A game true to its origins, this is one for the fans.
User Rating: 7.5 | The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring XBOX
This game has received some bad reviews. The complaints are pretty similar- gameplay is rather repetitive, the fighting system is clumsy. I can't disagree with these comments, as they are quite true. However, I've also heard it said it doesn't capture the magic of the books- incorrect. The game to me looks fantastic, and one of the few things critically acclaimed was its soundtrack which was sublime. It also allows one to explore the locations in the book, and one of my favourite moments was meeting Tom Bombadil. The game dealt with so much more of the book than the films, and speaking as a long-time fan of the book, it was truly magical to explore Middle-earth in such a way. Many of the hours were spent in the Shire for me, wandering around and feeling delighted as the magic of the first part of the book came alive in a way I couldn't have anticipated. But the critics have a point, and the game has rather grating failings- this could have been perfect, but only managed great.
