. That's my general impression regarding the Third Age, from what I've seen. It's a great chance to go and explore middle earth, with non lotr-central characters and without J.R.R's writing style (I personally can't stand it, As most people who picked up the Silmarillion. Make no mistake, the man was a genius storyteller... but not an author of what I'd call engrossing fiction).
It's also the first "traditional" console style RPG to hit North American shelves for the Xbox, with FF style menus and attacks, but featuring some nice elements of battlefield tactics reminiscent of Chrono Trigger.
All in all, something to look forward to.