CNET Networks Entertainment GameSpot | GameFAQs | SportsGamer | Metacritic | MP3.com | TV.com
Home | About Metacritic | About Metascores | What's New | Wireless Versions | Discussion Forums | Advertising Inquiries | Contact Us | RSS
Metacritic.com: We Deal With Criticism
     Help
> Switch to Advanced Search  
Film Video/DVD Music Games TV

Games

Playstation Reviews
PS3 | PS2 | PS One | PSP

Xbox Reviews
Xbox 360 | Xbox

Nintendo Reviews
Wii | DS | GBA | Cube | N64


PC | N-Gage | Dreamcast

How Metascores Are Calculated
Discuss Games In Our Forums

 

Upcoming & Recent Releases

sort by name sort by score

xx Aces of the Galaxy
80 Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures
55 Alone in the Dark
xx Ancient Quest of Saqqarah
50 Art of Murder: FBI Confidential
xx Backyard Baseball '09
xx Beauty Factory
44 Beijing 2008
54 Belief & Betrayal
90 Bionic Commando Rearmed
xx Birth of America II: Wars in America 1750-1815
xx Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway
xx Building & Co: You Are The Architect!
xx Chaos Theory
xx Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, The
xx Code of Honor 2: Conspiracy Island
xx Code of Honor: The French Foreign Legion
xx Combat Mission Shock Force - Marines
xx Concerto Gate
73 Crazy Machines 2
51 Crimes of War
xx Crysis Warhead
xx Dark Horizon
xx Dead Mountaineer's Hotel
xx Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm
78 Devil May Cry 4
xx Dracula 3: The Path of the Dragon
70 Dracula: Origin
xx Dragons Rage
xx Dreamlords: The Reawakening
xx Emergency 4: Global Fighters for Life
xx Empire: Total War
xx Europa Universalis III: In Nomine
xx Exodus from the Earth
77 FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage
xx Galactic Dream: Rage of War
xx Geo-Political Simulator
xx Ghostbusters: The Video Game
xx Goin' Downtown
88 GRID
xx GTR Evolution
xx Guild Wars 2
xx Gumboy Tournament
xx Happy Tree Friends False Alarm
xx Hell's Kitchen
xx Igor The Game
63 Immortals of Terra: A Perry Rhodan Adventure, The
32 Incredible Hulk, The
66 Insecticide: Episode 1
xx International Cricket Captain 2008
71 Kung Fu Panda
xx LEGO Batman
79 LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
xx Limbo of the Lost
xx Line Rider 2: Unbound
77 Lost Cases Of Sherlock Holmes, The
74 Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition
90 Mass Effect
xx Mercenaries 2: World in Flames
xx MindHabits
xx Mount & Blade
xx Murder in the Abbey
79 Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice
xx NHL 09
xx Nostradamus: The Last Prophecy
82 Out of the Park Baseball 9
xx Overspeed: High Performance Street Racing
xx Paws & Claws: Pet Vet Australian Adventures
78 Penny Arcade Adventures Epsiode One: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness
xx Penumbra: Requiem
xx Planet Busters
74 Political Machine 2008, The
xx Princess Bride Game, The
40 Pro Cycling Manager: Season 2008
xx Pure
xx Racing Team Manager
xx Requiem: Bloodymare
xx Romance of The Three Kingdoms XI
70 Roogoo
77 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
50 Samurai Warriors 2
67 SBK-08 Superbike World Championship
xx Shattered Suns
xx Silent Hill: Homecoming
62 SimCity Societies Destinations
72 Sims 2 Apartment Life, The
xx Sims 2 IKEA Home Stuff, The
xx Sinking Island
xx Sniper: Art of Victory
xx Space Chimps
58 Space Siege
87 Spore
83 Spore Creature Creator
73 Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner
45 Stronghold Crusader Extreme
71 Summer Athletics
xx Supernova 2: Spacewar
67 Supreme Ruler 2020
xx Sword of the Stars: A Murder of Crows
xx Tank Universal
38 Terrorist Takedown 2: U.S. Navy SEALs
xx Terrorist Takedown: Conflict in Mogadishu
xx Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction
xx Top Trumps: Doctor Who
xx Total Extreme Wrestling 2008
83 TrackMania United Forever
xx Ubersoldier 2: The End of Hitler
67 UEFA Euro 2008
63 WALL-E
xx War Leaders: Clash of Nations
xx Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
67 Warhammer: Mark of Chaos - Battle March

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.



Printer-Friendly Version Email This Page Discuss In Our Forums
Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth pc Game Reviews
Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth
Critic Score
Metascore: 82 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
7.6 out of 10
based on 42 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 46 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

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]

PUBLISHER: Electronic Arts
DEVELOPER: Electronic Arts LA
GENRE(S): Real-Time Strategy
PLAYERS: 8
ESRB RATING: T (Teen)
RELEASE DATE: December 6, 2004

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
Detroit Free Press
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.
Read Full Review
95
Worth Playing
Perhaps the best RTS I have ever played, despite the fact that the source material bores me to tears.
Read Full Review
93
DailyGame
The production and sheer addiction make it easy to overlook the occasional camera problem.
Read Full Review
90
GMR Magazine
A spectacular work with an attention to detail that rivals the Peter Jackson films upon which it's based. [Feb 2005, p.96]
90
GamePro
Simplicity works both and for against BFME: on one hand it's appealing to the less hardcore, on the other it may leave those who enjoyed more complex games like "Kohan II" yearning for a bit more.
Read Full Review
90
Pelit (Finland)
Great! The AI issues that plagued the European review version are long gone. Last year's second best RTS. The only thing lacking is modelling the morale of the troops. [Jan. 05]
88
Computer Games Online RO
The overall result is excellent and probably this game together with "Rome: Total War" and "Warhammer 40k" represent the best of the RTS genre these days. Unfortunately, the system requirements proved too high sometimes, the AI had its bugs despite its quality, and this is why Battle for Middle Earth will not be one of the greatest RTS games in computer games history.
Read Full Review
88
RealGamer
With its ease of accessibility, it will appeal to most fans of the film with the exception perhaps, of only the hardcore strategists out there.
Read Full Review
86
Gamers' Temple
If you take a step back and try to pull away the The Lord of the Rings veneer, you’ll find that BFME is a competent strategy game in its own right. Add top quality production values and you have a game that holds up to the ideals and excellence of its license.
Read Full Review
86
PC Gamer
What it lacks in complexity, it more than makes up for with intense action and ease of lay that consistently draws you back for more. [Feb 2005, p.48]
86
Inside Gamer Online
Experienced players may be somewhat annoyed by the limited AI and rudimentary base building, but those drawbacks won't stand in the way of a surprisingly compelling game.
Read Full Review
85
Game Informer
It's fun, fast, and simple without being dumbed-down. [Jan 2005, p.134]
85
Warcry
The plain gameplay, awkward balance, and poor optimization are flaws to be sure, but they are offset by stellar graphics, sound effects, and voice acting (all of which make for a very immersive atmosphere).
Read Full Review
85
GameBiz
A good balance of entry level strategy and hardcore strategy and tactics.
Read Full Review
85
3DAvenue
Although you can perform the usual pan, zoom and rotate camera functions with your mouse, the camera just never feels comfortable, forcing you to constantly tweak on the fly further adding to your tasks.
Read Full Review
85
Jolt Online Gaming UK
Despite its problems, BfME easily stands up to the extraordinarily high standard of RTS titles that we’ve been treated to this year.
Read Full Review
84
GameSpot
And while it doesn't achieve the same epic sense of scale as Jackson's movies, it's still an engrossing and well-made real-time strategy game that captures the essence of J.R.R. Tolkien's wondrous world.
Read Full Review
83
IGN
The focus on combat is great, I just wish the combat had been as sterling as I had imagined it would be. The small number of units just doesn't provide the depth that I was hoping for.
Read Full Review
82
Armchair Empire
For hardcore strategy gamers Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth is a visual and aural feast but low on actual strategy since battles almost always descend into attrition.
Read Full Review
80
GamerFeed
Even though the missions may sometimes seem like an exercise in patience than of strategic might, this is still a great looking game that is a great experience to play.
Read Full Review
80
G4 TV
Though hardly a tactical marvel, Battle for Middle Earth delivers an exciting, fast-paced experience that successfully captures the feel and mood of the films.
Read Full Review
80
Computer Gaming World
A decent RTS that makes great use of a movie license. [Feb 2005, p.90]
80
games(TM)
The sheer scale of some of the battles is awe-inspiring, and with the same resource collection and unit creation system as the popular C&C games at the core of it all, there’s little fuss and you’ll be confidently laying siege to Helms Deep after just a few hours. [Jan 2005, p.109]
Read Full Review
80
AceGamez
While perhaps lacking in real variety, base and resource management are at least handled in a way that prevents dragging the game down into tedium.
Read Full Review
80
Next Level Gaming
So how do the graphics look? Well I must say I was wholly unimpressed.
Read Full Review
80
GameSpy
While veteran RTS players may have some nits to pick with the relatively solid gameplay, those same fans of The Lord of the Rings series should find that the game shines as a playable re-creation of Tolkien's work.
Read Full Review
80
EuroGamer
Would be an impressive game even if it weren't based on Lord of the Rings. It's a clever and well-constructed strategy title with plenty of innovation of its own, and a genuinely great use of the franchise. Easily the best of the Lord of the Rings games to date.
Read Full Review
80
Sydney Morning Herald
Much of the complexity of other real-time strategy titles has been stripped away to keep the game approachable and the pace lively, but it is disappointing that computer opponents are suicidally dim.
Read Full Review
80
Times Online
The interface is largely invisible, having been dramatically streamlined to make this a more intuitive experience for newcomers to the RTS genre.
Read Full Review
80
Total Video Games
An epic game that captures the spirit of the films excellently. Fans of RPG's will enjoy the experience, whilst those who love the subject material will take delight in the smaller details and back-story progression that the game offers.
Read Full Review
80
1UP
Arguably, it's good to have an RTS that is easy to jump into, but the economic systems and battle tactics might be too lightweight for some. Regardless, though, outside of starting your own New Zealand special effects company, no game will bring you closer to the battles of The Lord of The Rings.
Read Full Review
80
Yahoo! Games
Although its approach may irritate some purists, the movies' army of fans will lap it up.
Read Full Review
79
PC Format
While LOTR: BME has the makings of a great strategy title with its "Kohan II" fixed-bases and unit regeneration elements, the lack of consistency in the campaign, mixed with its more generic elements, make it a difficult game to love. [Christmas 2004, p.103]
Read Full Review
77
Ferrago
But it is the simplicity of the gameplay that is both a boon and a curse. For while BfME will appeal to many causal gamers or LOTR/RTS fans looking for some light entertainment it will seriously disappoint all those people who have been patiently waiting for the chance to lead the forces of light against the hordes of evil in a satisfyingly deep and engaging strategy game.
Read Full Review
76
My Gamer
A thoroughly enjoyable game, but it’s not going to turn the RTS genre on its ear.
Read Full Review
76
ActionTrip
The Battle for Middle-Earth is not a story-driven game. It is simply a collection of different chapters in the history of Middle-Earth that you'll have to finish to defeat the other side. You get no explanation why you need to undertake certain actions or get involved in specific missions at a certain stage of the game.
Read Full Review
75
Game Revolution
The Battle for Middle Earth will not make you a part of the films any more than you were when you watched them, nor is it an RTS of incredibly epic scope. Instead, it is a solid, fun, slightly dumbed-down RTS.
Read Full Review
73
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
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]
Read Full Review
70
Boomtown
Too lightweight to be a truly great RTS. Instead it's an amazing looking diversion that won't tax an intelligent player very much. A missed chance at something very special.
Read Full Review
70
eToychest
Typical EA first in the sense of unrelenting polish and presentation, of production values meant to wow you with glitz and glamour at every turn. Typical EA secondly in the sense of a don’t-rock-the-boat, stick-with-the-formula game that offers nothing new aside from a few odd bugs I’ve never seen in an RTS before.
Read Full Review
60
Computer Games Magazine
May not be the reinvention of the wheel, but it's certainly the best "Tolkien game" to date. [March 2005, p.70]
60
Gamer.tv
Faithful to the movie where it counts, but it's also fun and accessbile, even for non-RTS fans.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 7.6 (out of 10) based on 46 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Chris L. gave it a9:
This game was awesome. It's worth it. Much better than its sequels. It's a familiar world that you can furthermore explore (If you watched the movies).

Dillon N. gave it a10:
This game is awesome. You know exactly what to do and hot to do it. It gives you a really good tutoriul that doesnt just tell you how to play it, but it also sums all the movies up so you know what you are fighting for. The game is awesome!

Framikaze gave it a6:
Good graphic.The possibility of using many kind of units it's wonderful but...the gamplay it's repetitive and so boring.

Carl gave it a10:
sipley the best game ever great grapics and sounds this game is the best game in the world!

Sam gave it a10:
Excellent game.

Andy G. gave it a10:
Best pc game ever!

Kurt gave it a9:
The game does have some minor flaws, but the multiplayer aspect is outstanding. Get a friend or two to play along with you and it will be an instant classic.

Read more user comments...

Discuss this game in our forums

Return to top of page
Home | FILM | DVD/VIDEO | MUSIC | GAMES | TV | Forums | About Metacritic metacritic.com

Popular on CBS sites: Fantasy Football | Miley Cyrus | MLB | iPhone 3G | GPS | Recipes | Shwayze | NFL

About CNET Networks | Jobs | Advertise

© 2008 CNET Networks, Inc., a CBS Company. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use