The Battle of Five Armies

The Battle of Five Armies

2014
Thematic
4.15 out of 5
51+ people loved this game
Mechanics
Hand Management
Complexity
Heavy
Duration
90 - 240 minutes
Number of players
2 players
Minimum age
13+ years

The Battle of Five Armies review

I recently had the chance to play The Battle of Five Armies, and I have to say, it's a really fun and engaging game. It's a smaller-scale tactical war game compared to War of the Ring, but it still captures the essence of the battle from Tolkien's The Hobbit. The game board itself is well-designed, and the miniatures are fantastic. I particularly appreciate the unique design of the game, where one player controls the Free Peoples and the other controls the Shadow forces. This creates a dynamic and compelling experience where each player needs to strategize differently to achieve victory.

I did find that the game has a steeper learning curve than some other games, and I definitely recommend reading the rules carefully before playing. Some reviews I read mentioned issues with component quality, but I didn't experience that. The miniatures are well-sculpted, and the other components are sturdy enough for me.

Overall, I'd recommend this game to fans of The Hobbit, fans of war games, and anyone looking for a challenging yet rewarding two-player experience. It's a truly immersive game that brings the Battle of Five Armies to life on the tabletop.