Title: Battle for Middle Earth II
.............................................. System:
Xbox 360
.............................................. Genre:
Real Time Strategy
.............................................. Publisher:
Electronic Arts
.............................................. Developer:
Electronic Arts
.............................................. Release: 07/07/2006 .............................................. Online: Yes .............................................. ESRB: Teen (T)
..............................................
Battle for Middle Earth II is the first RTS title ported by EA this console generation. Instead of trying to adapt the complicated controls of an RTS to the console, EA decided to create their own unique control scheme with mixed results. It works but is slow and clunky. Still it is the best implementation of an RTS to date. Couple this with a mixture of bland and impressive graphics, a typical LOTR score and sound effects, plus the total LOTR license which just drips with content and the game as a whole does come off as impressive. It would have been nice to avoid frame rate issues both off and online, but they are here in BFME II in all their "glory." Online does add a good amount of replay value too with several entertaining modes like King of the Hill. For a first attempt Battle for Middle Earth II is impressive. Here is hoping the next one is even better!
Sweet to the Core
Locals. Some of the best locations ever to have battles fought on. Truly beautiful.
Licensed. Getting the whole Lord of the Rings license allows for some great content beyond the movies.
Going Bad
Controls. They work but are clunky and slow. It will take some time to master them.
Units. Do not look as good as the locals.
Rotten to the Core
Frame rate issues. Both offline and online the frame drops. This is an RTS; one would think the Xbox 360 could handle it.
MIA. So far not a lot of people playing this online.
The Core Score
Overall 8
Fun
8
Gameplay
7.5
Graphics
8.5
Audio
9
Replay
8
Kid Safe Score
6 Good
For the most part, just a normal war type game; however, the battles can get a little gory.
