A Dad and Son’s Journey

Looking for a family game that works for both casual and serious gamers? Here’s our story.

How It Started

We got lucky at TantrumCon this year and won a set of shiny foil cards for this game. My son immediately ran to the store for card sleeves (because apparently that’s what serious gamers do). As the dad who usually says no to complex games, I was skeptical – but those cards were pretty nice.

What’s Inside

• 144 Cards (all safely in sleeves now)
• 5 Tokens
• 1 Rulebook
• Our special foil cards from TantrumCon

The game takes you through the story of The Fellowship of the Ring, chapter by chapter. Each round, players work together using cards to help the hobbits on their journey.

How It Works

Think of it like a regular card game, but everyone works together. Each chapter gives players different goals, and you need to coordinate to win. The One Ring is the most powerful card, and whoever has it becomes Frodo for that round.

Dad’s Take: “Listen, I’ve been playing cards since before this kid was born, and I usually run the other way when he brings out these fancy board games. But this one? It’s like they took my regular card games and added just enough Lord of the Rings to make it interesting without making it complicated. Plus, watching my son get excited when I actually volunteer to play is worth it. Though I still don’t understand why we needed to put all those cards in plastic sleeves right away.”

Son’s Perspective: “The game presents an fascinating optimization puzzle through its trick-taking mechanisms. The variable player powers create meaningful decision spaces while maintaining perfect information gameplay. The action selection paradigm particularly shines in the later chapters where the complexity curve reaches its apex. Also, the foil cards we won at TantrumCon are absolutely incredible – definitely worth the premium sleeves. Dad finally understanding hand management strategies has been the real win though.”

Why We Keep Playing

• Simple enough for family game night
• Interesting enough for serious gamers
• Different every time you play
• Those foil cards really do look amazing

Should You Try It?

If you like card games, Lord of the Rings, or just want something the whole family can enjoy, give this one a shot. It’s a great way to spend time together without anyone feeling lost or bored.

Bonus Tip: If you’re new to gaming like Dad, don’t worry – it’s easier than it looks. And if you’re a serious gamer like my son, there’s plenty here to keep you thinking.