Lord Of The Rings: Battle For Middle Earth

[Neon_Chaos]

Specs:
OS: Windows XP or 2000
CPU: 1.3 GHz or faster
RAM: 256 MB
Disc Drive: 8x or faster CD/DVD drive (DVD drive required for DVD-ROM version)
Hard Drive: 4 GB or more free space
Video: DirectX 9.0b compatable with 32 MB or more memory; NVIDIA GeForce 2 GTS or greater, ATI Radeon 7500 or greater
Sound: DirectX 9.0b compatable
Input: Keyboard and mouse
One set of discs per PC. 512 MB RAM needed for 3 or more Players. Network (2-8 Players); Internet (2 players): 56 Kbps Internet Connection, (3-8 Players): Cable, DSL, or a faster connection.

After hesitating for more than 8 months, I finally break down and buy the game.

The spec requirements are on the dot, and I've got a respectable system, so I was able to play the game fine with normal settings.

I must say, I am truly impressed with the game. From reviews, I've read that characters DIE in the game, although if it's an important character (Aragorn) he'll resurface when you need him back. I've just gone through about 10+ campaign missions, and have just finished Helm's Deep... the game really gave me the atmosphere of that battle... I was severely outnumbered and the gates were crashing down... my heroes were there at the walls... and then... BOOM. A part of the walls explode via some nutsack Orc carrying explosives... the bad thing: Theoden, Boromir (who i saved from death earlier) and Eowyn were there... and DIED. Jeez. And you get a nice message too, that the King has fallen. So I'm there, my heroes dead... and the game goes on! So, with my pool of men dwindling, Aragorn, Gimili and Legolas on the verge of defeat... lo and behold, my wonderful Rohirrim army (which I built up during their separate mission sets) comes to save the day.

Not sure if those three dead heroes come back to life in future missions. Will wait and see.... heh.

All in all, I'm impressed with the game. And I can't believe it took me this long to buy it! :P I'll give it an 8 out of 10.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I played this game a few months back a thoroughly enjoyed it. First time I've enjoyed a RTS game in a while. I love how they do calvary charges. It's just so rewarding to plow through orcs like that.

The only odd thing about it was how you upgrade your troops. The only way to upgrade your troops is for your buildings to get more "experience". They only get experience by building new troops. So I spent certain portions of certain missions simply building a unit, sending them out to die, and then building another unit, sending them out to die, etc., etc. until my building was experienced to upgrade my troops. Once upgraded and with some experience (which stays with your units throughout the campaign) you can kick some serious ass.

[Antmeister]

Pretty good review, Neon. I had held off on purchasing this item because I didn't think it would do so hot on the PC. I haven't really play a good RTS in a while and will probably buy in the future.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Antmeister71

Pretty good review, Neon. I had held off on purchasing this item because I didn't think it would do so hot on the PC. I haven't really play a good RTS in a while and will probably buy in the future.

You should probably be able to pick it up for pretty cheap. I think I got it off Ebay for like $10-$15 or so.

It's a worthy pick-up and really captures the feel and the mood of the movies as well.

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

The only odd thing about it was how you upgrade your troops. The only way to upgrade your troops is for your buildings to get more "experience". They only get experience by building new troops. So I spent certain portions of certain missions simply building a unit, sending them out to die, and then building another unit, sending them out to die, etc., etc. until my building was experienced to upgrade my troops. Once upgraded and with some experience (which stays with your units throughout the campaign) you can kick some serious ass.

Hard Mode is the reason why. Them Troll bastards can make short work of your units if not handled properly.

[Galaril]

I got this but coulnd't get it to install on my rig. It keeps freezing up at about 44 % right after inserting the third dics. I got a 3.4 gig processor with 2000mb of RAM so my specs are way over min.But I think because I got a dVd ROM DRIVE AND DVDRW drives it is having trouble. I tried to get help from EA but good luck with their after game suppport. Basically , they just blamed it on me and moved on, nice.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

BME II is coming out around Christmas time. and It looks AWESOME! Sieges will be a big factor in the game and The Fortresses you build are customizable.

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by CHEMICAL SOLDIER

BME II is coming out around Christmas time. and It looks AWESOME! Sieges will be a big factor in the game and The Fortresses you build are customizable.

And I like the fact that the creative team is going to be able to go with multiple endings etc. etc. since the game is going to cover hypothetical wars. But yes, the game looks awesome...

It brings joy to my heart seeing Gandalf toss away measly little orcs!

[RailsFS]

As for the dying.....the characters only stay dead if you want them to. If you want, you can "revive" them by clicking on your home base and "building" them there. Personally, I think it's more fun to leave them dead. It changes your tactics a bit, if you tell yourself you will never resurrect them.