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| PvP like a boss in "Guardians of Middle-Earth" |
Arguably the best book in the history of the world (after the Bible, of course), and by far one of the most complex. The Hero Cycle is almost perfect in LOTR, and the circular plot, characters, allegory, symbolism, and virtually everything else is spot-on perfect.
LOTR is one of those books that I never grow tired reading, and I've already read it about ten or eleven times since fifth grade. It's just that good!
Over the years there have been quite a few LOTR-themed video games (Aragorn's Quest, LOTRO, Battle for Middle-Earth, just to name a few), and the newest one will be stepping up to the plate later this month. Whether it lives up to its humungously awesome namesake or not will have to be determined later by the players themselves, but if LOTR and video games are two of your favorite things then I would encourage you to consider Guardians of Middle-Earth.
Published by Warner Bros. Interactive (the same company that is currently developing and hosting Lord of the Rings Online) and developed by Monolith Productions, Guardians of Middle-Earth takes place in the Third Age, around the time of the War of the Ring.
The synopsis (according to IGN): "A shadow grows over Middle-earth as the greatest armies of the Third Age prepare for the coming battle. Take up arms in the clash over Middle-earth with the most powerful heroes from the greatest fantasy epic of all time."
While not exactly an MMO, per se, Guardians is a specifically PvP (or Player vs. Player) game that "brings up to 10 players together in five versus five competitive multiplayer battle arenas in the epic setting of Middle-earth" (IGN). I imagine it sort of along the lines of a Marvel vs. Capcom or Super Smash Bros. sort of game, albeit set in Middle-Earth.
The best part, in my opinion?
"The game offers more than 20 iconic guardians, including Gandalf, Sauron, Gollum, Thrain and many more, for players to control in player vesus playerplayer (PVP) matches" (IGN).
Sauron?? Seriously??! That's AWESOME!
The IGN article goes on to say that "Gamers will have the ability to connect with other players via an in-game voice communication system, as well as access to a comprehensive onlie stat and leader board system where they can track their friends' victories and defeats, and more."
If PvP isn't your thing, Guardians also offers an option to play against the game's AI system. You can also purchase items and buffs through the store with in-game currency, and Warner Bros. Interactive has promised to release more LOTR playable character post-launch. Several of the new PCs (or Player Characters) will be in conjunction with the Hobbit film releasing this December.
DISCLAIMER!: Guardians of Middle-Earth has been rated T for Teen by the ESRB for Fantasy Violence.
Guardians will be available for purchase on an undiclosed date sometime in 2012 (some places say that it will release on September 25th, but that hasn't been confirmed yet). The game is exclusive to the XBox console, unfortunately for everybody else. =)
Here's the official E3 2012 trailer. Enjoy! (I know I did!)
AND REMEMBER! Today is your last day to give Stilwater and me topics and questions you would like us to discuss in our Cad Bane vs. Boba Fett debate! Check out this link for more information, and to submit your discussion topics!
- Edessa, signing off
:O How have I not heard more about this before! I keep up with the lastest video games but this must have eluded me some how. Thank you for post this. :D I am having a serious nerd heart attack. :) No question, LOTR is the best book series of all-time and the second best movie trilogy after the original Star Wars trilogy. Nothing comes even close. Too bad its downloadable and not a full price game though.
ReplyDeleteQuestions for the Interview.
Who would win in a fight: Fett or Bane?
Who has the coolest costume?
Would you them to work together in the future?
Cad Bane Vs Had Solo: Who would win?
Could Bane ever work in live action?
I hope you can use some of these question. :)
-James
hmmm. i do not like the LOTR books, never seen the movies (but they look seriously awesome) but i can't help but be vaguely impressed with this trailer. vaguely. why? because to me it seems to be all fighting and cool graphics without much of a plot or any use of strategy whatsoever.to be fair,though, its graphics are amazing despite the lack of apparent mental involvement. i might like trying it out someday, but i would have to know more about it. :)
ReplyDeleteGimli is now officially Thor.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading LOTR again right now :D :D :D I don't play video games but this one seems worth a try :)
ReplyDeleteQuestions:
Who would stand a better chance if they were to fight Windu (Personally, I'd have to say Bane on this one since Boba already fought him and lost badly)
others are already asked :P