An anniversary edition of The Lord of the Rings co-op board game is on its way
The Reiner Knizia classic is revived after 20 years.
Reunite the Fellowship once more in The Lord of the Rings: The Board Game Anniversary Edition, a revised version of the co-op classic by designer Reiner Knizia.
The Lord of the Rings board game, which was originally released in 2000, focuses on the trilogy of novels by J R R Tolkein. During the co-op board game, two to five players team up to tackle key events from the series such as the expedition through the Mines of Moria, the epic battle of Helm’s Deep and the terrifying trek through Shelob’s lair.
Players assume the role of the brave hobbits who embark on a quest to destroy the One Ring and save the peoples of Middle-earth.
Each of the game’s four conflict boards represent an iconic location and conflict from the trilogy, which players must make their way through in order to progress towards the final confrontation in Mordor. Overcoming each challenge requires players to play certain cards - which contain various characters and items found across Middle-earth - with players needing to stay strong against the corrupting influence of Sauron to continue on.
This corrupting influence is represented by a die that players must roll as they make their way across each board, with players losing the game should the ringbearer fall under the sway of Sauron. Should players manage to throw the One Ring into Mount Doom, then they successfully achieve victory.
The upcoming revised Anniversary Edition of the game will include all of these elements with refreshed versions of its various tokens featured in the original. Rather than using cardboard standees, the Anniversary Edition will contain a collection of miniatures representing each of the hobbits, as well as Sauron - who is now depicted as a Black Rider - the threat die and the One Ring.
Knizia has designed an enormous amount of board games aside from The Lord of The Rings: The Board Game, including Lost Cities, High Society and L.L.A.M.A - which was nominated for the prestigious Spiel des Jahres award last year.
The Lord of the Rings: The Board Game Anniversary Edition is being published by Fantasy Flight Games, the company behind the app-assisted board game Mansions of Madness, the unique deck game Keyforge and horror board game Arkham Horror.
This news follows the announcement that Shadowed Paths, the first expansion for The Lord of the Rings: Journey’s Through Middle-earth, will be releasing sometime this month. Taking players through locations such as Mirkwood and Moria, Shadowed Paths will introduce a collection of five new characters to the game, including Arwen and Gandalf.
There is no confirmation as to when The Lord of the Rings: The Board Game Anniversary Edition will be released, but the game is currently priced at $50/£40.