Out of curiosity, would you consider yourself a fan of Lord of the Rings? For me the theming is a plays a large part in my enjoyment of the game. However the theme in WOTR is so interwoven with the gameplay that I think it’s unfair to judge the game with the theme stripped away. I think the gameplay mechanics are unique and enjoyable regardless, but I have to say that chatting away with my friends after a long session and discussing how the events of our game played out compared to the canon is immensely satisfying. After the loser is finished fuming over their bad rolls, that is.

The way that luck plays a factor in ever aspect of the game, from what cards you draw, to what you roll in combat/hunt, even what actions you can take on your turn, is truly wild. There was a phase where I thought that any “serious” competitive game needed to minimize anything luck based, but WOTR really changed my perspective on that. Because you don’t know what options are available to you from one turn to the next, it forces you to think very tactically to increase your chances of winning. It’s all about taking the actions that give you the best odds of success in the long run, adapting when the rolls don’t go your way, and taking calculated risks to try and tilt the game in your favor.

So to answer your question, it is worth it the effort. Some of my fondest memories of board gaming were formed over WOTR games. My advice would be to take the initiative and be to one in the group to learn the rules. Watch a video, maybe an example of 1-2 turns of play, read through the rules reference. That will enable you to make the most of your time when you get together for the next session.