The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age

"Third Age...to Rule Them All!"

What can one say about Lord of the Rings, The Third Age (LOTR-TTA). It's hard to describe without comparing it to other video games, so this could be considered a comparative review. There are many elements that come into play when attempting to describe this game, and unless you're familiar with other games, it'll be more difficult to visualize. A suggestion would be to visit the Xbox home page and click on the video trailers and screenshots to get a better feel for the more descriptive elements and the type of visuals to expect.

Graphics: The graphics in LOTR-TTA are similar to what they are in LOTR-ROTK (Return of the King). They're good, sort of eye candy, just what you'd expect from EA. The textures are smooth, and the terrain/environments are crisply done. The characters aren't exceptional, again, sort of the same type of characters in LOTR-ROTK and LOTR-TT (Two Towers). Suffice to say that the game is very colorful and very cinematic. The game is interspersed with tons of clips from the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings movies. Besides the obligatory cut scenes, those clips are relegated to an option feature in the gameplay, but you'll find yourself visiting it every time another scene is unlocked. The magnetism of the movie, and the way it is weaved into the game's story-line, is always very interesting. Overall, give the graphics a solid 9.

Gameplay: If you're familiar with Final Fantasy, then you will be familiar with this gameplay. Actually, all of these types of turn based games, for me, are reminiscent of the old Ultima games, more notably, Ultima 3, 4, 5 and 6 for the PC. For me, the gameplay is also similar to the Sega Shining in the Darkness game, except you're in the Lord of the Rings environment and not in a dungeon. Basically, when in attack mode, which you automatically enter, the game pauses for you to select a character, choose a weapon, item, spell or skip. This is also very similar to Knights of the Old Republic, but in this case your party actions (up to 4 with the occasional drop-in) are also controlled by you, and there is no automatic actions by your fellow party members. It can get quite monotonous, but evolves into quicker action later in the game when you get a feel for your available selections. The only minor drawback is having to periodically level up your characters, but the game informs you when and to whom the level up is available, and like the unlocked cut scenes, level ups are also an option. You get to level up in strength, spirit, dexterity, speed and constitution. It is up to you to determine what attributes to level up for each character 1st. The major difference between this game and all the others is that there are no stores or vendors to buy or sell your items. Much like Baldur's Gate and Fable, however, there are random treasure chests that produce armor, weapons, charms and potions (individual and party), and spoils and experience points from your kills which are automatically awarded when you claim a victory. In attack mode, when the character and action are selected, mini-cut scenes of the attacks are shown. After each character completes an action, the creatures being attacked get an attack turn on your characters. Sometimes they get in the 1st lick, and sometimes you or they miss. The amount of points awarded for an attack depends on your level. The amount of points required to defeat your adversaries also increases during gameplay. This is classic turn-based gameplay. The game settings default to medium, which appears to be way too easy. There is an easy mode, but for a little challenge and to extend the gameplay, select the hard mode. Overall, nothing spectacular, and the gameplay can be rated at 8.

Controls: The controls of LOTR-TTA are pretty easy to master. Typically, the left joystick is used for movement and the right joystick is used for camera viewing, of which you can change the settings, which is great, because for me the horizontal and vertical camera defaults backwards. This is a 3rd person game, very similar to the movements and controls in LOTR-ROTK and TT, and sometimes the camera angle switches from behind the hero to the front or side of the hero, but because of the attack system, it is not awkward. What is awkward, however, is the way you can get turned around so easily. You'll find yourself retracing your steps with nothing more than a few landmarks to guide your way. Similar to Baldur's gate and Fable, there is an inset map to help you navigate. Zooming in and out with your X button helps here to find paths and rooms you haven't visited. Swapping from one character to the next in the equip/use menu are accomplished with the white/black button from the xbox controller, selections are performed with the A button. Entering the options menu is accomplished with the Start button, and just like LOTR-ROTK, navigating through the menus are accomplished with the left and right trigger button. Based on this, the controls are simple to master and don't require a lot of button mashing. Personally, the controls produce nothing spectacular nor taxing, but one neat feature is that the frequent save points also act as teleport points to previously visited areas, and as such deserve at least an 8.

Sound/Music: The sounds and music in LOTR-TTA are pretty much the same as its predecessors. The music comes from the movie, is quite stirring and appropriate. Dialogue is well done, and there's an optional feature for text dialogue also, but it's not really needed. The narration is done by Ian McKellen (Gandalf). The characters you normally play are not the characters from the previous LOTR game, nor the movie. In this game, your party is a separate fellowship that basically follows the original fellowship and occasionally runs into the original characters, so some of the voices are new. As the previous LOTR games and the movie, the music and sounds get a 9.

Storyline: Everyone knows the storyline of this one. One ring to rule them all, Sauron the evil, Sarumon the white wizard turned to be his evil cohort. The ring bearer and his fellowship. You've seen them all in the movies, LOTR-TT and LOTR-ROTK. You get occasional drop-ins from the original fellowship members, including Gandalf (the Grey), Aragorn and Faramir. Your main character's name is Berethor, the Gondorian, and you pick up companions along the way, the 1st being Idrial the elf (Arwyn-like), who saves your bacon in an opening Nazgul attack cut scene. You also get Elegost the Ranger, Morwain the battle maiden, Eaoden of Rohan and Hadhod the dwarf in your party. Each has his own particular ability, and each will be leveled up differently at your choosing. Some leveling may be better than others, depending on which character you modify. You can only have four active at one time but you can interchange them at will. You will have different missions to perform within different chapters of the story, some of which are unlocked as you complete succeeding one. Each chapter progression is catalogued, and mission goals are also tracked. There are many boss battles besides the usual skirmishes along the way. Those include the Balrog and the Watcher in the mines of Moria after the original fellowship has angered it. The monster is lying in wait for your fellowship, more than once, as they follow the first fellowship into the underground dwarf city. This time you will get to explore the mines thoroughly, and Hadhod's background helps flesh out the great battle between dwarfs and goblins that spelled Balin's fall. You'll be able to explore Balin's Tomb as well before you have to fight your way down to the Balrog, that you fight with the aid of Gandalf. The story line, although it merely parallels the original, gets a solid 9.

Replay: the neatest thing about LOTR-TTA is that it offers gamers the chance to explore You can fully explore Eregion or take another pass through the mines of Moria. You can explore in Helm's Deep while Legolas and Gimli are keeping score on the wall.You get to witness how the bridge at Osgiliath fell and the land battle that ensued. You get to fight on the Fields of Pellenar in some of the battles that were not covered in the movie or LOTR-ROTK. Because of the storyline and the fact that you can explore and make this your game, the replay value is fairly high, in my opinion. Replay gets at least an 8.

Overall: LOTR-TTA has a unique combination of Role Playing and based action. It also includes the same breathtaking graphics as LOTR-ROTK, and also has beaucoup cut scenes from the movie which are interwoven into a new story line which you control. If you're a fan of third person RPGs, then this is the game to get. It offers variety and challenge, as well as allowing you to explore areas and levels which were never before addressed in the movies or previous games The fact that it is turn-based makes it a lot less frustrating and more strategic than the usual slash and bash adventure gameplay. Overall, the game gets a solid 9, but then again I'm biased towards this type of gameplay.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/05/04