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Game Info
Year
2023
Players
1-4
Age
10+
Playtime
50 min
Complexity
1.7/5
Collection
Ratings
Creator Score
Mechanic profile
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Description
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 6
This page: 6
Sentiment:
pos 2 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 2
Showing 1–6 of 6
Video w-cCLC7u7nk
Watch It Played Discussion at 4:36
video_pk 88579 · mention_pk 233870
Click to watch at 4:36 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
- Nazgûl hunt you down
Thematic elements
- Frodo's perilous journey to destroy the One Ring
- The journey to Mount Doom
Comparison games
- Pillars of the Earth
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative play — Players cooperate to protect Frodo.
- Decision making — Choosing dice before and after the roll presents players with decisions that have significant repercussions.
- Dice Movement — Movement is controlled by a special dice mechanism with colored dice determining which figure can be moved and the dice value determining the number of spaces a figure can travel.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- tiny adventurers hard to find reprint
- and an expansion I'm very excited about
- hello I'm Matthew and welcome to your board game news
- a long time ago we covered Gloom holding a solo micro version of gloomhaven that you can play in the palm of your hand
- well it looks like cephyr were so impressed with Joe cliffall's shrink abilities that they with the help of co-designer Nikki Valens have created Gloom Haven buttons and bugs a solo mini version of one of the most popular games in the world
- so buttons and bugs has an original campaign story written by Isaac Childress that features a play Star very similar to gloomhaven where on a quest to become a famous Adventurer You Get shrunk by an Acer recluse so you have a new mission to return to your normal size
- each scenario is a single card pitting one mercenary against a handful of enemies with simplified actions and AI
- each mercenary has a hand of just four double-sided cards but they can be used twice both the front and the back before they are discarded and attacks are resolved using a die in conjunction with a modifier table on both the table and the Mercury ability cards can be improved as you level up throughout the campaign
- we played this as an exclusive over on our twitch Channel and I it was a sponsored segment but I really really liked it I'm probably never going to be the kind of person who's going to go and play all of gloomhaven but I could see myself getting this one it was an add-on to the big grand festival campaign that they ran on backer kit but buttons and bugs will also be coming to retail soon
- and even more Adventures are ahead in the game that helped make this episode possible Everdell Farshore from styling games a new section of the land of Everdale comes to life in the rugged Northern Seaside land of Everdel Farshore here stormwatch Sailors search for Bountiful islands and valuable Treasures as hard-working folk gather resources and build the cities in unison with the ever-changing waves on the mighty ocean the Standalone game is set in the country of Far Shore within the Everdel universe where each season you lead a crew of Critters workers to build up a prosperous City to explore the enchanting ocean Beyond manual actions carefully in order to build and to sail because your Victor will require adapting to the Salty Winds of Change follow the link in this video's description to pre-order Everdale fashion now and be among the first to get it when it makes landfall in August
- another new expansion I feel like we just spoke about this but another new expansion has been announced for the one to five player terrifying Mars a few weeks ago we were talking about Prelude 2 the sixth expansion which contained a second round of Prelude cards to speed up the beginning of the game and now we have automa which is to be part of an upcoming Kickstarter autumna or Mars but apparently they are still debating the name I'd have gone with solo Zone layer
- it's focused on making a richer and more interesting solo experience which they want to be a welcome boost to the large community that enjoys playing terraforming Mars solo
- this time instead of racing against the clock the Ultima allows you to compete against corporations run by algorithms and special cards that make it possible for you to add any of your favorite expansions to create the challenge you're looking for it's not yet known what else will be in this upcoming Kickstarter but I'm guessing there's still a lot more to come in this line
- byr games had a bit of a surprise hit a couple years ago with the Belgian beer race where two to four players race through Belgium and it's breweries where you were tasked to visit as many breweries as you can buy the beers and drink with moderation throughout a three-day competition with no drink driving you had to travel by bike public transport or hitchhike while avoiding hangovers
- now we are being treated to another round with the Belgian beer race dice a rolling right version of its Big Brother this one plays one to four Drinkers and is a lighter and faster game as you visit Belgium breweries drink and buy beers and trying to be the first to achieve three goals using dice rolling to move from one Brewery to another
- Cosmos are releasing the English version of the one to four player the Lord of the Rings adventure to Mount Doom from the extremely acclaimed designer of Pillars of the Earth Michael Reinac in this Cooperative Adventure players are following the story of Frodo's perilous journey to destroy the one ring in the fires of Mount Doom accompanied by his familiar Fellowship who are charged with protecting him from the dangers he will face along the way
- the players control the fortunes of this company together by moving the individual figures across the game board on a journey through well-known locations or while the nagsal Nazgul hunt you down I'm sorry I'm I'm sorry
- the movement of the characters is controlled by a special dice mechanism with colored dice determining which figure can be moved and while the dice value determines the number of spaces a figure can travel choosing the dice before and after the role players are faced with decisions that have significant repercussions as the game continues and this one will be out soon
- Aval
- well to be announced later heard I don't know so more than that when we know but for now stick with us here on what you played for on the radar where there's even more announcements being made just no one told Rodney what they are
References (from this video)
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Video AKJRVoJu_Q4
The Dungeon Dive Review at 0:14 sentiment: negative
video_pk 87261 · mention_pk 227636
Click to watch at 0:14 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
- art and map illustrations are outstanding and were a major factor in purchasing
- rule set is simple and approachable (family-weight)
- certain cards and moments can create thematic, cinematic vibes
Cons
- feels more like a solo game than a true cooperative experience; limited player interaction
- perceived lack of meaningful roles for different attendees; progression feels on-rails
- difficulty to win and lack of consistent replay appeal; losing feels unrewarding
- box size and footprint are larger than ideal for a family game; space considerations matter
Thematic elements
- cooperative fellowship quest where players manage risk, resources, and timing to reach Mount Doom
- Middle-earth, Rivendell to Mount Doom with stages along a map of iconic locations
- adventure-driven, with episodic encounters and one-use friendship cards that can alter outcomes
Comparison games
- The Hobbit Adventure Board Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative decision-making with limited control — players select which characters to roll for and resolve conflicts as an aggregated team rather than individual turns
- Dice Rolling — rolling encounter and battle dice to determine movement and combat outcomes for the fellowship
- hand/resource management — collecting and using friendship cards (one-use) to mitigate bad luck and influence outcomes
- Resource Management — collecting and using friendship cards (one-use) to mitigate bad luck and influence outcomes
- Stage-based progression — board tracks progress through named regions; outcomes affect courage, danger, and end-game conditions
- threat and danger tracks — dangerous track (Nuzh– Nazgûl-like threats) and courage track that constrain actions and determine potential defeat
- Track Advancement — board tracks progress through named regions; outcomes affect courage, danger, and end-game conditions
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the illustrations in this game are great and that's really about the only thing I really like about this game
- it's a hard game to recommend
- I like games that are effortlessly fun
- the rules for this game are relatively simple
- this is a solo game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video -qLrRJOrvgo
Rahdo Runs Through Top List at 7:29 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 85854 · mention_pk 220861
Click to watch at 7:29 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Incredibly charming
- Fast playing
- Gateway style
- Teaches about losing with grace
- Elegant and clean
- Thematic
- Interesting decisions
- Sharp fun little game
Cons
- Incredibly challenging, will beat you up mercilessly
- You are going to lose more often than you win
- Very lucky, no matter how good your decisions are
- Too lightweight for experienced gamers
- Almost no way to make it easier
Thematic elements
- Cooperative journey to destroy the One Ring
- Middle-earth
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative play — Players cooperatively try to direct the Fellowship of the Ring.
- Dice Rolling — Players roll black dice for calamities and colored dice for fellowship members.
- Push Your Luck — Players make tough choices between less than ideal options based on dice rolls and probabilities.
- Set Collection — Players try to keep the fellowship members in a sweet spot on the path.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- We've pretty much gone almost bankrupt moving all the way from the United States to Ireland and we got to start rebuilding our savings.
- This game will beat you up and spit you out mercilessly.
- It is such a mechanical thinky crunchy game, but so much of it is trying to make sure that you recognize what somebody else values.
- There is no worse feeling in all the board games than playing House of Fedo, moving to a zone, um, and then getting I'm going to get I'm going to get a bonus and oh no, the bonuses that are available to me right now, I can't afford, so I get no bonus.
- This is like the ultimate example of a game that I think is better played online on Board Game Arena than it is in real life because of this.
- Honestly, this is my single biggest issue with the game. The the swinginess of that push your luck game is so huge and so debilitating.
- This game is phenomenal. It is the number two best game that Jen and I played this month.
- So this is my go-to um, you know, area battle game. If anybody ever comes to my house and wants to play it, they're going to be playing Six Sjuns with me because it's brilliant and it is our game of the month.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video iB8mA_8BATo
Grant Lyon Top List at 0:09 sentiment: negative
video_pk 82910 · mention_pk 208335
Click to watch at 0:09 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
none
Cons
- A lot of luck involved
- Cannot recommend
Thematic elements
- Journey to Mount Doom
- Middle-earth
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice Rolling — you are using dice to move various characters and try to get Froto to mount Doom.
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 bxcvySTBqX8
Ryan and Bethany Board Game Reviews Review at 0:08 sentiment: positive
video_pk 79240 · mention_pk 192599
Click to watch at 0:08 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Strong thematic integration with Lord of the Rings lore
- Significant player agency within a rolling-move framework
- Vivid narrative moments and fan-service character appearances
- Clear teaching approach with a minimal initial ruleset that scales in complexity
- High replayability due to varying area decks and unrevealed Mount Doom cards
Cons
- Ending/climax can feel anticlimactic and luck-dependent
- Final push can be unforgiving due to dice and positioning
- Some players may crave tighter control over endgame timing
Thematic elements
- adventure, fellowship, peril, perseverance
- Rivendell through various Middle-earth locations toward Mount Doom
- story-driven progression with card-driven events and Gandalf/character appearances
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative peril management — Nazgûl/peril track and other threats escalate; players must work together to manage peril and protect the ring bearer.
- Deck-driven events — Location decks, Gandalf cards, green boons and red penalties drive both positive and negative events throughout the journey.
- Events — Location decks, Gandalf cards, green boons and red penalties drive both positive and negative events throughout the journey.
- ring bearer progression and combat — Progress toward Mount Doom is tied to the ring bearer’s position; combat and events are resolved through dice in combat zones and card effects.
- roll-and-move — All five characters are active; players roll dice to determine movement and apply results to multiple characters, guided by story and location cards.
- Roll/Spin to Move — All five characters are active; players roll dice to determine movement and apply results to multiple characters, guided by story and location cards.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I was pleasantly surprised
- this is a rolling move game however it's a little different than other roll and move games
- there's actually a lot more choice in this simple roll a move
- the climax was a little bit underwhelming
- the way this game taught itself is really kind of brilliant
- midweight quick Lord of the Rings experience
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 7LuGTiS8clg
Board Gaymes James Playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 62014 · mention_pk 154630
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Cooperative, accessible dice-driven play that captures LOTR flavor
- Relatively concise play time (~60 minutes)
- Strong thematic integration with familiar characters
- Gandalf card mechanic provides a renewable resource feel
Cons
- Dice randomness can dominate outcomes
- Rules can be confusing and occasionally require rereading
- Endgame can be punishing with heavy adversary waves
Thematic elements
- Fellowship quest, cooperative progression against adversaries
- Middle-earth, journey from The Shire to Mount Doom
- Event-driven, dice-driven collaborative storytelling
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- battle system — Combat with symbols representing adversaries (Uruk-Hai, Nazgûl, Balrog, etc.) and multiple battle phases
- Book-based resolution — Resolve turns by selecting and interpreting entries on the rule book pages
- Boss Battler — Combat with symbols representing adversaries (Uruk-Hai, Nazgûl, Balrog, etc.) and multiple battle phases
- character abilities — Individual powers for Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, and others influence movement and combat
- Courage track — Track that determines progress toward the end and can cause loss of hearts/courage
- Dice Rolling — Two black dice and two multicolored dice determine actions and outcomes
- End-stage progression — Stage destinations and city events drive the journey toward Mount Doom
- Fellowship management — Choose which fellowship members accompany the ring bearer and use their abilities
- Gandalf cards / renewable resource — Gandalf-related effects and the option to refresh or consume Gandalf cards
- Unique Player Powers — Individual powers for Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, and others influence movement and combat
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It's supposed to only be an hour game.
- Gandalf is a renewable resource, potentially.
- the book will evaluate top and bottom left page, top and bottom right page.
- This is like a guaranteed, and this is a gamble.
- I like this better because it was the exact same feeling, but less stressful.
- Gimli is the best.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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Showing 1–6 of 6