 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth
Common Sense Media says
Excellent and addictive.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a battle game but it's about strategy more than anything else. Yes, it's all fighting but as T games go, this one is less bothersome than many -- no blood, no close-ups. It's easy enough for inexperienced kids to get hooked, yet it becomes quite challenging tand keeps kids playing. This game has an online option; Common Sense Media does not recommend online play for anyone under 12.
What's it about?
Drawing from all three Lord of the Rings movies, players can command any of their heroes and armies as they battle for control of Middle-Earth. This is a real-time strategy game that allows players to choose their armies -- Gondor, Mordor, Isengard, or Rohan -- each of which comes with its own heroes and villains.
The game allows the player to be good or evil and control one of four groups each of which has its own playing style, resource management, and base-building techniques. The game is played across a three-dimensional Middle-earth map. The armies express emotions, cheering each other on but also becoming enraged at times. Players can challenge each other with the online multiplayer component.
Is it any good?
The standard strategy options are all here, but what really makes THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH so captivating (besides the excellent graphics and sound) is that the game invites the player into the battlegrounds of the movies. It's an intimate battle game without being too violent. Ultimately, this game is an imaginative kid's dream.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what they find so compelling about the game and tryto use it as a way to get the kids to read the original books.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
AWESOME!!!
This is a GREAT game!!! I've played it for hours at a time! I never seem 2 get tired of it. There are 4 factions: Gondor, Rohan, Isenguard, and Mordor. Also, if you're worried about magic, there is none (minus a few lightning sword and fireball abilities possessed by Gandalf and Saruman) It helps depict the epic struggle between good and evil displayed in the movies. A MUST HAVE 4 FANS OF the MOVIES AND REAL-TIME STRATEGY GAMERS!!!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I LIKE this game!!!
This is a REALLY great game!!! The gameplay is good, and the Campaigns are better, but have no depth and start at completely unnecessary points in the story. The Good Campaign starts in the middle of the first book/movie, and the Evil Campaign starts 3/4 of the way through the second book/movie!!!
The violence is really low, but there are death cries that sound like people throwing up. There's no blood, but the game is rated T, so when people die they clutch their sides and fall down, and larger creatures like Trolls die too dramatically. Also, when Trolls or giant elephants die their skin melts into the ground, revealing their skeleton.
Overall, this is a great game, and the Campagin is actually really fun. Still, if you want a better player-versus-computer mode, then get the second one.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
This game is fun!
I got this for Christmas and ever since then thats the only video game Ive played. Its realy fun. Its vilont.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
This is one of the best games I have ever played.
A great game the best Lord of The Rings game I have ever played but it is rated T For teen and does have a lot of violence.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Great RTS
Everyone should give this game a chance, it is one of the best games to date.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
FUN!!!
This game is GREAT! This is a great game for any kid ages 7+. The violence is minimal, all that is shown is a group of warriors fighting another by swinging their swords around (which rarely actually hit) and some of the warriors dying, and all that's shown there is a warrior falling over and sinking into the ground, in other words...NO BLOOD! Hoorah! Note to parents: one Skirmish takes about 1 to 1.5 hrs, but you can save your progress.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
SWEET!!
This game is really cool. It is easy to play and understand. The violence isn't bad and it is not one of those games that you buy and you have beaten it by 8:00 that night. I've had the game for a year and im still have not gotten past Minhistirith(is that right?) on hard for the good side.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Platforms: | Windows |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Strategy |
| Developer: | Electronic Arts |
| Release date: | December 6, 2004 |
| Price: | $49.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E |
Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.
Review It
Tell us what you think about our new Learning Ratings. We value your feedback.
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
vote now
Will you play The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth?
Already played it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
