"LotR: The Third Age" out today!

Kraven · 11-03-2004, 09:37 AM

Where have I been? I've been interested in this game for a while and I didn't even know it came out today. Only yesterday did I find out. So I'm heading down to GS in about an hour and a half to pick it up. Anyone else getting it today?

GeN · 11-03-2004, 10:00 AM

Yeah, I have it reserved and everything, but I'm still in the middle of Paper Mario 2...I don't like playing two RPGs at once. So to keep me from doing that I'm just gonna leave it at the store until I get finished.

EDIT: I just got finished reading the IGN review. They gave it an 8.5 mainly because of the graphics and the gameplay. But on the other hand they said it's rather easy to play...no challange whatsoever, until you get to a boss. They also said that it lacks character developement since it's easy to level-up in that game. That takes away from the fun and anticipation of building your character up stronger and learning new moves. The setting also lacks shops and stuff, cause you get your items from treasure chests. Finally, the game itself is supposedly really short. I thought this would be EA's answer to the traditional RPG genre...and they were so close. I still plan on getting it though. The fights looks awesome.

TRC_14 · 11-04-2004, 01:09 AM

I just picked this game up about an hour ago, ive only played about 20 minutes but so far i love it. The camera control is a bit sensative for my taste but the battle is amazing. The animations are awsome and i love how they manage to keep the turn-based battle fast paced. So far im liking this game a lot, i'll post more once ive played more...

Kraven · 11-04-2004, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeN

Finally, the game itself is supposedly really short.

Well, just to give you a taste of how long it is, I have a total of almost eight hours of gameplay (I played it last night after work for another 6½

) and so far I've only completed 14% of the total game

So I don't know how short is short to them, but I'm still only on the second "level" I suppose it is. You start in Eregion and move on to the mines of Moria. I'm in Moria right now and only just moved on to Eastern Moria (since there are two parts Western & Eastern). It's been pretty fulfilling so far. And I'm not arguing with you about the length, just disagreeing with what IGN had to say.

As far as the rest of their comments I have to agree that they're right on. With the exception of the lack of "shops" to buy equipment, I don't really find that a mark against the game. You get everything you need from the treasure chests you find scattered throughout the levels. These treasure chests provide you with everything you need, healing potions, armor upgrades, weapons, rings, brooches, elfstones, etc. So the choice to not include stores is pretty warranted since you get the same system with the chests instead of the laborious nature of finding a shop, searching through all its inventory to find the best value and equipment and then bartering for a trade.

Also since there is no shop system there is no money. Which makes it a smoother system (for me anyway) because you don't have the extra worry of what I stated before, finding a shop, buying, trying to sell to get the most money, etc. It cuts out all that extra work and you get a better system. You keep all the previous items you found. So if you upgrade to a steel breast plate from your leather one, the leather plate is still in your inventory. Same thing with rings and elfstones. This enables you to switch out to the item that best suits your need at the time. One ring may be more powerful against a boss than the one you're wearing, so you switch them out on the fly and can fight with those stats. Instead of selling objects that may appear obsolete, you may need those "obsolete" items for a future enemy.

*gasps for air* Anyway, look for my review soon. I chose not to read IGN right now because when I write a review I don't want any outside "distractions" that may influence me either consciously or subconsciously while writing my own thoughts on the game.

GeN · 11-04-2004, 04:08 PM

Yeah, I didn't really read to much into the review, I still plan on getting it. But 8 hours and only on the 2nd 'level' isn't exactly short, but the more traditional japanese RPG's take a lot longer to get that far. I remember in FFIX, I had logged 11 hours and still hadn't started the adventure. So...

, but either way those fights are too awesome to pass up. I plan on getting it soon. I'd have it now, but I had to give my 'leisure' money to a best friend in need...oh how I'm so generous.

Kraven · 11-04-2004, 08:27 PM

It really is better than what you may have read at IGN, GeN. Tonight I finally got out of the Mines of Moria and now I'm on Ch. 3 (nine chapters altogether). So far I've logged in 9:49 with the game and I'm just 22% through. It's definitely not going to overthrow any Japanese RPGs, or even KotOR or The Elder Scrolls III in terms of length, but you will get some good time with it. Mainly because you're constantly fighting and there are always random encounters with enemies that makes it wear on and on. I already have a LVL 28 character and I'm only on the third chapter with 22% finished

Let me just give you a tip for the encounter of the Balrog: Keep lots of "Elf Medicine" available (it's a resurrection potion), as you'll be needing to resurrect your companions on more than one occasion during that encounter. I was almost ****ting my pants when it was time to fight because I thought it was just going to be me and my little party, but you get to control Gandalf during that battle. It's pretty awesome. The Balrog looks nothing short of incredible, especially the smoke and flame effects. I don't regret buying this game at all.

TRC_14 · 11-04-2004, 08:44 PM

not only the balrog but all of the enemies look great, orcs, goblins, those dawg things. I like how the arrows still into them/you. I also like how the placement of the enemies in battle is affected by the surroundings. If there is an overhead awning then there may be an orc archer up there trying to pick u off. This games great so far. I must admit my expectations werent high, i pretty much bought this game because i had a gift card for best buy that i need to use before it expired but after playing a few hours ive found that this game is a game i would have bought even if it took a special trip to get

Kraven · 11-04-2004, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRC_14

not only the balrog but all of the enemies look great, orcs, goblins, those dawg things.

I believe you are referring to the Wargs. For someone who sports a LotR avatar and signature I would have figured you would've known that!

And TRC, did you notice this? On the back cover where the game features are it has "custom soundtracks" highlighted...yet I can't find any option in the options menu to turn on such a feat. When I first saw that I was a little perplexed and asked myself, "Why would a game like this support CS?" I think it's a SNAFU on the part of whoever makes the cases. Can you imagine fighting against the Balrog and jamming to Metallica, or whatever music files you have saved?

TRC_14 · 11-05-2004, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kraven

I believe you are referring to the Wargs. For someone who sports a LotR avatar and signature I would have figured you would've known that!

And TRC, did you notice this? On the back cover where the game features are it has "custom soundtracks" highlighted...yet I can't find any option in the options menu to turn on such a feat. When I first saw that I was a little perplexed and asked myself, "Why would a game like this support CS?" I think it's a SNAFU on the part of whoever makes the cases. Can you imagine fighting against the Balrog and jamming to Metallica, or whatever music files you have saved?

I just couldnt think of the name at the time.

and i did notice the custom soundtrack fault. I was wondering the same thing, why would you be listening to some modern music with singing and stuff while on an epic adventure fighting monsters and casting spells