• Third Age Total War Dale Guide

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Welcome to the The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age wiki guide. You read the books. You watched the movies. You played the action games on your home console. Some of you may have even dabbled in.

The Fourth Age: Total War is a full-conversion modification of Rome: Total War which works with Barbarian Invasion. It is is set in the Fourth Age of Middle-earth and aims to stay true to the lore and writings of J. R. R. Tolkien while trying to provide an original experience by imagining what Middle-earth would have been like in a total war setting. This means that the setting is based off the books and not the films. As is the standard for any Total War game, you get to pick from a number of factions and decide how things play out, mixing real time strategy with city and faction management and throwing in doses of religion, wonders of the world and family characters to increase the depth.

The current version of the mod is known as The Dominion of Men, the sequel to version 2.6 'The New Shadow'. It is based off Tolkien's unfinished manuscript (of the same name) for a sequel to The Lord of the Rings where Eldarion, the son of Aragorn Elessar and king of the Reunited Kingdom, has to deal with his people turning to evil practices in the lands of Gondor. However Tolkien abandoned this after only a few pages without providing additional backstory or characters. A case of justifiedGameplay and Story Segregation changes a few of the ideas that were in the unfinished tale due to the developers using their imaginations, this manages to create a realistic and true setting within Tolkien's work. In this setting the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor has become badly weakened by political strife amongst Aragorn's descendants, resulting in half the kingdom splintering and forming the Kingdom of Adûnabâr in Mordor, Angmar and Ithilien, with rumors that a dark cult is behind this civil war. Not only has relations between Rohan and the Reunited Kingdom become strained, but thanks to said strife several emergent factions of men have risen up, and the Chiefdoms of Dunland, Rhûn and the Empire of Harad have gone on the offensive.

It has proven to be a popular and well received, if perhaps an underrated mod. The developers have been working on this since Rome's release back in 2004 and their insistence of fully researching the setting and game engine as well as releasing it in complete yet playable portions, rather then simply releasing a buggy and unfinished mod of the game. Another fact is that it is a very faithful recreation of the world it is set in, being filled to the brim with lore and references to all of Tolkien's works to make it as immersive and true to the High Fantasy setting it is in.

It can currently be found here.

Officially the mod is at Version 3.2 and is currently available for download. This means that all of Middle-earth is now unlocked and playable. It also makes various other factions such as the Elves, Dwarves, Dale and many others playable in campaign. As this based off a High Fantasy work where a lot of fantasy elements are removed a mixture of fantasy and realism tropes are present.

The Fourth Age Total War provides examples of:

• Absent Aliens: Downplayed, Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits and Orcs/Trolls are all present in varying degrees but not to a huge amount due to the setting. The first two start off as purely elven and dwarven forces, however the more you expand, the more you need Mannish forces to protect your lands, especially as you can only recruit Men outside of your homelands. Plus there is a game mechanic allowing you to settle Men in your homelands themselves, potentially allowing you to play this trope straight.
  • The Elves are sailing into the west and the ones left are very few, and the population of their homelands grows extremely slowly if at all. So your armies are likely going to consist of mostly Elvellyn forces.
  • The Dwarves are more numerous but not by much, while you can grow the population you'll still need Hirelings to make up for your small unit sizes and to fill in weakness like cavalry and ranged troops.
  • Hobbits are not playable in campaign and are limited to the Shire, not to mention it's been made so they'll leave you alone and the AI will leave them alone too, like in the books.
  • Orcs, Trolls and Wargs start out being based in several abandoned outposts in the Misty Mountains and the Grey Mountains, meaning you'll need to take them out if you want those forts, even then you need to control them long enough to cleanse them of the pits, otherwise they won't respawn. Adûnabâr and Dunland are able to recruit and breed them however should you turn to the Shadow Cult.
• All There in the Manual: The manual being the Middle-earth legendarium itself, even abandoned writings!
• Adaptational Villainy: Downplayed with most Northmen factions, with the exception of Rohan. In the Third Age they were firmly on the side of good; in the Fourth Age, their motives have become a lot greyer: they aren't really interested in fighting the Shadow Cult and more concerned with expanding and strengthening their empire, and don't care about whom they have to step on to achieve this goal. This is especially pronounced with Dale, who have become imperialists that need to conquer the fellow Northmen of Rhovanion and Dorwinion to finish the campaign, and the Beornings, who have to backstab Dale (their ally) to fulfil their victory conditions, and are very aggressive against the Elves if you are playing as them.
• Adaptation Expansion:
  • As this is based off a story that was abandoned after a few pages, a lot of imagination has been needed to fill the gaps. Some of this is forced due to unmoddable elements of the game while others were made by choice.
  • Dorwinion, an area that is only referenced once or twice with a couple of brief lines in The Hobbit, was added as a full-fledged faction in Dominion of Men. Same also went for Tharbad, which only gets mentioned as a ruined town that Boromir crossed on his journey to Rivendell and only gets additional information in Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth.
• Artificial Stupidity: A limit of the Total War engine means AI factions are quite happy to declare war on you and won't sue for peace. Annoying when playing as Rohan and the Reunited Kingdom declare war on you. The alliance system is planned to be fixed in Dominion of Men.
• Balkanize Me: No less than three secesssionist movements have succeeded in the Reunited Kingdom, creating the Kingdom of Adûnabâr, the City-kingdom of Tharbad and the Principality of Harondor.
• Bilingual Bonus: Adûnabâr gets its name derived from Adûnaic, a language invented by Tolkien, with adûn meaning west and abâr meaning strength.
• Binding Ancient Treaty: There are two: one between the Reunited Kingdom and Rohan, the other between Dale and the Dwarves. These two alliances are very secure and will never be broken unless if the player plays one of these four factions and decides to attack their partner.
• Black and White Morality: Subverted. If not taking into account the always-good Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits, outside of the Obviously Evil Shadow Cult, all Mannish factions follow either the Ways of the West or the Ways of Darkness, but this is no longer very indicative of good or evil like how it used to be during the Second and Third Ages. The motifs of the supposedly 'evil' Darkness or 'good' West factions are no longer serving or fighting against Sauron, but have become a lot greyer, usually focusing on expanding their empire and fighting against their enemies. Indeed, for half of the Mannish factions (Adûnabâr if following the West, Dale, Beornings, Rhûn, Khand, Harad, Far Harad and Harondor if following Darkness), it is necessary to fight a faction of the same alignment as you since their starting territories are on your list of victory conditions.
• Cain and Abel: The House of Telcontar, ruling house of the Reunited Kingdom, is the Abel to the Cain of the House of Adûnakhôr, the ruling house of Adûnabâr, who was founded by a son of Eldarion who fell under the influence of the Shadow Cult, rebelled against his brother and formed the Kingdom of Adûnabâr after their father's death.
• Cannon Fodder: The lesser Orc units. They are just as numerous as, and cheaper than, peasants from Rome: Total War and you can make a staggering 9 units of them in one turn if you have enough population, which is heavily boosted by the Orc pits that breed them. On the other hand, they are no match for even low-tier Mannish soldiers, and while they can be useful in flanking or against weakened or demoralised foes, they will not win your battles for you.
• A Commander Is You:
  • Reunited Kingdom: Elitist/Generalist - The Reunited Kingdom has a low population growth compared to other Mannish factions. Their units tend to be rather small in terms of size, especially cavalry, and have powerful stats, making them the most elf- or dwarf-like of all Mannish factions.
  • Adûnabâr: Balanced/Brute (if following the Cult), Elitist/Generalist (if following the West) - For Adûnabâr, choosing to follow the West or the Cult will change their entire roster. Cultic Adûnabâr can employ orcs, wargs, trolls and Cultists – who are mostly heavy infantry, with archers or cavalry like Knights of the Dark Tree being powerful but few in number. Turning to the Ways of the West replaces the aforementioned units with a Dúnedain roster that resembles the Reunited Kingdom's.
  • Tharbad: Generalist/Economist - Tharbad's unit roster mirrors its cultural diversity, with a core of Dúnedain infantry, rounded out by troops specialising in other fighting styles: Gondorian ballistae, Dunlending pikemen, indigenous axemen and Rohirrim horsemen. With this flexibility, Tharbad can train forces to meet almost any threat. Tharbad stands to profit by remaining neutral and trading with everyone it can. Focusing on wealth in the early years will allow them to afford a standing army that can take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
  • Dale: Balanced/Generalist/Economist - Their roster is the most well-rounded of the Northmen cultural group, centred around archers and a variety of other infantry. Dale can make good use of other Northmen factions' units, including Dorwinion halberdiers, Rhovanion skirmishers and lancers, and Rohirrim medium cavalry as well as horse-archers. Their expanded levy system also allows for a wide range of non-Northmen units to be recruited in the appropriate regions. In addition Dale can grow very rich off the river trade that passes along the kingdom.
  • Rohan: Balanced/Brute - Rohan has the most diverse cavalry roster of all factions. Their infantry is solid, but less versatile than most of their neighbours'. Their main strength lies in the cavalry, which is very dangerous at all but the longest ranges, and especially powerful when charging the enemy.
  • Rhovanion: Guerrilla - Rhovanion's troops are not built for taking punishment. Have them fight enemies man-to-man and you'll lose, or at best win a pyrrhic victory. They have to rely upon stealth, sudden uprising, and hit-and-run tactics. The “Wilderman” bloodline prevalent in their family members reflects this, granting bonuses to campaign movement speed and cavalry command. In battles, Rhovanion units will want to wear down their opponents at range, skirmish to tire them out, spring tactical ambushes, and master the hit-and-run cavalry charge.
  • Dorwinion: Economist/Unit Specialist - Dorwinion's territory benefits from fertile farmland and vineyards. They have limited cavalry and their units tend to be defensive in nature, often favouring polearms.
  • Beornings: Brute/Guerrilla - Beornings are well-suited to defending the uneven, wooded terrain of their homeland, and ambushing in general but less used to open war upon the battlefield. Though not great in number, the Beornings are hardy, physically strong and have good morale. But more than any other faction, the Beornings rely upon psychological warfare. The big, scary Beornings can take apart the enemy’s best troops, sow fear through the army and rout a technically superior force.
  • Rhûn: Spammer/Generalist - The great strength of Rhûn is its large and varied troop roster. There are wild Easterling infantry and dependable riders as a core of the faction, but depending on how you expand you may also recruit Khandish horse archers, fierce axemen from the north, or even bloodthirsty Cultists. Capable of amassing hordes, their numbers only exceeded by the Haradrim.
  • Khand: Balanced/Ranger - Khand is the designated horse archer faction of Dominion of Men. Their armies are drawn from three subcultures: Khandish nobles, Variags and steppe nomads, with the nomad horse archers forming the core of their army. And indeed a cavalry-only approach - where field armies are composed almost entirely of skilled horse archers, plus some melee cavalry - can be incredibly effective. The Variags also give Khand some flexibility on the battlefield - some staying power to complement the range and punch of the steppe outriders.
  • North Rhûn: Spammer/Brute - North Rhûn benefits from some strong infantry, especially axemen, but lacks ranged units and cavalry - essentially a more infantry-focused version of Rhûn. Overall, though, their units are typical of what you'd expect from a barbarian faction without access to great smiths or technology.
  • Harad: Spammer/Generalist - Harad enjoys perhaps the most diverse unit roster in the game. Harad combines Rhûn's numbers with Dale's missile power, and the Beornings' aptness for psychological warfare. Their cavalry roster is also very good and can almost compete with Khand's and Rohan's in terms of power and versatility. Many Haradrim units have terrain bonuses in deserts and their fighting style needs open spaces for manoeuvring. In addition to its native troops, including the mighty Mûmakil, Harad has the option of turning to the Shadow Cult for more durable melee fighters.
  • Far Harad: Generalist/Guerrilla - Far Harad units are, for the most part, similar to Harad's; unlike Harad, Far Harad can't afford to produce them en masse. Since their unique elite units cause fear, they want to resort to fast attacks, charging in, dealing some damage, and then pulling back to charge again. On the battle map, they should hit enemy settlements before they can be built up, do as much damage as possible, and then withdraw.
  • Harondor: Ranger/Guerrilla - Harondor has access to mostly Haradrim troops, with a strong presence of skirmishers and some heavier-armed swordsmen. Key to victory as Harondor is good use of skirmishers, both mounted and foot, though you also have the ability to train some stronger infantry types.
  • Dunland: Spammer/Generalist/Technical - Dunland benefits from the high population growth common to barbarian factions, meaning they can recruit more or less constantly – which they'll need to since their troops often die in alarming numbers. Dunlendings are poorly armed and armoured, but they are versatile, cheap, plentiful and offer some great abilities (throwing spears, anti-cavalry, fear, armour piercing). Converting to the Cult locks out some of the higher-tier Dunlending native units but replaces them with Cultist heavy infantry as well as orcs, trolls and wargs.
  • Dwarves: Elitist/Brute/Economist/Loyal/Generalist - Dwarven units are rare and low in number, due to the low population in their Homelands (which is the only place they can ever be trained) as well as their high cost, and consist mostly of heavy infantry. They also do not suffer from revolts, have excellent morale and armour, and start with hoards that may be sold to significantly boost their treasuries. And outside their homelands, the Dwarves may train a wide variety of Mannish allies, called Hirelings, who give their Dwarven paymasters incredible diversity.
  • Elves: Elitist/Ranger/Guerrilla/Loyal/Generalist - The Elves are few in relation to other factions, even fewer than the Dwarves, and suffer from severe population problems as more and more of them leave for Valinor. However, they also have the finest and stealthiest troops in Middle-earth (especially archers) and never suffer from revolts like the Dwarves. Similar to the Dwarves, outside their lands an Elven leader cannot train Elves but can recruit various Elvellyn soldiers, who, though weaker than Elves, will help round out the numbers in an Elven army, therefore mitigating a population drain in the Elven homelands.
• Crutch Character: Glorfindel for the Elves. He commands a unique unit of Noldor Riders – the finest cavalry in Middle-earth, and is also accompanied by a separate unit of Noldor Swords. These two units can each take on incredible odds by themselves (the Noldor Riders in particular can single-handily slaughter armies of thousands and take zero to few casualties doing so); add a few starting Mithlond units such as Elven Bows, Lindon Guards, and Mariners, rally some Mannish mercenaries in the field, and you’ll have a tiny army capable of destroying just about anything in its path. Since Glorfindel’s time is limited (if not killed in battle, he'll eventually pass into the West, taking the Riders with him), you’ll need to use him well.
• Death-or-Glory Attack: Beorning units have little staying power, but on the other hand all Beornings cause fear, and put out a pretty respectable amount of pain in melee. Beorning battles tend to be very 'swingy': either an absolute disaster where you lose most of your army, or you're able to spark a mass rout early on and run down the majority of the enemy while they're fleeing, leading to crushing victories where you lose less than a hundred men.
• The Dragon: The leader of Adûnabâr is this to Herumor.
• Dragon Ascendant: Herumor, the former Mouth of Sauron, has replaced his dead master as the new Dark Lord and Big Bad of the story.
• Early Game Hell:
  • Harondor starts sandwiched between Harad and Adûnabâr, with its next-nearest neighbour being the Reunited Kingdom across the mouths of the Anduin. Put plainly, this four-province faction begins play surrounded by the three largest factions on the map – with no nearby rebel-held provinces for easy picking.
  • Far Harad is one of the smallest factions in Dominion of Men, starting with only 3 settlements. These towns are some distance from each other and vulnerable to attack from large and aggressive foes, almost from the very start. There are no rivers, mountains, or even notable hills, and Adabbara - the town most exposed to attack - doesn't even have walls. Like Harondor, Far Harad will find enemies quickly: both Harad and Khand will be quick to attack.
  • North Rhûn also starts out with only 3 settlements and can’t afford the luxury of snapping up a rebel settlement here and doing some building there before a major assault. They begin the campaign already at war with Dale, and in the very next turn the (thankfully passive) Dwarves will join their ally to declare war as well. Dorwinion will attack as soon as they think they can capture one of North Rhûn's towns. And as soon as the eastern rebel settlements are conquered – if not before – Rhûn will send an invasion north as well. In short, from turn one every single faction that can attack North Rhûn soon will, and the only way to avoid being stomped is to push back fast and hard.
• Dying Race: This is taken further from the Lord of the Rings
  • The Elves now number a few thousand at most as they sail west. The centre of their culture is now Thranduil's realm in Eryn Lasgalen, that and Mithlond are the only places you'll likely be able to recruit Elven troops. Most of their other settlements are likely to be replaced with a mannish population over time.
  • The Dwarves subvert this. They still populate slowly and need mannish help. But they've actually reclaimed most of their ancestral homes and even established a settlement in the Ered Rhun. But are still far fewer in number than at their prime. Chances are a couple of their native settlements will be populated by men to help them.
• Easter Egg: In The New Shadow, Rohan got a unit of Dwarves in Aglarond, the settlement founded by Gimli after the War of the Ring. The Reunited Kingdom got a unit of Elves due to the settlement founded by Legolas in Ithilien. These two were removed once Dominion of Men was released, due to the addition of the Elves and Dwarves as full-fledged factions.
• Elite Army: You hardly ever have more than a few Elven units in the same army – but those Elves can, more often than not, handle 10-to-1 odds. Even the basic Threshold Troops are superior to many Mannish warriors. Enemies can and will throw plenty of bodies at the Elves, but they can (and often have to) withstand such battering and hold the field with few losses of their own.
• Evil Pays Better: In Adûnabâr's case then yes, if you decide to worship the Shadow you get to breed all manner of evilness, in part due to it being harder to play nice as them. However butchering settlements when playing as Rohan or the Reunited Kingdom applies negative traits such as 'Orc Like' which will handicap your influence.
• Elves vs. Dwarves: Played straight as this is a Total Wargame, you can have them fight in custom battles. In the campaign they don't attack each other.
• The Fellowship Has Ended: It happened centuries before in The Lord of the Rings appendices: they have either died or sailed west in that time.
• Foreshadowing: The page quote; note that this is an unofficial sequel, sadly.
• Functional Magic: Magic use was already quite subtle by the time of Lord of the Rings and is pushed even more into the background here. Not only is this down to the limitations of the game engine, but it is justified in-universe due to the magic going away and Middle-earth becoming the modern day world. Magic here is pretty much the source of superstition and rumour, much like in Real Life, but if you look closely you can see where it's implied to have been used. Black Magic, White Magic, Nature Magic and Mentalism are implied in some traits and ancillaries.
• Gameplay and Story Segregation: Justified because of the limits of the Rome engine and several elements unmoddable due to hard coding, there has been a few allowances made, such as:
  • Prior to Dominion of Men: Places like Helm's Deep or Minas Anor being generic cities on the battle map due to the way the game handles battles, although in the campaign map they are unique. This is currently being corrected as of Dominion of Men. Minas Anor, Minas Ithil and the Hornburg all now have unique cities on the battlemap, with more currently planned.
  • Characters of Dúnadan (Númenórean) descent age and die the same as lesser men, meaning you are lucky to get them living past 80. This is due to age having an upper limit of 125 before it resets.
  • Tolkien's unfinished manuscript only mentioned a dark cult was rising rather than it being a full blown faction. Justifiable due to the limits of the game engine.
• Ghost City:
  • The city of Osgiliath, former capital of Gondor, was abandoned during the Third Age and cannot be resettled, since the game treats it as a wonder, not an actual city.
  • The Dwarven colony of Aglarond in Hornburg, founded by Gimli after the end of The Lord of the Rings, was abandoned after he left Middle-earth, as the Dwarves grew fewer and withdrew to their ancestral halls.
  • Ost-in-Edhil, the former Elven city of Eregion is a settlement in this game despite lying in ruin, but can be rebuilt by an Elf-lord of great power and foresight.
• Grey and Gray Morality: Despite every faction being aligned either to the Ways of the West or the Ways of Darkness, the good/evil distinction doesn't quite apply in the Fourth Age, which is rather 'grey', so to speak. Followers of 'Darkness' in Dominion of Men are not necessarily evil, but they are technically ignorant of the Ways of the West. These people have their own traditions, some of which are strongly opposed to the Ways of the West, but these traditions are not themselves warped by an intelligent evil force, per se. The closest thing in the mod to a completely evil faction is a full-on Cult-aligned Adûnabâr.
• History Repeats: The rebellion of Adûnabâr is strikingly similar to how, in The Silmarillion, Sauron corrupted the Kingdom of Númenor to cause their downfall.
• Hobbits: They show up as their own faction (the Shire), but in general play a very small role as they do not expand and only try to defend their starting provinces.
• Hufflepuff House: Anyone with at least a passing knowledge of Tolkien's Legendarium can attest to the importance of Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits in the setting, but in FATW they have been reduced to this: unless if you're playing as them, they only try to defend their existing territory and in general play a very small role in the campaign compared to the Mannish factions.
• Humans Are Divided: Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits are united under one faction each, and never suffer from rebellions. Men can be seen in all factions, and Mannish factions will spend most of their campaign fighting other Men (in fact, there's very little incentive for a Mannish faction to fight the Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits, with these races being out-of-the-way, passive, and their settlements being heavily defended and on the list of victory conditions of no one).
• Idiosyncratic Difficulty Levels: Home in Time for Tea (Easy), Decidedly Tookish (Medium), Bullroaring (Hard) and LAUGHING AT LIVE DRAGONS (Very Hard).
• Land of One City: The Tharbad state calls itself one (its full administrative name is City-kingdom of Tharbad), although its territories have expanded and, at the start of the campaign, encompasses the entire Greyflood river.
• Long Runner: As stated, this mod has been in development for the best part of a decade! Rather than being Vapourware however, they have released the mod in parts over the years, and continue to post updates on their forum.
• The Magic Goes Away: It's almost completely gone, only elements such as the last Palantír remain as hints of what once was. This is due to how Tolkien envisioned Middle-earth gradually becoming the modern world and this is continued in the game. The Fourth Age is the Dominion of Men where most fantasy elements were disappearing, the Elves sailed into the West with the Wizards and the Ring-bearers, taking the Three Elven Rings with them. The Balrogs and Nazgûl are destroyed, the Dwarves and Ents slowly declined and kept to themselves and Hobbits kept to themselves while under the protection of the Reunited Kingdom.
• Mechanically Unusual Class: The Elves and Dwarves have a number of distinguishing features and play rather differently from the 15 Mannish factions. Their starting and historical territories are designated as Elven or Dwarven homelands, have very slow population growth to reflect the Elves' emigration and the Dwarves' decline, yet are the only places where Elven and Dwarven units can be trained. Outside their homelands Elves and Dwarves cannot be recruited and they must rely on Mannish auxiliaries both to round out the numbers in the very elite Elven/Dwarven army and to fill in the holes in their roster. When it comes to developing their provinces, only Elves and Dwarves can develop all their provinces fully without having to dedicate each to a specific policy, but some buildings (like farms) are unavailable to them. If necessary, their provinces can be converted to Mannish, simulating the displacement of the native Elven/Dwarven population by Mannish settlers. It will disable the recruitment of native units, increase population growth, unlock certain buildings, capabilities and units that are available only with Mannish population and change the populace-related effects (loyalty to certain factions, cultural conversion, etc.). In addition, the Elves and Dwarves do not suffer from revolts (if AI-controlled) and can survive without family members.
• Mouth of Sauron: The Trope Namer has now shed this role for that of Big Bad and is now the real power behind Adûnabâr, with the King of that kingdom acting as the public face and this trope.
• Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: Aragorn of all people during the War of the Ring. When he met the Mouth of Sauron he let him live rather than kill him. The Mouth was able to escape the fall of Sauron and fled south where he plotted revenge. It's revealed that he returned after Aragorn's death now known as Herumor and has orchestrated the events which led to the Reunited Kingdom weakening, the corruption of the King's brother which lead to Adûnabâr's founding and the state of affairs in the world.
• No Campaign for the Wicked: Zigzagged. The only unplayable faction is the Shire, which is less of a full-fledged faction and more of a mechanic to reflect its status as an autonomous region of the Reunited Kingdom.
• Please Select New City Name:
  • Following the fall of Sauron and the reclamation of Minas Morgul, both it and its sister city Minas Tirith were renamed back to their original names of Minas Ithil and Minas Anor.
  • Cirith Ungol was renamed Cirith Dúath, now named after the Ephel Dúath mountain range instead of the spiders (ungol in Sindarin) who are no longer present.
• Private Military Contractors: There are plenty of region specific mercenaries available for hire should you want them.
• Requisite Royal Regalia: The leaders of each faction have ancillaries to point out they are in charge.
• Serial Escalation: Each new installment has added at least one new faction. Dominion of Men ups the ante by making a total of 18 factions playable!
• Shout-Out: The mod itself is a big shout out to 'The New Shadow,' and there are several instances of lore and references to the other books everywhere you look.
• Shown Their Work: Everywhere you look. Examples include:
  • In Dominion of Men, Elven and Dwarven units will only be recruitable from settlements populated by them, and the settlements will have population troubles. They are different species and taking over Mannish settlements doesn't mean you can suddenly make elven and dwarven troops. The population problems arise from the Elves sailing into the West and the Dwarves being in decline, while the unit issues arise from the fact that Elves and Dwarves are different species.
  • Each faction has different houses amongst its family members. The Reunited Kingdom, for example, has the houses of Galador, Telcontar, and Húrin, corresponding to the Princes of Dol Amroth, the line of the Kings of Númenor, and the Stewards of Gondor. Each has titles and ancillaries to go with their name.
• Unexplained Recovery: Oh my, Herumor could be seen like this. Think you can just get rid of him by letting him disappear when the King of Adûnabâr dies so it's easier to play a good faction? Think again, he just comes back next turn in your new king's ancillaries.
• Vestigial Empire: During Aragorn's reign, the Reunited Kingdom once encompassed half of the known parts of Middle-earth, from Arnor to the north to Dunland, Gondor, the coast of Haradwaith up to Umbar in the south to southeastern Rhovanion and the Sea of Rhûn in the east. After Eldarion's death, half of the Kingdom seceded and became the Kingdom of Adûnabâr; the Haradrim and corsairs seized Umbar and the rest of the coast up to Harondor, who declared independence along with the Dunlendings; the rest of the Reunited Kingdom's lands east of the Anduin is taken by the Easterlings; and the city of Tharbad also declares independence. As of the start of the campaign, what was left of the Kingdom is Gondor (minus Ithilien) and half of Arthedain.
• Video Game Cruelty Potential: As with any Total War game, capturing a settlement means you have the choice to butcher the populace, not such a good idea if playing as Rohan or the Reunited Kingdom if a family member is in command. Adûnabâr plays this straight, as you can turn the kingdom to the New Shadow and then tear down your rival kingdom on the other side of the Anduin.
• Video Game Historical Revisionism: Within the history of Middle-earth itself. Tolkien's work stated that the Fourth Age was one of peace between men, with Eldarion ruling for several centuries. However this was after he abandoned the sequel, plus this mod is done so well it may be considered Better Than Canon.
• Walk into Mordor: Sauron might be long gone but now Adûnabâr have taken up residence there and fortified it. So you still can't simple stroll into the place...
• War Elephants: Harad has access to Mûmakil that can do all the things you'd expect war elephants to do: trample, gore, and toss even elite soldiers to their deaths while the mahouts atop the howdah hurl javelins into the enemy far below.
• Wham Episode: The early versions, while very detailed didn't really explain why Harad, Dunland and Rhûn were on the offensive. Then The New Shadow comes out and explains that a group called The Shadow Cult has been behind everything, and to make matters worse, the Reunited Kingdom has suddenly become split in two when one of Aragorns descendants rebels. Dominion of Men up the ante further. Adûnabâr has not only reached Eriador, but conquered Rivendell as well.
• Zerg Rush: Orc champions and Uruks. Their quality is low, but still comparable to low-level Mannish soldiers, and their sheer numbers mean one-to-one fights are a rarity. The point of such troops (especially Uruk Berserkers) is to hurl themselves at the foe, frothing at the mouth, killing (and dying) in alarming numbers. With enough mirian and population (which can be provided by Orc breeding pits), you can just send out endless waves of these and overwhelm the other factions through sheer numbers.

The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age is a 2004 role-playing video game developed by EA Redwood Shores for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube. A turn-based tacticsversion of the game was developed for the Game Boy Advance by Griptonite Games. The game was published on all platforms by Electronic Arts, and released worldwide in November 2004.

The game is a loose adaptation of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings film trilogy; The Fellowship of the Ring (released in 2001), The Two Towers (released in 2002) and The Return of the King (released in 2003). As it is not an adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's 1954 novel The Lord of the Rings, anything from the novels not specifically mentioned or depicted in the films could not be represented in the game. This is because, at the time, Vivendi Universal Games, in partnership with Tolkien Enterprises, held the rights to the video game adaptations of Tolkien's literary works, whilst Electronic Arts held the rights to the video game adaptations of the New Line Cinema films.^[5]

The game received mixed to positive reviews. Most reviewers praised the graphics, but many found the storyline and character development weak, and the gameplay somewhat too derivative of Final Fantasy X.

• 2Synopsis
• 4Reception

Gameplay[edit]

As with many role playing games, gameplay in Third Age is split into two different modes; third-person exploration through a 3Doverworld, and combat mode, consisting of turn-based gameplay.^[6][7]

Progression through the game is built around 'Quests.' Every area features multiples quests which must be completed in order to progress to the next area. All areas also feature several optional sidequests which do not have to be completed for progression, but which can yield substantial rewards if they are.^[8] When the player is in third-person mode, the HUD displays a map with the current objectives (primary and secondary) marked on it.^[8] As the player moves through the environment, one of two icons can also appear on-screen. If the Eye of Sauron appears, it means the player has a chance to encounter a random battle; the darker the eye, the more likely a battle will occur. If a blue Palantír appears, it means the player is approaching a story battle; again, the darker the icon, the closer the player is to the battle. However, not every scripted battle is indicated beforehand by a Palantír icon.^[8]

The Third Age is an RPG in the style of the games in the Final Fantasy series. The game's turn-based combat system is similar to Final Fantasy X's 'Conditional Turn-Based' system (CTB), which replaced the 'Active Time Battle' system (ATB) used from Final Fantasy IV to Final Fantasy IX. The primary difference between the ATB and the CTB is that in the CTB system, time pauses as the player selects commands, whereas in the ATB system, time continues to pass. As such, in the ATB system, even when the player is selecting actions, the enemy can continue to attack. In the CTB system, however, the enemy will not attack the player until the player has had their turn.^[9] During battle, a 'battle queue' is displayed on-screen. This shows the order in which the player's party and the enemy will take their turns. However, the order of battle can be changed by using abilities to slow down or stun the enemy, or speed up the player characters. Likewise, the enemies can increase their own speed and decrease the party's, again changing the order. The queue changes each time a turn is completed.^[9] The player can only have three active party members in any given battle, but in most battles, they are free to switch party members in and out of combat. Occasionally, the player will be joined by a fourth member, who is usually a character from the films, and is controllable for one or two battles only.^[9]

Battles are structured around the player selecting actions from the battle menu. Actions include options such as 'Attack', 'Change Weapon', 'Item' and 'Skip.'^[9] Another feature of battling is 'Perfect Mode.' As the player successfully executes attacks on the enemy, their momentum meter will fill. When it is completely full, any member of the party can select 'Perfect Mode' from the menu and execute a more powerful attack. Perfect attacks are general to the party, with any character able to execute any attack; they are not specific to each character.^[9] At the end of each battle, each member of the party receives experience points, based upon their actions during the battle. For example, if one character killed all the enemies, they will get more points than the others. If a character did not participate in the battle at all, they will get less points than those who did. Gaining experience points leads to the characters leveling up. When a character levels up, they receive attribute points, which they can spend on their various attributes; Strength, Spirit, Constitution, Speed and Dexterity.^[10] Weaponry and armor also effect the level of each attribute.^[10]

Each character also has access to their own unique set of skills. Every character has four basic types of skill set; one based upon their primary weapon, another based around magic, another determining what attacks are available in Perfect Mode, and a fourth determining their passive skills. Depending on what 'elf stones' they have equipped, any given character may also have skill sets relating to Lightcraft, Shadowcraft and Item Creation. For all skills except passive skills and perfect mode, the character can only learn new skills by performing the skills which they have already learned from that set a predetermined number of times.^[11] Each successful execution of a skill earns one skill point for the next skill. As the character advances, the choice of skills available to them increases, and they can choose what skill to learn next.^[11] Skill points for perfect mode and passive skills are attached to experience level rather than successful execution of skills.^[11]

The game also features a mini-game called 'Evil Mode'. As the player completes each area in the main game, that area becomes available to play in evil mode. In this mode, the player controls the forces of Sauron and fights against the main game's player characters. Each area features a set number of battles, between which the player cannot save. If the player successfully completes the battles in a particular area, special items are unlocked, and added to the player's inventory in the main game.^[12][13]

Synopsis[edit]

Although the main narrative of the game runs parallel to the narrative in the film trilogy, the plot is not intended as an original canonical story to fit into the plot as developed in the films.^[14] This is primarily seen insofar as the party are present during certain battles which in the films are solo fights, such as when Gandalf faces the Balrog in The Fellowship of the Ring or when Éowyn faces the Witch-king of Angmar in The Return of the King. The game also features events which don't take place in the films at all; such as a battle between the party and Gríma Wormtongue in Snowbourne, and another against the Eye of Sauron atop Barad-dûr. Throughout the game, Gandalf 'speaks' to Berethor by means of 'Epic Scenes'; film clips which the player can collect and which feature original narration by Gandalf. These clips give context to much of the plot and serve to offer advice to Berethor of events in the wider world.^[7][15]

Background[edit]

The game is presented against the background of the history of the One Ring. At the dawn of the Second Age, after the defeat of the Dark Lord, Morgoth, the elves of Eregion forged the nineteen Rings of Power to help themselves, the dwarves and men rule Middle-earth. However, the elves were unaware that Sauron, Morgoth's closest ally, had survived his master's defeat, and in the guise of Annatar had been the one who taught the Elven-smiths, led by Celebrimbor, how to forge the Rings, whilst, in secret, he forged his own One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom, a Ring far more powerful than any of the others. However, in order for the One Ring to be powerful enough to control the other Rings, Sauron had to transfer most of his power into it. As soon as he put it on, the elves became aware of his ruse, removing and hiding their Three Rings, which Celebrimbor had forged without Sauron's aid. Sauron waged war on the elves, conquering much of Middle-earth and killing Celebrimbor. Thus began the Dark Years, when Sauron took possession of the remaining sixteen Rings, giving seven to the dwarves and nine to men in an effort to corrupt them. The dwarves proved relatively immune to the powers of the Rings, acquiring only a greed for gold, and becoming unconcerned with events in the wider world. Men proved less resilient, and the nine kings given the Rings become the nine Ring-wraiths, or Nazgûl, led by the Witch-king of Angmar.

In his ongoing efforts to conquer Middle-earth, Sauron regained the allegiance of many of Morgoth's servants from the First Age, and successfully corrupted Númenor. However, in doing so, he expended a great deal of his power, and lost the ability to ever again assume a pleasing disguise. Returning to Mordor, he regained his strength, eventually capturing Minas Ithil. However, realizing that if they did not join together, Sauron would destroy both men and elves, Elendil, High-King of Arnor, and Gil-galad, High-King of Noldor, formed the Last Alliance of Men and Elves, and attacked Sauron in his fortress, Barad-dûr. The alliance was victorious, with Isildur cutting the One Ring from Sauron's hand. However, although presented with a chance to destroy the Ring forever, Isildur, already beginning to succumb to its corruption, chose not to do so. As such, although Sauron's physical form was vanquished, his spirit, bound to the Ring, survived. Some time later, Isildur was attacked and killed by a band of orcs, and the Ring was lost in the river Anduin for over two thousand years.

Meanwhile, during the Third Age, a still weakened Sauron covertly established a stronghold at Dol Guldur. In response to this undetermined evil, the Valar sent five Maiar to Middle-earth. Taking the form of wizards, they were led by Saruman. Unsure of the origin of the evil power in Dol Guldur, the wizard Gandalf was sent to investigate. However, Sauron hid from Gandalf, waiting for four hundred years before returning. Around the same time, the One Ring was found by a Hobbit named Sméagol, who became utterly corrupted by it, living in the caves of the Misty Mountains, and physically transforming into a creature known as Gollum. For five hundred years, Gollum was consumed and corrupted by the Ring. Eventually, Gandalf was able to determine the evil presence in Dol Guldur was indeed Sauron. Gandalf reported back to the White Council, but Saruman dissuaded them from moving against Sauron. Only when he learned the One Ring may be in the vicinity of the Gladden Fields did Saruman agree to attack Sauron, hoping to find the Ring himself. The Council drove Sauron from Dol Guldur, unaware that he knew the Ring had been found. Just prior to Sauron's departure, the Ring passed to another hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who used it to assist in the victory of elves, men and dwarves at the Battle of the Five Armies. Sixty years later, Gollum was captured by orcs, and taken to Mordor, where he was tortured into revealing the owner and location of the Ring; Bilbo Baggins of the Shire. In the meantime, Bilbo had left the Shire to live in Rivendell, and upon the advice of Gandalf had (very reluctantly) given the Ring to his nephew, Frodo Baggins. With the information given him by Gollum, Sauron, still unable to take physical form, thus sent the Nazgûl to the Shire to retrieve the One Ring. Frodo, and his friends, Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin 'Pippin' Took and Meriadoc 'Merry' Brandybuck managed to escape the Shire and make it to Bree, where they encountered the rangerAragorn, the last surviving descendent of Isildur, and rightful heir to the throne of Gondor. Aragorn protected the hobbits on their journey to Rivendell, and upon their arrival, Elrond formed a Fellowship with the goal of bringing the Ring to Mordor to destroy it. The Fellowship is composed of Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Gandalf, a silvan elf from Mirkwood named Legolas, a dwarf from Erebor named Gimli, and a man from Gondor named Boromir, son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor.^[16]

Plot[edit]

The game begins with Berethor (voiced by Rhys Lloyd), a captain in the Citadel Guard of Gondor, travelling to Rivendell to find Boromir at the behest of Denethor.^[17] On the outskirts of Rivendell, he is attacked by the Nazgûl, but is rescued by Idrial (Lori Phillips), an elf in the service of Galadriel. As they travel through the forest, they see a murder of crebain and Idrial deduces Saruman (Christopher Lee) has betrayed the elves leaving Middle-earth for the Grey Havens.^[18][19] Seeing her convoy under attack by Isengardorcs, she and Berethor intervene. They then head to Caradhras to seek any further survivors, and there meet Elegost (Chris Edgerly), a Dúnedain ranger hunting Warg.^[20] They learn the Fellowship tried to pass over Caradhras recently, but were prevented from doing so by a snowstorm unleashed by Saruman, and so they instead elected to pass through the mines of Moria.^[21] Elegost explains he was hunting with a dwarven companion when they were caught in the storm, and separated. The three head towards Moria, soon finding the dwarf, Hadhod (Lewis MacLeod).

Upon entering Moria, Hadhod learns the rumors regarding Balin and the dwarves are true; they have been wiped out by orcs.^[22][23] They pursue the Fellowship, finding themselves on the floor below them, and seeing a Balrog ascending from the depths. They follow it, eventually reaching the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. There they join Gandalf (Ian McKellen) as he faces the Balrog. They help him to victory, but are unable to prevent him falling from the bridge. However, unbeknownst to the Fellowship, Gandalf is resurrected by the Valar.^[24] Meanwhile, the party exits Moria and follows in the footsteps of the Fellowship, passing through Lothlórien.^[25]

They soon learn that Boromir is dead, that Frodo and Sam have headed towards Mordor to destroy the Ring, and that the rest of the Fellowship have gone to Rohan.^[26] They too head towards Rohan. However, Saruman has used his agent, Gríma Wormtongue, to corrupt Théoden, King of Rohan, manipulating him into banishing Éomer, captain of the Rohirrim.^[27] Saruman plans to use the division caused by this to destroy Rohan.^[28] The party meet the resurrected Gandalf, who tells them they must assemble Éomer's men and head towards Helm's Deep, where Rohan will make a last stand against Saruman's army. In the meantime, Gandalf will attempt to release Théoden from Saruman's curse.^[29] Soon thereafter, they meet a woman named Morwen (Lori Phillips), who joins the party on the road to Helm's Deep in the hopes of finding her family.^[30][31] Having assembled Éomer's scattered forces, the party begin to make their way to Helm's Deep. On the journey, Morwen reveals she is originally from Minas Tirith, and the party receive word that Théoden has been released from Saruman's spell.^[32] On the road, they meet Éoaden (Charles Martinet), a member of Rohan's Royal Guard, who joins them. Soon thereafter, they find the bodies of Morwen's family, killed by wargs, before arriving at Helm's Deep.

Inside the fortress, they prepare for battle.^[33] Soon, Saruman's army of 10,000 Uruk-hai arrive. They breach the outer walls using explosives and overwhelm the inner defenses. As Berethor fights, he suddenly hears the voice of Saruman telling him he shall be punished for his betrayal.^[34] Gandalf and Éomer arrive with the Rohirrim, attacking and decimating the Uruk-hai army. Meanwhile, the Ents, roused to war by Saruman's partial destruction of Fangorn Forest, lay siege to Orthanc, ending Saruman's involvement in the war.^[35] Gandalf then explains to Berethor why he heard the voice of Saruman - Berethor was captured by Saruman, who put him under a spell. Saruman believed Boromir would take the Ring from Frodo, and Berethor's job was to take it from Boromir and return it to Saruman.^[36] However, Boromir did not take the Ring. Knowing of Saruman's plan, Gandalf and Galadriel sent Idrial to find Berethor and stay by him until the spell could be broken, and with the destruction of Orthanc, Berethor is freed from the spell.^[37][38]

Gandalf tells the party that Sauron will now turn his eye to Minas Tirith. Gandalf rides on ahead,^[39] and sends the party to the ruined city of Osgiliath, to stand alongside Boromir's brother, Faramir.^[40][41] As they await the arrival of the army, Berethor muses that Osgiliath seems familiar to him. Éoaden remembers a Gondorian warrior who fought under Boromir during the defense of the city some time ago, but who fled the battle in fear. The party realize that Berethor is that man.^[42][43] He vows he will never flee again, and the party join Faramir in a fight against Gothmog. They defeat him, but he flees before they can kill him. Gandalf then summons the party back to Minas Tirith.^[44] Before they leave, however, Berethor learns the reason he fled Osgiliath was because he was stabbed by a Morgul blade, the tip of which is still within him.^[45] He and Idrial face the Witch-king, but Idrial explains he cannot harm the Witch-king whilst the blade is still inside him.^[46] He cuts it out and they attack the Witch-king, driving him off. The party then head to Minas Tirith.

They reach the city just after the Mordor army has breached the main gate, with orcs rampaging through the streets.^[47] Meanwhile, the Witch-king confronts Gandalf, who is joined by the party in the fight. During the battle, they hear the horns of the Rohirrim, and the Witch-king flees. The party head to the citadel at the top of the city, where they witness the death of the insane Denethor at the hands of Gandalf. They then learn that Aragorn is on his way with the Army of the Dead. The battle moves to the Pelennor Fields as the Rohirrim charge the Mordor army.^[48] The Witch-king attacks Théoden, and Éowyn comes to his aid. The party join her as she fights and they are able to defeat him. Soon thereafter Aragorn arrives with the Army of the Dead, who wipe out the Mordor army.

As the party celebrate, the eight remaining Nazgûl attack, stabbing Morwen. They defeat the Nazgûl, and Aragorn is able to save Morwen's life.^[49] He then tells the party the entire army is to march on the Black Gate to distract Sauron from Frodo's approach to Mount Doom. At the same time, the party attack the Eye of Sauron itself. As they fight, Frodo successfully destroys the Ring, and Sauron is defeated. In the aftermath of the victory, Gandalf tells Berethor he will face more adventures, saying 'Your tale has hardly begun.'

Development[edit]

Electronic Arts first mentioned The Third Age as early as October 4, 2002, shortly before the PlayStation 2 launch of The Two Towers. EA announced they would be making a Return of the King video game, to be released in roughly twelve months time, as well as an as-yet untitled role-playing game based on all three films, slated for release in Fall 2004.^[50] Nothing more was heard about the game until April 27, 2004 when EA officially revealed the game was to be released on three current generation consoles (GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox), as well as the Game Boy Advance. They explained that rather than the hack and slash nature of the previous two games in the franchise, The Third Age, as it was now officially called, would be a turn-based RPG, with gameplay similar to that of Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2. They also revealed the game would be set in the world of the films, but the player would control new characters rather than existing characters already established, although key events in the films would appear in the game, thus allowing players to see familiar events from a new perspective. Additionally, the game would feature new missions, events and characters not taken from the films at all. They also mentioned that the game would feature an option to allow players to fight on the side of Sauron.^[51][52]

Third Age Total War Dale Guide

— Steve Gray; executive producer^[53]

Development of the game had begun in mid-2002, when The Two Towers was still in development. Work intensified towards the end of 2003, with the release of The Return of the King. Executive producer, Steve Gray, who had worked on Final Fantasy VII and directed Parasite Eve for Squaresoft, explained he had wanted to make a Lord of the Rings RPG since the 1990s, but had never gotten the chance, until EA acquired the rights to the film trilogy.^[53][54]

As the game was under development, various ideas were rejected as the team settled on an approach. For example, initially, the developers planned to have an Active Time Battle combat system, before going with the Conditional Time Battle system. Another rejected idea was an auto-equip for weapons and armor, which would automatically equip the strongest piece of equipment. In tandem with this was an auto-allocation of experience points, whereby the game would choose to distribute points among the various attributes. Another rejected idea was that in Evil Mode, the good characters against whom the player would be fighting would replicate the actions taken by the player when they had played through the main game; the player's actions during the main game would be replicated by the AI controlled party. Eventually, however, this idea was scrapped and Evil Mode was simplified.^[14]

The game was first shown at the E3 event in May 2004, when a playable demo was made available for all three consoles. The demo featured gameplay from Moria, and included a fight against two trolls and the battle against the Balrog, as well as some footage from the film. EA announced the game would be about five times as long as the Return of the King game.^[55] They also explained that although the game would be linear, and the player would not be free to go wherever they wished in Middle-earth, at most times during the game, optional sidequests would be available. The game would be divided into smaller chapters comprising three main story arcs; the journey from Rivendell through Moria to Lothlórien; the journey across Rohan to Helm's Deep, and the subsequent Battle of the Hornburg; and the journey from Helm's Deep to Minas Tirith, and the subsequent Battle of the Pelennor Fields. EA explained players would be given already developed characters, but customization and attributes would not be tied to character classes, so players would be free to have any character specialize in any mode of combat they wished.^[6] Each of the characters in the game was based upon a minor character or extra who appeared at some point in the films, and who was named by the production crew but never named on-screen.^[14]

Reception[edit]

The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age received 'mixed or average reviews' across all systems; the GameCube version holds an aggregate score of 74 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on twenty-five reviews;^[56] the PlayStation 2 version 73 out of 100, based on thirty-five reviews;^[57] and the Xbox version 75 out of 100, based on thirty-eight reviews.^[58]

Eurogamer's Patrick Garratt scored the Xbox version 7 out of 10. Comparing the combat system to Final Fantasy X, he wrote 'it's a great formula [...] but there's nowhere near the depth.' However, he praised the graphics ('the presentation of the combat sequences will leave Tolkien fans in absolute ecstasy') and the story ('the story itself is actually very cool, and for LOTR fans the game will be a must-have for this alone. As the story is completely fresh and sits alongside the timeline of the films, playing The Third Age engenders the genuine excitement of playing pen and paper RPGs like Middle Earth'). He concluded 'The Third Age is a highly enjoyable, if throwaway foray into the world of the Lord of the Rings films, and has much to recommend it for a casual purchase, especially for Tolkien completists. But RPG mentalists will be bitter from the outset and will care little for the unparalleled presentation [...] This is a good game, it's just too shallow; an entry-level RPG at heart.'^[59]

GameSpy's Raymond Padilla the game 3.5 out of 5, calling it 'a very solid RPG that dazzles in some places and disappoints in others.' His biggest criticism was the plot and the characters; 'I don't care about the characters. I never really gave a damn if they lived or died as I was playing the game. I felt like I was given the minor league version of The Fellowship, with archetypes of characters I knew [...] Their names and stories seemed so irrelevant and uninteresting compared to the real thing.' However, he praised the graphics, calling the game 'a treat for the eyes and ears. The visuals are fantastic, much like the other The Lord of the Rings games. It's a phenomenal re-creation of Middle-earth that fans will totally drool over.' He concluded 'there are better RPGs on the market. There are better TLotR games on the market too. If you've exhausted all those possibilities, then give The Third Age a shot.'^[63][64][65]

GameSpot's Bethany Massimilla scored the game 7.7 out of 10. She was critical of the amount of Epic Scenes (which show clips from the films) in proportion to actual cutscenes; 'there's so much exposition being done by Gandalf that it seems to come at the expense of your characters [...] you are explicitly told what has happened and what will happen instead of actually seeing it happen, and it serves to somewhat distance the player from the whole experience.' However, she praised the graphics and sound, concluding 'The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age molds Middle-earth into a traditional turn-based frame, and while the results aren't all that great, the game carries some pretty good features and should appeal to fans of the source material.'^[60][61][62]

IGN's Juan Castro scored the game 8.5 out of 10. He too praised the graphics, writing 'EA did a magnificent job of bringing the grandeur of Middle-earth into The Third Age.' However, he was critical of the difficulty, claiming 'from the moment they brandish a weapon in-game, RPG veterans will most likely tell that EA went to great lengths to make The Third Age as accessible as possible.' He also criticized the story, writing 'gamers will be hard pressed to find an ounce of character development throughout the entire adventure,' and calling the characters 'soulless archetypes.' However, he concluded 'For the most part, The Third Age rips gamers from their living rooms and dumps them in a detailed rendition of Middle-earth. EA Redwood Shores has faithfully recreated everything from the glowing majesty of Rivendell to the murky depths of Helm's Deep. Suffice to say, this is one of the best looking games based on Tolkien's classic trilogy. But, as gamers everywhere know, looks aren't everything. It's one thing to have video games look as good as the movies they're based on, but what good is any of it if the actual gameplay isn't enough to keep you playing. Thankfully, this combat heavy RPG delivers the goods, although some die hard RPG fans may be put off by its overly streamlined approach.'^[66][67][68]

Sales[edit]

According to Electronic Arts, The Third Age was a commercial success, with sales above 1 million units worldwide by the end of 2004.^[72]

References[edit]

1. ^ ^ab'The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age'. Eurogamer. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
2. ^'The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age (PS2)'. GameSpy. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
3. ^'The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age (Xbox)'. GameSpy. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
4. ^'The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age (GC)'. GameSpy. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
5. ^'Lord of the Games'. IGN. December 2, 2002. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
6. ^ ^abSulic, Ivan (May 13, 2004). 'E3 2004: Third Age Hands-On'. IGN. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
7. ^ ^abMassimilla, Bethany (September 16, 2004). 'The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age Hands-On'. GameSpot. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
8. ^ ^abc'Adventuring'. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age PlayStation 2 Instruction Manual. EA Games. 2004. p. 6. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
9. ^ ^abcde'Battle System'. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age PlayStation 2 Instruction Manual. EA Games. 2004. p. 7. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
10. ^ ^ab'Menu System'. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age PlayStation 2 Instruction Manual. EA Games. 2004. p. 9. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
11. ^ ^abc'Skills'. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age PlayStation 2 Instruction Manual. EA Games. 2004. pp. 9–10. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
12. ^'Evil Mode'. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age PlayStation 2 Instruction Manual. EA Games. 2004. p. 11. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
13. ^Torres, Ricardo (May 28, 2004). 'The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age Update'. GameSpot. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
14. ^ ^abcSulic, Ivan; Dunham, Jeremy (June 3, 2004). 'Lord of the Rings: The Third Preview'. IGN. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
15. ^'Epic Scenes of Middle-earth'. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age PlayStation 2 Instruction Manual. EA Games. 2004. p. 10. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
16. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Riding to Rivendell. In Eregion long ago the elves were given secret knowledge to forge great Rings of Power. They were precious beyond all else, for within each was bound the strength and will to rule. But they were all of them deceived, for the giver of this knowledge was evil's great servant, Sauron. In the fires of Mordor he forged in secret One Ring to rule them all, and with it Sauron enslaved the races of Middle-earth. But not all light diminished, for some stood fast. In one final resistance, the Ring was cut from Sauron's hand. Isildur, ruler of all free men performed this deed. But he became weak and the line of men failed. The Ring escaped him as history became legend, legend became myth. And some things that should not have been forgotten, were lost. Thus the Third Age of Middle-earth began, but the realms of man were divided and their great cities were weakened, and in this age the evil powers again arise. Yet some hoped for unity in the face of coming darkness. To Rivendell the elves called the greatest of all races, with them came Boromir, son of Gondor's steward. And there at a council of elders, a great and desperate plan was conceived.
17. ^'Characters'. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age PlayStation 2 Instruction Manual. EA Games. 2004. p. 5. Retrieved February 22, 2016. As a Captain of the Citadel Guard, Berethor fought alongside Boromir during the earlier Battle for Osgiliath. After Boromir departed Gondor, Berethor was ordered by the Steward to search for him in the far northlands.
18. ^'Characters'. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age PlayStation 2 Instruction Manual. EA Games. 2004. p. 5. Retrieved February 22, 2016. Idrial serves the Lady Galadriel in times of dire need. She encounters Berethor south of Rivendell, where she helps him survive an attack by the Nazgûl. She then joins with him in an attempt to return to Lothlórien — through the treacherous paths of Moria — and warn the elves of the dangers upon the roads to the Grey Havens.
19. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Betrayal. The elves forsake Middle-earth, never to return. Some of them shall briefly shelter at Rivendell. But evil grows strong in the tower of Orthanc, for one of my kind now serves the enemy. Saruman the White has embraced madness, and rages against this land. He covets greater power than you can imagine.
20. ^'Characters'. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age PlayStation 2 Instruction Manual. EA Games. 2004. p. 5. Retrieved February 22, 2016. Like Aragorn, Elegost is a member of the Dúnedain, the small band of Rangers whose duty is to defend the lands east of the Shire from enemy incursions.
21. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: The Fellowship's Camp. We pressed on, forsaking the easier southern route for a more dangerous passage over the mountains. But the White Wizard held other plans, and that route was denied us.
22. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Moria Today. Now brave friend, your band must enter a charnel house, for here lie the bodies of many dwarven generations. Many were slaughtered by invading orcs that bred and multiplied in Moria's darkness. Now they rule the vast halls and spread through the corridors and mines. But they do not rule Moria. That is the province of another and more powerful being.
23. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Hadhod's Sorrow. Your dwarven friend's life is wreathed in sorrow. His sons travelled with Balin to Moria. No mirth did they find there; the goblins slew his sons, and I fear the trolls devoured them. You shall find little warmth in this dwarf as this dark story has turned his heart to stone.
24. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Gandalf's Return. Yes, I do return, for my job is not finished. Long in Moria, I grappled with the Balrog of Morgoth. His power is a corrupt version of my own. He could not prevail, so I threw him down to his utter ruin. And in the time thereafter, I found myself returned to this world. I shall soon find my friends and lead them on their journey.
25. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Price of Passage. I know who it is that you seek; Boromir, son of Denethor has come to their realm, and we have taken his full measure. Others too have visited theses woods; some have found what they sought, others know what they must do. They have left Lothlórien and journeyed south. Theirs is a long road filled with danger. You fall behind for they have taken the river, and passed through hostile lands to the Falls of Rauros. The elves will grant you and your small company gifts to aid you in your quest. They will guide you to Rohan's plains, and if your heart is true you will find a way to continue on the path they have opened before you.
26. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Boromir Has Fallen. You need not tarry in this place. Boromir, eldest son of Denethor will never reach these lands, for he has passed from this world. He travelled in the company of great warriors, but in his heart, he desired their overthrow. To his redemption, he fell defending the weakest of them. He was struck down by the Uruk-hai of Saruman, who now roam freely in these lands. The mission you were given has ended, you are free of your burden.
27. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Éomer is Banished. These are perilous times for Éomer, Chief Marshal of the Mark, and nephew to King Théoden. He alone challenges the kings' advisor, Gríma Wormtongue, a base and deceitful tool of Saruman. Through Gríma, the White Wizard has captured the mind of the king, and by Théoden's feeble hand, Éomer and his most loyal men have been banished upon pain of death.
28. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: War Comes to Rohan. Long has Rohan been the ally of your kingdom of Gondor, but like their king, the ties grow weak. Saruman prepares war for Rohan and it shall come soon. Already he incites the Wildmen, Rohan's ancient enemy.
29. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Gandalf and Galadriel's Plan. I must gather Éomer's scattered force. In this you can lend your aid. Our hopes travel with you. But you must search Rohan, for their legacy is scattered, their powers dispersed. I shall go to Edoras and free their king while you do this. The elves will ready their people for the struggle that comes. War looms. And while I shall attempt to persuade Théoden otherwise, I suspect he will retreat to Helm's Deep for a final stand.
30. ^'Characters'. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age PlayStation 2 Instruction Manual. EA Games. 2004. p. 6. Retrieved February 22, 2016. Morwen's village burned to the ground and her life destroyed, this beautiful warrior's only source is cold wrath. Joining Berethor's party, she drives them forward towards Helms's Deep in search of the remaining members of her family.
31. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Morwen's History. In times of needs, all able bodied men ride to war, as did the brothers of this woman who you aided. Scarce in material goods, her family was forced to trade far and wide for necessities. And now their whereabouts are unknown. She now must travel south and search the plains.
32. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: The Golden Hall and Gríma. Wormtongue has not the power nor cunning to bar my entry. His men possess neither the strength nor will to master my companions. Saruman cannot withstand the power of the true white wizard who supplants him. He shall be cast down, his spells broken. The king of Rohan is the first restored. Now you must help his people escape the coming storm.
33. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Saruman's War Plan. You shall now witness a terrible thing, for the wisdom of the Maiar has been corrupted to perfect the killing of other beings. Saruman breeds an army of his own invention. His cunning arms them with weapons for the open plain. He crafts rams, shields, and other tools of warfare that shames my order. And he brings terrible new devices to Middle-earth, weapons that will change your world. In one bold stroke, Saruman hopes to crush Rohan. This is the army he plans to unleash upon the elves, and then upon the world of men.
34. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Final Retreat. You conspired with these creatures. Your treachery is far worse than that of the worm, Gríma. I burned both Ent and Huorn to forge my army's steel. With their bodies, I created a new power. Now, you are an instrument in its ruin. For this you shall pay. You are mine and obey my will. None dare resist me.
35. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Idrial: It is first light on the fifth day. At this moment, the Ents smash into Saruman's fortress. His power is overthrown by a more ancient one.
36. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Saruman: You are mine Gondorian. You shall obey my will. There are none who can resist me. Find Boromir, son of Denethor, for he shall capture an item of great value. Bring it to me. Nothing else matters. Will you do this? / Berethor: Yes. I obey the White Hand of Saruman.
37. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Gandalf: Do you now understand? She was your guide while you walked in shadow. The darkness has lifted.
38. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: You Are Free of His Possession. Saruman sought to entrap you, as he himself was ensnared. But we saw from afar your quality, and we sought to preserve it. When Saruman revealed his malice, we moved in reply. The Lady Galadriel spoke to Idrial, who consented to protect you.
39. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Look to my Coming. The power of Mordor grows. Sauron's gaze now falls upon Minas Tirith. I shall hasten to its aid for there the hammer will fall hardest. All warriors in these lands must come to its defense. It is your future Gondorian.
40. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Osgiliath Assault. You have traveled far Berethor, to the ruins of Gondor's once proud capital, Osgiliath. The men of Gondor are valiant, but they are outnumbered in the contest to come. You aid their cause with warriors and artifacts from the north. But bravery will not be enough against the Dark Lord this time. Sauron opens wide his gates and sends forth a great and terrible horde. Events I helped set in motion force his hand. He strikes early, but we must stop him at Minas Tirith. His first waves already stir the Anduin.
41. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: A Long Planned Invasion. In his first attack, Sauron tested Osgiliath and the will of Gondor to respond. Then in his second attack, he moved catapults into the eastern ruins. He sent patrols across the river, but only as feints to test Faramir, who led the defense after Borormir. But now Sauron attacks in earnest, ordering them to cross in rafts built in secret. They will overwhelm Faramir's force here. Gondor is too weak to hold such an extended defense. Such is Denethor's folly.
42. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Berethor: I have fought in this city before. But it has faded in my mind. Dim - wraith-like. / Éoaden: I traveled to Osgiliath often as an Outrider, and was caught up in the battle that Boromir led here. / Morwen: I was ordered to marry a warrior who deserted when fighting on this island. For that, my family was banished from Gondor. As was he. / Éoaden: You know, my friend, you could perhaps be his brother.
43. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Realization of Past Cowardice. My friend, it is time that you learned a terrible secret about yourself. You fought here with Boromir in his final victory, and it is true that some fled the field in dishonor, escaping across Pelennor Fields to the safety of Minas Tirith, to the outrage of Denethor. You were one of those men.
44. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Spawn of Sauron. Gothmog is the most evil of Sauron's lieutenants. His heart is more terrible than his visage. He leads the Mordor army as it crosses the Anduin. He will direct the assault upon Minas Tirith. They will not besiege it, they will assault the walls with great machines of war. Gothmog will leave no survivors. The Dark Lord intends to break the power of Gondor forever. You must fight your way to the city. They will need you there. I will need you there.
45. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Revelation of Morgul Possession. Beneath your flesh you still carry a Morgul wound. This is what you do not remember from Osgiliath. This drove you forth in madness. This made you their servant. Now is the time, Berethor, when you must face your hidden fears. When you win freedom from Sauron's curse. You must do this or they will claim you. Draw you to them, for your final test.
46. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Berethor: I feel I've been here before. What vile sorcery has been done to me? / Idrial: You shall learn. The Witch-king of Angmar comes. / Witch-king: I come to claim you Gondorian. You fought here with Boromir. He was driven away. You were chosen. / Berethor: A Morgul blade. Wait, I have seen this before. I was struck by this. Here, on this island. / Witch-king: You mind has journeyed in shadow. We wanted you here Gondorian, full of power. To throw open the Gates of Minas Tirith and sow terror. Now, fulfill the will of Sauron; submit to the power of the Nazgûl. Bow to me. / Berethor: I cannot harm him. / Idrial: He is immune to your power. He created you. We elves held back his enchantment with our artifacts, so he could not turn you into one of his kind. But his fell power still exists within you, embedded deep upon the tip of a Morgul blade. / Berethor: Then I shall remove it.
47. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Gandalf Rallies the City. Above the battle rages. As we withdraw up the levels, I provide what hope that I can. The infantry breaks, but the citadel and fountain guard will hold at the top of the city. I know not what dark thoughts fill their ruler's mind. All of Gondor's dooms collide this night.
48. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: The Six Thousand. Six thousand spears ride to honor their ancient friendship with Gondor. Six thousand warriors hold their spears knowing well few will return to their homes. Remember well the charge of the Rohirrm my friend, for you are about to become part of it.
49. ^EA Redwood Shores. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. EA Games. Scene: Return of the King. The hands of the king are healing hands. The return of the Dúnedain shall heal Gondor.
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