Monster Maker Wars Gaiden (2004)

More complete title: "Monster Maker Wars Gaiden: The Double-Headed Lion". Boardgame included with RPG Gamer #6. Originally in Japanese, but an English translation is available. Plays very similarly to Lord of the Rings: the Confrontation (which plays like Stratego with cards and abilities). The Royalist player attempts to get Vishnus, the successor to the throne, to Lion's Head Castle. The Republic player attempts to stop this. Characters are kept concealed from your opponent, and when two are on the same space, combat ensues. You play a card, whose value is added to your character's combat value, and the highest total wins (and the opponent is removed). Lots of characters have special abilities as well.