The Lord of the Rings Tactics

Format PlayStation Portable

Developer Electronic Arts

Publisher Electronic Arts

Genre Sim / Strategy

This tactical role-playing game based on both The Lord of the Rings books and film trilogy will allow you to play as either the Fellowship or Sauron's evil forces across 20 missions. Aragorn, Gandalf, Frodo, Legolas, Gimli, the Witch King and Sauron himself (presumably not in allseeing Eye form) are just some of the playable characters whom you can add to your party and customise with extra items, skills and upgrades. Making up the extra numbers will be goblins, orcs, Gondorian soldiers, Rohirrim and other secondary players that are either referenced in the novels or glimpsed in the films.

To speed up the play without losing the game's strategic heart, both sides in a battle will take turns simultaneously. Once you've told your units how to move and where to attack, all instructions are carried out at the same time. Any opposing units inadvertently moving past each other will automatically engage in combat. Ranged fighters and spell-casters will be able to take advantage of higher ground, while ridges, walls and other solid objects can be used as cover.

Expect to do battle in familiar locations such as the Mines of Moria, Helm's Deep and Mordor itself. The opening tutorial has you fighting on Weathertop as Aragorn, Frodo and Sam against the Witch King and two Black Riders. Inflict 30 points of damage on the Witch King and you'll complete the mission.

You can take your customised party into four-way multiplayer battles, or set up a Handicap mode, where each player has the same amount of points to spend on hero characters, regular troops, abilities and items. With detailed, instantly recognizable character models and clips from all three films sandwiched between missions, this has all the polish you'd expect from an EA game. The power of the Ring will take hold this November.

PSW Staff