Der Herr der Ringe: Die Gefährten – Das Kartenspiel (2001)

About this game

Der Herr der Ringe: Die Gefährten – Das Kartenspiel is the first of the German Lord of the Rings movie tie-in games. It is a small-box card game covering the Fellowship of the Ring (although fairly abstract). Rules complexity is very modest. A little bit of German on the cards and chits, a triviality for the hardened Spieler, but some sort of cheat sheet may be required. Later rethemed as King's Gate.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 4.
• Rules load. At 2.0/5 this is a light game — explain it in a few minutes, good for a table that has not played much.
• Age. The publisher suggests 9 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.