Agree, basically AFM = MM as far as game play. Castle = saucer, etc. I had an AFM and sold and bought a MM. Both excelent games but I like the theme on MM a little better. What makes these games great and worth the $$? I think they are fun games to play in all aspects, gameplay, humor, artwork etc. and all tied together perfectly in one package.
Had LOTR and is was too much like work, long ball times, clanky, and not much fun. With the extra money from LOTR I basically replaced it with a Congo + cash, much more fun game then LOTR in my eyes.