O Senhor dos Anéis: O Retorno do Rei

If you think of the EA Lord of the Rings games as members of the Action/Adventure genre you are in reality wrong. Since the dawn of video game history, there has always been a genre known as Hack 'n' slash. The Hack 'n' slash genre is basically meaning that the game does not necessitate much mental input, but instead requires the player to use a certain amount of button bashing. Button bashing games however have always had the tendency for getting dull very easily, with this game however, that doesn't seem to be the case. With 9 characters to play with, all wielding their own unique weapons and special moves, this game doesn't get tedious for a long while. Fun-wise, the Return of the King keeps the action velocity up long enough to constantly keep you interested. Should it be fighting an assemblage of fierce Urik-hai, or spear throwing at some nearby goblins, this game succeeds in the keeping-the-player-interested section. As for the upgraded features from the previous Two Towers game, you can now fully interact with the scenery around you. Characters can now pick up spears and fire catapults, as well as lower drawbridges and cutting roles holding up huge chandeliers (Ah… memories.) As for warfare, it is much swifter. You get the Lord of the Rings fighting style in a much more stimulating and further moving perspective.

For me and of course many others, sound is one of the most important aspects of a game. Without a first-class main theme, or an exhilarating and heroic character melody, a game is, in essence, pointless. Being the licensed movie game, Return of the King was therefore given the rights to use the soundtrack from the movies, composed by Howard Shore. This was a huge excitement for me, as I worship the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, especially the main theme. Should it be the Shire melody, or the terrifying Nazgul tune, the soundtrack from the Lord of the Rings is truly amazing, and of course, fits this game perfectly. My only disappointment however, was that the main theme is only played briefly once, during the after-level screen. I feel that inserting it into some major battles would keep the player's morale up, just as the Legend of Zelda overture would keep a Zelda fan happy if it was played during a conflict or Ganon battle. (Heh, wouldn't it have been nice if the overture was played in a final Ganon battle…?) Sound effects are taking from real weapons, which I learnt whilst watching a bonus movie having completed the game. This adds to the whole experience and only makes the sound better.

Here, EA have really proved what they can do. This game is graphically beautiful and amazing to look at. The character models have been created with amazing detail. Just look at Sam's face and see what I'm talking about. Another thing I thought was pretty cool, which has been improved drastically from the previous game, is the way that the game graphics flow into movie clips from the actual film. Those who have played it will know how awesome this actually looks.

J.R.R Tolkien is the master of fantasy writing, and having read the Lord of the Rings book after I watched the first film, I was gripped by his extreme ability to write. The world of Middle-Earth is indeed an amazing and fantastic place; full of adventure, monsters, beauty and of course heroes. The game focuses on the warfare aspects of the film mostly, but for knowing that there is a much more detailed and epic tale inside of it all, it truly makes the experience worthwhile. Hands down to you Mr. Tolkien.

In conclusion, the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King isn't the best game of all time, nor is it the worst. By far, it is probably one of the best Hack 'n' Slash games yet. With a memorable cast of unique and wonderful characters, a plot to die for, and of course one of the best soundtracks to grace the video game industry, The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King is truly magical.

First time I played it, it was extremely hard, I was so confused. And I hated this game and I still do. Because it can be real pain the ass, when it comes to gameplay. For instance, camera angles are freaking weird, most of the time you can't run in straight line, opponents are sometimes horrible to beat down and you need to be extremely intense to finish a level and some characters are just… like hobbits for example, most of them are weak, small and slow. There's also a timer on some levels, but first you must go through a bunch of enemies and to enter a different camera angle that simple confuse you, it is so… tense… and sweaty, after one level, you smell like a pig. There are some special ways to defeat your opponents… boring… why not just hack and slash the f**k out of them? But, for most of them, you can. And cut scenes… damn, you can't exit them, that's terrible. I don't understand, who the hell wants to watch those scenes again? We already saw the movie, please, proceed. Now, for some good things… graphics are good, they could be even better, the sound effects are great, straight from the film, to the game, they are just great, the action can be very rage releasing for you, I like the combos too… interviews are good. When it comes to the characters… my favorite is Pippin. I'll explain. While the Gandalf is perhaps, the most playable, he can do very extraordinary things, he has a great magic power and strong fluid attacks. Aragorn and Legolas are great in their own way, while Gimli, Merry, Sam and Frodo are slow, with the exception of Gimli, he can be good on occasions. Frodo is the worst. Faramir… is a badass, he can cut strong, without stopping him. Now, when it comes to Pippin, he is small and slow (when it comes to running), but in fight, he is surprisingly powerful, he can take out even 5 time bigger opponents than him in just a few blows and he can destroy the enemy shields with one fast attack, but first you need to power him up. Overall, think before you take this game, because it's really tense, sweaty and tiresome.

What a grand conclusion to this wonderful story...told to us by Philip Jackson. Three and half hours worth of pure enjoyment. I am not a huge fan of computer enhancements, but in this case, without question, brought to life the dreams of J.R.R. Tolkien. Just a wonderful work, powerfully told and acted. Bravo.

ps..the only complaint I might have is that the length of the film should necessitate a five minute intermission...to allow nature to take her due...and maybe reload on the necessary popcorn and soda, which you SHOULD be reluctant to purchase if your doing a three and half hour marathon!

The comments here and everywhere else speak for themselves and words cannot descibe the magnitude of influence that such a film, nevertheless triolgy, filmmaker can have on history, art, the world. Return of the King draws you in further and beyond by having the absolute power to keep you engaged with the characters and this epic sotry. You'll leave the theater pondering its magnificence and perhaps saddened that Peter Jackson's mastperiece series has come to an end. For me it reminded me of the potential for the resilience of mankind and the genuine sadness of the brutality of war yet the hope for something better. My admiration and apprciation for the fruition of the literary masterpiece into this movie has only grown and will continue to do so. To be awed, seeing Return of The King on the big screen is one that should not be neglected.

Recently the nostalgia got the best of me and decided to give this game a nice rerun. I remember how much fun i had when was kid and how much i struggled till i learn how to push the ladders down :D

Mind the fact that i played this game on PC , i know on consoles it had terrible camera but i still gave it 10.

But lets begin .this game "follow" the story of the movie and in my option it follows it good for game . Most of the games based on movies are terrible fast cash and grab . But not this game . There was some nice love put in here. Is your basic hack and slash, but the levels are nice made, the difficulty is set well and there have been put some extra work overall . Especially the graphics which have aged quite well .The only problem i had with this game , is to short you can finish it in 4-5 hours . But for reward for finishing a level you get a nice interview with few of the cast of the movie, which in my option fix the issue

Any way if you came here by nostalgia give it another go is still awesome . And if your thinking to try this old game same ,you wont be disappointed especially if your LOTR fan :)