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Return Of King Game Debuts Ahead Of Movie

Thanks to GameSpot for its review of Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King, the EA-developed hack-n-slash action game based on Peter Jackson's acclaimed movie trilogy. The reviewer rates the now-released multiplatform title as a "relatively simple and short action game at heart, but [with] a solid combat system, some extremely intense and cinematic levels, [and] cool extras that fans of the movies will enjoy." 1UP also seems to dig the game, although notes that "the pre-level sequences are potentially spoilerish", since FMV from the not-yet-released movie is sometimes used. Finally, GameSpy has a whole section on the game, including a developer-friendly postmortem and a 'Pile On!' article that has opinions ranging from EA doing "such a good job of appealing to mainstream and hardcore gamers", to a sole dissenter: "This is definitely a great game for fans of the films, but others beware."

46 comments

  1. and ahead of the game... by andrewleung · · Score: 4, Funny

    was the frikkin' book! WITH ALL THE DETAILS AND SPOILERS!!!

    ARGH!! who would have thought of the book coming before the MOVIE AND GAME!?

    1. Re:and ahead of the game... by gamgee5273 · · Score: 1

      Amen, brother. Amen.

    2. Re:and ahead of the game... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Nah, if you remember the last film, you'll remember that the book doesn't spoil it at all. For example, in the book there's a character called "Faramir" who is noble and wise and resists the lure of the Ring. In the film, there's a character called "Faramir" but he seems to have nothing to do with the book's "Faramir" at all. You might also notice a rather hilarious sequence in the film where "Gandalf" and three companions break into a village hall and have some rough-and-tumble with some hairy men before waving a staff at a pile of mold. In the book, this scene is completely missing and instead there's a much better sequence where Gandalf and three companions go to the high hall of the Rohirrim, talk their way in, fight no-one and free Theoden from the influence of Saruman. No pile of mold at all! In fact, it's hard to think of a scene which has even remotely the same meaning between book and film - Entmoot resulting in a decision to attack Isengard? No. The battle for Osgiliath happening off-camera and not involving a Nazgul seeing the Ringbearer hold up the Ring on the borders of Mordor? No. Eomer not looking like an aardvark? No. It's like somehow creepily they took the good name of Lord of the Rings and used it to push a pile of overhyped crappy-special-effects-laden drivel! Who woulda thunk it?

    3. Re:and ahead of the game... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just because you have the time to read the books doesn't mean every other person on the fucking planet does.

      fuckin christ, man

    4. Re:and ahead of the game... by smclean · · Score: 1

      *cough* Damn straight :) The Faramir stuff really pissed me off. Denethor's family drama will certainly lose some of its thunder. At least Faramir semi-renewed himself at the end. This was the single worst plot change in the first two movies combined. So much for the whole "blood of Numenor" storyline. I doubt now that we will even see the white tree. Jackson should have spent more time explaining the history of men rather than wasting time with that whole 'Aragorn fell off the cliff' claptrap.

      --

      "'Yrch!' said Legolas, falling into his own tongue."

  2. Bonus! by DrEldarion · · Score: 1

    I believe you get a free ticket to the movie when you buy the game.

  3. my brain did it again, it fucked me by Althazzar · · Score: 1

    basing a game on a movie like this is never easy, but imho it's a good game, the look and feel is nice, very nice and the gameplay is decent. I wonder tho, if i would find it just as great a game if it wasn't based on the movie. Purely hypothetical ofcourse, and it's probably THE reason for making this game, but my feeling towards it is undoubtedly affected by the feeling i have for the movie.

    I found myself thinking ` ow cool, gotta try that ' just because of having seen the movie...

    Funny isn't it? how my brain always fucks me in to spending money....

  4. BLABLABLA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    relatively simple and short action game at heart, but [with] a solid combat system, some extremely intense and cinematic levels, [and] cool extras that fans of the movies will enjoy.

    Not a single word about *FUN*!

    1. Re:BLABLABLA by IntergalacticWalrus · · Score: 0

      Fun?? Hahahaha. It's been almost a decade now that videogames aren't made for fun. Now it's FMVs, poly counts, physics engines and all that marketable junk.

  5. They're only spoilers if you haven't read the book by n1ywb · · Score: 0, Troll

    And if you haven't read the book, then you are a luser.

    --
    -73, de n1ywb
    www.n1ywb.com
  6. RotK for all Platforms by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You can view details and reviews for all of the Return of the King games at GameTab. In addition you can read all of the latest RotK headlines and view the pretty screenshots.

  7. Bad decision? by h0mer · · Score: 1

    I think this was probably a bad decision by EA to release the game ahead of the movie. As noted, there may be spoilers so that rules out playing it until the movie comes out.

    Also, the hype and energy you get from the movie will translate very well into the game if they're released within days of each other. Yes, Enter The Matrix was bad but I managed to have a lot of fun with it since I was pumped up from seeing Reloaded.

    I'll probably still buy/play it after I see the movie, but EA missed an excellent marketing opportunity with this one.

    --


    I'm on top of my game like I'm standin' on Xbox.
    1. Re:Bad decision? by gamgee5273 · · Score: 1
      Spoilers? What spoilers? The books were written 50 years ago, there are 25-year-old cartoons based on the story - THERE ARE NO SPOILERS! If the game spoils the movie for you, then you're living under a rock and should probably try to stay there...

      How's this for a spoiler? In Titantic, the boat sinks...

    2. Re:Bad decision? by h0mer · · Score: 1

      I can take a pretty good guess at what happens. I've never read the books. I wish they hadn't shown Gandalf the White in the TTT trailer. I tried reading the books once, they were awfully boring.

      Congratulations on reading a mainstream piece of literature. You are obviously superior and I should do everything you say. Thanks for putting me in my place.

      --


      I'm on top of my game like I'm standin' on Xbox.
    3. Re:Bad decision? by Suppafly · · Score: 1

      GameSpy: Do you think that gamers might be concerned about in-game spoilers before seeing the final movie this holiday?

      Steve Gray: They shouldn't be. While we have some real cool sneak peak looks at pieces of the upcoming movie, we worked closely with New Line Cinema and Peter Jackson to make sure we aren't doing anything to spoil the film experience. I think we've got the best of both worlds. We've got enough stuff from the upcoming film to make it a great preview, but not so much that anyone should worry about us giving away critical pieces of the movie.

    4. Re:Bad decision? by mcmonkey · · Score: 1
      How's this for a spoiler? In Titantic, the boat sinks...

      Yes...but who dunnit?

    5. Re:Bad decision? by gamgee5273 · · Score: 1
      I've actually read the books nine times at this point in my life, but I digress.

      The point is not that you are coming across as an illiterate slob. The point is that there are no such things as spoilers when it comes to this story. It's akin to saying the same thing if there was a movie series and games based on the Bible - too many people know it. You are in a minority of the people who will see the movie, and an even more extreme minority of the people who will see the movie and play the game.

      You can choose not to play the game before the movie if you really want to just watch the movies. But, for God's sake, don't assume that these are spoilers. They aren't, except for you and the members of the extreme minority in which you find yourself.

    6. Re:Bad decision? by fireduck · · Score: 4, Insightful

      i wouldn't be so certain that there aren't spoilers in the game.

      If someone had told you that in the Two Towers, Aragorn would fall of a cliff and practically die, or that the elves would show up and contribute at the battle of Helm's Deep of that Frodo would end up at Osgilith facing a Nazgul, that certainly would spoil certain elements of the film that weren't in the book.

      So, while no major elements should be spoiled by the game, it is likely that Jackson has made minor (and maybe not so minor) changes to the overall structure/plot that could be reflected in the game, and ultimately *spoil* the movie (in both senses.. frodo going to osgilith was just wrong)

    7. Re:Bad decision? by gamgee5273 · · Score: 1
      I can agree on those items, but the major story stays the same.

      Frodo facing the Nazgul is not quite as earthshattering a spoiler as Darth Vader telling Luke that he's the whiny little brat's father (that was a majorly spoiled Empire for me when I was 7, let me tell you...). But, it spoils about the same as Obi-wan's ghost. the ghost shouldn't have been too much of a spoiler, considering that Alec Guinesses's name showed up on the poster and the credits...

      In a filmic sense, I saw no problem with Frodo going to Osgilith. It worked for the movie and the fact that jackson had to move a few things around so that Frodo and Sam had something to do in the third movie...

    8. Re:Bad decision? by gamgee5273 · · Score: 1

      I suspect that it was Professor Plum, in the ocean, with the iceberg.

    9. Re:Bad decision? by pixel_bc · · Score: 1

      > As noted, there may be spoilers so that
      > rules out playing it until the movie
      > comes out.

      Good point. It's not like anyone has actually read the book, huh?

      I saw this movie called Titanic last week -- I'll ruin the ending for you: The big boat sinks in the end.

    10. Re:Bad decision? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > In a filmic sense, I saw no problem with Frodo going to Osgilith.

      I doubt fans of the book's version of Faramir would agree. You know, the one who doesn't try to take the ring?

    11. Re:Bad decision? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are you fucking retarded? Way to say the EXACT same thing dipshit.

  8. Re: Ima luser but I kan spel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Can you?

  9. Spoilers? Ohhh, do we have spoilers.... by bluethundr · · Score: 2, Funny



    Yumpin' Yiminy! You mean the game shows Frodo and Sam battling and killing Shelob, Frodo getting trapped in Cirith Ungol and being rescued by Sam, and Gollum biting the ring off of Frodo's finger and falling into the pit of Mount Doom? It would be cool if the game showed the 'scouring of the Shire" (which will NOT be in the movie). This book has been out for Yeesh, RTFB already!

    --
    Quod scripsi, scripsi.
    1. Re:Spoilers? Ohhh, do we have spoilers.... by Gorgo+the+Slow · · Score: 1

      Congratulations- you have earned your geek validation points for the week by proving you have read the book. Now, you are having half of those points deducted for showing no sensitivity to those who haven't read the books and want to not have THE ENTIRE ENDING SPOILED. Your deducted points will now be added to your asshole-fanboy score. Be careful not to let those points outweigh your geek-validation points or those braces will have to stay on for another 6 months. And your DM will be kicking you out of the campaign.

    2. Re:Spoilers? Ohhh, do we have spoilers.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you haven't managed to read a book that's been out for 50 years, then you obviously don't care about the ending so you shouldn't mind if we discuss it. Hey, in The Time Machine, it turns out that humanity has evolved into two species - the Eloi and the Morlocks - one of which can't use machinery, the other of which can and the latter preys on the former!

    3. Re:Spoilers? Ohhh, do we have spoilers.... by clarkc3 · · Score: 1

      Spoiled the ending? If i recall, that happens close to 1/2 way into the book and theres still quite a bit more afterwards, though the movie will probably end it there. Theres all the stuff about afterwards with Aragon, Faramir, Eowyn, and the returning of the hobbits to the shire, etc that just would make the movie so long. Afterall, they still have to show the end of the Two Towers to start the movie

    4. Re:Spoilers? Ohhh, do we have spoilers.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Now, you are having half of those points deducted for showing no sensitivity to those who haven't read the books and want to not have THE ENTIRE ENDING SPOILED.

      Why does someone who's too stupid to read a book deserve ANY mercy?

    5. Re:Spoilers? Ohhh, do we have spoilers.... by Gorgo+the+Slow · · Score: 1

      Just becuase someone hasn't read the book does not indicate stupidity. One of the best outcomes of these films is that they are bringing the books to many who have not read them. Some may be waiting to read them after seeing all three films. Why spoil the surprise for them just because you are a snob? I know of several people who fell in love with this story after seeing the films. They have read each book only after the film come out. Are they stupid for having not been curious enough to read the books beforehand? Should they be punished? (your use of the word mercy seems to imply that) It is just common sense. Don't spoil the story, film book or otherwise. You are robbing people of the joy of discovering it themselves- from whatever medium they choose.

    6. Re:Spoilers? Ohhh, do we have spoilers.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's such a assinine comment. Perhaps he didn't read the book because it's horribly long-winded. Tolkien may have had a vivid imagination, but his literary style leaves much to be desired.

  10. Well shit by blah1019 · · Score: 0

    Now I gotta wait for the the game that encompasses all the games now. Thanks for ruining it for me!

  11. yeah by Luveno · · Score: 2, Funny

    the pre-level sequences are potentially spoilerish

    Yeah, I hear they're releasing the book of the movie before the premiere as well.

    1. Re:yeah by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What makes you think that this film will resemble the book in any way? Neither of the others did.

  12. Whored out to all platforms I see. by Thinkit3 · · Score: 1

    Ah, this "intellectual property" stupidity. I suppose they wanted to get the most out of their "license". It's an old enough story, it should be public domain.

    --
    -Libertarian secular transhumanist
    1. Re:Whored out to all platforms I see. by Carnildo · · Score: 1

      IIRC, LOTR won't be public domain for another fifty years or so.

      --
      "They redundantly repeated themselves over and over again incessantly without end ad infinitum" -- ibid.
  13. It gets worse by extrarice · · Score: 1

    Not only has the came come out before the movie, but the BOOK was released DECADES before the film, giving away the ending!!

    (that's a joke, y'all)

    --
    "Jesus saves, but everyone else in a 10 foot radius takes full damage from the fireball."
  14. WHOSE Trilogy? by g-san · · Score: 1

    "...hack-n-slash action game based on Peter Jackson's acclaimed movie trilogy.

    The Ringwraiths shall come for thee anon.

    1. Re:WHOSE Trilogy? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      tolkien was a great writer, but a filmmaker he was not. so the article comment is correct. it is peter jackson's movie trilogy (and tolkien's book trilogy).

  15. best deals on the game? by zonker · · Score: 0

    saw an ad in the sale flyer this weekend for circuit city for the game. they are offering a $10 gift cert w/ the sale of the game in store. online it appears they are just doing free shipping (i suppose their page might change tomorrow when the game comes out)...

    anyone else see it somewhere cheaper or w/ a better addon?

  16. Bad decision, better value. by satanami69 · · Score: 1

    You're overlooking a potential benefit for poor gamers...this will be on resale later much cheaper than buying it now. With enter the matrix, you couldn't find too many of them under the $50 mark until a few months later. Now, with almost two months to go, we'll easily have used ROTK discs for half price at about the same time as the release date.

    --
    I really hate Dan Patrick.
  17. Line parties by satanami69 · · Score: 1

    I feel bad for all the people that will be standing in line at the line parties and have the ending
    spoiled by the guys that brought the portable XBox system.

    Although I doubt there would be too many people that would stand in a line party that haven't
    read the books already.

    --
    I really hate Dan Patrick.
  18. It should have been public domain... by Thinkit3 · · Score: 1

    ...about fifty years + (today's year-publication year) years earlier.

    --
    -Libertarian secular transhumanist
  19. Spoilers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I played all through The Two Towers video game, and have a few thoughts....

    The game, first of all, did not spoil ANY plot points. However, what it did do, was show lots of monsters and recreations of special effects / scenery. So you get to see a ton of Helm's Deep and the fighting there, and a lot of the cave trolls. Now, I suppose that the trailers for the movie did this just as much, but if you dont want to spoil any creature designs / locations, It probobly wouldnt be a good idea. But, I doubt any plot points will be spoiled. Two Towers, at least, was very light on plot. It assumed that you knew the story well and could fill in the holes.

  20. Exactly how short and simple? by SaXisT4LiF · · Score: 3, Insightful

    While I can understand that they would want to keep the game simple enough to appeal to all fans of the series, I thought the Two Towers game was far too short. Furthermore, the uninterruptable insta-kills just reduced the game to Parry, Slay, repeat. Granted you had to "buy" the skill first, but then it took all the sense of danger out the game afterwards. Incoming arrows? Insta-kill someone and watch them fly right through you!

    But there's hope.
    Steve Gray: The levels in The Return of the King are at least twice as big as the levels in The Two Towers. There are nine playable characters and around 70 combinations of two-player co-op.

    Bigger levels, probably means more game time. I'm not sure if it means it will be anymore challenging. The co-op sounds like a great addition though, and it'll be interesting to see how they did it.

    Summary: Epic book, awesome movie adaptation, run of the mill video game.

    --
    Fight or flight its all the same
    Live to die another day

    --Ryan
  21. Like waffles? by cryptess · · Score: 1

    I was at a Waffle House in Knoxville, TN. I was not proud of it, but it was late and I was hungry. So, I am sitting there with a book and the waitress comes up to me, (snapping her gum) and says, "Whatcha reading for?" I said, "Well, I've never been asked that. I think you've stumped me. I suppose I read for a lot of reasons, but probably the main reason is so that I don't become some waffle waitress." Then the trucker in the next booth goes, "Looks like we got a READER here." - Bill Hicks