REVIEW:
- Genre: Action
- Release Date: 11/11/2003
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Developer: Stormfront Studios
- ESRB: RP - Rating Pending
This upcoming winter marks the finale to arguably the greatest theatrical series in the history of movie-making. Peter Jackson's visual interpretation of J.R.R.Tolkein's legendary The Lord of the Rings trilogy breathtakingly brings to life the inspiration for so much of the fantasy culture that is often taken for granted today.
Hoping to capture the magic of the films is Electronic Arts with the sequel to their multiplatform smash hit The Two Towers, appropriately titled The Return of the King. The game closely follows the source material of the movie, allowing players to follow in the separate footsteps of the broken Fellowship. Everything in EA's first LOTR game has been expanded, starting with the sheer number of playable characters. You'll help Gandalf defend the fortress of Minas Tirith, raise the Army of the Dead as what I fondly refer to as the Triple Threat (Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli), and guide Frodo and Sam to the conclusion of their perilous journey to the fiery Mount Doom. Four secret characters can be unlocked in addition to the main stars, with possibly even the addition of fan favorite Golum.
Gamers who have played The Two Towers will know basically what to expect in the sequel, but they'll be blown away with the rich additions that EA has made, most notably the co-op mode. Just like in the first, gameplay consists of plentiful hack-n-slash action with seemingly countless Urukai, orcs, and trolls to destroy. Control has been enhanced with the right analog stick (a favorite trend among Electronics Arts lately, it seems), which allows players to easily attack in multiple directions. Points that are accumulated through a simple combo system are used to upgrade character moves and buy better health and spells.
So, the basic gameplay is intact, but what's new? Why don't we start with the all new, much more interactive environments? While the backdrops in Two Towers were indeed fantastic-looking, they were static for the most part. Now, machinery such as catapults can be launched, boulders kicked, and ropes swung to thwart the enemies. Bridges can collapse, crushing hordes of enemies in your path.
The co-operative play will definitely be the main draw in Return of the King though. The action in Two Towers was hectic enough; just imagine the frantic combat when a friend joins you, doubling the heavy sword blows and the flying bodies littering the screen. The entire game will be playable simultaneously with a friend. Co-op mode always adds plenty of replay and rarely fails to provide hours of fun, it's practically guaranteed to up the overall value of the game, and Return of the King will be no exception.
Graphical updates abound in the game, with highly detailed characters who are much better animated. Beards and hair sway realistically, and you can practically feel the sweat and blood spraying everywhere in the midst of combat. Expect more of the award-winning, melodic score of Howard Shore to provide stirring background music accompanying the frenzied battles.
Return of the King will follow in the path of Two Towers by providing tons of multimedia relating to the movie, including exclusive advance footage of the upcoming movie more than a month before its release. Return of the King will sell well solely due to its movie affiliation, as is the trend with games related to blockbuster movies, but in this case its sales will be well deserved. Come this November, journey into Middle-Earth one final time and bring the full LOTR experience into your living room with this quality recreation of one spectacular finale.
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