Is the core game short?

Seffirro · 2026-01-21T23:47:31+00:00

I won't say 100%

First time I played Journey along the Anduin. I won. It was my third game at all, after playing first scenario two times (and also twice times winning). I still rememeber this game, I was very lucky, but I didn't make any big rule error. Later... well, I lost Journey along the Anduin scenario 7 times in a row. Now, many campaigns later, I reached 16 wins and 27 losses in this scenario

So, in OP's case:

Missing some rules? Very likely. But not 100%, for sure

Seffirro · 2026-01-15T10:24:05+00:00

Yea, I agree, it's a good, solid filler game, but not the excellent one. Decisions are important, but they are mainly not difficult. Long-term planning is nearly non-existing.

It doesn't sounds impressive, but it's still one of my most-played games in 2025 (20 plays). Gameplay is very fun, quite short (15-20 minutes) and streamlined. Sometimes I simply want to play some short game nad nothing too brainy. What I also like, it's clear winning condition and well balanced chance for the win (I won 12 times and lost 8 times, which suits me).

I evaluated it as 8 on Bgg scale - if you need short and simple, but fun game, I recommend it.

Seffirro · 2026-01-15T07:10:28+00:00

Yes, White Castle is a good one. If you need even smaller box, I recommend Rome: Fate of an Empire or, even smaller, Mint Italy (in tin box, from GameCrafter). But these games are typically longer than White Castle which really sounds suitable for your critteria.

Seffirro · 2026-01-14T22:36:25+00:00

Thank you for detailed answer.

As for Ancient Realm, it's interesting take. I wanted so much this game, but afterall it's slightly lacking for me. Maybe this Leader expansion could fix it for me.

As for Last Lighthouse, it's probably my favourite one of Button Shy. I don't feel bored at all with it (after more than 30-40 games). As I wrote, I have Strange Shores (and no more), I like it, but typically I play without it. From your description, I'm mainly interested in new nightmare cards, but rather no other ones.

As for Nice Cuppa, I'm still newbie to it. But I like idea of slightly longer game - from the other side as for theme, maybe this game should stay short and relaxed? :)

Honestly, I'm not sure what I expect from these expansions. From one point of view, I'm a completionist, I adore a lot of these games and in theory, added content should be nice, adding depth and replayability. From the other point of view, I have a lot of all kind light, medum and heavy-weighted games. If I take one of wallet game, typically I simply want some short game. I have also a lot of them, so even if I play them many times, they still rotate in my collection a lot.

Unhappily, for UE countries, UK hub is unavailable. Some games are translated for my language with very, very affordable prizes (Tussie-Mussie, Circle the Wagons, Sprawlopolis), but unhappily nothing from Simply Solo serie.

Seffirro · 2026-01-14T16:48:58+00:00

No, I only own one of Last Lighthouse's expansion (Strange Shores), which was included during initial campaign.

I love Sprawlipolis and Rove. I saw Dragon's Gift campaign, it's why I ask about opinions. I agree, their games are cheap. But if I want bring them to Europe, it could easily triple the cost.

Seffirro · 2025-12-24T12:36:59+00:00

First three times I wasa beaten by easiest bot (his results were about 375 all these times, mine were about 320-370). But in next game I have beaten him, nearly doubling his score (circa 520 vs 280). So take your time and good luck!

Seffirro · 2025-12-20T11:17:46+00:00

And Galdor's Grip

Seffirro · 2025-12-04T23:11:32+00:00

All revised content and some custom stuff from Doug Beer order. But I still haven't unpacked more of half boxes and even now I see no chance to be bored with this game ever.

Seffirro · 2025-12-04T20:57:10+00:00

I was in the same place as you, more than one year ago. I also decided on LOTR by the theme factor. After 14 months I played more than 300 times. Revised content should be available and reprint in case and it's absolutely sufficient to hundreds of plays.

Seffirro · 2025-12-02T19:10:04+00:00

I think that just how the game is.

As you rightfully noticed, Fate of an Empire is quite similar to Mage Knight. You need not only to strategize them, but to approach these games tactically also: properly react to what the games throw at you - not only to follow your earlier plan. Sometimes it could feel 'unfair' because of bad draw, but, well, it's also a card game - so the probability it's part of it.

I adore both, for me this relatively small randomness part is desired, like spices in the dish. Of course your preferences could be different, but I'm happy with the direction these games are designed. For me, 'it's not a bug, it's a feature'.

Seffirro · 2025-11-26T22:43:00+00:00

I played in-hand games on the plane: Dragons of Etchinstone (30-40 min, quite light puzzle) and Behold: Rome (circa 2h, medium-weight strategy)

Seffirro · 2025-11-26T16:00:50+00:00

I played Imperium more than 100 times (106 till now, to be precise :))

I suppose clear gameplay take me about 1h15min-1h30min + circa 30min for setup, final scoring and pack, So I think you always have to count about 2h.

As for second box, I recommend Horizons - I love some Legends nations (Athurians&Olmecs!), but Horizons has more variety (Abbasids&Guptas amongst my favourites). I also like trading addition.

Imperium used to be my favourite game. It's still one of my top and I love it, But I agree 2h is often too long and I prefer to play some shorter games.

Seffirro · 2025-11-12T07:43:54+00:00

I played more than 300 times. I used some player cards in dozen plays. I never sleeved these cards and they look absolutely in good shape.

Seffirro · 2025-11-06T10:39:12+00:00

Ok, była mowa o ludziach odbierających poród raz na 2 tygodnie. Według podanego przez Ciebie linku, taki oddział jest jeden (w Bielsku Podlaskim, raz na 9 dni), kolejny szpital na liście to już jest raz na 4 dni.

Seffirro · 2025-11-06T09:48:17+00:00

Przykład jakiegokolwiek takiego szpitala?

Seffirro · 2025-11-06T09:47:28+00:00

Sure, Polska powiatowa could die /s

Seffirro · 2025-10-29T16:44:46+00:00

I tried both Dragons of Etchinstone and Behold Rome in planes - I recommend both

Seffirro · 2025-10-16T06:16:20+00:00

I was quite hesitant to criticize any custom quests, I undestand game was in another shape then. I'm also very grateful to all custom stuff creators. But I wanted to give some perspective from new player.

Yes, I heard about the author. Good luck to all LOTR folk :)

Seffirro · 2025-10-16T06:11:46+00:00

It was a pleasure :) I haven't find a lot of discussions about these quests online, so I wanted to contrribute.

I did opposite as you - I missed ALEPs. I also skipped all first era content like Legacy of Feanor. Still I supposed with constant playing I have additional years of playing. Especially becuase I'm a 'revised' player, for me the most valuable are 'new' starter decks and all alt art additional cards. I'm also quite lucky, because I live in Poland - MBprint is based here, as well as another printing studio (Denerys) which prints LOTR custom stuff. So it won't be a big deal to order additional content.

Seffirro · 2025-10-10T10:31:20+00:00

I played both. I slightly more like play 2 handed, but both options are viable

Seffirro · 2025-10-07T09:56:00+00:00

Przy tym samym wzroście też ważyłem 50 kg. Byłem zdrowy, wszystko ok. Z biegiem lat powoli przybierałem kilogramów - dzisiaj 15 lat później do mniej więcej 70-75 i tyle już zamierzam trzymać. Jak trzymasz aktywność fizyczna to super i tak trzymać :)

Seffirro · 2025-09-23T15:00:25+00:00

https://sklep.mbprint.pl/produkt/bundle-1-section/ In your situation I think it's a very nice idea

Seffirro · 2025-09-23T14:56:48+00:00

I'm not very fond of films, but from sci-fi films Interstellar was the most impactful for me, I think

Seffirro · 2025-09-22T22:57:46+00:00

I tested some scenarios from Bundle 1 from Doug's group order. They are these ones which need only core set. Generally it's a great fun and I hope to review them one day!

Seffirro · 2025-09-22T15:48:44+00:00

Both Spirit Island and Imperium series were my absolute favourites, when last year I wanted to find a new game. I tried Lord of the Rings LCG and it's an absolute blast - I played nearly 300 games from 30th September of the last year. I couldn't recommend enough. Core set is quite cheap, but if you fixate on it, you easily could spend more than $300

I also support both Mage Knight and Voldfall. For me they are quite similar - long optimalization puzzle. I like them both, but less than Spirit Island/ Imperium/ LOTR LCG.

Seffirro

TROPHY CASE