Lord of the Rings: The Third Age (GameCube)

1. Too linear
2. Too easy

Nice graphics, great presentation, impressive fight sequences, but it's almost impossible to die. I played on the default medium setting and only died once, when I first met the boss at the end of the Moria level. Second time, I killed him.

Levels are generally so linear that you just have to keep going forward, opening every chest and killing every monster in order to complete it.

It is still fun, and pretty frantic at times, and when you face four goblins and a cave troll in battle your heart does pound.

I'd recommend this if you can pick it up cheaper than full price, if you're a die-hard LotR fan or if you just want a turn-based battle game, but not if you're an RPG afficionado or in search of a challenge.

If they make a sequel and learn a few lessons from this one it could be very impressive.


Fun, but too short   November 17, 2004
5 out of 8 found this review helpful

This game is, in many ways, a welcome relief from the 'slash 'em up' lord of the rings games that preceded it. An alternate storyline is presented, with new characters that can interact with ones from the movies, e.g. Gandalf and Aragorn. The battle system is fun and the random battles are not overly frequent, as is the case in many RPGs. The graphics are good, and the score comes straight out of the movies. The original actors also provide their services while voicing the characters that are included (Ian McKellen must have spent ages recording all of his stuff).
However, this game is rather easy, i.e. difficult to die, and after less than a week i am already 65% complete.
There is plenty to come back for, though, including an evil mode and co-operative.
Overall, probably the best LOTR game available, but there are other RPGs to give greater enjoyment.


Best lotr game yet   January 4, 2005
2 out of 4 found this review helpful

Its good with all new characters and scenes. the graphics are quite decent and the attacks are good. there is one problem, this is that the gameplay is too slow. the new battle system takes too long but i find the slash 'em up style used in the return of the king better.

all in all its a good game and the best lotr game yet


Good ,Getting better,And then its just... well....BAD   January 23, 2006
2 out of 5 found this review helpful

At first many think this game is exelent and adictive and they are right.You are amazed by grapics and great gameplay and when you are out of moria it is a very good game.But and it is a big but the game goes downhill fron then on. the gameplaay becomes more vivd and it less satisfying. is bareable until helms deep and then BOOOM!! the game loses all its magig and zip as you fing your self magicly transported to osgiliath the game is so long and drery doing endless walking and fighting its tereble from then on.And its to damm short! only buy if a serious tolken fan