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PC | RPG | Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth II

Boxart for Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth II
Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth II 39 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 5.0
  • SOUND: 5.0
  • CONTROL: 4.0
  • FUN FACTOR 4.5
  • AVG USER SCORE 5.0
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 4.1
Winner of the GamePro Editor's Choice Award

First Look: Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth II

First Look by Boba Fatt | 08/29/2005 | 14:14:19 PM PST

Thanks to a new, expanded license that allows EA to explore settings and scenarios from the Tolkien literature in addition to the films, Battle for Middle Earth II will be expanding into all-new territory.

The big news in Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth II, a relatively lightning-quick sequel, is that EA has secured the license to J.R.R. Tolkien's Rings novels. As a result, all-new factions, locations and scenarios from the books will be available, and all of Middle-Earth is now at your hands.

Battle II will also expand the action on several fronts: New playable factions will be available, including "Goblins and Monsters," which encompasses beasts and meanies like the spiders of Mirkwood from The Hobbit. The carnage will spill into the sea as well, with new naval units including the dark vessels of war from the film Return of the King. You'll also be able to build your fortress anywhere on the map now, as opposed to the predetermined locations that were so restricting in the original Battle. Your armies will also be more intelligent this time around: Smart formations will automatically put armored troops in the front of a group, and attack bonuses will benefit strategic maneuvers like flanking your enemy.

One of the most interesting upgrades from the original Battle will no doubt be the opportunity to create your own hero character. You'll customize their appearance, weapons, skills and powers before sending them into war. Just think: next year, you'll be able to put yourself into the neverending battle.


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