PDA

View Full Version : Lord of the rings II


FUGGER
03-22-2006, 10:36 PM
I read up a bit before I dropped 50 bucks on this game. I was quite surprised and optimistic when I found out the game play was similar to Warcraft Frozen throne.

The cinimatics and game play itself are fine, I did have to update to the newest catalyst driver to get the game to start.

There are two compaigns, fairly short with about 6 maps each to win and one turn based game play mode.

The turn based is poorly thought out and has major flaws in design. Each square you win you get bonus points to put into special skills from a skill tree. You start out with enough money to purchase a fortress and two resource gathering buildings. Once the fortress is done the computer AI goes into effect. Meaning, if you dont build the fortress the computer sits idle and will let you build right next to it and wipe it out. I know that is not fun nor a challange. Well, build the fortress and play away,but after a few wins you will have enough bonus points to get complete upgrades. All of witch will wipe out enemy base in about 3 minutes from game start. Playing the ode fairly I had several issues with game AI getting stuck.

Each map has no restrictons on building anywhere of any building, so you can build or summon defensive towers in the enemy base.

The campaign more is very close to Warcraft its not even funny, most of the classes and way they gather resources are nearly the same. Some of the hero capabilites are also similar with the exception of being very limited to the point of being useless. You would be lucky yo use the hero's special skill twice from game start to end.

It takes about 24 hours to complete both campaigns, I would suggest doing them in order to keep the games dialog in sync as the story unfolds.

The boss mobs are strong, AI is poor. No issues with game programming other than mobs getting stuck and the over powered special bonus attacks that can wipe enemy base.

I would avoid this game unless you miss the old warcraft style of game play and have 50 bucks to waste. I had higher hopes of this game with the WC game engine and game play.

Coroner Kyle
03-22-2006, 10:53 PM
Did you play the first one and if so what did you think of it b/c I own the first one? Just trying to get some perspective.

FUGGER
03-22-2006, 10:54 PM
I didnt play the first one and I would not have played the sequil if it was not so closely based on WC style of game play.

ReD.SkY
03-22-2006, 10:54 PM
hmm... i dont really like TFT

Coroner Kyle
03-22-2006, 10:57 PM
I had high hopes for this one b/c the first one was challenging at times (Helms Deep), but this one sounds like a let down. I think I'll go pick up FEAR and torture the rig.

mrlobber
03-22-2006, 10:59 PM
I played the original LOTR: Battle for Middle Earth just for the pleasure of leading the uruk-hai orc army and laying waste on any humans & their buildings I encounter on the map, showing them the true dark power :D :devil: But based on what I've read on the LOTR II, I indeed would be doubtful to play that game, because, as I understand, nothing major has changed, and, based on what Fugger said and what numerous other reviews have added, there are even more game balance issues than in the first LOTR game.

Leon939
03-22-2006, 11:55 PM
can you give me crack NO DVD ?

OmegaMerc
03-23-2006, 12:09 AM
can you give me crack NO DVD ?

not the forum to discuss that.

-----

@FUG

I have to disagree that this is a WC clone. I loved WC series and played it half to death.

Gathering resources is very automated in this game build a mine shaft, make a tree, there is no point in having 40 peons to gather gold and lumber. Units themselves are built in stack, so in fights it always looks alot better. Right now im on mission 5 of the "good" campaign, I do not see it ending on the next mission or anywhere near. Im not sure what difficulty level you've played at, but the AI is much more challenging then that, unless your playing the first 2-3 beggining campaign missions.

The game is like any other RTS is a match of paper, rock, and scissors. Calvary trumps archers and warriors, pikemen trump calvary, archers trump infantry, etc, etc. It suffers from some grahpical issues like shadows being super pixelated but other then that the games beatifull. You spend your victory points into gathering new passive and active abilities, like summoning special units or creating lush land so you remove armor bonus from your enemy.

FUGGER
03-23-2006, 12:25 AM
Oddly, for some people who play this game needed to use the dvd hack to get the game to start correctly.

The same goes for Riddick.

We do not condone illegal acts of software piracy but the DVD hack may help make the game playable on some systems. I dont see that this violates EULA if you own and paid for the DVD original.

Breeze
03-23-2006, 01:59 AM
The campaign is very short and boring. As for the A.I it's a joke, even at the highest setting. At time they just stood still waiting to attack but never did. Another thing lacking is formation's in the game.

LenniZ
03-23-2006, 03:44 AM
I agree. The campain is short and boring. Also, I would like to have much more armypoints. A.I is stupid as hell, try to play Helms deep with 3 brutal enemys and you inside the fortress, and you'll get disappointed. They dont even try to break the wall, they just attack the :banana::banana::banana::banana:ing gate all the time.

edit: Try this game online or @ LAN, its much more fun! :)

Breeze
03-23-2006, 04:15 AM
Yeah, Helms Deep is rubbish. Played it 2vs2 with a mate on my team. I started outside and they didnt even attack me, just went for the gate as you mentioned. All you need is archers up there and its all over.

FUGGER
03-23-2006, 04:41 AM
When you play evil you will get to play orcs (hello) and orcs have wood gathering to increase resources, these come with I think five gatherers by default and you can upgrade to more when those get slaugtered by waves of attacks that are programmed to kill that target.

A couple of archer towers in route will kill everything on its way usually without taking a single hit.

Not exactly a clone, just really close in design. I liked the dragon hero the best, go in and wipe out the enemy.

Once you try the turn based you will know what I mean about enemy AI and a sheer lack of programming if a fortress is never built. In the turn based game play you get to added skill points to keep each map win.

The summon of four treeants will wipe any base out, it takes 3 mins to refresh. If you have the wave of horses and the earthquake no enemy can survive. You can get those by default after a few map wins so all you need to do is just find enemy base, drop troops to expose that area or other summon of your choice and wipe it.

I have not tried the online play.

Breeze
03-23-2006, 05:04 AM
I use the whirlwind special on the hero I made whips out whole armies in seconds. As mentioned the specials are way over powered.

OmegaMerc
03-23-2006, 05:47 AM
Why do people associate the Orcs as created by Blizz/Warcraft?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orc

They have a long history!