Today the game of Monopoly is the best-selling board game in the world. It is sold in 103 countries and has been produced in 37 languages. The original version of the game, along with constant new themed releases of the game, ensures that they game will be popular for a long time to come.
One such themed release in Monopoly: Lord of the Rings Trilogy Edition. This version of the game takes the world of Middle-earth and its inhabitants to create a game that is sure to please any fan of the series. Also, with a new way to play the game, players can experience the game in a new way.
History of Monopoly
In 1934, during the height of the Great Depression, a man named Charles B. Darrow of Germantown, Pennsylvania, showed executives at Parker Brothers a game that he called the Monopoly game. The game was originally rejected due to 52 design errors that the game had. Like many other Americans during that time, Darrow was unemployed and the game's exciting promise of fame and fortune inspired him to produce the game on his own.
With the help of a friend who was a printer, Darrow sold 5,000 handmade sets of the game to a Philadelphia department store. The game was instantly successful, but as demand for the game grew he was unable to keep up with all the orders and went back to talk to Parker Brothers again and the game was accepted. In its first year, 1935, the Monopoly game was the best-selling game in America.
Who Would Enjoy Monopoly: Lord of the Rings Trilogy Edition?
Anyone that is a fan of the game of Monopoly, or a fan of the James Bond series is sure to find many hours of enjoyment with this game. Though the basic rules of the game are the same as the original game, the new updates to the game add a new level of fun.
This game would make a great addition to any game collection of movie buffs and film aficionados. This is a fun, new take on a classic game that has held interest for many years, just like the James Bond franchise.
What’s the Same
The basic object of the game, which is to become the wealthiest play through buying, renting and selling property, and the game rules are the same as a regular game of Monopoly. Ultimately, players want to own everything and leave their opponents bankrupt in order to win the game.
What’s Different
The game board spaces and Title Deed cards represent territories throughout Middle-earth. All of the property values are the same as in the original game.
- The horses of Middle-earth replace the traditional railroad space.
- The utility spaces on the board are replaced by the Staff of Gandolf and the Staff of Saruman.
- People cards and Events cards replace the classic Chance and Community Chest cards. All of these cards are used in the same way as the original game.
- Seen by the Palantír and Shelob’s Lair replace Income Tax and Luxury Tax respectively.
- Players are able to choose from six collectible tokens based on Lord of the Rings characters. Aragorn, Frodo, Gimli, Galadriel, Gandalf, and Legolas.
- Houses and hotels are replaced by strongholds and fortresses, respectively.
- Power replaces money.
- A special die with the Eye of Sauron, to be used in the optional game play option.
- A gold-toned pewter ring, The One Ring, to be used in the optional game play option.
Optional Game Play Option
- Place The One Ring in Bag End (the first Middle-earth territory space).
- Every time a player rolls the Eye of Sauron, immediately move The One Ring to the next Middle-earth territory (spaces that are able to have strongholds and fortresses built).
- After The One Ring has been moved, the player also moves their token counting the Eye of Sauron as one.
- When players land on a territory while The One Ring is there they either get the territory for free if it is unclaimed or pay double the normal rent to the owner of the territory.
- Once The One Ring has been moved to Mount Doom the game is over immediately. The player rolling the dice does not finish their move.
Players add up their power, territories strongholds and fortresses. The player with the greatest total power wins the game.
Ryan Lesnau - Ryan Lesnau is a Saint Cloud-based freelance writer with over 5 years of experience writing. He has written for several different ...
Join the Conversation