Lord of the Rings: Return of the King demo

By EA Games Free to try Editors' Rating

Editors' Review

Download.com Staff Feb 27, 2009

The excitement surrounding the initial release of the Lord of the Rings movies has settled down, yet the high-quality video games from the series keep coming with each installment. The third chapter in the trilogy lets gamers battle Sauron's forces in areas based on major scenes from the movie while engaged in a quest to cast the One Ring into the fiery depths of Mt. Doom. The character and environmental graphics are superb, and because battles can devolve into button-mashing, you'll need to practice the fighting system if you want to defeat your stronger foes.

The full game offers the opportunity to play eight characters, and the demo version offers one level in which Gandalf must stem an invading horde to save the women and children of Minas Tirith. Only one level, with endless swarms of monsters, gives you a good feel for the game. The intuitive movement and attack controls are easy to learn, but we were unable to find any way to change the camera angles, which sometimes left poor Gandalf stuck in a corner with nasty creatures. Interactive environmental effects such as exploding castle walls that crush monsters are very cool, and there are plenty of impressive cinematic effects that add to the game's immersive atmosphere.

Full Specifications

What's new in version

General

Release December 5, 2008
Date Added September 23, 2003

Operating Systems

Operating Systems Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows, Windows XP
Additional Requirements Windows 98/Me/2000/XP

Popularity

Total Downloads 343,065
Downloads Last Week 0
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Developer's Description

Return to Middle-earth in the only video game based on the epic final chapter of the highly acclaimed The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Developed using the same digital assets as the films, the Return of the King demo re-creates in stunning detail the final events of the War of the Ring. Become the heroes who determine the fate of Middle-earth as you traverse the haunted Paths of the Dead, defend Minas Tirith from the onslaught of thousands of Sauron's minions, and even play co-op multiplayer with a friend as you march against the impenetrable Black Gates of Mordor. The fate of Middle-earth is in your hands.

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