Best Strategy Game The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth (EALA/EA Games for PC) What’s the most lasting impression of the Battle for Middle Earth? Thousands upon thousands upon thousands of orcs all lined up baying for blood. At least that’s what it seemed like. The epic battles of the Lord of the Rings movies have been brought to the PC in spectacular fashion, and the first question from the lips of most that saw this game was, “How could they possibly have done that?” Best of all, the huge armies aren't just groups of mindless brutes -- they are aware and react to their surroundings. Squads of combatants bait each other before (and during) battle. And with each passing victory, the troops get whipped up into a fervor that further enhances the experience. Once again, Electronic Arts proves that it can tap into the essence of a film franchise and produce a game perfectly suited for both the fans and the platform on which it appears, the PC. A worthy winner -- and a victory write-up without a single Middle Earth cliché in sight! - John Davison, Editorial Director, Ziff Davis Media Game Group@E3 2004 visit:
