Comments on: Hunt For The Ring Review

By: Marc Davis

Marc Davis — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 22:35:08 +0000

In reply to Rory .J Somers. Yeah given how light it is it really should be shorter. 45 minutes per side is doable if you go quickly, but I don't think you could get much quicker than that.

By: Rory .J Somers

Rory .J Somers — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 09:22:37 +0000

An interesting review. I had to do a double take (kind of) when I read that a 5 player game can take 3 hours. I’m surprised that a 2 player can take an hour, I got the distinct impression this would be a 45 minute max game. It is a shame you didn’t like it, clearly as a fan of Tolkien and War of the Ring it but you points seem very valid and well balanced.

By: Lest My Opinions Go Unheard

Lest My Opinions Go Unheard — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 21:52:04 +0000

In reply to Matthew Giesmann. The 2nd half also does something interesting in that it inverts the power dynamics at the table. Usually in a hidden movement game the hidden player is in a position of power. They drive the game's momentum and through obscuring their position and plans, put the chasing player(s) in a weaker and more defensive position. Hunt for the Ring's 2nd half subverts that dynamic by taking that power away from the player. Now the hidden player still needs to obscure and confuse their opponent(s), but without the control you're used to. I think that's an interesting departure for a hidden movement game. It's why I'm keen on playing the 2nd part again soon. Just to see to what end this new player dynamic opens up different ways of play.

By: Matthew Giesmann

Matthew Giesmann — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 21:46:41 +0000

In reply to Lest My Opinions Go Unheard.

Interesting point about the impact of losing control of Frodo. In theory, playing as a clandestine bodyguard could be just as interesting…

But ultimately, I didn’t find the Gandalf play interesting enough for it to work, and I’m not sure that it would get more interesting with more plays… If the map allowed for more freedom in Frodo’s movement, then I think Gandalf throwing the Nazgul off the scent would be a lot more satisfying.

By: Lest My Opinions Go Unheard

Lest My Opinions Go Unheard — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 21:32:22 +0000

Just finished our first game today, actually. I’m not sure our experience matched yours as I found the second half especially interesting and quite tense. The lack of control over Frodo’s movements meant you had to spent more time psyching out the Nazgul. It’s the first part that seemed overtly familiar, but also reasonably short. That said, we found out afterwards that we did get a few rules quite wrong, so our next game may play our differently. But so far, the game seems a decent entry into the hidden movement genre, albeit not quite as clean and accessible as its bigger brother Letters from Whitechapel.

By: Marc Davis

Marc Davis — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 20:28:03 +0000

In reply to cliosboardgames. You're welcome! A podcast with further thoughts should be up later tonight. I think designing this genre of game has some very difficult inherent challenges.

By: cliosboardgames

cliosboardgames — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 20:24:19 +0000

Sad to read it didn’t work out for you! On the other hand, thanks for writing this and potentially saving me from a disappointment. I’m a big War of the Ring fan, too, so I was naturally inclined to give this one a shot. After reading this, I’m rather relieved that I didn’t. Just as you said, hidden movement games are tricky to get right, and it’s a pity this one apparently failed to do so on multiple accounts. Thanks for the review!