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I'm addicted

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 44 / 44
Date: December 27, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I've been skeptical about the LotR games since I bought the PC version of Fellowship of the Ring -- not a bad game, but definitely not what I was expecting. I waited a couple of days before opening this one because I was preparing myself to be let down. Wow! Was I wrong...

LotR: Tactics is a turn-based, combat-centric strategy game based on the movies more so than the books. If you leave all the geeky fact-checking behind (trust me, I know how difficult that is... the LotR movies without Tom Bombadil??? Arwen with a sword???) and just concentrate on the game, you'll get much more enjoyment out of it.

There are six playable heroes - Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Sam, and Frodo - that appear in the Fellowship portion of the game, some are required for certain missions, others are selectable. I haven't played the other side yet, but you are also able to run the game playing the evil forces (cool!). Each character has skills that can be upgraded by purchasing buffs between battles, and all characters have access to a common pool of items you can purchase. Each character is ideally suited for one specific purpose, but mastering the game requires knowing the right combinations of skills that will accomplish goals fastest.

The combat system is pretty straightforward, as is the movement system. It is imperative to master movement strategies, as this will determine what skills and attacks are usable in various situations. Characters typically move 3 spaces per turn, but may have their movement limited by the movement of opponents or other characters. When a player character moves into contact with an opponent, the move ends for that character, which may impact other movement for the round. Because the game simultaneously moves all players/opponents, the axiom applies that the best laid plans go out the window when the battle starts.

After moving, a character can elect to attack, use an item, or make use of a skill. A melee attack can be waged against an opponent in base-to-base contact with a character, while a missile attack (bow & arrow or thrown object) can be waged against remote targets, subject to line of sight. Any character can use an item purchased between battles, but forfeits the right to an attack on that turn. Just so, skills may be used in place of an attack, with a wide variety of results, based on the character performing the act. The skill may be a special attack, a magic spell, a performance booster for one or more characters, or a special ability (Legolas and Aragorn can do light healing and provide fear resistance bonuses to allies). Each skill use requires action points (AP), which each character has to a certain degree. Controlling AP use is almost as important as monitoring character health.

Unlike real-time strategy games, the turn-based format is fantastic for a handheld console. RTS would require a larger view area or constant panning, with little time to actually enjoy the game. The turn-based design allows the player to get a larger scope of control with a big-picture mentality. It also gives you the essential time you need to link movements and skills together. Fans of CCGs will quickly master the integration of these skills into unique and devastating combinations.

The controls are very easy to grasp, and the tutorial does a fantastic job of showing you almost everything you need to play the game. Graphics are excellent, despite a couple of comments I've read elsewhere. Try using the joystick to zoom in and out on characters, or to rotate your battlefield view; make sure to scan the battlefield for terrain features, layout of obstacles, and premium sniper positions for your archers.

Game play roughly follows the advancement of the story, interspersed by clips from the films. I haven't purchased any UMD-based movies yet, but if the picture is as crisp as the clips in the game, I'll be out picking up some titles this weekend.

Finally, keep in mind that the name of the game is "tactics." This should be enough to remind you that it centers on combat, uses only items and skills related to combat, and features playable content only related to battles.

I've had this game for five days now, and have stopped only to sleep and let my battery recharge (much to the chagrin of my wife). To this point, I have only played the hero missions, but I'm preparing to go back now and play as Sauron's minions. Should be a blast. Don't hesitate: pick up this game!!!

Great Game...1 Downfall though.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 20 / 20
Date: November 11, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Well If you are looking to buy this your already know what Lord Of The Rings Is. So let me start with the Pros.

Pro's -

- Enviroments - Nicly done.
- Attacks - Normal and Bow attacks are nicly animated.
- Spells - Most you will want to see more then once, very few are boring and lame.
- Story - Well it's Lord Of The Rings for a handheld, it's good but nothing more.
- Length - Well let me say it's not a short game, but not a 40+ hour game either, you will get a good 15-30 hours out of it mattering how much you play and what you do.
- Battery - Really good, last a good 3-5 hours.
- Loading times - maybe 10-15-20 seconds at most, but the nicly done loading screens will atleast be there.

Con's -

- Character Models - Well i know it's PSP and it's a handheld but must games have low looking versions of a ps2 while this has PS1 gphrics *Sorry For Any Spelling Mistakes* for models.

Yeah it's not a big Con but somtimes with these nicly looking spells you wanted those ps2 G's to kick in. Owell this game is still great and probebely the best RPG out there as of now 11/11/05...Hope you enjoy! :)

Good Looking Fast-Paced Tactics Game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: November 19, 2005
Author: Amazon User

For a tactics type game, this one has bigger, better looking, more realistic graphics than most. Because enemy and hero units move simultaineously, and it is simpler than most tactics games, it is faster paced than most as well. It features skills/spells and items similar to "LOTR - The Third Age", which must be purchased in-between battles. All "Heros" gain experience from each battle, even if they were not in it. Not a game for purists, if you would like to battle it out as LOTR Heros with a horde of Orcs in turn-based combat, you'll like it.

The only downside is that the game consists of battles only, there are no story line descisions to direct the course of the game. It does feature clips from the LOTR movies that introduce each battle, but they really do not give the game a feeling of continuity.

I am basically comparing this to FF Tactics and similar games. I would hesitate to call it an RPG.

could be a bit better but is very good

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 11
Date: November 23, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I give this game five stars because it is very enjoyable although a couple small things would have made it so much greater. The game has great graphics, good sound and shows alot more video from the movie than i expected. The only problem i really have with it is the thing one of the other reviewers mentioned: it doesnt really have any in-game story. Sure it shows video to progress the game but there are no in-game cut scenes or voice overs like the other LOTR games. It is a great strategy game and is really a PS2 looking version of 'LOTR the third age' for GBA. Any reviewer that gave the game a really low rating obviously had no idea what the game consisted of and probly expected the game to be like the ps2 versions. Although it could have been better, it is a great game.

Good effort by EA

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: April 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This is a great game for the psp. For those of you that are Final Fantasy fans this game plays like Final Fantasy Tactics.
You can play either the side of Moria or the Fellowship. Some reviews call this a short game. If you only play it once with out getting everthing for your heros, it is. However I'm taking the time to get everthing and the memory stick claims I have about nine hours play time. I still don't have all the Moria skills. I still need to lv the side of the fellowship and get there skills. I belive you could spend 20+ hours to get everthing.
The graphics on this game is the best i've seen on a handheld. The sound is great as well. The game also has clips from all three movies.
Now the down side. As you work your way through the game, all your heros gain exp. It don't matter if they was in combat or not. However, you still have spend the credits on your heros skills. The highest lv you can go is lv 15 which = 8,700 exp.
Over all this was a great effort by EA.

EA has screwed a good thing up again!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 8 / 13
Date: January 07, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Overall it's a good game that keeps you wanting to play the next mission. It's also fairly difficult which is a good thing (I usually have to play each level twice before beating it). But BEWARE, EA has not done their quality assurance checks again (as in the major malfunctions with the Madden 06 for PSP game). This game has often froze up and turned my PSP off right in the middle of a mission. So frustrating... I smell Class Action! I'm about to boycott EA games. Well, if you want to keep playing this game, please remember to save often!

Any LOTR fan should own this....

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: January 26, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I must say....This game is all that! It resembles the game releases on PS2, but at the same time, is so different. I highly recommend this game. There is a slight freeze problem that will occur every now and again, but simply pop out your disc and put it right back and you are off again where you left off. The game is so addicting. Especially if you are a fan of LOTR. I was lucky to catch this on sale at Best Buy at $39.99 for the week it dropped in price, but now it's back up to $49.99 there and is well worth even that. It is basically chess with the LOTR characters. Strategically position your characters to meet the objective. I was a bit confused when I did the tutorial, but after I tried it, I figured it out and have been tearing the computer up for now. I'm sure it will get tougher though. Different levels and difficulty levels will keep you entertained for a great while. I could not put this thing down when I started playing it. It is truly worth every penny.

Great Game for PSP!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: April 09, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This is a great game for PSP. This is an underrated Fire Emblem Type game. It's in the middle of an RPG and an action game ( I think). The graphics are great and the cutscenes from the movie, right before each mission is awesome and sets the scene. You have many infamous LOTR charectors, and this being the first LOTR game I've ever owned, I have to say, it is pretty addicting. However, this game has no replay value, and freezes up at random times during a mission :( It's also different than the first 3 Lord of the Rings games if you think it's going to be anything like that. It's learning curve was about half an hour for me, but some parts are just too hard to understand. The controls are simple, which is perfect for a kind of game like this. The music is the LOTR theme song most of the time, and if you're like me, nothing can beat it :D

This game would be great for anyone, and it's a little expensive when not on sale... So, Rent it, because it took only a few hours to beat it.

Oh well

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: March 15, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I'm a big fan of tactics games. For that and only reason I bought this game.This is a good game for short term simply because it's too short. All you can do is follow the movie story (the movie was damn long one) no alternatives. Dissapointing.

Finally a PSP game worth buying!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 8
Date: December 29, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I have had a PSP for a few months now, and 6 games that suck, besides the Namco Museum (for Pac-Man of course). Finally, a good game has come out. If you are a LOTR fan, you'll love being in the battles that take place on Middle Earth. It takes some thinking to play this one (kind of a chess match), so don't be ready for some mindless sword slinging.

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