War of the Ring

[Ryder]

I realize it's basically a close cousin of Warcraft 3 and not that original in its own right, but I found it to be pretty cool! Anybody else play this one? Anybody want any tips?

 

[mbdeyes]

I found this one's not very original, but I won't touch the Warcraft series, due to the less than Christian ideals. I think War of the Ring is a great alternative to some of the others out there, and at least the premise was written by a Christian.

The only problem I have with it is that the bad guys are way cooler in the video game!!

 

[InnerPhyre]

Warcraft is pretty much a rip off of LOTR anyway. It's fitting that the game is a ripoff of warcraft

 

[Ryder]

Well put InnerPhyre.
Believe it or not, I think the good side has nearly all the key advantages in the game Mbdeyes.

 

[Kelly]

Yeah, when I looked at the back of the box, I shuddered. Is this just another RTS clone? The units looked very un-LOTR, too.

 

[InnerPhyre]

Yea everyone looked big, fat, and undetailed. I was excited about the game until I saw the graphics. There's supposedly a better version coming out later.

 

[Ryder]

Actually it's a lot better in-game than what the box would have you believe. Though I'll admit, it doesn't introduce any new graphical achievements that you haven't probably already seen in games like Warcraft 3. The gameplay was surprisingly well done, but again, no more so than any other RTS game. It's just a staple RTS, it's only outstanding point is its theme.

 

[Kokopelli]

From the reviews I've read, it doesn't appear to be that great of a game. Of course I was never a real fan of WarCraft either. IMHO, I think EA's upcoming release, LoTR: The Battle For Middle Earth will pwn War of the Ring.

 

[Kelly]

Based on graphics, that game is a beauty, kokopelli. I am one who loved the look of the movies.

 

[Dracil]

LoTR: The Battle For Middle Earth is looking good. Let's hope the gameplay can match (and that my computer can handle it).

 

[Kokopelli]

The graphics do look really good. But after playing Chrome for the past few days, pretty graphics aren't everything. The overall gameplay of Chrome is something to be desired. Luckily EA has the C&C games, so the game play of this should be pretty good.

As for the movies and novels, I'm a big fan too. Currently reading the Simarillion. It's difficult given the way it was written, but is giving a lot of insight to the movies/novels.

 

[mbdeyes]

Actually it's a lot better in-game than what the box would have you believe. Though I'll admit, it doesn't introduce any new graphical achievements that you haven't probably already seen in games like Warcraft 3. The gameplay was surprisingly well done, but again, no more so than any other RTS game. It's just a staple RTS, it's only outstanding point is its theme.

I would agree with Ryder. My style of gameplay/strategy works well with the bad guys, but my other buddies prefer the 'Free Peoples'. I'll probably try to pick it up 'pre-played', and am looking forward to the EA version.

One thing to remember, this game is not tied to the movies in anyway, so could not use the graphics or visuals, unless they were specific to the books! DO NOT expect this game to look like Peter Jackson's vision of middle earth.


And for Koko.... I'm reading the Silmarillion right now too. Let me know what you think (I though the Ainurindale [sp?] was amazing).
The newer, not yet released, game is affiliated with New Line Cinema's version of LotR. Expect it to be beautiful, because they had the film team working on it for 7 years! (as well as already having textures and models from the other movie associated video games that have been released).

 

[Kokopelli]

@mbdeyes

I think that might be one of the reasons why War of the Ring, hasn't done so well. People are expecting something in line with the movies. I never saw any on previous versions of the LoTR or the Hobbit, so all I have to go on is the books and the movies. I can say that I thought they made the Bilbo look rather gay in the Hobbit game that recently came out. Probably because it was meant more for children.

Sad actually, as I think it would've been fun to retrace Bilbo's in a more mature game. Mess around with some spiders, harass the elves and pay Smaug a visit.

I'm half-way through Of the Coming of the Elves right now. This will be a book that I'll have to re-read again to gather everything. But it is pretty good. Ironically, I'm able to better pronounce the Sindarin words.

 

[mbdeyes]

Yeah, I've actually gotten past the saga of Beren and Luthien, and the recapturing of one of the Silmarils.... good stuff.

 

[MiccyNarc]

War of the Ring looks like garbage...but I am anxiously waiting for Battle for Middle-Earth