The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship Review

Fate of the Fellowship is a cooperative game for one to five players that adapts Pandemic mechanics to Middle-earth. Players choose from thirteen characters, with Frodo and Sam required in every game. The session ends when the One Ring is destroyed after completing three objectives. Beyond ring destruction, there are twenty-three additional objectives that reimagine key moments from the source material through different character combinations. Gameplay includes Pandemic-style adversary pressure from shadow troops, the Nazgul, and the Eye of Sauron. After each player’s turn, two shadow cards are drawn, introducing new shadow troops, moving existing ones, or shifting the Nazgul and the Eye of Sauron to new regions.

"Fate of the Fellowship requires players to cooperatively complete three objectives prior to finishing the session by destroying the One Ring. One to five players choose characters (there are thirteen options) to join the fellowship, and Frodo & Sam must be included in every game. Who else is going to sneak into Mordor and finish the job? There are twenty-three objectives beyond the ring's destruction that provide plenty of variety."

"These feature key moments from the source material that can be reimagined by your chosen characters. While Gandalf the Grey must confront the Balrog on his own, and Gollum (yes, he's playable here) is required for the confrontation with Shelob, players will find that their combination of characters and the session's objectives provide plenty of unique twists to the story."

"It won't be easy, though. True to its origins, the Pandemic-style adversary has goals of its own. This is represented by several factions: masses of shadow troops, an ever-present threat of the Nazgul, and the watchful Eye of Sauron. After every player's turn, two shadow cards are drawn that reshape the landscape of the board."

"This comes by way of new shadow troops being introduced or existing troops marching to new locations. Or also by the Nazgul and the Eye of Sauron shifting focus to new region"

Read at Board Game Quest