wraggster
April 27th, 2004, 18:20
Electronic Arts has unleashed the third age of the Ring cycle with two brand new Tolkien-inspired epics, Lord of the Rings: The Third Age and Lord of the Rings: The Battle For Middle Earth.
Based on Peter Jackson's all-conquering movie trilogy, LOTR: The Third Age is a non-traditional RPG which sees you recruit a Fellowship all of your own, as you battle through Middle-earth to foil the machinations of the dark lord Sauron.
Promising to intersect with all the major events of the movie, you'll also encounter individual side quests and some of the 'paths less trodden' which will propel the epic story forward.
In the darkest of twists, you'll even occasionally get to embrace your inner Nazgul, as you turn traitor and fight on the side of the minions of darkness. An innovative turn-based combat system is also promised with a chance to shout, "Fly you fools!" as you battle the demonic Balrog in the Mines of Moria, defend the fallen city of Osgiliath, or repel Sauron's hordes in the epic conflict to defend Helm's Deep.
With PS2, Xbox and Cube versions under development at EA's Redwood Studios, who made the splendid LOTR: The Return of the King, the prospects certainly seem to be felicitous and as these first screens from the game show, they should certainly capture the cinematic intensity of their big screen counterparts. Mobile gamers can also look forward to a GBA version which is currently being forged in the fires of Mount Doom by Amaze Entertainment.
In a separate though obviously related development, EA has also announced it's secured an exclusive licensing deal with New Line Cinema to develop even more games based on the epic movies. The first instalment, Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth, a PC real-time strategy offering will be available before the end of the year.
Based on Peter Jackson's all-conquering movie trilogy, LOTR: The Third Age is a non-traditional RPG which sees you recruit a Fellowship all of your own, as you battle through Middle-earth to foil the machinations of the dark lord Sauron.
Promising to intersect with all the major events of the movie, you'll also encounter individual side quests and some of the 'paths less trodden' which will propel the epic story forward.
In the darkest of twists, you'll even occasionally get to embrace your inner Nazgul, as you turn traitor and fight on the side of the minions of darkness. An innovative turn-based combat system is also promised with a chance to shout, "Fly you fools!" as you battle the demonic Balrog in the Mines of Moria, defend the fallen city of Osgiliath, or repel Sauron's hordes in the epic conflict to defend Helm's Deep.
With PS2, Xbox and Cube versions under development at EA's Redwood Studios, who made the splendid LOTR: The Return of the King, the prospects certainly seem to be felicitous and as these first screens from the game show, they should certainly capture the cinematic intensity of their big screen counterparts. Mobile gamers can also look forward to a GBA version which is currently being forged in the fires of Mount Doom by Amaze Entertainment.
In a separate though obviously related development, EA has also announced it's secured an exclusive licensing deal with New Line Cinema to develop even more games based on the epic movies. The first instalment, Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth, a PC real-time strategy offering will be available before the end of the year.