Game Info
Year
2013
Players
1-4
Age
15+
Playtime
45 min
Complexity
2.4/5
Collection
Ratings
Creator Score
Mechanic profile
Not enough video data yet
Vibe profile
How this game feels to play
Description
A cooperative board game designed by Reiner Knizia where players join Bilbo Baggins and dwarves on an epic journey through Middle-earth gathering items and overcoming obstacles
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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 6 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–7 of 7
Video YwdvKm67VUo
Rahdo Runs Through Top List at 39:52 sentiment: other
video_pk 84877 · mention_pk 284318
Click to watch at 39:52 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
Highly anticipated
Pros
- Published by Office Dog, who made a "phenomenal" previous game.
- Features the popular Middle-earth setting.
- Eight different missions offer varied gameplay.
- Core dice drafting mechanic with unique rules per mission.
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Retelling the story of The Hobbit
- Middle-earth
- Chronological missions
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice Drafting — Players take turns drafting dice which determine how they move on the map.
- Modular Board — The game is composed of eight different missions, each with a different set of rules.
- roll-and-write — The host explicitly states "I love Rolling Rights."
- tile drafting — Players draft tiles to travel through the game world.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Planet Unknown is Planet Unknown in my top 10 of all time now.
- I'm generally not a fan of that, but the game is so good I'll allow it.
- I think Earth is near perfect as it is, but abundance for my wife makes the game even better.
- A musthave expansion for one of the 10 greatest games of all time, Earth Abundance.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ywVffcG3mHk
Meet Me At The Table Playthrough at 7:12 sentiment: positive
video_pk 83999 · mention_pk 341820
Click to watch at 7:12 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Thematic story follows The Hobbit.
- Each chapter is a unique game.
- Interesting dice mechanics for path building and resource collection.
- Collecting swords can be a viable strategy for points.
- Engaging solo play with beat-your-own-score challenges.
Cons
- No explicit good score targets provided for solo play.
- Some scenarios are difficult to complete objectives within the round limit.
Thematic elements
- Bilbo's quiet evening is upended by dwarves one after another, filling his home with song, plans, and mischief. They propose a perilous adventure to retrieve the stolen treasure guarded by the dragon Smaug. Will the reluctant hobbit agree to go?
- The Shire
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Path building — Players create paths on a map using dice rolls, connecting characters to specific locations.
- resource collection — Players collect bread and swords, which are used for scoring or other in-game benefits.
- Roll and Write — Players roll dice and use the results to draw paths or gain resources on a player board.
- Set Collection — Collecting swords to reach specific point thresholds for scoring.
- timed rounds — Each chapter has a limited number of rounds to complete objectives.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a rolling right. It has eight different chapters. Each chapter is its own unique game and is not a campaign.
- For solo though, there's a timer, a certain amount of rounds.
- So, this is what I've done. I've done a single playthrough of all the eight parts and I added up my score for all of that, 460. So, my goal is to beat that.
- I scored 47 last time. Let's roll our dice.
- This one solo is not great in my opinion. You don't have enough rounds.
- I scored 86 last time. We scored 123. I've got two left on the doorstep.
- I think this is going to be our first scenario where I actually scored worse this time than I did the last time.
- I don't know how many times I'm going to play this solo. I think this is definitely a multiplayer game.
- But overall, I really like this one, especially for a final.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video rI4VJt2vR-Y
Board Gaymes James Playthrough at 6:42 sentiment: positive
video_pk 83678 · mention_pk 300850
Click to watch at 6:42 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging, thematic integration with Hobbits and Dwarves
- Inventive roll-and-write mechanic with rotation/mirroring of path pieces
- Dynamic two-player interaction and scoring variety
Cons
- Rules can be dense and a bit fiddly for new players
- Some ambiguity around hat and path interactions in spots
Thematic elements
- Adventure, fellowship, and hobbit hospitality; quest to retrieve a treasure
- Bag End, The Shire; Bilbo's home as dwarves arrive for a party and adventure
- Narrative-driven roll-and-write with thematic cues from the Hobbit
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Compound Scoring — Bread and swords yield points; hobbit tokens (e.g., Bilbo) and other symbols influence scoring and bonuses.
- Dice Drafting — Five dice are rolled; the first player selects three dice, the other player takes the remaining two; dice types determine path options.
- dice-drafting — Five dice are rolled; the first player selects three dice, the other player takes the remaining two; dice types determine path options.
- End Game Bonuses — The game ends when all 12 dwarves are connected to Bag End (the thorn dwarf is a special case); bonuses for Gandalf/Thorin connections and glory symbols.
- End-game condition — The game ends when all 12 dwarves are connected to Bag End (the thorn dwarf is a special case); bonuses for Gandalf/Thorin connections and glory symbols.
- Flip/Roll and Write — Players roll dice each turn and translate the results into path segments drawn on a map, rotated or mirrored as needed.
- hat-modified actions — Hats on dice act as modifiers that unlock or alter path actions; hats are consumed when used.
- path-drawing from starting points — Paths begin from dwarves, Gandalf, Thorne, or hobbits and must be connected to Bag End; paths may overlap or extend from multiple starting points.
- Resource-based scoring — Bread and swords yield points; hobbit tokens (e.g., Bilbo) and other symbols influence scoring and bonuses.
- Restriction-based placement — You cannot draw through spaces with guests (or depict guests as crossing points); you must navigate around them.
- roll-and-write — Players roll dice each turn and translate the results into path segments drawn on a map, rotated or mirrored as needed.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the first adventure is an unexpected party bilbo's quiet evening is upended by dwarves
- we are connecting the dwarves to bag end
- it's from the hobbit not from lord of the rings
- do not connect through a space depicting a guest you cannot draw paths into these spaces
- the first player will take three dice and the other player will take two dice
- when you gain bread mark your score sheet starting with the leftmost unmarked bread symbol
- you may draw a path by connecting start space touching one of your previous drawn paths or crossing one of your previous drawing paths
- rotate the path section as you wish and you may also draw that mirror image
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video OF1yz1OnAxw
Board Games UnLocked Top List at 42:18 sentiment: positive
video_pk 83358 · mention_pk 289161
Click to watch at 42:18 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Interesting book setup.
- Solo variant is good.
- Neat little game.
- Not an expensive game.
- Fun and enjoyable playthroughs.
- The dice randomization adds replayability.
Cons
- Competitive aspect feels weird given the theme.
- Replayability might be limited after finishing the campaign.
- The art doesn't seem to match the cover art.
- Hot take: All roll-and-writes should be free or print-and-play.
Thematic elements
- Reliving the journey from The Hobbit.
- Middle-earth (The Hobbit)
- Book-based chapters representing different parts of the story.
Comparison games
- Ten
- Lord of the Rings
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Combat — Players may have to battle creatures like goblins and trolls, or attempt to avoid them.
- Dice Drafting — Players draft dice from a common pool to determine actions and movement.
- Movement — Dice with routes dictate the paths players draw. Some dice allow players to move around creatures.
- Objective Fulfillment — The game progresses through eight challenges/chapters that follow the story of The Hobbit.
- roll-and-write — Players draw routes and paths on their individual player books using dry-erase markers.
- Set Collection — Players collect resources by crossing off symbols on the left side of their sheet.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this game I never would have thought just looking at the cover and then like the side art of the cover and all that stuff all cutesy and the name is all cutesy.
- I think that's my favorite part of the game is that it's just nope, just you took a tile, place it somewhere.
- Still a great game. Still my top 100.
- this is the best racing game out there.
- the solo variant, even if you can call me, you can just throw in bots into into multiplayer games, uh, are some of the best bots in board gaming in my opinion.
- So it's like why the [ __ ] are you doing this? It's so stupid.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video iB8mA_8BATo
Grant Lyon Top List at 0:52 sentiment: positive
video_pk 82910 · mention_pk 286341
Click to watch at 0:52 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Can play in escalating chapters for narrative
- Can pick favorite chapter to play
- Unique roll and write
- Great for puzzle lovers
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Narrative progression
- Plays in chapters with narrative
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- chapter-based gameplay — is also played in chapters
- Dice Rolling — You will be rolling dice
- Roll and Write — It's kind of a roll and write game, but a pretty unique one.
- Route Building — building roots on your board.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- There have been a lot of Lord of the Rings board games come out recently, but which ones are any good?
- This is my ranking of all of the recent Lord of the Rings games.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Vf4ckHjihJE
Hungry Gamer Review at 0:09 sentiment: positive
video_pk 82120 · mention_pk 341397
Click to watch at 0:09 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Pretty darn portable
- Plays on any size table
- Beautiful production with great artwork reminiscent of classic animated series
- Chunky cardboard bits and nice books that lay flat
- Dry erasable sheets are environmentally friendly
- Successive stories increase in challenge
- Thematic integration of mechanics
- Clever use of components like bread and swords across scenarios
- Keeps feeling fresh due to variability
- Top tier roll and write game
- Amazing production
- Truly a thematic roll and write
Cons
- People struggle with drawing the paths, causing confusion and taking longer than expected
- Occasionally lame or boring turns, especially with fewer options
- Can be hard to figure out what to do initially, leading to feeling like you're flailing around
- Solo mode is less satisfying than multiplayer
- Heavier than expected for its size
Thematic elements
- Playing through the entire story of The Hobbit
- Middle-earth
Comparison games
- Fate of the Fellowship
- Hrien's Wall
- Three Sisters
- Gong Chan Clever
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice Drafting — Players take turns drafting dice from a common pool after they have been rolled.
- Roll and Write — Core mechanic where players roll dice and use them to fill in sections of a game sheet.
- Scenario-based progression — The game is played through a series of scenarios, each representing a part of the story with slightly different rules and objectives.
- Set Collection — Collecting sets of items like bread or swords for points or special abilities.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- All in all, I'm just really pleased with this.
- This one is right there. Maybe a little bit more so because I can always change up what it is I'm going to do in any given game which keeps it feeling fresh.
- I think this one is a top tier rolling rate game. Top top tier.
- an amazing production and truly a thematic roll and write and I don't know that I've ever said that before.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 0xYKMmiorW4
BoardGameCo Analysis at 16:19 sentiment: positive
video_pk 80037 · mention_pk 280535
Click to watch at 16:19 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
Positive
Pros
- Enjoyed it a lot.
- Had a lot of fun playing through it.
- Solid game.
- Happy I picked it up.
Cons
- Not played a lot since completing it.
- Uncertain if it will be pulled out over Railroad Inc.
- Hasn't gotten a lot of play after the initial full playthrough.
Thematic elements
- The Hobbit
Comparison games
- Railroad Inc.
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Campaign — Played through the whole thing at once.
- Drafting — Likes the drafting.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This has become like a sleeper hit for me.
- It is such a good two-player deduction game is trying to figure out the sequence of asking the right questions faster than your opponent asks the right question.
- Tranquility to the Scent is still an excellent version of it.
- It's basically an auto battler, but such a clever auto battler.
- I do not think it's a forever game.
- for right now, it has managed to persevere and we'll see how long it lasts.
- both have a uh I don't want to say permanent because nothing's permanent, but permanent spot in my collection.
- another easy win.
- Jungo was definitely a hit for me.
- that was a solid one that I definitely am happy I picked up.
- Santorini Pantheon Edition and Arnuk Adventure Chest are easy wins over there
- Again, another iteration of a system I already have.
- I like it, but Lana is not my favorite game system.
- It is good to have, but if I got rid of it, it would not be the end of the world.
- If I didn't get it, I'd be fine.
- my kids like it, but my cats like it more.
- I'm uncertain of the longevity.
- Waddle is great. I don't think it's a mustave.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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Showing 1–7 of 7