Mania shelved

The gameplay was unique - especially in the colorful circus of modern real-time strategy. Flying Nazgûl who come down from the clouds and horses that could ride on Wicked infantry, Burning and again erasable shepherd of the forest - all this had never been seen until then. On top of that EA's Battle for Middle Earth so much oriented to the Oscar-winning film template that especially fans of the three-part saga could not help but jump with excitement in the air. That was in December 2004. Since then, much water has flowed down the Anduin and things have changed.

Soon after the release of the game it became clear that the single-player part because relatively unloving and unimaginative designed, not much would pounce. The tasks were ever the same and tension when it comes to action in any case does not exist, since one Trilogy yes knew exactly as a lover Jacksons how to run the Hobbit, and would end the matter. The Battle for Middle Earth consumed by the magical mania that had triggered the films. In addition, based the following heyday of the game on the success of the multiplayer, which in turn was dependent on the fanatical followers of the film material to be poor, despite support by Electronic Arts over to save 'the 2006 published the second part.

Meanwhile, even the story. No wonder that The Battle for Middle Earth now can show no notable online community more and therefore attract only the single player mode. The turn will move most fans of the cinematic interpretation. With Tolkien's idea game has such film to do that is only conditionally. It is interesting about the film close adaptation (voice actor, faces and Co. are the same), it is primarily for newcomers to the real time strategy genre. The reason: This is comparatively slow, very manageable and step forward step. Who is playing offline, no need to memorize hotkeys, let alone to look for new sources of raw materials out. If the parties and the defense only once, the income is secured and we pimped the army quietly on until the time has come for the counter-attack. At least that is true of the roofed with walls of Gondor and Rohan parties. Mordor and Isengard have something offensive stride to work and clearly suffered more losses in order to maintain itself.

Conclusion: Today only a game for strategy lovers quieter mind that anyway did not want to play online. It offers a decent graphics and breathtaking Lord of the Rings Feeling modeled after Hollywood. That industry giant EA can implement truly remarkable. An exciting plot and interesting tasks fall from it. The game worked just his time to other rules of the guild and is nothing for eternity.