The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth

[caspian]

From GameSpot:

Quote[/b] ]EA has unveiled a number of new game features at the show, including the living world map, which is essentially a huge map of Middle-earth that you cannot only scroll through, but you will also use it as your primary interface for directing your armies to their next skirmish. Your armies, which will remain persistent between different battles in the single-player game, will appear on the map as a tiny icon that you can move from location to location; should you be opposed by an enemy army, you'll see your enemies appear as another icon on the map, similar to the encounters in a console role-playing game. In the case of a battle, the two army icons will clash, followed by a brief cinematic sequence that shows your armies preparing for battle.

Sounds eeringly like a Total War game. Not sure whether there will be resouce gathering, base building and overpower the enemy with numerical superiority. Still the graphics are pretty nice. What do you guys think?

[soibean]

it sounds like a cool idea and I'll probably check the game out... it does remind me of MTW like you said, and a bit like war craft because of the units that are basically guaranteed to be in there. But I hope its a good experience, havent been too many enjoyable fantasy strategy games out that Ive liked recently...

[nightcrawlerblue]

Have you seen the E3 video? Looks like they just worked on graphics and there is no gameplay. It looks very good and there are all sorts of small details (orcs will cheer when they win. Ents will react to being on fire) but from what I've seen there are only like 3 buildings, fixed places for those buildings, and few troops.

I just have a feeling this is going to be another one of EAs flops. It just looks like they focused on graphics thinking the otber things didn't matter.

[econ21]

I fear Nightcrawlerblue might be right - TW has set the bar rather high in terms of gameplay and while the graphics might be easy to match, rivalling the gameplay will not. I am afraid most games are pretty poor and unless a game has a good pedigree or good word of mouth from real gamers (as opposed to hype mags and sites), I am nearly always disappointed. [Actually make that always disappointed - every impulse purchase I have made has been bad.]

[scooter_the_shooter]

i will buy that game just so i can play the factions of middle earth.

[nightcrawlerblue]

Quote[/b] (ceasar010 @ June 22 2004,19:35)]i will buy that game just so i can play the factions of middle earth.

If I was to buy it that probably would be the only reason...

[Navaros]

Quote[/b] (nightcrawlerblue @ June 22 2004,08:35)]I just have a feeling this is going to be another one of EAs flops. It just looks like they focused on graphics thinking the otber things didn't matter.

there is no doubt in my mind that this game will indeed suck. they are trying to mix classic Westwood RTS with Total War and that formula simply can not work since the two style of games are radically and fundamentally different.

unfortunately, this game will not be a flop - tho i certainly WISH it would be.

this game is gonna sell gazillions for no other reasons than that it is well-hyped and has the LOTR license. it does not matter how crappy this game is. it will be a surefire sales hit regardless.

[scooter_the_shooter]

and i am gonna be one of the idiots that buy it. i like EA

[nightcrawlerblue]

Quote[/b] (ceasar010 @ June 23 2004,14:15)]and i am gonna be one of the idiots that buy it. i like EA

You like EA? WHY?

[soibean]

well yea they only have a few buildings but I think that they're still working on those give them a break
I really like the celebration anyimations and whatnot... its something that adds a nice little touch that most games could use so Im looking forward to this game

[Alrowan]

from what ive seen, this game will be in dev long after RTW gets released, perhaps they will pull a valve on us all, and keep pushing the release date back and back.. heck HL 2 is now the next Duke Nukem Forever :p.

personally i wont be buying it, ill be waiting for the middle earth mod for RTW.. one that EA will no doubt try to get legal action against cus it will kill all sales of thier game :p

RTW will be here by chrsitmas, BfME probably wont be out till early next year. Watch where the hype goes ;)

[Stormer]

This game loosk great my next 'most looking forward' to game arfter RTW of course

[Kraellin]

i'm also intrigued by the look of this game, but i've been fooled before by looking at 'the best foot forward' type advertising before, so i wanna see a demo before i buy.

K.

[Julius Caesar]

I'm might get this game but of course im going to get rome.

[The_Emperor]

Quote[/b] ]heck HL 2 is now the next Duke Nukem Forever

What consigned to never being released? ever

[Pellinor]

The strategic map sounds a bit like that in Black Moon Chronicles. That was a fun game, although completely unbalanced - there's nothing like roasting knights with massed Imperial Dragons in real time :-)