War of the Ring - BUT CARDSS

Matt continues his decade-long love-letter to War of the Ring - the game he hated, then loved, and still doesn’t own a copy of. It’s a chunky box for something that maybe only gets brought out twice in a decade? But oho! What is THIS? Can this retooled cards-only version of the strategy epic serve as a decent replacement? Can CARDS ALONE do justice? Maybe one simply CAN wander into Mordor, for a laugh? Just for the fun of it? Some of this and MORE, in today’s Lord of the Rings extravaganazaza, War of the Ring: The Card Game.
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Music credits:
Special Spotlight by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) is licensed under a Creative Commons license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Amit Weiner - Legend of the Ancestors.wav
Emmanuel Jacob - Kimray.wav
Sebastian Pangal - Forest Tales.wav
idokay - Storytime at the Rotten Raccoon.wav
Olivier Olsen - Life on the Hill.wav
Alon Ohana - Castle of Dreams.wav
Alan A Craig - Misty View.wav
Rotem Moav - Whimsical Journey.wav
HillTopTrio - Spanish Ladies - Instrumental Version.wav
Dr. Paranoid - Shadow over the Green Village.wav
Kyle Cox - Happy on My Own - Instrumental Version.wav
Bob Hart - Chartreux Noir.wav

[@matttaylor2411]

I knew Tom was really corrupted Quinns

[@tyrrhus5248]

I thought it was the premise of the show?????????

[@thegamesninja3119]

Bombadil is more corrupt than Quinns?

[@tuomasronnberg5244]

That explains why you never see the two at the same time!

[@thegamesninja3119]

@@tuomasronnberg5244 how long has Bombadil been with the show?

[@marcushead9985]

Tom as Gollum to Quinns' Smeagol makes a weird amount of sense.

[@Pariah76]

I just can't believe we didn't see it before Matt said it

[@danbaraona7714]

So much production value in these videos. Shooting in two locations, the apartment and the number zone! How do they find the time?

[@shutupandsitdown]

Renting out the number zone studio is prohibitively expensive

[@ValdiosBlaster]

@@shutupandsitdown Unfortunately, we couldn't have done the numbers on that until renting out the studio.

[@coolpeepsunite]

​@@shutupandsitdownjust be careful not to get sued by Numberwang for use of the Number Zone!

[@Bullybody]

No money in the budget for a second take after saying Frodo Bragging tho?

[@leooshea8089]

Matt's point about board games being an essentially collective thing that we really should own together and not covet in our sweaty caverns of bullshit, gets a fuck yeh from me.

[@hansklok3384]

Five years ago (on the War of the Rings board game): Matt: "So you're gonna keep this in your collection even though you know that you're probably not gonna play it?" Quinns: "I guess, yeah, that doesn't seem like it makes a lot of sense." Matt: "It doesn't, but you know what? Aspirations that make us feel warm are important and this game makes me feel warm."

[@ThinkBeyondTheBox]

Spotted the board game player that never buys the game but just borrows his friend's copy... (just kidding - I totally agree!)

[@mirandaleaptrott6899]

I did not expect to FINALLY get the Tom origin story dropped on me like that! Somehow i knew, somehow i always knew

[@micromikko]

I just straight up reserved the game on our library's mobile app. It's so nice to be able to borrow most of the newest (and older obviously) board games from the library as a way of testing them out. Nobody likes cardboard boxes filled with disappointment stockpiling in a dark corner of their house.

[@davetalbert8387]

WHAT? Why does MY library not have this amazing function???

[@TheWickedWizardOfOz1]

@@davetalbert8387 I'm imagining it can be a pain to make sure all the pieces are present for most games

[@micromikko]

@@TheWickedWizardOfOz1 The components are sorted into labeled plastic bags along with the count of components that it should contain, so it's easy to inspect the contents while packing the game up. We've even played Twilight Imperium with zero missing pieces. Over the years we've encountered a small handful of games with stuff missing, and even then you can some times (obviously quite game dependent) just replace a piece with another token. I think the vast majority of people who borrow board games from the library are by nature fond of the hobby and thus quite conscientious about returning them in good condition.

[@TheWickedWizardOfOz1]

@@micromikko That's fair. I suppose I never had the trust in people to not be assholes and lose things.

[@chriswalker4535]

Matts use of language is one of my favourite parts of SUSD

[@mattyrellu]

The intro lives up to the promise of the title

[@vaultdweller64]

You really had me checking the well-being of Sean Bean, followed by Rowan Atkinson.

[@lostmarble540]

What has it got in its non-standardised large pocketses?

[@paulsousa]

I watched the 2005 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe last weekend and I kept imagining Matt as Mr. Tumnus. That’s it, that’s my comment.

[@kettchuk918]

I’ve got War of the Ring…I’ve got no-one to play it with, but one day if someone I meet at random says they want to play it, I want the option to. It’s an aspirational game for me.

[@michaeloffgrid]

Have you played the new expansion? It introduces a solo and co-op mode.

[@kettchuk918]

@@michaeloffgrid Kings of middle earth?

[@michaeloffgrid]

@@kettchuk918 I'm sorry. I thought you were talking about the card game version. Unfortunately the actual War of the Ring board game doesn't have a solo/co-op mode.

[@kettchuk918]

@@michaeloffgrid as you mentioned it I went looking and found the card version has it…I may have to make a purchase ;)

[@NothingIsKnown00]

I own Axis and Allies aspirationally. 😄

[@TabletopTurtle]

Going to need a secondary channel now: Mother Teaches Board Games

[@CareyMcDuff]

It's nice to hear Matt's ludological analysis again. It seems to have been on hiatus recently, so a welcome return!

[@Nukatha]

When it comes to card game adaptations of Lord of the Rings releasing in 2022 and 2023, this is clearly the best.

[@ryanstandlee7305]

Great to see you guys getting back to putting out videos regularly!

[@Looc105]

I'm surprised this game hasn't gotten more love. It is SO good. If you like games with fun sequencing and going through your deck multiple times, tough decisions left right and center, this game is just phenomenal. There's a couple verbiage considerations in the rulebook that can confuse but the FAQ answers everything.

[@RvLeshrac]

It's terrible, and the expansion makes it even worse. It is not a 2p game, it is only 2v2. It doesn't work at any other player count. The rulebook is just outright garbage, barely functioning to teach a player the game. If you *already* know how to play the game, it works fine, but that's not the purpose of a fucking rulebook. It needed a real editor.

[@ChrisWCorp]

Only OGs will know that the Number Zone started out as a television program called Numberwang. Such a glow up to be featured on SUSD!

[@BrentWalker999]

That's numberwang!

[@SpiderFan241]

This guy is hilarious, such a brilliant way to do what is quite a dry type of video on other channels. This feels fresh and makes me want to view videos on board games that I’m not even bothered about.

[@UnreasonableOpinions]

I appreciate the advantage of a version of War of the Ring that can be set up in less time than it takes to set up Twilight Imperium for once, but something about pushing around the little plastic armies really does contribute to the vast sense of scale and high drama that makes the game so fun to play.

[@ThatGuy53297]

That was a very energetic "No Thank You!".

[@kaesagiri]

Perhaps Hunt for the Ring can help fill that war of the ring sized hole in your heart. Plus you could string both games together into a massive lord of the rings boardgame marathon... but that would be madness...(beautiful madness though)

[@JJMB27]

You can add Battle of the Five Armies to that and string three games in a gamerathon.

[@kellensanna]

Great editing! Might be my favorite review Matt has ever done

[@diraska]

"geographical adventure tube" made me snort and made me glad i wasnt drinking anything.

[@captainspongeboy]

The best and most entertaining review I’ve seen in some time. Thank you

[@SouperCatLord]

I love this channel. this is the best name anyone could use for a review of this game

[@TheGrondhog]

That Wavebird joke was very real, I felt that

[@villevalste1888]

Ok, wow. This is the first video I've got in my feed from SUSD in weeks, even though I'm subscribed and everything.

[@dave0754]

You folks are still the best in the business at what you do. The entertainment value is off the charts.

[@omarkorayem6611]

Never have I clocked on something so fast

[@oakcatsu]

The misspelled word, proves your point 😁😂

[@Chorkly]

​@@oakcatsu he's just rocking out with his clock out man

[@oakcatsu]

iv been there, especially in this heat lol

[@ConcerningGaming]

I haven't given War of the Ring a try due to the complicated set up, length of playtime, and teardown. But this seems to be right up my alley. Another great video, guys! Been loving the channel for years now. Love how much effort goes into your videos, this is the best board game channel on KZbin by far. Cheers!

[@gustlikosomosaki]

Well the setup takes like 15 min(after few playtroughs) I love the game. Really recommend it. rules are easy once You read them beacause all of them are connected to the lore. Treat yourself and buy it. Also the game is pretty cheap comparing it to other games like nemesis for example.

[@raskolnikov6443]

@@gustlikosomosakiyou are talking about the card game?

[@jeremydelaporte3770]

FINALLY -- Tom's origin story! Also explains why we've never seen Quinns and Tom in the same room together. I will admit though that SUSD is really playing fast and loose with the timeline mechanics here.

[@Kristoferpalmestal]

33%? That’s numberwang

[@supersmashman1331]

Love the "Technically Difficult" after the gentleman's applause award

[@fungiplays2289]

"Breakfast-deviant children men" isn't a phrase I'd ever imagined hearing

[@raftermanDK]

Oh god I love the ‘Number Zone’! It reminds me of a contemporary and bitish Dr. Steve Brule’s ‘Brules Rules’ format. Give us more.

[@AdamR1977]

Big brain moment from Tom, having a Cockroach poker for playing, and one for best. Can't have too much Kakerlakerkakerlakeren poker.

[@diggydog95ify]

These funny little skits and quirky jokes the team make, is what keeps me wanting more SU&SD.

[@durah1559]

They know.

[@patrickvalo8822]

I love this channel so much ❤

[@stumbling]

Matt referring to Mount Doom as "the big hot bin" is making me think the only reason for the whole Lord of the Rings saga was some pedantic recycling and waste management regulations imposed by the local council.

[@ToddGretencord]

I just had to pause the video at "Breakfast-deviant Children-men" OMG the best description of hobbits ever. Line of the year.

[@colingerber5319]

Watched it and all I can think is: That's Numberwang!

[@ryanhuff8752]

Thankfully it sounds different to my variant of the game, War of the Ring - Butt Cards. The twist is you are not allowed to hold your cards with your hands.

[@David.Marquez]

Sign me up immediately to a War of the Ring that doesn't break the bank as much

[@SamClemensRIGL]

Other suggestions for great team based games? War Chest and Captain Sonar immediately come to mind.

[@SweenyMarc]

"Infinite jelly, that's the fun of games" - truer words have never been spoken.

[@zak1090]

"I wont teach you the whole game because im not your mother" Do your mothers teach you games?! #jealous

[@MegaSNES64]

Love the GameCube-Wavebird analogy…

[@henrikwakman7776]

Great as always

[@Daslikdj]

The one thing that is keeping the thread of this universe from unfurling is the release of a new LOTR board/card game every year.

[@tigriscallidus4477]

The video was fun (especially the end), but it felt a bit light on information and a bit full of words. Its still hard for me to imagine how the game plays.

[@paulsousa]

Also, for a team game I’d also suggest checking out La Famiglia. Just played it recently and it was a really unique area control game. It’s 4p/2v2 only so not much flexibility for player count, but if you have four it’s a great option.

[@martinkremer412]

Iam so grateful for your content. Thank you very much.

[@JWMangrum]

"And yet it burrowed, attaching itself firmly to my heart like a piece of jewelry..." Pretty sure Guillermo del Toro directed a movie about this.

[@mattsteele1721]

I loved this review, and basically agree with it, having played the game 3 times, and the larger war game maybe 15 times so far. (Yes I watch SUSD reviews for games I've already played.) I also love that Matt has also reviewed The Battle of Five Armies, and I will probably buy that game too despite the mixed assessment he gave, even though he's probably right there too (in the end, "not as good as War of the Ring, but playable in half the time" is enough for this completionist). Now the only thing more I can ask of Matt is to also review "Hunt for the Ring". In all honesty I'm eventually going to buy that game no matter what he does, but this theme, and Ares' Games track record of takes on it, and SUSD discussions of them, have a special place in my heart.

[@jacktorrance3522]

Great review and rundown of the game Matt. A friend owns the main game but he’s not one for reading rules and so the first, and only, time we played the game was when he unwrapped it and tried to read the rules as we were trying to play. Never again… So I’ve had it for years now, sitting on my shelf and I’ve tried on a few occasions to grok the rules but it’s pretty intense so this version really appeals to me. I’ve also got Star Wars: Rebellion and really love it since I’m more of a Star Wars guy than a Lord of the Rings guy so I don’t feel the need to own War of the Ring: 2nd Edition myself but I’d still like to play it at least once before my friend sells it.

[@charlenetweaver2557]

"By God, lord of the rings WITH JUST CARS!"

[@lumil_2050]

It’s such a joy to hear Matt’s cloudy thoughts on game design.

[@luigiscazzari4724]

Sorry, buy I can't play with Tom as long as he doesn't know how to make a gentleman applause. 😂

[@jessel3621]

Worth it just for the art.

[@Sihoiba]

I love the addition to the SU&SD lore. First Quinn's is a tall man in Brighton, then he is a puppet and finally he evolves into his final form Tom! One unanswered question, the box, how much empty wasted space? Like the manual seems box sized, but for this is a smaller box version of a big box game, that's a pretty big box

[@Arrowstorm122]

The manual is smaller than the box, and if you removed the insert (which is pretty decent for separating the decks and tokens), you could have quite a bit of room. With the insert, it's not too bad, and you could have room for possible future expansions, although currently they have only announced an expansion that allows for co-op and solo play.

[@GralaminShieldheart]

"that little boys life". Frodo is 50 years old in the book.

[@Janisurai]

I love this as a 4 player go-to game

[@mchagawa1615]

Seems like quite a neat game :)! Thank you for the review

[@danielkneeshaw6564]

5:19 that sudden sound effect absolutely broke me 😂😂

[@eopatcjo]

I'm one of them folks that loved it. Play Guards of Atlantis, it's rad. Thanks for another bump.

[@gamexpert510]

"Is this the Sean Beans in my burrito of needs?" is a fabulous line. Well done sir.

[@narvuntien]

As someone looking forward to play lord of the rings magic the gathering tonight, this does seem like something I'd like. Similar to MTG Commander multiplayer asymetry but with the strategic depth that properly played MTG has.

[@ConradCowlrick]

thanks for another wonderful video - entertaining and informing me what I should buy ...... I'm buying

[@davidcrump6209]

Fredonia Bragginz?!! 😂

[@adamclarke4109]

Weirdly impressed by the CGI on the geographical adventure tube

[@bgsam8109]

Great video

[@Leron...]

I did not come here to be personally attacked. Did teenage me set up a complicated series of mirrors so I could use a wavebird to play GameCube from the toilet? Yes. Did I realize waaaay too late that the game I was playing was a GBA game via the GameBoyPlayer which I could have just played portably anyways? Also yes.

[@ethanmagnuson2988]

Amazing gollum noise 3:38

[@funkula1702]

12:30 I have an IKEA NORDEN table too! Its great!

[@lorebroker52]

The t-shirt is awesome!

[@Pereirovsky]

so that's how the box got that dent from the beginning

[@acerumble4991]

Tired: Map Wired: Geographical Adventure Tube

[@Thesussysuscat]

Has anybody ever to quinns he looks like the guy who talks to the people in willy wonka right after they find a golden ticket?

[@MrJcarrut]

Did Tom do some of the editing on this? It has a distinctly Tom sense of humour.

[@GenghisVern]

weird. I was just thinking of buying the monster game this weekend, but that I'd watch the SUSD review again. now this!!!!

[@joshuabreakingbury1927]

I'm finally not a week late to a video! Yay!

that peak of most viewed part being 9:26 is just a reminder that internet is a middleschool recess

[@benediktbartosch5345]

Do we have a wiki to keep track of Tom lore? I feel that man is layers and layers of mind-boggling inter-dimensional hijinks and I need to know it all.

[@justinroberts7610]

Nice to see Anno 1800 in Tom’s collection

[@housecaldwell]

My used copy of War of the Ring just arrived in the mail last week...

[@blazepond5518]

bobbits! great vid gang

[@Unicarn5279]

TIL there was a board game version of War of the Ring. I only knew the BFME version.

[@Fatpie42]

Breaking the 4th wall to include the toilet break? Next time I'm off to the bog I will say, "I will return... with horses!"

[@bn5055]

They're bringing out an expansion with a solo mode soon too. 💍

[@johnatwood8337]

Smart review + Hilarious cutaways = Thanks!!

[@camipco]

I laughed for 5 minutes at the idea of my personal mother attempting to teach me the rules to boardgame....

[@kaitai7302]

Another great review. My birthday’s coming up, and I was thinking of buying myself a new game. Between these 3, Hansa Teutonic, Concordia, and Century: Eastern Wonders, which should I get?

[@ben_chandler]

I dig the shirt!

[@jayjordan7548]

This review cracked me up. Awesome sensibilities all around, as always. And I super wanna play this game. The full War of the Ring boardgame looks awesome, but a little too involved and time consuming for my wife’s taste. This however might be spot on.

[@atheist_addict]

Matt is my favourite, and not just because of his nose. Okay, because of his nose.

[@MissZencefil]

Is this a well-timed diss to the MTG? Either way I'm in for the journey

[@TheRealActualPaincake]

Open video, see SUSD logo, video starts, sams undertale

[@CarlToonist]

The pear is back! (We'll not the original pear, but a pear none the less)

[@rondomane]

Matt is such a gem