game rules are kinda byzantine in their presentation. Once you get past that , great game.
      I still think Divine Right is the best fantasy war-game, but it is multiplayer , not 2 player.
      You would have to be "old-school" to know Divine Right, like playing basic D&D and still having a "Chain mail" rulebook. LOL
      And today "Chain -mail" is now called "War-Hammer" LOL and D&D is Warcraft

  • @Magicman1625
    @Magicman1625 3 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    Opening a new board game and sorting through all the components is one of my favorite parts.

  • @CitizenRare
    @CitizenRare 3 ปีที่แล้ว +54

    This was the review that got me to buy this game and for that.... thank you! My girlfriend who is a huge LoTR fan and I play almost every week now. Thanks for bringing us into this awesome experience.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      hey man that's so awesome! The game really gives so much back to us LotR fans. The big question is: who has a higher win rate, you or the GF? :) -Ashton

    • @CitizenRare
      @CitizenRare 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@Shelfside My girlfriend has actually been destroying me haha, I’ve only won a single time, she’s won I think seven now 😭

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@CitizenRare ahaha, keep going at it! New strategies just come up all the time in this game, its awesome -Ashton

    • @abesapien9930
      @abesapien9930 ปีที่แล้ว

      Wow, that's quite a cool girlfriend

  • @janekskiba1201
    @janekskiba1201 3 ปีที่แล้ว +47

    Thank you, Shut Up and Sit Down for introducing me to the timeless classic that is War of the Ring, and thank you War of the Ring, by now my favourite game of all time, for introducing me to Shelfside. I just got here, but I'm loving it

    • @chrisperrien7055
      @chrisperrien7055 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I suggest One stop Co-op shop th-cam.com/video/rLq-uXGDTuo/w-d-xo.html , for a great one person playthough of this game, et al. Also Dan Thorpe th-cam.com/video/m6hLcLkCXdY/w-d-xo.html for many TTS playthroughs. I hope "Shelfside" doesn't mind me linking to other boardgame sites. My motives are not commercial/promotional , only to link board-gamers across the net.

    • @-boardgamesanook6590
      @-boardgamesanook6590 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Exactly how it happened to me

  • @pyroman2918
    @pyroman2918 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Probably my most favorite board game of all time. I've played it about 20 times.

  • @KZsZs
    @KZsZs 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Thanks for the detailed, thematic (love the use of the original voice tracks from the movies) and just overally well-made review. I find it muuuuuch more helpful to understand the feel and the inner workings of this game than any other video I have seen about it. Also I just rewatched the entire trilogy yesterday with my wife and I am hyped once again, like a kid finding the once favorite, long time lost toy behind the wardrobe. This game was always on my radar, but now it just jumped right into my focus, like the ring using Frodo to the always watching Eye of Sauron. Once again I can whisper "I see you" to this box. Thanks again, subscribed!

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      may you enjoy all of the detailed pieces of Middle Earth duking it out in front of you! Thanks for the awesome praise! Every time I watch any clip from the LotR trilogy, I am like you, transported to a time where Middle Earth becomes 100% real and the westfold has fallen. Cheers! -Ashton

  • @lianomaru
    @lianomaru 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Excellent review! Really easy to follow and great editing! I have watched many reviews for this game, and yours is the first one that made me understand the mechanics completly. 🙂 Keep up the good work!

  • @chrisc1625
    @chrisc1625 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Outstanding review. You are becoming one of my favorite channels. Glad I found you guys...

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      thanks chris! Glad you love the content, more stuff coming soon for ya :) -Ashton

  • @BigLowry
    @BigLowry 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Really awesome content as always. Always excited when I see a new one up from you guys. Keep it up!

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks for the feedback yo! More content headed everyone's way :D -Ashton

  • @rafhalimaxd
    @rafhalimaxd 3 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    This is my favourite game. Just wish any of my friends wanted to play it :(

    • @turian1moose
      @turian1moose 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I know that pain

    • @northlakeghost
      @northlakeghost 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I've never played it, for this very reason. Need an intrepid game buddy lol.

    • @alannash2778
      @alannash2778 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Please pray for me, I am about to introduce this game to my girlfriend.

    • @rafhalimaxd
      @rafhalimaxd 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@alannash2778 That would be huge

    • @quickpert1382
      @quickpert1382 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah...is bad, no one wants because is too long and hard for them...the online way is shit...so u can let it to be full of dust or play solo xd..

  • @-boardgamesanook6590
    @-boardgamesanook6590 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love your production! Superb quality and excellent editing. Not many bg channels reach this level of quality. Subscribed!

  • @Wallach_a
    @Wallach_a 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really appreciate your thoroughness and your enthusiasm. 🙌🏼

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      appreciate it! More reviews always coming as well :D -Ashton

  • @alannash2778
    @alannash2778 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I am so happy you took a stab at reviewing this game. It has been a love of mine for a long time. I bought the first edition back when I was in high school just because it had a LotR theme. When I actually got around to playing it properly ten years later, I noticed that the second edition had come out. I upgraded and have thoroughly enjoyed each playthrough. I’m sure that I would love the expansions but I might not play it enough to justify the cost especially since I have The Battle of Five Armies as well. If you do go for the expansions, please let me know what you think of them!

    • @iamglyph1369
      @iamglyph1369 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Lords of Middle-Earth is an auto-include in my games.

  • @phoenixhazard
    @phoenixhazard 3 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    This game is exactly like D&D. AMazing but need friends :(

    • @Thebeggerknight
      @Thebeggerknight 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You only need 1

    • @chrisperrien7055
      @chrisperrien7055 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Try venturing into Table Top Simulatior (TTS) or Java versions of this game, you can play online with 1000's of people and 100's of online conversions of other boardgames . I am just getting into TTS. With much of the Covid/Wuhan Flu restrictions going around , there is a big movement towards playing "boardgames " online. You'll find some friends there

  • @Vaultboy-ke2jj
    @Vaultboy-ke2jj 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Absolutely love the clips from the movies in this review!
    One of my favourite games ever

  • @Magicman1625
    @Magicman1625 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I've never been lucky enough to own or try this game but I have been watching it for years. It looks like a dream!

  • @shirtlessdave9067
    @shirtlessdave9067 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    You have managed to top SU&SD's review of the game, I've owned this game for years and played it dozens of times, and you make me just want to play again.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      awesome man! I need to play this one again! Also heard that there's a card version coming out that I'm super hyped for -Ashton

  • @christofersvensson370
    @christofersvensson370 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Great review! I recently got the game and agree fully that the minis can be hard to tell appart. I painted the bases different colors before my first playthrough and it helps vastly.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Awesome that you got a chance to try this bad boy out! It just keeps getting better the more you play honestly. For Frodo! -Ashton

  • @leostmark
    @leostmark 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great review. It's really whetted my appetite to pluck up the courage and get this game out again sometime soon. Thanks.

  • @orbitsurvey9612
    @orbitsurvey9612 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Really enjoyed this review! You already sold me on the LCG a few weeks ago and am loving it! Would love to see your thoughts on Journeys In Middle Earth. It’s my favourite game so far! Cheers

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      awesome that the LCG has been going well for you! Not sure on Journeys of Middle Earth, since we're really swamped with campaign games as is, but I do love me any excuse for more LotR! Maybe one day :) -Ashton

  • @grantkrick6005
    @grantkrick6005 3 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Did you listen to the entire Lord of the Rings soundtrack while playing though?
    If not you need to call your aunt for another game. This is important

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      aaagggggh noooo I forgot... well I'll have to call her up and say we have an emergency to take care of -Ashton

    • @grantkrick6005
      @grantkrick6005 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Shelfside It's going to change you. You won't be the same hobbit you once were.

    • @grantprice9768
      @grantprice9768 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      A must

  • @Ner-vod
    @Ner-vod 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    First video I clicked on after having my interest peaked in this game. Half way through and I'm sold! Great video for a great game!

  • @listentosilverfish
    @listentosilverfish 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This was the first big game I bought when I got into board games like 7 years ago.

    • @fatbean2000
      @fatbean2000 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      This is one of mine first two I got both of the expansion too

  • @trickynumber7
    @trickynumber7 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great review. Hoping to pick this up sometime. But always thinking between this Rebellion.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Rebellion review coming out in a month or two :) -Ashton

  • @larrygarms7230
    @larrygarms7230 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome review!! And I'm with ya!
    Would love to see/hear your take on Kingdom Death Monster.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks! oh man KDM looks so awesome to play, and Daniel wanted to grab a copy one day. It's on our list! -Ashton

  • @oddball_hb
    @oddball_hb 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I fuckin love when people learn that this game exists. It's such an incredible game.

  • @sithtv1298
    @sithtv1298 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I love your reviews!

  • @randallshaw9609
    @randallshaw9609 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    As a long-time gamer (started in 1968) who cut his teeth on rule books with 20+ pages filled with small font text for decades, I find the complaints about the rules hereabouts...humorous. ;^)

    • @iamglyph1369
      @iamglyph1369 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      They really aren't too bad and printable rules references make everything hum along quite smoothly.

    • @iRsemple
      @iRsemple 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      What do you mean by "cut your teeth"?

    • @randallshaw9609
      @randallshaw9609 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@iRsemple Means I got my first experience at reading (serious) game rules with those large, exception-riddled, complex wargame rules.

  • @christopherlarry6766
    @christopherlarry6766 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I enjoyed this video especially the intro. I been playing this game for 2 years and enjoy it. Best way to play is having lord of the ring soundtrack on. Also thanks to your video on war of the ring I probably wouldn’t have found your channel.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      samwise gangee is the best character! Lord of the rings soundtrack is truly the way to go. Glad to have you aboard! -Ashton

  • @joseg.6187
    @joseg.6187 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome video, this game has 6 years in my shelf of shame but going no where! I would love feedback on the expansion content. As to 2 player games, I would love a look at Blitzkrieg (20 min WW2)

  • @Mizerofws
    @Mizerofws ปีที่แล้ว

    That mini at 5:00 looks pretty excited to play.

  • @nuggets1356
    @nuggets1356 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    i just found your channel a few days ago. i really enjoy your content so far as im finding games through these reviews that i might actually enjoy but never knew of before. This game however ive been eyeballing for a long time but never pulled the trigger as on most sites it goes for almost 100 dollars. I see its on sale now on most of the sites i buy board games from so i thought maybe id pick it up now.
    I know this video is older but i gotta say im thankful it exists because i helped me decide not to buy it after watching the cons portion. I guess cards referring to certain places on the board wouldnt be so bad once i learn the board layout and where things are but i find that would be a huge pain for my first few games, and what really put me off was the rule book and player aids. Looks like a fun game otherwise but ive bought my fair share of games where the rule book is all over the place and ive rarely played those games that now sit on my shelf collecting dust. wouldnt want to spend 76 bucks on this game just for it to be another mage knight for me sitting on my shelf never getting played more than once.
    Anywho, thanks for the video. You saved me some money lol

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Heyo! glad to help :)
      You could look at the card game for a more streamlined experience, that DEFINITELY has a better rulebook than this one. The board game just has so much ugly stuff that makes the effort to play gargantuan. Cheers! -Ashton

  • @haydengibbons5000
    @haydengibbons5000 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Love this Review, it's my favourite game! Just so you know, the cards you mention at 20:36 can be played before the fellowship reaches the mordor track. The tiles are just set aside for now
    edit: I don't find the locations to be that much of a problem, after a game or two they become pretty recognizable, but still a bit annoying. My first game took 3.5 hours and my second took 4.5. Also, RTFM has a great how to play video

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I think you were one of the commenters on the Heroquest vid that recommended this game too! I pretty much have all the locations referenced on the cards memorized by now, it was definitely really rough for my aunt and I on our first game though.
      Yep, the cards can be played before the mordor track, great catch! I just simplified what it said for the video :) -Ashton

    • @haydengibbons5000
      @haydengibbons5000 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Shelfside I think I commented on the kickstarter video where the rulebook was shown. Absolutely love the content you guys are making, keep it up!

  • @TheShapingSickness
    @TheShapingSickness 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Loved all the voice lines I can tell exactly where they're from man I love LOTR so much. I bought this game to play with my brother but he'll visit until August, I can't wait.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      yoo awesome! Yeah love LOTR so much, you will keep thinking about the movie when you get to your game! Just make sure you got the rules right bahaha -Ashton

    • @TheShapingSickness
      @TheShapingSickness 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Shelfside I'm sure I won't get the rules right, but at least we'll be blasting the soundtrack while playing 😂

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@TheShapingSickness ahaha that's more than half the fun! Had much fun drooling over ME with those tunes -Ashton

  • @g8kpr3000
    @g8kpr3000 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Now, which i need a video on War of the Ring vs Star Wars Rebellion, I need to know which game to drop $100 cdn on, so that it can sit on my shelf unplayed for the next 8 years while I say "maybe this year.... maybe..."

  • @DennisCNolasco
    @DennisCNolasco 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    This game is amazing. I even played it a few times solo just to create my own story of the Lord of the Rings.

  • @1_Brick_At_A_Time
    @1_Brick_At_A_Time 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow cool!!! Love your video!

  • @spartanFox_LadyFoxGames
    @spartanFox_LadyFoxGames ปีที่แล้ว

    This intro is so good i come back and watch it once a year haha

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  ปีที่แล้ว

      dang. Thanks mate! Was super fun making it -Ashton

  • @bigmull
    @bigmull 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I have been Wargaming for over 40 years and this game's Rule Book is one of the best i have come across.

    • @tacktful
      @tacktful 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah must say I found it easy to learn from

  • @RedKytten
    @RedKytten 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    One of my favourate games, since it came out. Had 1st edition for it too.

  • @evannadeau3938
    @evannadeau3938 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This might be wrong but you posted a War of the Ring review on my birthday!? And its an awesome review!? SUBSCRIBED. Your videos rock guys. Also, I've owned this game forever and can't get anyone to sit down and play it with me haha FML but I'll never get rid of it because um LOTR

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      lotr is all the excuse you need- it looks great on the shelf! Happy bleated birthday! -Ashton

  • @jensmaier8289
    @jensmaier8289 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome video !

  • @PaulMB40
    @PaulMB40 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    A beautifully presented, clear and concise review.
    I blame you personally for making me buy it.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      awesome and thank you! May you roll many 6's! -Ashton

  • @TheMedianGam3r
    @TheMedianGam3r 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Masterpiece of a game, just wished I could play it more often. My friends are more into Gloomhaven nowadays and kdm

    • @CBs_Bill_from_Montana
      @CBs_Bill_from_Montana 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Which is better? WOTR, Gloomhaven, or KDM? I own all 3 but have never played WOTR.

  • @SolarCrusader
    @SolarCrusader ปีที่แล้ว

    I’d love to have the chance to play this game, but I think the size and scale of the game & rules make it intimidating to most casual players.
    I recently got the war of the ring card game and I really enjoyed playing it. Very fast setup and takedown time to get the game going, and it was pretty easy to jump in and start playing after learning the rules.
    Hopefully one day I can play the board game itself!

  • @darkgokussj
    @darkgokussj 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Been playing this game since 2013 and we still find rules and mechanics that we've missed. Tiny and not really game changing, but still there are really small details easy to miss. So many games need to be played to get this game fully.
    1v1 usually is the best, but 2v2 is also fun. 1v2 should be avoided, since free people player gets to play alone.

    • @iamglyph1369
      @iamglyph1369 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      1v2 is really fun in my experience.

    • @darkgokussj
      @darkgokussj 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@iamglyph1369 In all honesty it is really fun no matter how you play it so yeah :D

  • @Coriea13
    @Coriea13 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Good video, love this game. I'd give a 10/10 but your Cons of the game are definitely legit. If those don't particularly bother you though, the game is near perfect mechanic and thematically.
    18:46 You have swapped the figures for the Witch King and Mouth of Sauron. The figure on the horse is the Mouth. The guy standing with the sword is the Witch King.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      wow that's a great catch! I didn't even second guess myself, just thought that the witch king being mounted was the most logical, even if his mount wasn't Nazgul. Thanks :) -Ashton

  • @2532robh1
    @2532robh1 ปีที่แล้ว

    Amazing job. I just purchased. Did you ever try the expansions? I wonder if there are better rulebook or player aids on BGG or upgraded components to buy online like Meeplesource?

  • @Lickicker
    @Lickicker 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    id love to have this just for a collectors item

  • @Evoken111
    @Evoken111 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    One of the best reviews of War of the Ring! :)

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      cheers man! Got more WOTR stuff coming out soon :) -Ashton

  • @georgekabiris9655
    @georgekabiris9655 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Awesome game! Lookin forward to buying it. Thanks for the review

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      you will love the game if you love LotR! Rulebook is worth it. Glad that you liked the review! -Ashton

    • @georgekabiris9655
      @georgekabiris9655 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Shelfside Do you where I can get this game for a good price? Thanks in advance.

  • @PhoenixRiseinFlame
    @PhoenixRiseinFlame 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This game is incredible. One of the things I love about it is that every, and I mean every, action can have an affect on who wins the game.
    One time I separated Gimli and placed him in Lorien. He was pretty much useless for most of the game. But when I was about to lose to a shadow player stronghold victory, I used the “a day and a night” card and some movement actions to take back Helm’s Deep and buy myself enough time to destroy the ring next turn.
    My most recent game ended on the last stage of the Mordor track when the light player drew a three corruption tile which killed him before he could destroy the ring.
    This game somehow takes the phrase “it hangs upon the edge of a knife, stray but a little and it will fail” and makes it a reality in a board game.
    I’ve never played anything like it.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      that is awesome! Yeah the rich stories that happen to the named characters is something you don't see in a lot of other games. thanks for sharing! -Ashton

  • @robertthurman9866
    @robertthurman9866 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Everything except the playmat should arrive tomorrow. I found 3 AI bots (2 shadow 1 free people) 1 of which is a browser app for the shadow. Thanks for another great review. As well as likes and dislikes you describe how it feels to play the game. Something many reviewers never get a hold of.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      wow! Awesome. Hope your game goes great :) -Ashton

  • @johncantone40
    @johncantone40 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I just got this game. Cant wait to play

  • @cant_handle_deeznuts
    @cant_handle_deeznuts 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I feel like they could give the little statues and map a bit more detail, apart from that it looks great!

  • @Table.Fables
    @Table.Fables ปีที่แล้ว

    At 19:11 you mention that Mouth of Sauron comes out if Aragorn is in play. I don’t remember reading this in the rules… have I missed something?
    Overall top review though, and I absolutely loved this game when I tried it!

  • @rockandmetaljunkie
    @rockandmetaljunkie 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    If Frodo & Sam are left alone to continue their journey towards Mordor (no companions left & gollum as a guide), then how many eyes does the Shadow player put in the hunt box? only one?
    If Frodo & Sam enter Mordor with NO companions left, (with Gollum as their guide) how many 'eye' dice is the Shadow player allowed to put into his hunt box?

  • @tothepanels
    @tothepanels 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    13:20 cannot change a die with a ring to a will of the west
    20:30 only beige eyes are used with special tiles in the hunt box
    Just a friendly remainder in case someone used this reference as rule when the video is more demonstrative

  • @wotrgames4024
    @wotrgames4024 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great review! The best game of all time, though I may be a bit bias. The worst thing about this fantastic game really is just the setup and clean up, and the rare games where you just roll very badly the whole game. If you get familiar with the game enough, games are actually on average 1.5 - 2 hours too!

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      wow. 1.5 -2 hours!? That's incredible. I have a game actually coming up tomorrow, super excited to see how it goes. I could see myself playing this every month if is 2 hours -Ashton

  • @nickcalderon2637
    @nickcalderon2637 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    11:39 Correction, the final battle was at The Black Gate, which is located in the territory of Morannon.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      aah! Thanks for that, I actually did not know that. Cheers! -Ashton

    • @nickcalderon2637
      @nickcalderon2637 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Shelfside Cheers mate.

  • @eldadoobscuro
    @eldadoobscuro ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent video!! 😎👍

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      hey thank you! More stuff coming for the WOTR card game :D -Ashton

  • @goddamnshutup
    @goddamnshutup 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    regarding the models, i recommend replacing a majority of them. i ended up painting the companions, the minions, and the Nazgûl and replacing every other mini with wooden cubes/discs/cylinders of various colors appropriate to each faction. i find it plays so much better and setup/teardown time is so much improved. i think it probably makes the game easier to teach but i couldn't say since it was the first thing i did so i've never had to slog through it with all the awful minis. i've also gone beyond that and picked up models for the cities/strongholds and mountains but i like this game that much.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      wow I've never even thought about swapping out the minis for other pieces! Would definitely make the game so much faster. What type of models for the cities/strongholds would you recommend? I might pick up some :) -Ashton

    • @goddamnshutup
      @goddamnshutup 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Shelfside there are some good ones on Etsy but they’re pretty expensive. if you have a friend with a 3D printer, there are some great files. for the wooden components, i just matched the colors of each nation with pieces from meeplesource.

  • @joshuabduck4986
    @joshuabduck4986 9 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Can i get clarification at 15:59 . You mentioned an opening hand of four cards. I read through the manual and googled for the answer but the only response i got was your initial hand is only 2 cards, one from each event deck. Can someone chime in with the answer?

  • @RagdollRalph
    @RagdollRalph ปีที่แล้ว

    I think you are using the Mouth of Sauron mini as the Witch King xD

  • @BassWakil
    @BassWakil 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great review!!!!

    • @BassWakil
      @BassWakil 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I agree with everything. When I first tried to play the game I gave 3 hours and if I had known how arcane the rule book was and how long set up was, I would’ve given more time. Literally took us 90minutes first time to even take the first round. But it’s worth it.
      Also, my favourite way to play it is SIX players. 3v3 team. One player controls the armies, the other characters and the third factions. Makes the game a lot easier to learn and get into and it’s a lot of fun to have teammates. :)

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Oh my goodness how long does that 6 player game take!!!?? The game is definitely really tricky to teach, it took me a similar amount of time to get my first round going. -Ashton

  • @waferjuice
    @waferjuice 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Which is better? This game or Hannibal vs Hamilcar ??

  • @vijairamdeensingh3008
    @vijairamdeensingh3008 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Looks good...I played the LOTR Risk ...really good game

  • @Kili121416
    @Kili121416 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your passionate review made me want to get this game on the table again. I have the second edition cards. Do you know what changes they made ?

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      oh hey just saw this! I've heard that it is definitely worth it to get the 2nd edition cards, for balance and they cleaned up a lot of the wording! -AShton

    • @Kili121416
      @Kili121416 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Shelfside Thanks

  • @warpaint9385
    @warpaint9385 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great game but I rarely get it to the table because of the set up time and game length.

  • @Hudsonbba
    @Hudsonbba 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great review as always! My first play through also took really long but not 10 hours long lol. Though i really like this game it’s a little too fiddley to take out as often as I’d like. I know the this gets compared often Rebellion and while I enjoy the stories LotR more than Star Wars I heavily prefer Rebellion, with its expansion of course, over War of the Ring. Also you have the coolest Aunt in the world by far!

    • @Orthovandro
      @Orthovandro 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Interesting, I take a different view. Enjoy both games but War of the Ring is my preferred choice. Whilst both are thematic, WotR I find is just more replayable.

    • @Hudsonbba
      @Hudsonbba 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@Orthovandro Absolutely agree War of the Ring is a more replayable game, especially with it's expansions as well, however, out of the 10 or more times I've played it only 3 of those times were with the same person who as matter of fact was a huge lotr fantatic and would constantly quote the films. The other times I've played it with people, who also played Rebellion, also vastly preferred Rebellion.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you! The multiple sessions definitely added onto the playtime, plus my aunt was new to these types of games ahaha. Rebellion has been on my radar, but for the price tag it doesn't seem nearly as replayable as WoTR, and I don't get to play this awesome long game enough as is. Maybe after the pandemic Daniel and I will give it a go! -Ashton

    • @Hudsonbba
      @Hudsonbba 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Shelfside Haha don't get me wrong. While I agree WotR is a more repayable game based on the content it has, especially if you don't own that many games, I have played Rebellion nearly 30 times and every single one of those plays were different and many a times more enjoyable than the last. Just remember though playing with the expansion is a must due to the changes in combat.

  • @sairam71
    @sairam71 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    What was the best way you found to learn their game. It’s a beast.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I went in with sheer brute force. I read the rulebook for two nights before bed before playing my actual first game. Then, after my first game, I read the rulebook again.
      Don't do that- there's probably some type of YT tutorial that would do the trick! And then study the BGG turn by turn guide before your first game. If you have any more questions, I can answer! The game is really worth the learning curve! -Ashton

  • @dcal12
    @dcal12 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video and game

  • @A._J_.
    @A._J_. 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just got this bad boy and found the BGG example of play to ease into this.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      yep! It's super helpful, really had to lean on that to get my first playthroughs running -Ashton

  • @bastianvillebro6420
    @bastianvillebro6420 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This game is one of the best games I’ve ever played it’s just so exiting and awesome
    Also HUGE LotR fan great vid guys:)

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      the game definitely does pull through man! LoTR all the wayyyyy -Ashton

    • @bastianvillebro6420
      @bastianvillebro6420 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Shelfside indeed:)

  • @elqord.1118
    @elqord.1118 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It’s a damn shame that the cards have no illustrations

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      coming from Star Wars Rebellion as of recently... which uses plenty of cards in a similar stressful manner... its a HUGE shame. Actually hurts a fair amount of the immersion in comparison to star wars -Ashton

  • @monoludico6166
    @monoludico6166 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    One of my top 2 board games of all time. Incredibly good adaptation of Tolkien's world for a game!

    • @hawk992
      @hawk992 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Which one is the other game? :-)

    • @JainaSoloB312
      @JainaSoloB312 ปีที่แล้ว

      Which other game is in your top 2?

    • @monoludico6166
      @monoludico6166 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@hawk992 it's difficult to make a top, but as for now I'd say Root, Race for the Galaxy, Through the Ages, Twilight Struggle or Troyes could be #2

    • @monoludico6166
      @monoludico6166 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@JainaSoloB312I'd have said #1 period. The rest of my top 10 is... Well, the rest

  • @trosty9921
    @trosty9921 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Highly recommend painting the factions bases different colors. It helps immensely.

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Will have to do that before my next game! Any recommendations for colors? -Ashton

    • @trosty9921
      @trosty9921 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Shelfside I did yellow for Isengard, Mordor red, Easterlings orange, dwarves brown, elves light green, Gondor dark blue, rohan dark green and North light blue. It went surprisingly faster than I thought and was totally worth it. Good luck!

  • @iamglyph1369
    @iamglyph1369 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    My favorite game and one of my rare 10/10 ratings. However, indicating it's primarily an area control game is somewhat misleading, as the Free Peoples can win without controlling much area at all.

  • @abruwer08
    @abruwer08 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Readers of the books have distinct advantage mainly because Tolkien spatially connect story to the map so well and the movies don't really do this. The rule book is a beast. Not sure if you will be able to write a better one mainly because there are some weird mechanics in the game that makes it difficult. I have found though that it gets much easier on a second read through. I haven't taught it to someone yet mainly because the pandemic interfered, sigh.

    • @cyberpimp29
      @cyberpimp29 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Here is a full playthrough - you would be amazed all the nuance to the rules. But once you get moving, the game goes faster than you would imagine:
      th-cam.com/video/-Vk0rS2xhD8/w-d-xo.html

  • @negoc78
    @negoc78 ปีที่แล้ว

    WHAT AN INTRO!

  • @jimmythebusdriver
    @jimmythebusdriver 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I still have the First edition of this game plus the expansion (which lumped both 2nd edition expansions together back then, minus a couple things) and it's probably the game I played the most since it came out as it's easily the best game in my collection. Even though the first few games are tough, you always wanna start another round because you feel like you could do something slightly different next time!
    I have played the three player variant a few times as well, where it splits the Shadow faction into Sauron and Saruman + Easterling, and it's fine, but I would rather either play with an even number of players because the lopsided games didn't feel good for either side really. Still a good gamemode, but there's better three player games out there.
    Also nice to see they made the cards bigger for the 2nd edition as the 1st edition cards are printed so small I had to get glasses just to read them :D

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I totally feel you on the always wanting to start another round! The strategy cards have so many uses that whenever I play them, I'm thinking about all the cool other ways I could've used them. And then there's the two factions' decks to account for, with politics! I think I would play this game with 4 players once to just try it and talk about how it went, and then promptly go back to 2p :) -Ashton

  • @lukeanzilotti9090
    @lukeanzilotti9090 ปีที่แล้ว

    @Shelfside can you do a video on the expansions more in depth?

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  ปีที่แล้ว

      oof, that will be super rough for me. The card game will certainly get a review though! -Ashton

    • @lukeanzilotti9090
      @lukeanzilotti9090 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Shelfside why rough?

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  ปีที่แล้ว

      @@lukeanzilotti9090 kind of a long endeavor ahaha -Ashton

  • @Tivizzz
    @Tivizzz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Fantastic use of relevant memes in the introduction.

  • @mp9676
    @mp9676 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Here you can see all miniatures painted: mapsandmore.com/ringkrieg/?page_id=2

  • @UnCompress_
    @UnCompress_ 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This game is epic, and the best thing is that it gets even better after more gameplay! Whooooe

  • @yourilicht631
    @yourilicht631 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hello! Are you going to give us your thoughts on the war of the ring card game? :)

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yep, I'm filming it right now :) -Ashton

  • @smokeybeefroarus1497
    @smokeybeefroarus1497 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This is epic!!

  • @lugo8824
    @lugo8824 14 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I bought base markers for the figures. That solves the "crap, is that a Rohan unit or Gondor?" And I hate the give basic dice the game comes with. So I went and bought two sets of 30 dice which look much better. The free people's white and blue rice with red pips which to me represents the three elven rings, Vilya, Nenya and Narya. The shadow dice are red and black with gold pips which to me represent the fire of Mount Doom, the growing shadows from Mordor and the One Ring.

  • @edroseptic9442
    @edroseptic9442 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I really....
    ...really want this game

  • @cyberpimp29
    @cyberpimp29 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I hand painted all of the game pieces; you can see them here:
    th-cam.com/video/-Vk0rS2xhD8/w-d-xo.html

  • @Iamwrongbut
    @Iamwrongbut 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Would love to see you guys review Spirit Island! It’s the best 1, 2, 3, and 4 player game I’ve ever played!

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      it's on the list to review eventually! -Ashton

    • @Iamwrongbut
      @Iamwrongbut 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Shelfside so pumped! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the asymmetry of the spirits, especially with what Jagged Earth added!

    • @TummyRubz
      @TummyRubz 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Shelfside I highly recommend playing it as a 1 player game first, then teach to someone else and play 2 player and keep expanding the player count as more people get familiar with it. If you jump into playing 3+ new players straight away the experience might be so overwhelming that the first impressions could leave a really bad taste in your mouth as the game will be a big brain drain. It's one of my favourite games, hope you cover it someday!

  • @davidhughmiller
    @davidhughmiller 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Why is The Two Towers in “Fullscreen”?

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      aagggh! I know, I hate it! It's my family's copy, and they hate wide screen for some really odd reason -Ashton

  • @sebo938
    @sebo938 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Frodo 😯

  • @davidmorse5411
    @davidmorse5411 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great review. I want to share it with that special LotR friend I have a crush on, but ... I wish the title didn't have the words "wet dream". Any chance you could change it?

    • @cliftons6811
      @cliftons6811 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Just full send m8

    • @RubensBarrichello.
      @RubensBarrichello. 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Fear not. You pull this bad boy out onto the table and you'll have all the wet you can handle.

  • @joshmcilroy603
    @joshmcilroy603 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I'd love to see War of the Ring vs Star Wars Rebellion - your thoughts on what's the greatest 2 player big IP game haha

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Looks like I'll have to do that eventually after the pandemic ends! -Ashton

  • @darthknight1
    @darthknight1 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    What scale are the minis? 28mm? 25mm?

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      just took a measurement for an elf elite mini and got:
      base diameter: 19mm
      height (including base): 32mm
      hope that helps! -Ashton

    • @darthknight1
      @darthknight1 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Shelfside Thanks for the reply, Ashton. Not bad. I was going to hazard a guess that these were on a smaller scale, but at 32mm these could also serve double duty in tabletop RPGs. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    • @Shelfside
      @Shelfside  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@darthknight1 cheers to you too for the holidays! You could definitely have the goblins/orcs/trolls fill a lot of RPG enemies, and then the fellowship minis could even pass for full characters (or you could just port in LOTR characters into your RPG :D) -Ashton

  • @hanng1242
    @hanng1242 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You might like "Star Wars: Rebellion," which is Star Wars (original trilogy) in a box.

  • @kevinb5482
    @kevinb5482 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    My favorite board game of all time. After playing it twice I bought the $2k collector's edition, if that doesn't tell you how good it is, I don't know what will.