Inside Up Games | Earth | Board Game | Ages 13+ | 1-5 Players | 45-90 Minutes Playing Time

Product Information

Designed by Philip D. Henry and Grace Holdinghaus (who also worked on the Shadowed Paths Expansion) with more gorgeous art work from Daniel Zrom, the initial impression before opening is that it feels very much a part of the set. It follows the same formula as Shadowed Paths; adding new characters, villains, roles, map tiles, equipment and a unique story. If you already own Shadowed Paths, then definitely don’t hesitate to get Spreading War. If you only have the core game and are wandering which to get first, go for Shadowed Paths. Each individual game of Journeys in Middle-earth is a single adventure in a larger campaign. You'll explore the vast and dynamic landscapes of Middle-earth, using your skills to survive the challenges that you encounter on these perilous quests. As you and your fellow heroes explore the wilderness and battle the dark forces arrayed against you, the game's companion app guides you to reveal the looming forests, quiet clearings, and ancient halls of Middle-earth, while also controlling the enemies you encounter. Whether you're venturing into the wild on your own or with close companions by your side, you can write your own legend in the history of Middle-earth. First, let me say, I love this game. I first read The Lord of the Rings over half a century ago and I’ve been enthralled by the lore of Elves and Orcs and Hobbits ever since. This game then transports me through its beautifully created map tiles, the artwork of the character cards, the superb sculpts of the miniatures themselves and the evocative text of the companion App into a truly Tolkienesque world. Here I can tread the forest trails and delve the dark dungeons as I make my own journey with my fellowship companions. Even The Smallest Person Can Change The Course Of The Future I absolutely loved playing Earth solo, for a game that already minimised down time, the solo mode makes it even better. You’re constantly getting new sprouts, canopies and plants and it’s great. The little trees you grow are just the best, and they score you points if they reach their maximum potential! Gaia is also a worthy opponent, you definitely need to think about your placements and fauna, or Gaia will definitely defeat you. There’s something beautiful about your finished island and Gaia’s one too. She gets trees too! And even when you lose (and it’s likely), it’s still so satisfying to see your soil powers, sprouts and flowers all working together.

Players will start by choosing a character and rolling the dice to determine their starting location. From there, they'll embark on a thrilling journey, encountering fascinating facts and intriguing challenges at every turn. In addition, most advertising networks offer you a way to opt out of targeted advertising. If you would like to find out more information, please visit http://www.aboutads.info/choices/or http://www.youronlinechoices.com. Similarily you don’t need to paint them to use them but they are just crying out for a bit of decorative love and attention. All three of these characters are creations of the minds of the Fantasy Flight Games creative authors for their carefully crafted stories which gives you licence to paint them how you will. There are plenty of suggestions about on the Internet but I just did my own thing with Army Painter Speed Paint 2.0 paints to blend in with my other painted figures. If you are looking for a guide, though, the Gulgotar figure is used in the App’s menu screen to choose the Normal difficulty mode! The CardsIf you don’t have access to internet, play the game with the photo cards. Take 8 cards and put them face up (questions down) on the table. Each round, one player (starting with the oldest player) is the quizmaster, who asks but can’t answer the questions. The quizmaster will automatically receive 2 cards at the end of each round. In the second round the next oldest player is quizmaster, et cetera. Your Master Builders look like symbolic wooden bishops from a chess set. Coloured cubes make up the resources. The workers are the most exciting pieces, which isn’t saying much. They’re simplistic human silhouettes. In comparison to modern game pieces, these components feel practical, rather than pretty. Dated comes to mind, and dare I say it… dull. Another consideration – or, if you can’t afford the remaining cards – allows you to pass. Got excess, unspent workers? They sit on the Wool Mill location. Later in the round, you’ll earn one coin per worker you placed here. The income you gather could prove vital; you’ll rely on those coins to fund future actions. Squander access to your in-game revenue at your peril. Overall, the Earth board game by insideup is a thrilling and educational experience that is perfect for families, classrooms, or anyone who wants to learn more about our incredible planet. With its stunning artwork, engaging gameplay, and innovative scoring system, this game is sure to become a favorite for anyone who loves adventure and learning. So gather your friends and family and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey around the world! I love that one of the hottest games at the moment is about soil. And ecosystems. And watering plants. Earth is an engine and tableau building game all about flora, fauna, terrain and ecosystems. Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised this kind of theme has resonated with so many people because there’s something relaxing about earth and soil and nature. One of the key parts of the game is that when anyone takes an action, everybody else benefits from it too. I love when downtime is reduced and there’s a constant influx of resources. Fortunately for solo gamers, Earth has a great single player mode too which I will be going into detail about. Entering Earth

In The Cursed Earth you play as the three judges; Dredd, Anderson and Giant. You must race against the perps; Satellat, Mean Machine and The Disciple to be the first to find Max Normal, who has fled Mega City One and is harbouring a deadly disease. However, each step of the way there are a number of encounters you must successfully navigate, ensuring you are able to maintain your health, ammunition, rations and keep the radiation levels at bay so that at least one of the judges is alive when you reach the end game card and find Max Normal.Do take this as a warning though; you CANNOT play this game without the app. If you dislike the idea of having an app run the enemy element of the game or just don’t want an app interfering with your gameplay, then this game is seriously not for you. I implore you to try this game, especially if you are yet to experience an app-driven experience. Many games with a companion app have been released that have stunned me in terms of their gameplay and their enjoyment, MoM and Detective to name just a couple. These games still manage to retain their board game-esque stature while providing an updated experience with the app, something Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth also manages to pull off. Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth is a step up from The Lost Expedition, building on a great co-operative survival game but adding a couple of additional options and mechanics that increase the difficulty and fits the theme. The artwork and card size make this a great looking game on the table and is a steal at this price. In a game about constructing a house of God, when you reveal these pawns you feel like a deity, yourself. All eyes gaze upon you. Colossal, pious power sits in the palm of your hand. Of course, if you draw the same colour again that’s karma, and hilarity ensues! Michael Menzel Does It Again You also have the option of playing terrain cards which often lets you score extra for certain flora placements, as if you didn’t have enough to think about. Event cards are often one-time bonuses that you can play at anytime but score negatively at the end, but the bonuses are often worth it.