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The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth PC
  • Publisher: EA Games
  • Release Date: Dec 6, 2004
The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth Image
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Metascore
82 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 58 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth is an unprecedented real-time strategy game that delivers the epic scope and depth of J.R.R. Tolkien's amazing world. You are in complete control of the epic battles as depicted in all three installments of the blockbuster The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. From waging all-out combat among Middle-earth’s vast armies to controlling your favorite heroes while managing the resources of your side, the fate of a living, breathing Middle-earth is in your hands. Built upon the acclaimed "Command & Conquer Generals" 3D game engine, The Battle for Middle-earth allows you to command the forces of light or darkness in two separate campaigns. You'll have to choose your forces wisely, since each army has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Complete with all of the epic music, actor voices, and other film assets seamlessly integrated into the game, The Battle for Middle-earth offers a truly memorable entertainment experience. Command the heroes and armies of Middle-earth in over 25 missions based on all three films. Control one of four unique sides, each with its own playing styles, resource management, and base-building techniques. [Electronic Arts]… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 42
  3. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. Detroit Free Press
    100
    Middle Earth isn't a strategy game for hardcore fans, but it's a well-thought-out, well-designed, well-animated entry. And the atmosphere, visuals and sounds from the movie trilogy definitely make that simplicity both welcome and worthwhile.
  2. Worth Playing
    95
    Perhaps the best RTS I have ever played, despite the fact that the source material bores me to tears.
  3. Games Radar
    73
    Beneath the flash, the sampled voices, orchestral score, magnificent landscapes and monstrous animation lies a mess of inexplicable design decisions, bizarre mechanics, Fisher Price strategy and a strange disregard for Tolkien's story... It doesn't love the source material as much as you or I. And that's the biggest frustration of all. [PC Gamer UK]

See all 42 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 32
  3. Negative: 6 out of 32
  1. Sesshomaru764
    10
    Battle For Middle-Earth is a really fun and enjoyable game it is very well made and has years upon years of gameplay and has stunning graphics for such an old game. This games campaign will drag you inside MIddle-Earth and allow you to follow in the footsteps of the movies. If you are a Lord Of The Rings fan this is a must get, I have been playing it for some time now and I enjoy it much more then any other game like StarCraft2. It has a few problems because if you have a large monitor for whatever reason doesn't let you start up the game but that can be fixed my going to the EA website and finding the solution to that problem. The people of EA LA are a great game developer and hopefully they will keep up the great job.… Expand
    • 2 of 2 users said yes
  2. Bill
    6
    This game does a nice job of packing all the memorable characters and locations from the movies into a RTS package. That said, the game is long, repetitive and lacks any strategic depth. It is great fun to stampede infantry with cavalry, but that is all you need to know to beat the game. And after 30 levels of playing equine bulldozer, you will be bored to tears. My advice: skip the optional levels - the required story-driven levels (Helm's Deep, Gondor, etc.) are the best part of the game anyway. And don't bother with the "evil" campaign - your successes don't alter the basic storyline and you miss many of the games better moments.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. JamesK.
    2
    No AI, no strategy. What else is new with Westwood-engine-based games. Plays like a brainless piece of crap, but then again that never stopped most other RTS successes before.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 32 User Reviews

Trailers

Recommended Products

  1. The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II

    The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II Image

  2. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

    • Release Date: Oct 22, 2002
    • Platform: PC
    The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Image

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