Addictive from the moment you begin...It's incredibly friendly to the solo gamer, allowing players not only to gain Levels 1 to 60 without ever grouping with someone else if they prefer, but also to earn the same or more experience playing that way. That means the solo gamer can level nearly as quickly as a group of power gamers playing together.
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.
Many things in this game leave me thankful: the dark presentation of ancient Greece, the innovative and simple fighting style, the horrific finishing attacks, the depth of the challenges, a great mood-setting score of horns and drums and a point-of-view camera that pans automatically to give you the best view of the action.
We can't recall another PC game that challenged us to furious one-on-one sword fights and strategic warfare with cannons blazing -- interspersed with a test of ballroom dancing skills in which each click of our keyboard's keys translated into a deft move on the dance floor.
It's a winning combination: the same great concept that made Dungeon Siege a hit now with new story lines, new features and improved graphics. It's a great choice for dozens of hours of gameplay this fall.
The online game play is just as smooth and fast-moving as the offline versions, and the wacky variety of weapons -- turn your enemy into a sheep! -- makes it a heap of fun.
The action is incredibly smooth and responsive, the plot is fun and the game-play is quick and exciting. Even when you die, it's no big deal to get back in the action (and you will die, a lot).
