LEGO Lord of the Rings is what Bethesda devs probably built when they were toddlers. LEGO titles have played around with open worlds before, but nowadays there's a feature set to match - besides smashing Orcs to bits, you'll find yourself forging stuff, questing and upgrading weapons. Add in a Middle-earth that's shockingly faithful to the source and character voices straight from the movies, and this is a pretty credible RPG.
That said, playing through the world's most venerated saga besides Star Wars can actually become a little wearing. There are grindy bits, like navigating a pile of rocks as Sam or Frodo, but they're more than compensated by the bigger setpieces, like the sight of giant living trees smashing up Christopher Lee's house. For all the slightly patchy execution, it's clear that a lot of effort has been put into making every area enjoyable - there are a lot of new puzzles and ways for characters to interact with their surroundings.
The map offers fetch quests which involve replaying levels in Free Play mode, and shows massive attention to detail, with every facet of Middle-earth recognisable beneath the plasticky veneer. The same level of fidelity applies to the storyline and characters. From cutscenes that mirror the films shot for shot, through little-known unlockable characters like Radagast the Brown, to a comically unemotive Legolas, Travellers' Tales love of the source material is the thread that holds the experience together.
The rousing po faces of the Third Age are tempered by the developer's customary vein of slapstick comedy, which once again appeals to all ages. You can, for example, craft an item that plays a disco track of Gandalf shouting to make other characters dance.
A light-hearted take on heavy-duty subject matter is no more than what we've come to expect from Travellers' Tales. In adding RPG features without shattering the returning mechanics, however, the LEGO team have arguably outdone themselves. You shall not pass this one up.
15 comments so far...
Clanger67 on 23 Nov '12 said:
Great stuff sounds like they have played a blinder with this.Will be getting it at some point being a massive fan of the book and films.Plus who can live without a bit of Tom Bombadil.
Metalrodent on 23 Nov '12 said:
No one, no one can
Plamsa wing on 23 Nov '12 said:
Who's this Tom Bombadil? I've seen his name being thrown around lately.
Anyway, put this one on the christmas list this one, already spent too much on games this year.
NinthGeorgesw on 23 Nov '12 said:
I'll probably get this game at some point. Is the co-op local only?
Clanger67 on 23 Nov '12 said:
Quite an interesting character pity PJ left him out of the film.He helps Merry and Pippin out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Bombadil
Branhelm on 23 Nov '12 said:
I need to tell you how wrong you are. you can never spend too much on games in a year.
SidTheSloth on 23 Nov '12 said:
There's a rumour floating around that some jammy sloth bastard received an sms this afternoon advising him he's got a free copy of this winging its way to him.
In the free-time/backlog side of things this is not good news, but i'm sure he won't allow that to disturb my - sorry, his momentary gloating....
Clanger67 on 23 Nov '12 said:
You lucky swine, err Sloth lol.
How come free ??.
SidTheSloth on 23 Nov '12 said:
I don't actually know just yet, i've sent a reply asking that very question but yet to hear back. Actually, based on the informant it's probably better i don't know - there haven't been any holdups in game stores today have there?
Clanger67 on 23 Nov '12 said:
SidTheSloth on 23 Nov '12 said:
Well he won't be scamming me anyway
Ha, sure it's legit really, i jest of course. Unless he mugged a postman?
I'm quite pleased really (besides the part about the free game) as i was umm-ing and ah-ing all year about getting Lego Batman 2 as i hadn't enjoyed earlier lego titles. Heard about this one coming out and that caused a bigger quandary as i'm addicted to anything LOTR so at least now the decision has been made for me!
Clanger67 on 23 Nov '12 said:
Yeah same here with LOTR.Got quite interested in the Lego ones again after the last Batman one.But sounds really good this does and getting the proper voices and the RPG bits,sounds like a little cracker.
Bonescrubs on 24 Nov '12 said:
Knew it would be good. That's another pressie for my two boys sorted...
Wadium_Arcadium on 25 Nov '12 said:
I would have bought this on release if I didn't have Assassin's Creed 3 and Borderlands 2 to finish. A must buy at some point.
altonsuny on 27 Nov '12 said:
Nice post. I like it. Thanks for sharing these information. Keep it up.