Just like Halo made great strides in proving that FPS games could work on a console, Battle for Middle-Earth II opens new and console-shaped doors for the RTS genre, almost exclusively the realm of PC gaming. Games like Starcraft or Dawn of War are simply too complex and fast-paced, some gamers say, to be played with a standard gamepad.

Those gamers are dead wrong. Battle for Middle Earth II is simple enough to pick up and play after only a cursory glance at the control scheme, but it also provides the sort of depth that genre fans crave. Far from being a kiddie version of a PC game, Battle simply streamlines the controls down to their quick, intuitive essence.

In the game, players can select one of two single-player campaigns (one Good, the other Evil) that chronicle the larger War of the Ring, a conflict largely unaffected by the Fellowhip's journey. In addition, players can go online with up to 3 friends in five different game modes. Progressing through each mission and completing special bonus objectives will unlock achievements (the game has 35 total, spread liberally between single and multiplayer), as well as new heroes to lead the multiplayer armies, each of which has its own tree of customizable powers to help turn the tide of war. The game is fast-paced and has a forgiving learning curve, never seeming ‘too hard' on the standard difficulty setting.

On top of the great gameplay, expect breathtaking graphics and beautiful sound. The units and environments alike are wonderfully rendered, especially on an HD screen, and although the game suffers a dearth of animated sequences, relying instead on still scenes from the Lord of the Rings films, what is shown of the in-engine cutscenes is cinematic enough. The biggest drawbacks of the game are periodic slowdowns in large, hectic battles, and some pretty long load times, neither of which are game-killers. Like most of EA's Lord of the Rings games, Battle for Middle Earth II is attractive and accessible, and is so far one of the best additions to the 360's library. Turn off the PC and give this console RTS try.

Score: 90%

Jul 7, 2006 | 0 comments
Jeff Stolarcyk