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Wargame Rules / Fantasy
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Displaying Reviews: 1 - 1
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Average Reviewer Rating:
 
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A Tasty Set with an Equally Tasty Price Tag!
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Reviewer
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Reviewed by Antar (info@totalmodel.com) September 12, 2005
The "Mines of Moria" boxed set is to the Lord of the Rings what the "Battle for Macragge" was to Warhammer 40,000k. Essentially this is an introduction to the LotR games system laid out in a very simple and easy to pick up manner.
The box contains a selection of plastic figures and scenery all of which made an appearance - however fleeting - during the battle scene at Balin's tomb during the Fellowship of the Ring. There is a single large sprue containing sufficient components to make 4 square pillars, an ornate double door, a stone well and - of course - the tomb itself. Several other minor terrain pieces and a two trap-doors complete the set. All the mouldings appear to be neatly sculpted and although not overly detailed will look quite the part once painted.
The set also contains 4 sprues of figures. As you might expect, the forces of good are represented by all 9 characters from the fellowship. They are posed in a range of interesting positions and some, like Aragorn and Boromir, even have posable arms. The figure designers have done a good job capturing the likenesses of the real actors. The caricatures of Ian McKellen and Sean Bean are particularly good. As is often the case, however, there is a suggestion that these miniatures are a little less sharp than their metal cousins.
No game is complete without a supporting cast of bad guys and in the Mines of Moria their are lots of them! Two of the remaining sprues are full of goblins - 24 in total - some sporting bows but most armed with melee weapons. Those wielding swords also have "plugin" style shields.
The final sprue contains the cave troll which is constructed from a number of separate components. These include the torso, head, back and one of the arms - at the end of which is a hand brandishing the infamous whip-like chain. The other arm can be fitted with either of two hands, one clutching a hammer, the other holding a spear.
As with the Battle for Macragge, the set contains two rule books. The first is a glossy A4 pamphlet of about 30 pages which aims to provide a very basic introduction to the rules. The photographs used to illustrate the various game mechanics are large, bold and numerous which makes them very easy to absorb. There's also a short series of introductory scenarios which lead the reader through the rules step by careful step.
Although much smaller (approx A5 in size) the second book is packed with well over 100 detailed pages. It's purpose is to introduce readers to the advanced rules of the game. Although I'm not familiar with the original LotR system, this booklet appears to be a condensed compliation of the rules released at various stages over the last few years. Game stats for characters, creatures and war machines from all three films are included but none of the additional material which appeared in more recent supplements such as the "Scouring of the Shire".
I've enjoyed reading both books. If nothing else they've helped demonstrate that the LotR game system isn't just a simple conversion of the Warhammer rules, renamed and repackaged, but something far more individual. The presentation throughout the game is excellent. The rule books in particular are very colourful and often beautifully rendered. My only reservation is that the contents of the box look a bit thin. For the asking price of £40 they look a bit too thin. If the Mines of Moria were on the shelf for 30 quid it would be a great introductory package. As it is, the extra tenner leaves me thinking that GW are perhaps mining a little too deeply into your pocket!
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39
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39
people found this review helpful
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