Lord of the Rings: The 3rd Age

[randycat99]

Anybody else playing this game (on PS2)? What do you think?

In some ways, the graphics are absolutely inspiring, but just average in other ways. The architecture of the huge levels is impressive, for example (though it isn't absolutely free roaming, of course). The cutscene mode appears to be striving for that cinematic, yet still game engine generated, sense. All of this, yet you won't be particularly impressed if you stop to study how detailed the tree leaves look (as an example). This game seems to be a mix of contrasts- it's kind of hard to put a finger on it.

Most impressive thing I've seen so far is what they did to make that Balrog of Moria stage (that fire dragon thing that pulls the wizard off the ledge in the first movie). That is friggin amazing, imo! Wow! That is a level boss that rapes all other level bosses in gaming history (kay, obviously exaggerating, but it is an impressive sight). This thing pretty much annihilated my happy fellowship of 5 + cameo appearance of Gandolf like they were nothing. I guess that pretty much conveys that this creature is not to be F'd with no matter what kind of badass Middle Earth adventurer you are, if all this stuff was real.

What style of gameplay is this? It kind of took me off-guard since it is such a break from earlier action-oriented games of the same series. Would this be described as a LoTR meets Final Fantasy gaming style?

Oh, and- Cell's gonna rock! (c'mon, what kind of topic would this be w/o some reference to a next-gen console?)

 

[rabidrabbit]

From what I've seen of the game, it looks like a Final Fantasy X set in LOTR universe. The fighting technics looks very similar, as does the map.

 

[London Geezer]

From what I've seen of the game, it looks like a Final Fantasy X set in LOTR universe. The fighting technics looks very similar, as does the map.

Ok, a FFX where u already know how the story ends? Nice... :?

 

[rabidrabbit]

As if you didn't kow how the FFX would end before you finished it.
FFX was sooo full of surprising plot twists, who'd thought Yuna would eventually save the world and that there'd be some (un)predictable family revelations with dark history etc....

That's not to say I didn't enjoy FFX and it's "story", more of game plots in general.

 

[London Geezer]

As if you didn't kow how the FFX would end before you finished it.
FFX was sooo full of surprising plot twists, who'd thought Yuna would eventually save the world and that there'd be some (un)predictable family revelations with dark history etc....

That's not to say I didn't enjoy FFX and it's "story", more of game plots in general.

I was kidding grampa!!

But no, i didn't expect some of the utterly stupid plot twists in FFX. Loved the game though.

 

[randycat99]

To be fair, your characters in the game aren't playing the exact same storyline as you see in the movies. It is sort of like a detail of parallel set of events which occasionally crosses paths with the storyline we all know of from the movie series (sort of like the way they did the Matrix game). I guess you can technically say you will still be visiting the same locales and battling the same creatures as you see in the movie.

 

[Evil_Cloud]

From what I've seen of the game, it looks like a Final Fantasy X set in LOTR universe. The fighting technics looks very similar, as does the map.

Ok, a FFX where u already know how the story ends? Nice... :?

So Gandalf is a giant whale with wings?

 

[Shifty Geezer]

As a game it's not particularly inspiring. It offers no challenge, though as my first run in with the turn-based strategic RPG it's been quite enjoyable. The spells become ridiculous eventually, the Elf able to wipe out every enemy in a phase with one spell

Most impressive are the visual effects of the spells which you can't capture in screenshots. There's loads of real-time screen warping that I haven't seen before, giving a real sense of power. And the Balrog is mighty, with thick billowing smoke and viciously good flame effects. Extremely stylish, shallow, and an alright sort of game that's rather milking the franchise.

 

[randycat99]

True, but I think it is worth a view just to enjoy the visuals. Besides, what really is left to milk out of the franchise? I don't think it is such a bad effort in getting a few more licks out of these particular movie assets. It could be far worse, is what I'm saying, I guess.