Bryan Bornmueller's collaborative trick-taking game series based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings will conclude in February 2027 with the release of The Return of the King Trick-Taking Game. This follows the 2024 debut of The Fellowship of the Ring Trick-Taking Game and January's The Two Towers Trick-Taking Game.
Bornmueller aims to capture the emotional weight of the epic narrative within the cooperative card game format. "My proudest achievement with this game is I had multiple playtest groups tell me that they teared up a little bit when they played the last chapter, especially people who have played for a few years together," he told Polygon.
A lifelong fan of The Lord of the Rings, Bornmueller developed the game series while working at board game publisher Asmodee. He drew inspiration from classic trick-taking games like Hearts and Doppelkopf, as well as modern titles such as The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine, which frames rounds as distinct missions. His initial concept involved a simpler scenario, but he realized that breaking down the narrative into chapters, each with unique characters and objectives, would be a more effective way to introduce players to the game's mechanics and the story.
Each installment introduces new characters and rules that directly reflect their roles and abilities in the books. For instance, the character of Treebeard, known for his slow nature, is represented by a rule where his player acts a turn behind. The mechanics are designed to encourage deep strategic thinking and collaboration among players, as success hinges on understanding and executing complex card play without direct communication.
The Return of the King Trick-Taking Game introduces a new 'crown' mechanic, allowing players to exchange cards by placing them under the crown and then kneeling to the king. This mechanic, along with specific character abilities like Pippin's need to win tricks matching cards under the crown and Denethor's unique king card, are woven into the game's progression, mirroring the book's narrative arc leading up to the Battle of Minas Tirith and Frodo's destruction of the One Ring.
Bornmueller emphasized the importance of evoking the feeling of experiencing the story through the game mechanics, rather than a generic fantasy experience. The game seeks to leverage players' existing knowledge and emotional connection to The Lord of the Rings.
The Return of the King Trick-Taking Game will receive a limited pre-release in December at PAX Unplugged and select U.S. game stores before its wider launch in February 2027. The game is noted for having multiple endings, mirroring the conclusion of Peter Jackson's film adaptation.