Blocks kloppen in Middle-earth

Lego figures as heroes of a computer game? What at first sounds funny, is for several years through a combination of innovative gameplay and the recognition of Lego figures and elements of the hit on the Wii (and other consoles as well as PC).

Have already been processed Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean and Batman. In keeping with the film's release of the Lord of the Rings hobbit is refilled now.

Also, and just because the gameplay, and the engine of the game have not changed much, has again come out absolutely successful game that thrilled not only children, as one might suspect at Lego context.

For newcomers - How does the game work?

The game is an adventure game in the first place. Base is Middle-earth, all episodes can be accessed from the the game progresses.

You always have at least 2 Lego figures available (initially Frodo and Sam, later Aragorn, Legolas, and others), which in turn all have different abilities, eg Legolas with archery.

Between the figures one can turn any means C button back and forth, you can play the whole couple also great in co-op. Now it is time to solve puzzles and collect Legosteinchen diligently and to search for other collector's items: Mithril bricks, red bricks, treasure chests, etc.

The whole thing is presented very humorous, and is interrupted from time to time from animated movies. So Frodo is eg cured with the help of a Lego building instructions.

The joke of the whole thing - and an extreme long-term motivator is that many collectibles the first time are impossible to reach, for example, because you can still destroy any metal objects to the beginning.

If an episode but played out, certain characters are unlocked. With which you can see the episode in free play again play, but with a whole range of characters with diverse skills, thus increasing the possibilities for action clearly, which also increases the fun again significantly.

The degree of difficulty is moderate, some puzzles are already crisp. Some skill sequences are somewhat tricky (at least for the Wii) and just comparable with other platformers, but compared to other adventures.
The scenery in Middle Earth is indeed a bit confusing at first, but there are useful (see-through) Spirit Stones who lead the way.

The game is in my opinion a bit creepy and violent than the other titles of the Lego series. Children under 10 years, I would not give it to play. Although Lego figures not die, but fall into their components, the whole scene is but (like the movie) for children pretty creepy.

For connoisseurs of the Lego series - What has changed?

Fortunately, hardly anything. As with Batman 2 there is now a speech (in German!) In the cutscenes and in-game. Otherwise the game is comparable to the other Lego games. As with Harry Potter 2 show the way Spirit Stones.

The figures have now an inventory, in which you take things and put them back can (similar to earlier in the LucasArts adventures). Too bad that the query also comes when it is unnecessary and does not fit, perhaps because it is being attacked.
In addition, the inventory will be called with Z, the same key is with the well built. I find that very unfortunate solved because one often triggers the wrong action.

In Middle-earth can move freely and solve different sidequests.

The camera work I find very unfortunate in some places. In particular, when the figures is run on the camera to think of a proper control barely. Also, there are felt more bugs than in the other parts of the series, where characters get tangled together, or standing around in the way.

A known weakness of all Lego games we can find here: you can not save at all times, but only in certain sections, or to the end of an episode.

Very well done, it is to capture the game designers the mood of Lord of the Rings, this is done better than in any previous part.

Conclusion:
Well-designed puzzle, a long motivating gameplay, humorous script and the charming recognition of the Lego world make the Lego title to absolute exceptions. This also applies to Lord of the Rings.
Annoying are some Hakeligkeiten in controlling, for I may depart a star.
Nevertheless, you can access here safely, even if you're not a fan of Hobbits & Co..

Best Buy!