Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1243 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Electronic Arts
• Released on: 2006-07-14
• Platform: Xbox 360

Amazon.co.uk Review

In a nutshell:
Real-time strategy games are not normally the sort of thing you see on a console but EA have pulled out all the stops to make The Battle for Middle-Earth II work on the Xbox 360, with easy to learn controls and mountains of online options.

The lowdown:
Although most real-time strategy games are designed around using a PC keyboard and mouse they usually never get to appear on a console. With this game you’d never have guessed there was ever a problem with just a few button presses allowing you to direct vast armies and construct huge castles and encampments. Although the game is set during the same time period as the movies the action is focused elsewhere in Middle-Earth, although there’s still plenty of familiar faces. Although it benefits more than most from a HDTV screen the only real problem with the game is a slightly short single player campaign, but that shouldn’t be enough to put you off this rare console strategy treat.

Most exciting moment:
The best way to play the game is undoubtedly online, with five all new and very different game modes. The capture the flag mode works particularly well and ensures that multiplayer games never drag on too long or get too defensive.

Since you ask:
The success of this game will not only influence EA’s decision to bring Command & Conquer 3 to the Xbox 360 but THQ are also considering console versions of their real-time strategy games Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War and Company of Heroes.

The bottom line:
The first proper console based real-time strategy game for years.
HARRISON DENT

Manufacturer's Description
Command the epic battles of Middle-earthTM from your living room couch in The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360. The highly anticipated PC game will make its exclusive console debut when it ships in Summer 2006! To add to the intensity of the experience, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 is the first game in The Lord of the Rings series that will be playable over Xbox LIVE. Challenge friends online and engage in intense, action-packed real-time battles.

Based on the PC version of the same name, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 will bring players into the heart of Middle-earth to live the battles seen in the blockbuster New Line Cinema films and classic J.R.R. Tolkien literary fiction. The game boasts a new and intuitive console-specific control scheme that will allow novice players to enjoy the game's signature strategy gameplay while giving expert players the flexibility needed to engage in a deeply complex strategy experience. Directly control hundreds of units in an attempt to defeat enemy armies, conquer new lands, and seal the fate of Middle-earth.

Customer Reviews

WoW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have got to say that although i thought the control scheme wasnt going to work it did and im glad now RTS games hopefully will become common place on consoles especially the xbox range due to xbox live. Bring on command and conquer which is rumered to be coming out on the 360!!!

The One RTS To Rule Them All
At last, a decent RTS on a console, halleluja,
The controller works really well once you get used to it.

The gameplay is simple, and anyone who's ever played a RTS knows the concept, Build a fortress, barracks etc, train an army, unleash hell. Each faction has 8 campaigns, and to complete all 16 should take a competent gamer around 16-20 hours.

Then there is online play, and Skirmish mode which adds to the longevity of the game.

The soundtrack is simply stunning, and everything youve come to expect from LOTR films and games.

The Graphics are pretty much the same as the PC version, in other words superb.

All in all a must have for an RTS fan, one minor gripe, I know some of you old school gamers love the mouse, me too, and the Xbox 360 supports most USB mice, so why oh why doesnt anybody implement this in their games?

LOTR Battle for Middle Earth 2
Bought this game thinking it wouldn't be much good, and is my favorite game! Good tutorial teaches you the control system which is well thought out. Having good and bad campaigns adds to the longevity but it is LIVE which really makes this game exceptional. Online play is endless and I struggle to play other games due to friends inviting me to play.
I have heard that there will be more maps and downloadable content coming as well which is good news.

On the downside, I hear on the PC there is a create a hero mode and a couple of other features - but as I don't have it on the PC I don't miss it! I agree with the comment that seeing as the 360 is capable of having USB mouse why not - but on the other hand it allows for a level playing field.