Challenge

This game is actually pretty challenging, especially on single player.  NPCs (Non-Player Characters ie. computer players) are able to kill you easily, and without the support of a friend (the game is co-op) you tend to die in only a couple of hits, especially against bosses.  For each campaign, there are three difficulties.  When I played single player I found myself struggling on the middle difficulty, which in most games is either too easy or decently challenging, but definitely beatable.  In this game I was stuck for a while on the last boss in the second level, for he was able to kill me in about 3 hits no matter what character class I was.  Needless to say this game is pretty hard.

Graphics

The graphics in this game are very good.  I am a huge fan of Lord of the Rings games, and I found that the graphics in this game compared to some of the others are quite extraordinary.  However, it is important to note some distinctions.  The Lord of the Rings games of the past that I am referring to are all for console systems, specifically outdated ones like Nintendo GameCube and Playstation 2.  There are a few Lord of the Rings games out for PC that have far superior graphics to Lord of the Rings: Conquest, but than again the hardware found in most computers is far more advanced than the hardware found in most of the newer console systems.

Replay Value

I find this game to have pretty decent replay value, especially if you enjoy beating a game on multiple difficulties.  This game is designed in much the same way as the Star Wars Battlefront series games were designed, and I found myself playing those games over again and again even after I had beaten them just because they were so much fun. Lord of the Rings: Conquest is also very fun, although probably not as good as Battlefront series in my opinion.  It suffices to say that this game has very good replay value compared to other games I have played in recent months.

Narrative

As with many other Lord of the Rings games, the narrative follows the movie to an extent and has no intention of even recognizing that the books exist.  I am a huge fan of the books, and so for me this is rather annoying.  However, I thought the movies were pretty badass so if the narrative decides that the movies provide a better story I am okay with that.

Ease of Use

The controls are super easy and there is a simple little tutorial in the beginning of the game if you don’t feel like trying to figure them out for yourself.

Social Playability

This game has online features that allow the user to play with many other people, as well as a splitscreen option so that players can do all the missions co-op.  I have always loved playing co-op games so for me I think this game has great social playability, especially if you have a sibling who enjoys playing video games with you.

Overall Grade: A-

I like this game a lot.  It is a bit of a rip off of the Star Wars Battlefront series, but with a nametag like Lord of the Rings you are generally bound to get a well planned and executed game.  I find that I am very challenged in this game, and I enjoy the multiplayer aspects quite a bit as well.

Replay Value

I think this game has the potential to have good replay value, but that probably all depends on the player. For me, games like this catch my attention and I am able to come back to them and enjoy them again and again. For some, this game might be a one and done deal that your kids would never touch again. My suggestion would be to rent the game first and see how it goes from there. I find that this is a very useful strategy and saves you $60 that you regret spending because you didn’t try the game first before you bought it.

Social Playability

This game can be played online, although I haven’t yet tried that because my XBOX live isn’t working. I can imagine it is pretty fun, but I feel like the bulk of this game is concentrated on the offline game play. The game does offer a splitscreen option (co-op), which I thought, was pretty fun and decently challenging. It took me and my brother more than a few hours to beat the game.

Objectionable Content

Not much here that you wouldn’t find in any other teen game. Yes there is killing, but it is goreless and bloodless which is unfortunately a feature that you wont find in too many games nowadays. However, studies on violent content in video games has found that games withOUT gore and blood tend to increase levels of aggression. Despite these findings, many parents tend to approve of games that do not have blood and gore in them, so I think that despite this finding, the benefits of not having blood and gore outweigh the potential problems that could be associated with games that have violence but are lacking this aspect. Finally, there is no gender stereotyping or foul language of any kind, so bloodless violence is the extent of objectionable content in this game.

Final thoughts

I thought this game was really fun and worth buying. I’d say the game is perfectly fine for kids aged 11 and up, assuming that you parents are comfortable with a bit of “cartoon violence” if you will. I would try renting the game first to see if you think it is worth buying, but if you are hesitant I would say go for. The game has been out for a little while now and I am still enjoying months later. These game could have some interesting perspective in that it allows you to play a campaign from the bad guys point of view and a campaign from the good guys point of view. Games like this always interest me because you get to really see the action from the viewpoint of another character or side, usually a character or side that you are taught to hate. Other examples include playing as Nazis or Japanese soldiers during WWII and the Empire in Star Wars. The only problem is that game users would have to be familiar with the whole Lord of the Rings saga if they are to understand that the orcs and Nazgul are bad guys and not just another strangely-named side in a war. Otherwise the ability to play as an evil side will make no difference to them when they play the “Rise of Sauron” campaign.

Academic Perspective

These game could have some interesting perspective in that it allows you to play a campaign from the bad guys point of view and a campaign from the good guys point of view. Games like this always interest me because you get to really see the action from the viewpoint of another character or side, usually a character or side that you are taught to hate. Other examples include playing as Nazis or Japanese soldiers during WWII and the Empire in Star Wars. The only problem is that game users would have to be familiar with the whole Lord of the Rings saga if they are to understand that the orcs and Nazgul are bad guys and not just another strangely-named side in a war. Otherwise the ability to play as an evil side will make no difference to them when they play the “Rise of Sauron” campaign.