I've yet to play, but I've unboxed the game, and I have to say the quality of everything is outstanding. Dwarves and Bilbo are on incredibly thick card stock, the game boards are thick, all the resource tiles are cardstock, and the events are good stock as well. My only qualm is with the dice: they are not laser etched, so symbols may wear over time...I'm actually surprised this was lacking, as everything else was just superior in quality.That being said, having read through the rules already I can't wait to play this solo, when I get a chance. I picked it up for a mere $11.50 here on Amazon, and am excited to see if it's any good. I like chucking dice, and am looking for some good solo games, so hopefully I'll enjoy it. I'll post an update afterwards.Cheers.For true fans. Envolves rolling dice to complete various quests/threats from the storyline using various special powers of Hobbit characters. Boards, cards, chits and special die are all very well made. My only gripe is when you go through the game there's no "Ah Ha" moment of completion. To r emery that the Hobbirt continues with the Desolation of Smaug sequel. (Which you'll want you want to have to feel like you actually completed the game.) Defeating the Smaug gives you that sense of finality.NOTE: As each movie of the trilogy fared less and less at the box office, the plans for the third game "The Battle of the 6 Armies" was dropped.A (soon to be) classic Knizia cooperative game. It doesn't have the fantastic art of Knizia's Lord of the Rings co-op game, but retains much of the feel. Instead of cards it uses dice this time, which I greatly prefer, and probably makes it even more accessible to casual gamers and families.I also love how you can get the other Hobbit game, The Desolation of Smaug, to continue the journey traveled here... and at some point, hopefully, a third and final part, once that movie releases.6 stars! (with one taken away for no John Howe art). Still a great game... a definite keeper for many years.Excellent dice throwing fest with decisions to be made. While waiting for another ameritrash game to show up i picked this game up and the 2nd one; this took my itch away for now and is a great quick game. setup is fast (3 mins) and it has 4 different levels to choose from (easy, normal, hard, insane) . You will have to score 20 points in easy to unlock the next mode, then 15 in normal. Very fun game because of Reiner Knizia ! not from cryptozoic...Excellent replay potential. A good combination of luck of the draw and resource utilization. We are looking forward to playing again and for the expansions that will come.A good, fairly light game with enough strategy and decision making to keep players in the game. I've played it both solo and with others and each game has been fun. It is easy to learn, very easy to teach, and fosters cooperation and communal planning to succeed.This game takes a while to read all of the instructions but once you play once or twice it is fun to play with a group. You all work together vs. playing against one another, and it is nice that there are other games you can purchase to add to it.This was a gift to my 15 y.o. grandson and I have not yet had a chance to play it - or try to play it. The report from the family is that it was incredibly complicated to try to figure out how to play it. After an hour of getting nowhere they all gave up on it and now feel it is up to me to try to figure it out.Needless to say that was a very disappointing review for a grandmother to get!Is there a money back guarantee?