The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age

[Tellyn]

Battle for Middle-Earth  is PC only because it would be too complicated controls on XBox, like Command and Conquer.  There were some issues over character use in The Third Age because they had already been used in the "based on the film" games.  Anyway, we don't know for sure if there was an alternate Fellowship running round.  It could have happened.  The elf in The Third Age is called Idrial, not Elrond, and the game on the XBox is brilliant.  I am trying to get into Edoras by gathering the Riders of Rohan.

[Ambar of Kotu]

LOTR:The third age is a great game - I have it on my XBox. Only problem is that is a bit too linear and a bit too short, but still a good game to play. I thought that the main reason that you don't play as the fellowship is because thats the story that EVERYONE knows. By creating a new set of characters it allowed EA to create a whole new story. I think it works quite well, as the characters are all likeable.

As for the new one - battle for middle earth, Im not too ken on it. Its made using the Command and Conquer; Generals engine, so its basically going to be (I have judged from screenshots) C&C generals with a Lord of the Rings skin. So it'll be great for any fans of Real Time strategies (because C&C generals is a fantastic game). Personally though, I think all LOTR and movie spun RTS's aren't that good. War of the ring was absolute pants!

[Dillson]

As for the new one - battle for middle earth, Im not too ken on it. Its made using the Command and Conquer; Generals engine, so its basically going to be (I have judged from screenshots) C&C generals with a Lord of the Rings skin. So it'll be great for any fans of Real Time strategies (because C&C generals is a fantastic game). Personally though, I think all LOTR and movie spun RTS's aren't that good. War of the ring was absolute pants!

Hell no .. it's far more than Command & Conquer Generals plus goblins and minus lasers.  I repeat, hell no.  Firstly, the engine has been almost completely redesigned from the ground up to suit Battle For Middle-Earth (have a look at the difference in minimum specs for C&C: Generals and LoTR:BFME for starters).

I agree, War of The Ring was pants.  Absolute ****.  Battle For Middle-Earth on the other hand, is being touted as the greatest strategy game of all time (or at least as good as the mind-blowing Rome: Total War).

[Ambar of Kotu]

its probs because Im not into RTS that much anymore. Used to be in a BIG way, but have gone off them recently. I might download a demo and take a look. But I still think its going to be a similar thing to C&C: G, as the same dynamics of the game have to be there, and as much as I love all thing LOTR, strategy games are all too similar.

[Galáril]

If it wern't for the fact that I'm ((Hopefully)) getting two alrge games for the PC I'd get BFME...

 

[Edge]

The new characters were added simply so that you could play the role of an ordinary soldier in the War of the Ring....it wanted you to take those fictional characters, and experience grander battles- joining up with some fellowship members as a cameo. They are ficticious characters created by EA so that it was an original and new game, rather than "Return of the King 2005", and so I believe the characters are there basically as an add on pack to the existing console LOTR games to make it a shade more immersive and different. EA games have got exclusive rights to make about 5 or 6 movie based games, of which they've now made 4 (TTT, ROTK, BFME, T. 3rd A.) so they can basically do whatever they want within reason. Kinda like the Games Workshop's license.

I can only wonder what idea they'll come up with for the next LOTR game. 

LOTR War of the Ring was a different game that was made basically by a different developer and has nothing to do with the movies. Like The Fellowship game, it's designed to cash in on the movies, while being in no way affiliated. War of the Ring is terrible, but has nothing to do with the movie game contract, and as such, you cannot judge this new RTS on that- because they couldn't be any more different.

Sidenote: I don't think BFME can possibly be as good as Rome Total War because Rome is a far more immersive and impressive game. While BFME looks amazing, and could possibly be great, Rome Total War for me is the greatest strategy game ever made, as was Medievil before it, and Shogun before that. It's true though that BFME is far more than Generals stripped down into Fantasy setting.....it has got a very unique interface and some very good features as regards their code and the different emotive effects that your troops undergo, as well as improved graphics and a far purer and more fun form of combat. It looks great, but Rome will always pip it. I do have to say, don't judge this game on it's screens- it's going to be amazing, dispite the disappointing Generals being it's arcitect, it's already looking to be the best LOTR game of the series.

[Delorfilinde]

iv got this for ps2!
personally i really like it, its alot easier than the other lotr games
i love the fact you get to be characters that aint in the films, but you do meet them!

[Bezerker]

i love the game i have had it since about two weeks ago and have completed 49 percent of it but am stuck at helms deep as you have to do a chain of battles without getting to heal your own people or save the game so it is quite hard other than that it is the best game i have ever played

[St.Jáck]

I have just got it for PS2 for £20 and im in west moria.As far as i have played its a really good game.Also when u change peoples armour,sword ect u can acctualy see it change on them also on the videos when they are talking.

The BFME is a great game you can be good or evil and do loads of missions im up to Osgiliath for good and Edoras for Evil.You can command large army's and call in elven allies and do magic ect.

[EG]

well ive played it for a while.. and actually I got quite bored with it

its not as fast action as ROTK was... and I liked in ROTK playing Co Op.... but not on a turn by turn basis...

I get really bored, with NOT YET ANOTHER fight with some smelly orc, whos gonig to shoot me, and Ive got to stand there and take it til its my turn and wonder if I have enough Longbottom leaf on me

the graphics are great, and i dont mind the different characters... (tho they may as well be the Fellowship, coz thats who they look like)....

but yeah... tis too slow for me

[Delorfilinde]

well ive played it for a while.. and actually I got quite bored with it

its not as fast action as ROTK was... and I liked in ROTK playing Co Op.... but not on a turn by turn basis...

I get really bored, with NOT YET ANOTHER fight with some smelly orc, whos gonig to shoot me, and Ive got to stand there and take it til its my turn and wonder if I have enough Longbottom leaf on me

the graphics are great, and i dont mind the different characters... (tho they may as well be the Fellowship, coz thats who they look like)....

but yeah... tis too slow for me

yea i found this too! you cant walk 5 steps without some stupid orc or something popping up!

[St.Jáck]

well ive played it for a while.. and actually I got quite bored with it

its not as fast action as ROTK was... and I liked in ROTK playing Co Op.... but not on a turn by turn basis...

I get really bored, with NOT YET ANOTHER fight with some smelly orc, whos gonig to shoot me, and Ive got to stand there and take it til its my turn and wonder if I have enough Longbottom leaf on me

the graphics are great, and i dont mind the different characters... (tho they may as well be the Fellowship, coz thats who they look like)....

but yeah... tis too slow for me

yea i found this too! you cant walk 5 steps without some stupid orc or something popping up!

I agree there are to many orcs and they are all the same they could of at least made them stronger or weaker

[Glorfindel]

Its an awsome game, theres only a fe wminor annoyances lilke if u hav eone guy left you don't get like any turns and there are bit too many orcs.

[Glorfindel]

I'm currently at minas tirth fighting nazgul.

[legy]

PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME!

i'm stuck on fighting Grima Wormtounge! 
slimy creature. lol
don't know how to beat him. he doesn't seem to have any weaknesses.   

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