Battle for Middle-earth rages again

EA ships the sequel to its popular Lord of the Rings-inspired PC real-time strategy game; Xbox 360 version coming later in the year.

Of all the games based on the Lord of the Rings, the most critically acclaimed was the Battle for Middle-earth. The PC real-time strategy game let players control any of the various good and evil armies that warred for control of the realms in author J.R.R. Tolkien's novels. Like other EA Rings games, it featured art assets and video clips from director Peter Jackson's multibillion-dollar-grossing film trilogy based on the aforementioned books.

Today, EA announced it has shipped the sequel to the popular RTS, which is appropriately titled The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II. Rated T for Teen, the standard retail version of the game costs $49.99. As is becoming the trend with many high-profile releases, however, it is also available in a $59.99 Limited Edition, which features a DVD sporting a "making-of" documentary, as well as exclusive, in-game content.

Like its predecessor, The Battle for Middle-earth II will sport the orc and human armies featured in the films. However, it will also sport a whole heap of Tolkien-inspired content that didn't make it to the big screen. On the side of good, players will be able to take control of separate dwarven and elven armies, as well as a reworked human faction that will include both the defenders of Gondor and the horseman of Rohan. If you'd prefer to serve the Dark Lord Sauron, you can now control the all-new "goblins and monsters" faction, which includes the hungry spiders of Mirkwood forest and the dwellers of the mines of Moria. The game will also include an all-new hero creation system , which will let players fashion and foster individual leaders of their armies.

GameSpot's review of The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II will be up later this week. In the meantime, consult our extensive previous coverage for more details on the game, an Xbox 360 version of which is due later this year.

23 Comments

  • darkfireking905

    Posted Jun 6, 2006 6:10 pm PT

    I'd don't think it'll be better then the PC but whatever im still gettin it

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Mar 1, 2006 5:07 am PT

    i'm waiting to see the 360 version get 2 or 3 full points less than the pc version's rating........ rts with a controller? hahahahahaha

  • FuguNabe

    Posted Mar 1, 2006 2:24 am PT

    EA milking milking everything to death.. what's new!?

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Mar 1, 2006 12:02 am PT

    cool

  • NERDSFOREVER

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 10:10 pm PT

    damn i have to spend 100 bucks for two great RTS games in the same week(EaW) damn oh well goodbye savings

  • 777rak

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 9:48 pm PT

    Man I hope I can get this game. I enjoyed the first one.

  • Leogelol

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 7:44 pm PT

    I WANNA PLAY THIS GAME SO BADD lol

  • GreyFoxV1

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 6:59 pm PT

    Why did we get a "gold" announcement?

  • i_love_my_ds

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 6:29 pm PT

    they announce a 360 version after the PC one is released? not very smart if u ask me.

  • cybergooch

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 6:16 pm PT

    How did a keyboard really come into play for the original? other than typing a taunt to another player, it seemedd a point and click style game.

  • younggotti

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 4:32 pm PT

    If it's to be succesfull on the 360, you'd better be able to connect a mouse and keyboard. If not it will flop.

  • Lord_Foortwenti

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 4:01 pm PT

    Isn't it possible that the two races featured in the demo just weren't good at sieging and were balanced for other things? Maybe sieging is still a part of the game, just other races are stronger in it

  • alberto2045

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 2:54 pm PT

    WOW THAT LIMITED EDITION KEY SET IS GOOD FIRST TIME IVE SEEN IT PRETTY COOL I DONT KNOW ABOUT THE GAME SINCE IVE NEVER PLAY ONE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE EARTH BEFORE.

  • doomed51

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 1:16 pm PT

    this game wont be all that great.....

  • jonnyjd

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 1:08 pm PT

    Gondor again calls for aid. Who shall answer? ...yea...that will be me.

  • AlexWills

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 12:23 pm PT

    Ill be gettin this one for my PC, I dont have high hopes for the 360 version.

  • Donkeljohn

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 11:51 am PT

    One game to rule them all.

  • Sturm08

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 11:47 am PT

    I'll be grabbing this one. I just finished AOE III and need more RTS love.

  • Spartan4001

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 11:45 am PT

    Can't wait for this game

  • kaziechameleon

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 11:25 am PT

    the BFME 2 demo sucked because they removed the neccessity for sieging and so walls seem like a waste of time since basic infantry can easily crumble it in a few seconds, and more importantly siege weapons aren't nearly as important. plus repairing walls is a pain. yeah they have alot more races but the new more retarted base building betrays the awsome seiges of the original game.

  • teh_ownerer

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 11:19 am PT

    It should be fine even though it will get alot of criticism, i used to play Red Alert all day on my PS1 and that was before the Analog controllers and i never complained, i played them very well.

  • Amidamaru_01

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 11:19 am PT

    Let's hope the 360 version works out.

  • Nedemis

    Posted Feb 28, 2006 11:11 am PT

    should be really interesting to see how well an RTS can be done on the 360...

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