Explore Part 3 of The Lord of the Rings Online guide, covering general game comments, FAQs, and insights into gameplay mechanics, balance, and system requirements.
Walkthrough
- 1General Comments: The game is a simplified Real-Time Strategy (RTS) experience, focusing on large battles over resource management. Units are grouped by hotkeys, and complex inputs like force move/attack are absent. The AI is simplistic, with units sometimes failing to react to attacks. Battles are large and faithful to the movies, featuring good unit animation and sound design. Some units, like Mumakils and trolls, have death animations that affect the environment.
- 2Game Balance: The game's balance is debated, with some finding the evil side weaker. The author believes the game is somewhat balanced when factions are played according to their specific strengths and weaknesses. Playing outside these strengths can lead to defeat, even against less experienced players. The game requires polishing to be fully balanced and bug-free.
- 3Overcoming Defeat: If repeatedly defeated, analyze your mistakes and successes. Switching tactics and trying different approaches can lead to victory. The game is considered RTS-lite, making the single-player campaign manageable with the right strategies.
Tips
- Understand each faction's specific strengths and weaknesses to play effectively.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different strategies if you're struggling with a mission or faction.
- The game is a good starting point for RTS newcomers due to its simplified mechanics.
- Expert RTS players might find it less complex than titles like StarCraft or Warcraft III but can still enjoy its fun gameplay, especially if they are Lord of the Rings fans.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Q: Will my computer run this game?
- A: The author's system (AMD Athlon 1.4 GHz, 512 MB RAM, GeForce 4 Ti4200) runs the game at 1024x768 with low details, with some slowdown in very large battles. Recommended specs include at least 512 MB RAM, Pentium 2.0 GHz or AMD equivalent, and a GeForce 5200 series or ATI equivalent video card. Message boards are a good resource for system requirements.
- Q: Should I get this game? Is it worth my money?
- A: Depends on your interest in Lord of the Rings. If you dislike the franchise, avoid it. If you haven't seen the movies, watch them first to avoid spoilers. It's a good entry-level RTS for newcomers. Experienced RTS players might find it simpler than other titles but can still find it fun, especially as a LOTR-themed game. It's generally well-received, though not considered a classic RTS like StarCraft or Warcraft III. The author has spent over 40 hours playing it.
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