Introduction
I've been wanting to play this game since it was out. I never knew about Battle for Middle Earth (BFME), but I once saw BFME II at a shop selling PC Games. Being a passionate Lord of the Rings fan, I laid my sights on it. Few years down the road, that is to say this year, armed with a new laptop and helpful friends, I have achieved that goal! Although wanting to play the game, I never looked deeper into gameplays and such, the words Lord of the Rings were enough for a guaranteed play. Especially since it is a Real Time Strategy game. I was therefore both amazed and disappointed at several aspects of the game. Coming right up!
Story
The Story takes place during the era of the War of the Ring. Where BFME focused on the Fellowship of the Ring and the War in the West (I'm assuming, cause I haven't played it yet), BFME II focuses on the War in the North, around the regions of Rivendell, Mirkwood and Dale. Chief characters leading the Good Factions are Glorfindel and Gloin, the former an Elf of Rivendell and the later a Dwarf of Dale. On the other hand, the Evil Factions are lead by the Mouth of Sauron and Gorkil the Goblin King. Battles fought includes sieges at Dol Guldur, Rivendell and Dale and battles at Mirkwood and Shire. The Campaigns are split into two, the Evil and the Good. The Good is mostly based on Tolkien's writing where as the Evil is a what if scenario, even to the point of featuring Sauron in combat.
Although mostly acceptable in terms of the lore of Middle Earth, parts of BFME II was considered heresy by die hard Tolkien purists. Things like a Balrog appearing in Dol Guldur, Glorfindel having white hair (heck, his name means Golden Hair) and Heroes like Gorkil or Drogoth the Dragon Lord are considered non-canon and conflicts with Tolkien's writing. Although the things that happened in the Evil Campaign, like the battle at Shire, the Siege of Rivendell and the death of Frodo and Sauron's appearance might be looked at with one eye closed, since it is after all a what if scenario, thing that happened in the Good Campaign however are another matter altogether.
Gameplay
As mentioned earlier, I was surprised by some of the gameplay features of BFME II, and the biggest and bestest of the lot is the battalions. Players control armies in the form of battalions instead of single units like most RTS. Although not an innovation (Total War, Lord of the Realms 3 has it), it is certainly the first time I see them trained straight out of the barracks. It is a much needed addition as it gives an epic feel to the clashes and battles. The last Lord of the Rings RTS I played was War of the Ring, which lacked luster compared to this. One can feel the larger scale and epic feel of battles that happen. Although the command points limit was a minor hindrance. 1000 point is not enough, considering most of the battalions need around 60-80 points.
Also, BFME II feature 6 factions, Men of the West, Elves, Dwarfs, Untamed Wild (Goblins), Isengard and Mordor. This is a HUGE improvement over Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring which only featured two. Although similar in concept, Pikemen>Calvary>Archers>Swordsmen, each faction has a different feel. For example, playing as the Elves, you will come to rely on it's ranged unit Mirkwood Archers and Lorien Archers. Playing as the Goblins, you will come to rely on the Giants, which are very, very powerful living siege weapons.
Players are also given One Ring powers (of all things, why name it One Ring?) which players can learn by earning points. This points are earned by engaging in battle, much like the Fate system of War of the Ring and the Yin Yang system of Battle Realms. This powers are divided into Four Tiers, and some can be used effectively to turn the tide of battle, while others provides players with added advantage in terms of resources, such as being able to build free towers, increasing resource gains and the likes
BFME II also contains a game mode known as the War of the Ring modes. The War of the Ring is a turned based strategy game mode where players move their troops across territories on a map of Middle Earth. When opposing troops lands in the same territories, the player will be given a choice to fight, auto resolve or retreat. Fighting allows you to take control of the game in RTS mode. Landing on Helm's Deep will have you fighting on Helm's Deep's map and so on. Your troops on the World Map are brought in as starting troops. You can also continue to construct and expand your army before taking the fight to the enemy. Auto resolve resolves better based on current troop numbers. And retreat is well, retreat. The War of the Ring mode is not unlike game series such as Total War and Civilization, however, Real Time Strategy being the main focus of BFME II, the War of the Ring mode is lacking, and is usually completed in a couple of turns. There are several scenarios to choose from. For example War of the North only opens up Northern territories where as War of the Ring opens up all.
BFME II also features a Create-a-Hero function. Players are able to create heroes based on several classes. Each class is further divided in types. For example, the Men of the West class is divided into the Captain of Gondor type, or the Shield Maiden type. Players are also able to customize armor and weapon as well as abilities and skills. The players can use these heroes in both the Skirmish and the War of the Ring modes. However, do not expect a customization the likes of MMORPG.
Graphics
Although decent for a 2006 game, there are several areas that can see improvement. Mainly in terms of unit models and icons. Or example Gandalf's icon looks out of place compared to the icons of the other heroes of the Men of the West. At least it is to me. Gandalf's icon looks to have come straight out of the films where as the others looked to be drawn. There also time when I see units flying of the ground and climbing otherwise impassable terrains, due to the battalions. The terrains could also see some addition, places like Mordor and Black Gates are meant to be dull and bleak, but they could have done some thing. Add smokes maybe? Or a small hill or two. It's just so plain. But places like Minas Tirith and Helm's Deep were in my opinion well done. It gives me the utmost joy to defend those two places. I will soon be laying siege on them. Soon.
Conclusion
Although some die hard Tolkien purist would be likely to shun the game as abomination, I would highly recommend this game to all Fantasy/Medieval RTS game lovers, be you fan or not. It is an exciting experience to defend or siege grand places of Tolkien's legendarium, the likes Minas Tirith and Helm's Deep, and will surely leave you wanting for more, hoping for improvements to come and that the game will be updated and upgraded. With the Hobbits (film) on the horizon, we may yet see a Battle for Middle Earth 3.
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