Typical LEGO? Typical LEGO!

So if you have already played the Star Wars, Batman, Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter and Indiana Jones derivatives, will find immediately familiar.

The story here is based draws on the well-known films by Peter Jackson, but also scenes from the books are found (usually in the free walk-in "outside world"). LotR fans here have a number of eye-openers.

The figures are all - have been appropriately used and adapted to the world of LEGO - typical of LEGO. Whether the fish fell Gollum or Sauron (which you can unlock by playing through the bonus levels), all characters fit into the world and it's fun to explore with them the LEGO version of Middle-earth.

Of course, the figures have again different skills: Legolas can shoot with bow and arrow, Gandalf triggers stacking puzzle by levitation charm like in Harry Potter, Gimli is able to destroy appropriately labeled plates, Frodo is invisible on Knopfdruch or brighten a dark cave, Sam makes fire and so on. The change between the characters also runs as in other LEGO games from "Y" button briefly and the character that you look at, is selected. Alternatively, press "Y" long and you will see a selection wheel, where you can selectively switch between the characters.

There is also an inventory of what is required in order to carry or transport several objects can. On top of that you can (instead of golden stones as usual) customize at a blacksmith various items that can be used for to solve some puzzles or unlock Achievements nor with the earned Mithrilsteinen. There is, for example, the skeleton sword that (not only) opponents turned on a hit in skeletons, Spring shoes so that non-elves can jump higher, Mithril armor that increase hit points, etc.

These items can be used by any character, and can be selected to by the inventory menu ("B") the lower point selects ("treasure luggage"). The designs for these items can be found throughout Middle-earth. Some obvious, others only after you have done smaller tasks.

Speaking of tasks: In addition to the actual history there in LEGO Lord of the Rings numerous side quests that you can solve. As an Uruk his sword or a restaurateur would again have his soup pot. All tasks can be address immediately, but usually resolve upon receipt of certain game characters or items by already completed levels again As for outdoor play.

Basically, there are so do massive, to discover many new things and a lot of Schmunzel moments - typical LEGO.

However, the weak points are also "typical LEGO". So the camera positioning is not always optimal and the control thereof also often leaves much to be desired. The control of the characters has also not improved compared to the other LEGO games, so that here, for example jumps are often a matter of luck and can build up from time to time some frustration when one climbs for the umpteenth time at the tower of Isengard and the penultimate jump botched because the camera suddenly turns on the jump ... grrr!

There were also problems in that you simply could not go on in a level, because certain actions are not counted or scripts were not triggered (eg the endless battle against the leader of the Army of the Dead). Here helps a restart or load a previously saved game. Mir However, this is also "only" 2x happened. Annoying, but bearable.

The voice acting is still getting used to in LEGO games, but here was exceptionally well done. Even some German original speaker from the films have been involved, but other (eg Gandalf) were newly appointed. Why this is so, I can not say, but you get used to pretty quickly. The spoken passages were even partly taken over completely and accurately from the movies.

Also interesting is the relative freedom when playing the story from the "second film": You can choose whether to first go with Aragorn up before the black gate or dear Frodo and Sam would help to bring the ring to Mount Doom - or alternately both;)

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Conclusion: A typical LEGO game with all the advantages and disadvantages. Loving implementation of the movies and books (who did not want to spank ever with Tom Bombadil Gollum? :)), Good to excellent synchronization and original movie background music. Besides tasks are fun, function, in part but placed. Some evenings for two highly recommended on a console - not only for children. As a single player you have any less pleasure in it, but this is the case with all LEGO games. Free walkable and explorable world with many collectibles and figurines. Fast Travel System by cards Statues, storage system within the story levels by memory statues. The Bonus Level (in Rivendell) consists of a miniature version of Middle-earth, which you must destroy as Sauron. Kenner go wrong, LEGO newbies might play better sample or start with one of the predecessors like Indiana Jones, Star Wars or Pirates of the Caribbean.