A screenshot of the Trollshaws in Middle Earth, from Lord of the Rings Online
Shadows of Angmar, the new Lord of the Rings computer game, is now creating a real buzz. The New York Times recently gave the title a rave review, commenting that the game is a stunning balance of storytelling and beauty.
The people at Turbine, who made the game, hope to take the online gaming experience to a new level. They have created a virtual Middle Earth, based upon The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. This game is inspired by the trilogy of books written by Tolkien, and not on the Peter Jackson movies. The people at Turbine have worked closely with Tolkien's estate, so the game is faithful to the source material.
It is easy to forget that Tolkien wrote these books in the 1950s, and yet they still capture imaginations from Tokyo to Toronto. It is also pretty cool that Tolkien has become such a cyberspace star. The virtual world of online gaming now allows users to enter into Tolkien's world. What would the writer, if he were alive today, think of this?
Shadows of Angmar is hugely interactive, with gamers choosing a character to inhabit. Their adventure then begins. Characters can talk to each other, fall out and learn new skills. For example, a character gets better at fighting as the game progresses.
While this game has only recently arrived in British shops, a sequel will be out soon. The Shores of Evendim will allow gamers to visit a new city and take part in a epic raid, which does sound fun. Also, the sequel will be free to owners of the first title.
The game is now retailing at £24.98 at Amazon, although there is a monthly subscription to pay of around £7.50 per month.
What do you think of this game? Is it better than the movie?
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