Replay Value:

Replay value is sky high thanks to the cards and the special character traits. There are numerous strategies and bluffs you can try and playing the Dark and Light sides are two vastly different experiences. If you enjoy the core game, you should be playing The Confrontation for years to come. It’s easy to learn, takes up little space, and you never play the same game twice.

The Bits:

The pieces are sturdy, hard plastic which should last forever and the artwork is fantastic. There are two versions of this game, the original (covered in this review) and the Deluxe Edition from Fantasy Flight Games which offers a few more characters like Treebeard and Elrond, some rule changes, and new art. However, it’s simply tough to beat the original game in terms of look (the artwork is subtle, almost pastoral) and style. The hard mounted board also looks the part with familiar locations peppered throughout the playing area. The board is split in two by the mountain areas which are slow to pass, and key in trapping characters. Using the layout of the board effectively is just as important as smart card play.

The biggest problem with the original game is that it’s out of print and getting more and more difficult to find. If you can only get your hands on the readily available Deluxe Edition from Fantasy Flight, that’s a good substitute (although it’s more expensive). Your best bet at locating the original at this point is to try to find a copy on eBay or look at Boardgamegeek.com (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/3201) for people selling or trading a copy – you can usually find it for about $20, which is an absolute steal for such a superbly designed game.

Lord of the Rings:The Confrontation, no matter which edition you buy, is a marvelous game and a lesson in airtight design. It is a game of strategy, bluffing, and guile – and is easily one of the finest 2-player board games you can buy.