I just found out that one of my favorite games, Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation, is coming out in the middle of May with a deluxe edition (presumably matching the style of the three main games in the Lord of the Rings series, by the same designer). Information about what is in the deluxe edition can be found here, and you can order it from Funagain.
For information about the original version, you can read the entries at Funagain, or the ever-popular BoardGameGeek. Basically, the game is similar to Stratego, where unidentified characters travel across the board and do battle with other characters. The variety comes in to play with the unique powers that each character has. (In that respect, it is very similar to Cosmic Encounter, my favorite game of all time, and the game that generally came up with the concept of unique powers for each character.) So, for example, the Orcs automatically defeat the first enemy they encounter, but Frodo can has the option to retreat before that happens. The Balrog is strong, but Boromir can scarifice himself to defeat one enemy, and so on. It really does capture the spirit of the story very well, and I have thoroughly enjoyed every game I have played.
The new version adds a few extra cards with varying effects, and eighteen new characters in addition to the eighteen original ones. So if you’re interested in a good, fast two-player game with a fair amount of strategy, you would do well to pick up either the current version or the new one. Oh, and it was designed by Reiner Knizia, so you can’t really go wrong there. And while you’re at it, pick up the other Lord of the Rings game by Knizia. Totally different, but equally excellent, it is a cooperative game for two to five players.
