Standout Fantasy Wargames

[Calandale]

I've never seen one which matches my desires for a really engaging story, but of the
mass of fairly generic feeling games out there, a few stand out.

First, in the generic empire builder field, I'd say AWE's Scandinavia is far and away the best I've
seen. With individual leading characters, and good differentiation of the different territorial forces,
it gives a level of flavor that is very appealing. There may be some balance issues, but in more
than two players, they should work themselves out in BoP fashion. Basically, it's the next step
up from Barbarian Kings, which had held this position earlier for me.

Albion - this game has some serious flaws (stacking, victory conditions), but provides a rich
fantasy world within a fairly standard wargame feel.

Dark Emperor - a varied and rich world, but the fact that only one player gets to play for most
of the game (under good play), makes this one tough to sell to others. It doesn't help that that
player has the more active and difficult task.

Dragon Pass - a complex and rich world of different unit choices. I guess my biggest gripe
is that it becomes too much a puzzle of how to best use all those different types, which
just isn't my type of game. Still, if I step back from the thinking man's puzzle, and just
let the game rip, it can be a lot of fun; I just feel I'm missing the full experience, by not
optimizing fully.

[usrlocal]

I've heard good things about 'Divine Right', but haven't played it yet (I have the 25th Anniversary Edition).

What about SPI's LotR games?

[rstites25]

Have you ever tried to track down: Fornaldar: Nordic Saga?

It is supposed to be based on Albion, but I think it cleans up a lot of the rules/issues. Or at least attempts to do so.

[Calandale]

I've heard good things about 'Divine Right', but haven't played it yet (I have the 25th Anniversary Edition).

What about SPI's LotR games?

I played DR. It wasn't terribly impressed one way or the other, but only played it opposed.

SPI's War of the Ring was a big disappointment to me (back in the day even). The pure character
game was ok, but the military game didn't have the proper tension. ICE'S Fellowship of the Ring is
better at the character game, and FF's WotR is better than the SPI design. Haven't tried Sauron
or Gondor - definitely am interested in Gondor though; I like sieges.

Speaking of which, TSR's Battle of Five Armies was pretty crappy. I'd like to try the ICE
game of the same name.

[usrlocal]

I've heard good things about 'Divine Right', but haven't played it yet (I have the 25th Anniversary Edition).

What about SPI's LotR games?

I played DR. It wasn't terribly impressed one way or the other, but only played it opposed.

SPI's War of the Ring was a big disappointment to me (back in the day even). The pure character
game was ok, but the military game didn't have the proper tension. ICE'S Fellowship of the Ring is
better at the character game, and FF's WotR is better than the SPI design. Haven't tried Sauron
or Gondor - definitely am interested in Gondor though; I like sieges.

Speaking of which, TSR's Battle of Five Armies was pretty crappy. I'd like to try the ICE
game of the same name.

Didn't SPI also have a quad wargame covering 4 LotR battles? Or did I hallucinate that?

[anarchy]

Didn't SPI also have a quad wargame covering 4 LotR battles? Or did I hallucinate that?

The Games of Middle Earth (1977) had three games in it: Sauron, Gondor and the War of the Ring.

[Calandale]

Didn't SPI also have a quad wargame covering 4 LotR battles? Or did I hallucinate that?

The Games of Middle Earth (1977) had three games in it: Sauron, Gondor and the War of the Ring.

My father found a copy of it for a couple bucks, but sadly, it only contained WotR - and not even all of that.

[Carl Marl]

SPI Quad? I think it was just Sauron and Gondor. They were available as folios or bundled with the War of the Ring.

I remember Divine Right being fun. Perhaps it was the people I played with.

[Calandale]

I remember Divine Right being fun. Perhaps it was the people I played with.

The high point was The Scum getting thrown into the volcano.

It was a good enough game - just nothing that really stood out for me compared
to other fantasy wargames.

[The Grinch]

I used to play Divine Right a lot about 35 years ago.   It was a lot of fun but we also worked a lot of house rules into it.

[rodvik]

Have you ever tried to track down: Fornaldar: Nordic Saga?

It is supposed to be based on Albion, but I think it cleans up a lot of the rules/issues. Or at least attempts to do so.

I own it. Still haven't played it. I should really.

[Calandale]

Have you ever tried to track down: Fornaldar: Nordic Saga?

It is supposed to be based on Albion, but I think it cleans up a lot of the rules/issues. Or at least attempts to do so.

I was interested. Not willing to put it together though.

I think it had a fee as well.

[rodvik]

I will check tomorrow (its down in the studio and its dark out there ) but I THINK it came with die cut counters and a real map. Pricey though.

[Rockhopper]

I guess Warrior Knights fits in here? We played it a handful of times with the expansion, pretty fun. The diplomatic stuff is cool.

[rstites25]

I will check tomorrow (its down in the studio and its dark out there ) but I THINK it came with die cut counters and a real map. Pricey though.

Did you contact the designer directly or buy it second hand? From what I've read on BGG you can contact him via e-mail to get the game.

Also, I was under the impression that you didn't have to do any mounting of counters or piece a bunch of maps together. I thought it was a complete game, ready to play. It would be great if you could comment on the components. If you bought the game new, I would also be curious of about how much you had to pay, if you don't mind. Before contacting the designer, if that's the best way to acquire it, I'd like to know if the price is in the ballpark of what I'd be willing to spend.

Thanks in advance.