The Lord of the Rings the Third Age is definitely one of the better RPG’s of our time. It is probably the first of its kind for EA games, but hopefully not the last. There is a deep storyline into the game, one much different than the movies themselves. By the halfway point in the game, you will have gotten all 6 of the playable characters, each with unique abilities and traits. Berethor is the main character, the citadel guard from gondor, and the main story revolves around his life. You will also come across other races such as the elf Idrial, who is sent to protect Berethor, and begins to form a bond with him. There is a stubborn dwarf, Hadhod, somewhat like Gimli, but able to cast magic, Eaoden, a rider of rohan with energy powers, Elegost, a Dunedain ranger with bowcraft, and Morwen, a mistress who once served Denethor. As you progress through the game, each character has a story to reveal, and you gain new powers and weapons to use. This RPG follows the same combat style as Final Fantasy, a turn-based one. It may be slow at times, but you get used to it after a while. The gameplay is definitely a 10 rating, there are many missions to complete in each realm, and you can go back in evil mode to gain new weapons by killing your people with the evil guys, like the Balrog. There is a co-op mode to the game also that has its benefits when playing with friends, and over 100 scenes from the movie, each telling a story, which is extremely awesome, and hopefully there may be some scenes from the extended RotK, but i have yet to get there. Once you get through at least fifty percent of the game, the true story unfolds, Berethor’s past is revealed, and Idrial’s job to save him is beginning. It all forms a deep, true, one-of-a-kind RPG with extrememly detailed graphics of the worlds, deep gameplay, and overall few, if any, problems. This is definitely ONE RPG TO RULE THEM ALL.
Category: Original TORn
Folks from The Minnesota Tolkien Society Write: We want you to know about “The Return of the Trilogy”, a viewing of each of the Extended Editions on the Big Screen at Church of the Open Door. Cost is $15 including all three showings [capacity 1100 seats]. Elevenses [box lunch] is available for $10 [200 seats], and the King’s Feast [A royal affair to be sure!] Pig Roast is available for $25 [200 seats]. Tickets available immediately and exclusively on-line. [More]
Michael Scasserra, Web and Publications Editor for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center writes: We have some exciting LORD OF THE RINGS news to share with you and your readers. On Dec. 3 and 4, the NY-Metropolitan area premiere of Howard Shore’s THE LORD OF THE RINGS SYMPHONY (a symphonic adaptation of his score for all three RINGS films) is taking place at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. [More]
Michael Scasserra, Web and Publications Editor for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center writes: We have some exciting LORD OF THE RINGS news to share with you and your readers. On Dec. 3 and 4, the NY-Metropolitan area premiere of Howard Shore’s THE LORD OF THE RINGS SYMPHONY (a symphonic adaptation of his score for all three RINGS films) is taking place at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. This spectacular event will be performed by over 200 performers, including full symphony orchestra and chorus (which will sing in “Elvish”), and will also include projections of storyboard art from the films and illustrations from recent editions of Tolkien’s books. Oscar-winning composer Howard Shore will be in attendance at the Dec. 3 performance, in part for a Q and A with the audience prior to the performance. Questions for the evening will be selected from suggestions submitted via email to ringquestions@njpac.org. We’re hoping you will be able to post this information on your site for LORD OF THE RINGS fans.
Here’s a link to our home page, which includes information on this event.
The NW Tolkien Society folks write: We are pleased to announce a member’s only reception December 9th, at 5:30 pm at the Suzzallo Library, University of Washington, with Mr. Alan Lee, Tolkien illustrator and Conceptual Artist for the LOTR films. There is limited space. How can you attend this exclusive event? Email bekahwa@yahoo.com to request reservations (2 person limit). Memberships can be purchased at the door, but only 70 can attend. After the reception, we’ll head over to the University Bookstore for Mr. Lee’s book signing.
Without a new Lord of the Rings movie to look forward to, Christmas 2004 just won’t be the same. At least console owners can settle for this Tolkien spin-off, which features lots of clips from Peter Jackson’s trilogy, as well as a suitably sombre voice-over from Ian McKellan (Gandalf). Millions of dollars were piled into the Third Age, and it shows. [More]