The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - T

This game is extremely violent with a primary goal of hunting and killing Orcs and other monsters.

Publisher: Electronic Arts/Maxis Category/Genre: Video Games - Action/Adventure Price: $49.99 Graphics: Excellent 3-D graphics. Strong attention to minute details. Playability: Difficult at first to learn complicated moves and to follow character in melees, but online reminder button of combinations for moves is helpful. Reading Level: Middle school Release Date: 09/28/2003 ESRB Rating: T

Common Sense Note

This game is extremely violent with a primary goal of hunting and killing Orcs and other monsters. The intense graphics contribute a sense of realism to the violence. The game does not have strong language or sexual overtones, and the violence is all couched in the fantasy "good versus evil" concept.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Erik Lande

THE TWO TOWERS is a fantasy action-adventure game based on the extremely popular Lord of the Rings movies. The goal of the developers was to let the player become part of the movie, and they succeeded with a combination of intense graphics and strong attention to details. The game allows the player to reenact scenes from the movie or play new ones using hero characters from the movie (Aragorn, Legolas, or Gimli). As players gain experience with their characters, they can upgrade the characters with new and complex combat moves. Also, as players advance in the game, they unlock numerous extras about the movies and game, including interviews with the actors and film-makers, movie photos, and secret missions.

This game will be very enjoyable for most teenage players, but what should be noted is the great amount of realistic violence provided in this game. The game often begins scenarios with movie excerpts, and it attempts to match the violence of the movie both in the size of battles and in the complex sword and arrow wounds and attacks. While this game is visually intriguing and lets players join a favorite movie, parents will likely wish to consider the amount of violence to which it is exposing their children.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content
Violence Graphic fantasy violence, with an obvious attention to death and dying. Grotesque characters as seen in movie, probably not disturbing to most teens.
Language
Message
	Social Behavior
	Commercialism An ad for the movie franchise.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco
	Educational Value Strong focus on killing moves, fighting in general, lacks the softer aspects of the movie.