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Excellent.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 28 / 29
Date: November 25, 2003
Author: Amazon User

First off, this is a portable game. Portable games are not meant to live up to console games, and they don't. However, the can still be immensly enjoyable, and this game is a prime example. Why? Well, I'll tell you.

This is a sequel to last year's Two Towers game. So the gameplay is very similiar, but with some welcome tweaks and gameplay differences that add to the game. Here are some examples:

The characters attacks have more animation. (What I mean by this is that their attacks have more moves) All you do to attack is press the B button of course, but unlike in the Two Towers, your character does more than one monotonus motion. This is a very welcome tweak to gameplay.

While this is only a little thing, you can see reflections in the water of your character. This adds to the realism of the game greatly.

Do you remember in The Two Towers when you could heal at any time with your active skill of Herbal Healing? This was convenient, because in the midst of a fray, if you were getting low on health and had enough Spirit Points, you could heal with the press of a button. To do that in this game, you must have Kingsfoil herbs in your backpack. If you have no herbs, you can't heal. (In turn, healing does not deplete spirit points any more). I suppose this makes the game more realistic, but it also makes it much harder.

Okay. I've listed the three major gameplay changes. Now to tell about the game.

It follows the plot of the movie very closely. You go to Orthanc, the Paths of the Dead, Gondor, Mordor, and many more places. If you play as a different character, you get different levels. Here are the players you can play as.

Aragorn. The best hand-to-hand fighter in the game. Those who have played the Two Towers remember his two-sword capability. He still has that in this game, but it is no longer a passive skill.

Legolas. The best fighter, period.

Gandalf. While Gandalf is not the best fighter, he is the funnest character to play as because of the places he goes, namely Gondor.

Gimli. Sadly, Gimli is one of the worst fighters in the game. Howver, you will probably want to play as him, because he was not a playable character in TTT

Frodo. Frodo I think, is the second funnest character to play as. (He goes to Mordor!!)

Eowyn. Why in the world would anyone want to play as her?

While this is mainly an action game, it has some interesting role-playing elements to it that are not on the console version of the game. You can pick up and equip items that you find along the way. These items include various types of weapons, armor, shoes, gloves, helmets, and many other things. You really do have to pay attention to this. It is critical to beating the game. When you kill an orc, he might drop something. Stand on the item and press the R button to pick it up. It will be put inside your backpack, which is accsessible with a press of the Start button. If you find an item which is better than what you are using, put it on!! (Press the A button and choose Equip) You can also sell items at forges for gems.

In this game, the more orcs you kill, the more experience points you earn. When you earn enough experience points, you will be able to upgrade your strength, accuracy, defense, health, and so on. You absolutely must know how to do this, and do it throughout the game. If you don't, you will never beat it. This is how it works: To the left of the screen, there is a little bar that gets filled with green as you kill more orcs. When you kill enough, you will hear a sound and the green stuff will be gone. Here is what to do. Press the start button to go to your backpack. When you are there, press the L button. You will be taken to a screen that has all your attribute listed. (strength, accuracy, health, defense, and courage). Use your directional pad to raise there numbers. (Tip: The only attributes that you really need to raise are your Strength and Accuracy. Every once in while, put some points in you're defense and health. Never even bother with courage. In fact, sometimes just put all 5 points in strength. The more strength you have, the less hits it takes to kill enemies. This is crucial. Accuracy is also crucial. The more accurate you are, the less likely it is for your opponent to block your attack.) When your done, hit the R button again to go to the Passive and Active skill screen. Passive skills are like attributes, always in affect. Active skills are active, and you press the A button to use them. These are usually long range attacks, magic attacks, and power-ups. (Jeeze, I'd love to just give an entire walkthrough of this game, but it would take a lot more than 1,000 words!!)

However, here are the downfalls of the game.

1: I wish they had made it a bit more like the console version, where you can use both a sword and a bow. As Legolas, you can only use a bow. And it is very unrealistic the way he just goes Toing..Toing..Toing.. Time after time, and never runs out. And as for everybody else, there long range attacks are active skills, and drain spirit points.

2: It is much, much harder than the Two Towers ever was. Some parts can be downright maddening, to the point where you want to just take a sledgehammer to the whole thing. But calm down, take a break, come back later and try again. You will get past it eventually.

But now I must cut short this review. If I ever get ahold of any cheat codes, I will revise the review with them. This is an awesome game, and a must have for a portable gamer. If you are a console gamer, get the PS2, Xbox, or Gamecube versions, which are even better.

HALLELUJAH!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 17 / 17
Date: January 06, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game is so awesome, it's ridiculous. Obviously, Game Boy games are at a major disadvantage when compared to most console or PC games, simply because you can't pack that much into a cartridge. Even so, I think ROTK beats out any other handheld game, and even some of my Playstation games! It's amazing!
Pros:
- Top-notch graphics
- Easy-to-use controls, good for even first-timers
- Provides a good challenge (in later levels, anyway)
- Has more available characters than either previous LOTR game
- Excellent replay value - play it again and again, and keep the same character leveling up!
- Much more realistic than TT. You actually have to WORK to heal. Imagine that.
- Just plain cool!
Cons:
- Legolas is the only one with a worthwhile ranged attack, and Eowyn doesn't even have one.
- Legolas is the only one who can charge up his standard B attack by holding down B button. In TT, everyone could.

As for the characters...

Aragorn is a solid hitter, especially if you give him two weapons instead of just one and a shield. Late-game, when he's leveled up, he can deal massive damage with a single blow.

Gandalf is really powerful IF you know how to use him. Otherwise, I wouldn't suggest playing as him if you are a first-timer. His Lightstrike is positively deadly with good Courage.

Gimli is, sadly, not the best fighter in the game. In fact, he pretty much sucks. But hey, every game has its ups and downs, right?

Eowyn is the fastest attacker in the game, barring Legolas with Galadriel's Blessing. Her sword moves like greased lightning, and if you upgrade her Strength and Accuracy, she's a walking Cuisinart. Her one major problem: NO RANGED ATTACK! AAAAAGGHH!

Legolas is by far the single best character. Period. His ranged attack is fast, powerful, and doesn't use Spirit. His White Knives lets him use a melee blade at very little Spirit cost. He is one of the fastest characters, especially with Fleet of Foot. I find it hard to die playing as Legolas, even when I'm TRYING to.

Frodo sucks. End of story. Pathetic attack power, few HP, and he can't pick up anything bigger than an orcsword. If you got good with him, I'm sorry for insulting him, but you've got to admit, he is the worst fighter in the game. At least his active skills don't cost much Spirit.

So that's it! This game is great! It follows the movie very well, has engrossing gameplay and storylines, and is generally the best Game Boy game EVER! WOO-HOO!

Best LOTR game on ANY Platform!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 14 / 14
Date: December 14, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Having lived in and with the 'Two Towers' GBA version of Middle Earth for a year with a vicarious sense of true participation in the Quest, I awaited the release of 'Return of the King' breathlessly. It surpasses even my high expectations, frankly. It is a more difficult game to win, and the creators of this game have refined the item acquisitions to allow only characters who have reached a certain level to use them. The addition of 'Ranger Hollows' where characters can stash valuable items either for their own future use or for the use of other members of the Fellowship is useful and enhances player strategy. The graphics are even more stunning than those of the Two Towers.
I personally prefer the GBA version to others such as Playstation because it allows a player to LIVE in Middle Earth rather than simply fighting enemies endlessly. One is able to explore the different realms. The search for artifacts encourages this sort of exploration. I do not mind the small size of the GBA screen now that I have the SP version, as the images are crisp. In fact, I like the fact that it is portable and that one can play in Middle Earth ANYWHERE without advertising the fact to the world! A lot of people seem to think that I am using a PalmPilot for 'serious' business when really I am engaged in the vital struggle between good and evil to save Middle Earth from the Shadow...

The Best Action Game EVER for GBA!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 14 / 15
Date: May 17, 2005
Author: Amazon User

The other reviews I've read really don't do this game justice. I don't know about you, but I'm a complete LOTR fanatic, and it annoys me no end to see 'ogsgilioth' instead of Osgiliath or 'shilob's lair' instead of Shelob's lair. And what about "Erowyn"'s part at the Battle of "Pleanor" Fields? Oh brother. Take it from a LOTR and video game expert, this game is AWESOME. The best RPG handheld experience out there, this game features completely customizable stats, skill trees, and quite literally millions of item combinations.

There are 6 characters to choose from, each with their own pros and cons. I like Legolas for long range, "Arogorn" for hand-to-hand combat and Eowyn for speed. "gimly" is a new addition to the single-player mode, being available only in TTT's multiplayer. ROTK has hundreds of short levels based on locations from the movie, each brimming with baddies varying from "olks" and goblins to trolls and Nazgul. And don't forget the "elephants" that one reviewer found so intimidating.

This game is an improvement over The Two Towers in that there are bonus levels you can play single-player to up your character's level, and also the Ranger Hollow, which allows you to move an item from one of your characters to another, which could only be accomplished through multiplayer in TTT. A bit more reality is introduced, healing being brought about through athelas {kingsfoil-you can carry up to 2o at a time} and other such items, Legolas's special arrows being found in numbered sets instead of infinite supplies {drat!}, and a 5-point limit to skills instead of a 20-point one {drat again}. Also, items have minimum levels, meaning a level 3 Frodo couldn't use a level 6 knife. The gameplay is superior to any other action/adventure GBA game I've ever played, a straightforward go-get-'em kind of fighting. Plus, after you beat the game once, you can go through it again with your character at their present level, collect more items, and learn more skills.

What with the DS and all, I'm not sure if anyone buys this game anymore-the other reviews don't seem to have been read much. I, for one, have a DS but also have all 3 movie-based LOTR GBA games. I am waiting impatiently for a LOTR game to come out for DS......

Bottom line? This is an awesome game for any LOTR-loving gamer, whether you have a GBA, GBA SP, or DS. Infinite replay value, voiceovers from the original actors, movie soundtrack exerpts, pure LOTR action.....what more can anyone possibly want {besides the aforesaid LOTR DS game}?????

Best GBA game from the LOTR Series..

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 17
Date: August 31, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Although this hasn't come out yet, a game message board I post at has an insight about what the game is like. Much better graphics than the Two Towers game! In this game, you may play as about 6-7 people. The missions are very close to the book, and the characters are very detailed. In this game, you get to play as Gimli, the ax swinging dwarf who is a favorite character to many. The missions are very self relient, in terms that the Three hunters are split up in most of the book, Gandalf is running around Middle Earth protecting Peppin, and of course, Sam and Frodo, trying to get into Mordor to destroy the ring. You have new skills in this game, compared to the last one. Some new things include, playing as Gimli outside of the miltiplayer levels, the new characters, (you play as Sam for a shor while, because, we'll, you'll see!) more items, longer missions, better graphics, much better AI, and new abilities for your skills and attributes. Like I mentioned before, a board I go to has insights about the game, mainly because 2 people who worked on it go to the boards and give us tidbits. Listen, if you liked the Two Towers, this is a must have! Better graphics, better AI, better weapons, everything is better about this game. If you would like to follow news about the game, just go to any game website, and look for it. I already pre ordered the game for here, this is the best game from the Lord of the Rings series for GBA!

The King of all Games

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 11
Date: March 10, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The best RPG I have ever played even better than The Two Towers version which I thought was best best then. Although similar to the second game this one offers a lot more levels, hours of gameplay and characters. You can now play as Gimli in single-player mode. He is quite boring to play but it's a change. Eowyn is finally out of a dress and can actually swing a sword. Gandalf looks more like himself with the white staff and billowing robes than in Two Towers. Aragon hasn't changed apart from the new outfit, Legolas can shoot two arrows when you passlevel 20 and Frodo is basically the same. I was disapointed that you could not play as Merry and Pippin. They are essential to the storyline too you know! They weren't mentioned or seen in The Two Towers game at all. Overall this game is a masterpiece for the GBA, the graphics are excellent, the soundtrack is superb basically the best game GBA will ever produce!

Awesome game based on the movie.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 14
Date: September 03, 2005
Author: Amazon User

EA's Two Towers game was highly enjoyable and fun but this years Return of the King title puts it to shame.

Gimli was added as a playable character and that makes 6 characters which can be played from the beginning. And later on Sam and Gollum can even be unlocked and played. And let me tell you, Gollum is challenging but loads of fun...

Everything from last years Two Towers game is back but better than ever. The compass is easier to read so you cant get lost, there is an auto healing function to heal easier in battle, the skills are greatly expanded, and the items are much more diverse and fun.
The amount of levels, characters, skills, and gameplay in this is staggering! There are new difficulties to play as you progress, better items to hunt for, and unlockable characters and secret levels. This game plain old rocks!

If you want a massive, fun, and great game based on the Lord of the Rings then look no further. This title is easily one of the best Gameboy games available now.

Hail to the King

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 11 / 13
Date: December 19, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Basically identical to EA's GBA Two Towers which was released last year, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King for the GBA is a near excellent hack and slasher/RPG that manages to improve on just about every aspect of the last game. Playing on an isometric point of view similar to Diablo, you can initially play as Frodo, Aragorn, Gandalf, Eowyn, Gimli, and Legolas; each character's story takes you throughout different portions of the game, meaning to see and play Return of the King in it's true entirity you must beat the game as each character. The graphics are nearly identical to that of Two Towers, while the music, audio, and controls have been slightly improved and touched up here and there. While at it's heart the game may appear to be a simple hack & slasher, Return of the King's ability to build up your character makes the game instantly re-playable, and this is undoubtadly one of the best action games to be released on the GBA this year. All in all, Return of the King for the GBA is a must have for GBA owners who love Tolkien's world.

Best game I ever purchased!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: October 09, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This is a game I never get tired of playing! I love the addition of Gimli, the better weapons selection, Eowyn and Aragorn being able to carry certain axes, and Legolas's hawk attacks are more effective. The only thing I don't care for is that Eowyn wasn't equipped with the ability to stun opponents like she was able to do in The Two Towers. This made it a bit difficult to for her to fight foes and it required me to spend a lot of time getting her past level 20 so I wouldn't get my butt kicked by the Witch King! This game was filled with more exciting battles and new foes and allies. It will quickly become exciting and addicting as you make your way to Mount Doom to defeat Sauron! If you have The Two Towers this game will be a little easy to win but if you don't then you are in for quite a game. I wouldn't recommend this game for children but for avid LOTR fans, I highly recommend it!

BEST GAME THAT I HAVE EVER PLAYED ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: July 23, 2004
Author: Amazon User

PLEASE NOTE: I do not recommend this game for little kids because there is alot of violence in it, if you have not seen the movies then watch them and then play the game is my opinion. Now on to the review ! ! ! !

This game has excellent graphics, and all the characters look real. Music and Sound effects are great! It has the same music played in the movies. You can choose from playing as Frodo, Gimli, Legolas, Eowyn, Gandalf, and Aragorn. Not to mention the possibility of unlocking bonus maps and bonus characters. In between levels it shows sort of cartoon characters [but they look so real!] doing something that has to do with the next level, for example the part where gandalf goes to Orthanc, and a caption underneath. As you play the more orcs and uruk-hai that you destroy, the higher level you get. And the higher the level the better a warrior you become, whether by becoming ecspeicially resiliant to attacks, knowing how to heal with herbs or speical attacks.

Aragorn- By Far Aragorn is one of the best characters to choose from [so is legolas], he has the most attack the quickest and whenever I play I always find better stuff [weapons, shields, cloaks, etc.] He can equip two swords [unfortuanatly no T-swords awww... oh well] or a sheild and a sword. Overall grade: A+

Legolas- Legolas is good too, when you attack with Legolas, do it from a distance, he can also attack with a small blade when you buy it with your skill points. It's hard when there are many orcs and uruk-hai. You can charge up his attack by pressing the B Button and holding it until there is a blue circle around him. Overall grade: A

Eowyn- She may be a girl but in this game she fights better then most other characters! She can use only a knife as far as I know, but she can attack very strong and is has alot of defence, plus she's got different special moves then Aragorn, who also uses only as sword. Overall grade: B

Frodo- Frodo is good mainly for a person who likes a challenge. He is not that good in stats to began with, but levels up quicker, or so I find. Overall grade: D

Gimli- Gimli is pretty good. He follows Legolas and Aragorn so they battle with gimli too. He uses only axes. But axes can be better then swords sometimes. Overall grade: C+

Gandalf- Gandalf is very powerful if you upgrade him. Overall Grade: B-

The music is pretty cool, plus you can team up in multi-player mode, or hook up to a gamecube.

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