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Game Info
Year
2017
Players
2-5
Age
13+
Playtime
90 min
Collection
Your Tier
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Description
In Hunt for the Ring, one player takes the role of Frodo and his companions, who are journeying from the Shire to Rivendell, while up to four other players represent the Nazgûl who are trying to hunt down the hobbits. While traveling, Frodo and others must resist being corrupted by the Ring that he wears.
Hunt for the Ring is a hidden movement game played in two chapters, with each chapter being played on a different game board. In the first chapter, the Frodo player attempts to move from the Shire to Bree, gaining corruption points if they fail to do so after sixteen turns. If the Frodo player succeeds, they can either record their exit point (and other game details) to play the second chapter at a later time, or they can continue immediately, with the second chapter having the Frodo player move from Bree to Rivendell. In this chapter, the Frodo player doesn't control the hobbits directly, but instead draws cards from a journey deck, with each card showing one of many paths to Rivendell.
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Hunt for the Ring Review
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 7
This page: 7
Sentiment:
pos 7 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–7 of 7
Video toNrNljQBNg
Rolling Dice & Taking Names Discussion at 6:36 sentiment: positive
video_pk 93529 · mention_pk 253210
Click to watch at 6:36 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Thematic integration with Lord of the Rings.
- Engaging hidden movement and search/hunt mechanics.
- No line of sight, making gameplay easier.
- The two-part structure leading into War of the Ring is a major plus.
- High quality components and gorgeous miniatures.
Cons
- Easier to play as Frodo than as Nazgûl.
- The game can be boring if the Nazgûl don't grasp the search and hunt concepts.
- The Nazgûl players didn't communicate enough in one playthrough.
Thematic elements
- Searching for Frodo and his Hobbit friends.
- Middle-earth
- The game directly ties into the narrative of Lord of the Rings, with players embodying Frodo or the Nazgûl.
Comparison games
- War of the Ring
- Specter Ops
- Scotland Yard
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Ally Tokens — Frodo can place ally tokens to block locations or act as decoys.
- Day/Night Cycles — The game turn consists of two day turns and a night turn for the Nazgûl.
- Dice rolling for actions — Nazgûl players roll dice with icons representing actions like hunting, searching, or using special cards.
- Hidden Movement — One player (Frodo) moves secretly while others (Nazgûl) try to find them.
- Save game state — The game has a two-part structure where the state can be saved to continue to part two, and potentially lead into War of the Ring.
- Search and Hunt Mechanics — Specific mechanics for searching for Frodo's location and attempting to hunt him down.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- When a 4G connection is better than a fiber optic connection is that a problem
- Holy cow I am about ready to string up AT&T u-verse
- I'm not sure if I've stressed the fact that I don't have internet
- if you want to go search our our Twitters speaking of Gaia project last week I got online to play Terra Mystica
- This is why we couldn't get it down to five minutes
- Wow I just felt like there is bored over here I need to get my guys up that track because it's just worth victory points
- What is old is new again
- They tried to kill us back in the 70s they brought it back out to try to kill our kids here in the 2000s
- Mattel turned down the license to Star Wars and they've been kicking themselves ever since
- I assumed that he man toys were generated from the cartoon I didn't know that the cartoon came after the toys
- It's been exposed that some Magic the Gathering judges are actually convicted pedophiles
- Great Western Trail actually reached number 10 overall on the BGG rank
- My first prediction is PAX unplugged will beat all other cons
- I think we're gonna start seeing a changing of the guard on media creators
- BGG poll that's going on right now is just a an annual or biannual poll they have and they ask what's your age the biggest age bracket is still 35 to 40 something
- It's not about the money just offset some of the the costs that we currently had that we didn't have before
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Asf9lmmhHpo
Rob's Gaming Table Rules Teach at 5:45 sentiment: positive
video_pk 86464 · mention_pk 223754
Click to watch at 5:45 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Lord of the Rings theme is well integrated.
- Hidden movement mechanic creates tension.
- Player agency and strategic choices.
- Comprehensive and well-designed rulebook.
- The two-part structure adds depth and replayability.
- The connection to War of the Ring is a nice thematic touch.
Cons
- The two-part structure can make the game feel long or disjointed.
- The game can be complex with many rules and options.
- The reliance on certain dice rolls can be frustrating.
- The 'Lord of the Nazgûl' mechanic felt underutilized in their playthrough.
Thematic elements
- The journey of the Ring from the Shire to Bree and then to Rivendell with Frodo carrying the ring.
- Middle-earth
Comparison games
- Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth
- Sniper Elite
- War of the Ring
- Fury of Dracula
- Last Friday
- Specter Ops
- Letters from White Chapel
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative Play (for Nazgûl) — The Nazgûl players cooperate to hunt Frodo.
- Dice Rolling — Action dice are rolled to determine available actions for the Nazgûl.
- Hand Management — Players manage cards that provide abilities and special actions.
- Hidden Movement — One player's location is hidden, and other players must deduce it to find them.
- Modular Board — The game is played in two parts with different boards representing different stages of the journey.
- One vs. Many — One player takes on the role of Frodo, while the others cooperate as the Nazgûl hunting him.
- Variable player powers — Different characters (Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Strider, Gandalf) have unique abilities.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I love Lord of the Rings games I force people to play them with me whether they like it or not.
- The rule book kind of kind of blew me away how how well done it is and and functional and everything's there but it's a lot of information like to read through it it's like wait I read all this rules for this long and all the game is is this it's weird but it I'd rather have more than less but uh just very interesting.
- The second part can't be played on its own Standalone game because you need the beginning so it's like it's cool if you want to make it two separate nights but it feels like that sucks.
- I love these little cards it's these feel like Fury of Dracula kind of cards and like War of the Ring kind of cards I love how they all have restrictions and like the timing matters and it's like I learned if you like you look at a card and you're like oh I could play this now or I could hold it it could be so good later but then it never lines up where you have a way to play it it's all so night.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video KBy5wy0lmwc
Meet Me At The Table Top List at 2:03 sentiment: positive
video_pk 84106 · mention_pk 213220
Click to watch at 2:03 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Thematically nails it
- Excellent production quality
- Unique two-chapter system
- Surprisingly accessible rules
Cons
- Not for solo players
- Playing as Nazoul can be less exciting for some
- Takes a while to play, especially both chapters
Thematic elements
- A tense cat and mouse journey where the ring's fate hangs on secrecy and deduction.
- Middle Earth
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Corruption Track — Fail to reach Bri in time and Froto begins to accumulate corruption. Too much and it's game over.
- Deduction — The Nazoul must use deduction, and the clues left behind to predict his route and close in for the final confrontation.
- Hidden Movement — Hunt for the Ring is a tense thematic hidden movement game set in the rich world of Middle Earth.
- Two-chapter system — The game unfolds in two distinct chapters, each played on its own game board.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Maybe it's because Sauron gave the humans nine rings of power. Or maybe it's just the nine that I've truly enjoyed. I'll let you decide.
- The game is dripping with theme and nostalgia, especially if you're a fan of the books or films.
- Thematically, this game just nails it.
- Still, Journeys in Middle Earth delivers one of the most cinematic tabletop adventures out there.
- If you're looking for the most thematic, most epic Lord of the Rings board game experience out there, War of the Ring is absolutely the one.
- Overall, Fate of the Fellowship is a tight thematic co-op experience that captures the danger and drama of Middleear in a shorter, more approachable format.
- A deeply thematic, endlessly replay-able adventure that lets you live out your own stories in Middle Earth.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video met7r9m4b7s
Stonemaier Games Discussion at 16:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 40787 · mention_pk 123704
Click to watch at 16:50 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- tight tension and memorable moments
- scales nicely with players
Cons
- may risk fatigue for casual players
- complexity can be a barrier
Thematic elements
- mythic quest and strategy under pressure
- fantasy-adventure ring quest with one vs. many tension
- thematic conjecture and tension building
Comparison games
- Scotland Yard
- Return to Dark Tower
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Hidden Movement — players navigate with limited information toward a common goal
- hidden objective / pursuit — players navigate with limited information toward a common goal
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I find the experience really thematic and immersive and the art, components, world, and effects really make the game feel stuck in my head like a catchy song.
- this is my favorite way to interact with board games is talking about it after and sharing it.
- you can remember a distinct moment from it, does that fall into this category for you?
- the game that sticks with you the most after play is the one you want to replay again and again
- it's the type of game you think about long after the table is cleared
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Kr3W9GE9T-w
Game Night Picks - Pair Of Dice Paradise Unboxing at 4:31 sentiment: positive
video_pk 32419 · mention_pk 95906
Click to watch at 4:31 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Unique hidden movement experience with a Lord of the Rings flavor
- Potential for thematic synergy with War of the Ring
Cons
- Hidden movement can be tense and potentially frustrating for some players
- Requires other games (War of the Ring) for extended setup
Thematic elements
- hidden movement and pursuit, with fellowship versus Nazgûl factions
- Middle-earth, journey era inspired by The Lord of the Rings
- mysterious, suspenseful pursuit with two-chapter, multi-board layout
Comparison games
- War of the Ring
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dual-board chapters — two chapters played on different boards, adding strategic depth and variety
- Hidden Movement — one player acts as Frodo and companions while others are Nazgûl attempting to locate them
- integration with War of the Ring — outcome can influence War of the Ring setup if used in conjunction
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this Borg assimilation adds an all new threat to the game
- the Borg are an independent menace attacking player ships and assimilating civilized worlds
- they could overwhelm the entire galaxy
- one player takes the role of Frodo and his companions and up to four other players represent the nazûl who are trying to hunt them down
- this is a hidden movement game that's played in two chapters with each chapter being played on a different game board
- the thing is a social deduction game based on the movie from the early 80s
- players will relive John Carpenter's sci-fi classic in a race to discover who among the team has been infected
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video c3NYVD9s2Us
The Cardboard Herald Review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7130 · mention_pk 21122
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Dynamic hidden movement with substantial thematic depth
- Two-part campaign that carries momentum and payoff into a single longer arc
- Strong Tolkien resonance in art, flavor, and mechanisms
- Balanced feel for both the Fellowship and the Shadow, with meaningful choice and consequences
- Beautiful production quality and components that reinforce the theme
- Gandalf’s second-half interference adds a clever twist and narrative cohesion
- High replay potential through variability and decision points
Cons
- marketed as a 2- to 5-player game, but plays best as a two-player duel, which may disappoint players expecting a broader player count
- if split into two players or teams, the overall depth can feel diluted due to shared dice pools and limited Nazgul count in game 2
- some Fellowship cards can cancel Nazgul actions, which may frustrate players who rely on those actions
- longer play sessions and two-session structure may be heavy for some players, requiring commitment
- the bust artwork/colors could be improved for readability and thematic clarity
- the pacing and complexity may be challenging for casual or casual-minded Tolkien fans
Thematic elements
- The One Ring's corruption, fellowship vs Nazgûl, and the tension between stealth and pursuit in a Tolkien-inspired quest
- Middle-earth during the War of the Ring, two-session campaign arc following Frodo and Gandalf arcs with the Nazgûl hunting the ring bearer
- two-part narrative (Frodo-focused first half, Gandalf-driven second half) with carryover between games
Comparison games
- War of the Ring
- Battle of Five Armies
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action dice — Round-based dice rolls grant special actions (shadow or fellowship), including perception, moving extra spaces, or drawing shadow cards
- ally and companion cards — Companions and Allies provide abilities and can be sacrificed to stave off corruption or counter Nazgul effects
- board interactions and terrain — Ally tokens can create impassable terrain or hinder Nazgul movement, shaping strategic options for both sides
- Gandalf interference — Gandalf in the second half disrupts Nazgul plans, adds a dynamic shift in power and information flow
- Hidden Movement — Fellowship ring bearer moves covertly on the board while the shadow player hunts with Nazgûl; information is revealed selectively via tokens and board knowledge
- information tokens — Tokens placed initially and flipped as the ring bearer moves; Nazgul may acquire tokens to gain power
- Journey cards — In the second half, Gandalf controls the ring bearer via a journey path, providing new movement rules and interference options
- Multi-Use Cards — Companions and Allies provide abilities and can be sacrificed to stave off corruption or counter Nazgul effects
- ring corruption — Accumulating corruption tokens pushes the fellowship toward a loss; managing corruption is a core strategic tension
- two-session campaign with carryover — The two halves can be played back-to-back or saved, with carryover of corruption, tokens, and survivor cards into the second game
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is a completely different type of game yet at the same time has the same depth of strategy the same reverence for the written work and absolutely deserves to be in the war the ring line
- okay so by now it should be abundantly clear that I love hunt for the ring
- both sides feel mutually empowered to achieve their objective they feel like they have options at their disposal and there are really agonizing decisions about when to use dice when to flip over characters in order to get rid of corruption
- this game is so incredibly thematic
- the amount of love and care that was put into crafting this game is outstanding
- hunt for the ring is a really dynamic hidden movement game
- bottom line both sides feel balanced
- I think that this is still enjoyable if you are just someone who likes or is okay with fantasy it may bear out to be my favorite hidden movement game of all time for now
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video BuMQHxhiaiU
Meet Me At The Table Playthrough at 0:06 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3076 · mention_pk 8962
Click to watch at 0:06 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Rich thematic integration with Tolkien lore and a strong sense of pursuit and tension between Frodo and the Nazgûl.
- High replayability from asymmetric roles, dual-board layout, and the potential to link into War of the Ring for a larger epic experience.
- Interactive and tactical play that rewards planning, blocking, and information gathering via ally tokens and information tokens.
- Clear affection for the property and components (e.g., painted minis) adds to immersion and table presence.
- Flexible pathing options for Frodo, including dot-spaced wilderness movement that creates a sense of suspense and misdirection.
Cons
- Rule complexity and a fairly long setup can be a barrier for new players or casual sessions.
- Tempo can slow with more players, as there are many simultaneous decisions and many dice interactions per turn.
- The variability of card draws and dice means outcomes can feel heavily luck-influenced at times, potentially skewing perceived fairness.
Thematic elements
- pursuit, infiltration, and stealth against an overt pursuit force; asymmetrical objectives for the Ring Bear and Nazgûl; information warfare via journey logs and information tokens.
- Middle-earth during The Fellowship of the Ring era, focusing on Frodo's journey from Bag End toward Brie/Minas region under pursuit by Nazgûl; a dual-front pursuit with two sides of the board.
- asymmetric two-sided play with day/night cycles; modular setup that can chain into War of the Ring for an expanded campaign feel.
Comparison games
- War of the Ring
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Ally tokens and ally cards — Allies block Nazgûl movement, provide defensive benefits, and unlock card effects (e.g., Marriottic Brandybuck, Elves) that alter how many allies can be played or how foes are constrained.
- Corruption Track — Frodo accrues corruption tokens through encounters and searches; reaching certain thresholds triggers endgame conditions and shifts in difficulty.
- day/night phases — Day phases allow Frodo to advance and use ally cards; Night phases grant Nazgûl free hunts and intensified pursuit.
- Encounter resolution — Encounters resolve via drawing corruption tiles; some tiles are cancelable by discarding ally cards or spending fellowship tokens, and some lead to graphically dramatic shifts like adding or removing Nazgûl assets.
- Hidden Movement — Frodo's exact position is partially concealed; Nazgûl use journey logs, information tokens, and perception/hear tests to infer his location and close in.
- Journey log / information tokens — Locations and tokens give context about Frodo's past positions and potential future moves; Nazgûl can collect tokens to reveal and leverage information in hunts and searches.
- Sorcery cards and action dice — Nazgûl generate actions via dice and sorcery cards, with effects that modify movement, searches, hunts, and track token behaviors; many cards are powerful but costly to use.
- Two-sided board / asymmetric setup — The board comprises multiple sectors with dots and roads; for part one and part two the Nazgûl setup and Frodo's path differ, including a “Road only” movement on some routes.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Hunt for the Ring is broken out into three phases. We have our day phase one, our day phase 2, and our night phase.
- I love this so much. I needed to get back to some more Lord of the Rings games.
- The Naz Ghoul don't know if our goal or the way that we lose is 12 or 14. They are going to have to try and deduce that and as we gain corruption, they might find out.
- Blocking with ally tokens on road spaces is brutal and incredibly flavorful.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
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