'. Unlike its predecessor, the game is set mainly in the northern regions of Middle-earth . Factions include the Elves , Dwarves , Men Of The West ( Gondor and Rohan combined) and the Goblin s, along with Mordor and Isengard . The gameplay includes naval battles, larger battalions, and more traditional base building, unlike the original. The game was released on March 2 , 2006 . A special collectors DVD edition is also available, containing extra promotional material and additional maps, units skins and the privilege to control the mighty dragon.
''The Battle for Middle-earth II'' (''BFME II'') takes place in the Northern section of Middle-earth. For the Good campaign, the story starts in Rivendell where the Goblins from the Misty Mountains are poised to attack, while the Fellowship Of The Ring journey south. For the Evil campaign, it begins with the siege of Lórien from Mordor 's stronghold of Dol Goldur . According to the developers, the single player game will consist of more varied objectives with long-term consquences than the "search and destroy" scenarios which dominated the first game. Additionally, the method of building bases on predetermined plots has been replaced with the traditional real-time strategy building style which features a fort operating as a base hub. The command point system has also been modified, which is dependent on the number of resource buildings (farms, Mallorn trees, mine shafts, lumberyard, slaughterhouse). The more resource buildings are built There will also be some missions or portions of missions inside buildings in the single-player campaign.
The story highlights some of the lesser-known (for non-readers, of course) facts of the book -- as EA had accquired a license from '' DVD, and noted in the Appendices in the novels: in the books it is explained that while the front of the war that the Fellowship characters are experiencing (and which is directly shown by the movies) is the primary one, it is in fact a war fought on many fronts across Middle-earth.
.]]
.]]
- BFME II differs remarkably from BFME in resource accumulation
- The player is able to build section of walls which expand in non-linear direction and attach the wall, to impassable terrain, like mountains
- The player is able to customize his or her own hero from scratch, giving him/her their own unique appearance, skills, and abilities
- Naval battles are possible
- There are six distinct factions: Men Of The West , Elves , Dwarves , Mordor , Isengard and Goblin s.
- New powers such as the " Watcher In The Water ", "Flood" and " Tom Bombadil "
- Goblins and Umbar pirates can climb walls
- Defensive upgrades such as boiling oil, flaming arrows, trebuchets and catapults including unique bonus-giving monuments
- Argonath as the menu map
- Missions covering the whole of Middle-earth
- Special effects like spreading fire and light reflection
- Ability to flank the enemy to receive attack advantage
BFME2 has over forty different locations in Skirmish mode.
Mission 1: Rivendell
The Fellowship sets out to destroy the One Ring. Meanwhile, Elrond, Glorfindel and Glóin stay behind in Rivendell to plan the war in the North. But Rivendell is attacked by a Goblin army from the Misty Mountains. You must rally the Elves and defend Rivendell.
Mission 2: High Pass
Elrond sends Glorfindel and Glóin to unite the Elves and the Dwarves against Sauron and to take on the Goblin hordes. Before the attack on Rivendell can be traced to its source, High Pass road must be retaken from the Goblins as it is the vital connection between East and West.
Mission 3: Ettenmoors
The war of the North has begun in earnest and you are pitted against Trolls, Mountain Giants, Goblins and their new ruler Gorkil who is being controlled by Sauron. The level is set in the Ettenmoors and the ruins of the Witch-king 's previous fortress of Carn Dûm .
Mission 4: Blue Mountains
You have a chance to gain favour with the Blue Mountain Dwarves and to impede Sauron. you must fight your way through the Goblin infested, Dwarven halls of the Blue Mountains and kill the Dragon that lurks there.
Mission 5: Grey Havens
Your next mission is to defend the Elven port of Grey Havens from a combined land and sea assault by the Mordor Corsairs of Umbar and a Goblin army. if it is captured then Sauron will be able to open up a new front in the war
Mission 6: Celduin River
Sauron has deployed a huge army from Dol Guldur to conquer the surrounding Elven and Dwarven lands. One of the targets is the Human settlement of Esgaroth on the banks of the river Celduin. The people of Esgaroth are allies of the Erebor Dwarves and the Dwarves must help them defend their town.
Mission 7: Dale and Erebor
The army of Dol Guldur lays siege to the city of Dale and the Dwarven mountain fortress of Erebor. This is a critical battle in the war of the North.
Mission 8: Dol Guldur
The combined Elf and Dwarf armies lay siege to Dol Guldur, the source of Sauron's power in the north. If it falls, then the war in the North will end.
Mission 1: Lórien
Sauron's armies assault the Elven realm of Lothlórien, burn the forest to the ground and claim this Haven for Sauron.
Mission 2: Grey Havens
The Goblins and the Corsairs assault the port of Grey Havens. If they succeed then Sauron will be able to pour troops into the Northwest of Middle-earth and open up a new front in the War of the Ring.
Mission 3: The Shire
The forces of Mordor decide to burn the Shire and conquer the Hobbits.
Mission 4: Fornost
The Dwarves and Dúnedain make a stand at the ruined city of Fornost. The Goblin army return from the Shire and lay siege to the fortifications.
Mission 5: Mirkwood
Dol Guldur deploys a huge army to crush the Elves of Mirkwood and their Ent allies, who stage a fighting retreat but are overwhelmed.
Mission 6: Withered Heath
Before assaulting Erebor, Sauron's armies move Northeast to destroy a Dwarven outpost and recruit the native dragons as their allies.
Mission 7: Erebor
In this crucial battle, you command a vast army and lay siege to the city of Dale and the Dwarves' mountain fortress of Erebor.
Mission 8: Rivendell
The final battle of the Evil campaign takes place at Rivendell. You command a huge army but the defenders will fight to the death to protect their homes.
Archers.]]
- Gorkil the Goblin King
- Drogoth the Dragon Lord
- Shelob
- Goblin Warriors
- Goblin Archers
- Half-Troll Marauder
- Cave Troll
- Mountain Giant
- Fire Drake
- Spiderlings
- Spider Riders
- Sauron
- War Chant 5+ (temporarily increases damage and armour by 50%. Also affects allies)
- Tainted land 5+ (same effect as War Chant, except for a spot of terrain.)
- Cave bats 5+ (detects stealthed units and reveals shroud. Reduce enemy damage and armour to 75%)
- Summon Wildmen of Dunland 10+ (summons the Wildmen of Dunland)
- Scavenger 10+ (earn money by killling enemies)
- Untamed Allegiance 10+ (converts corrupt creatures to your control)
- Summon Spiderlings 10+ (summon spiderlings)
- Awaken Wyrm 15+ (summons a firebreathing subterrranean wyrm)
- Darkness 15+ (covers the map with for 30 seconds and increase strengths with 50%)
- Summon Watcher 15+ (summmons " Watcher In The Water ". Able to smash nearby troop)
- Summon Dragon 25+ (summons a firebreathing Dragon )
- Summon Balrog 25+ (summons the Balrog )
- Tainted Land 5+ (same effect as Goblins' Tainted Land)
- Eye of Sauron 5+ (units under the Eye gain 50% damage and armor, and gain experience twice as fast. Also reveals stealth units)
- War Chant 5+ (same effect as Goblins' War Chant)
- Barricade 10+(Summons a defensive tower garisoned with archers)
- Untamed Allegiance 10+ (same effect as Goblins' Untamed Allegiance)
- Industry 10+ (Selected structure's resources output is permantly raised to 300%)
- Arrow Volley 10+ (Launches a volley of arrows anywhere on the map)
- Awaken Wyrm 15+ (Same effect as Goblins' Awaken Wyrm)
- Darkness 15+ (Temporarily shrouds the entire battlefield in darkness. All allies get +50% damage and +50% armor)
- Barrage 15+ (Bombards the targeted area with artillery.)
- Summon Balrog 25+ (same as Goblins' Summon Balrog)
- Rain of Fire 25+ (Calls down a hail of molten rock on selected area)
- Vision of the Palantir 5+ (cuts through the fog of war)
- War Chant 5+ (same effect as the Goblins' War Chant)
- Crebain 5+ (Reveals the shroud and detects stealthed units. Significantly reduces enemy armor and damage)
- Devastation 10+ (Trees are instantly turned into resources)
- Tainted Land 10+ (same effect as Goblins' Tainted Land)
- Summon Wildmen of Dunland 10+ (same effect as Goblins' Summon Wildmen of Dunland)
- Industry 10+ (same effect as Mordor's Industry)
- Summon the Watcher 15+ (same effect as Goblins' Summon the Watcher)
- Freezing Rain 15+ (Temporarily covers the map in rain. All enemy units lose their leadership bonuses)
- Fuel the Fires 15+ (+100% resources from harvesting trees. It is a passive power)
- Summon Dragon 25+ (Summon a land-based dragon to fight for your cause)
- Dragonstrike 25+ (Summons a fire breathing Dragon to fly-by and scorch the battlefield)
- Heal 5+ (replaces one fallen man in a batallion and heals all within effect range)
- Rebuild 5+ (repair buildings within a certain area)
- Rallying call 5+ (temporarily increases units' damage and armor by 50%)
- Summon Hobbit allies 10+ (summons a group of Hobbits the Fellowship Hobbits )
- Arrow volley 10+ (launches a swarm of arrows anywhere on the map)
- Summon Tom Bombadil 10+ (summons Tom Bombadil)
- Lone tower 10+ (summons an arrow/axe tower)
- Summon Dunedain allies 15+ (summons the Dunedain rangers to fight)
- Cloud break 15+ (cancels Darkness and Rain spells and stun the enemy)
- Summon Rohirrim Allies 15+ (summons a group of Rohirrim to fight)
- Summon Army Of The Dead 25+ (summons a group of Oathbreakers to fight)
- Earthquake 25+ (launches structure-destroying earthquake)
- Rallying call 5+ (temporarily increases health and armor of units' by 50%)
- Rebuild 5+ (repair buildings)
- Heal 5+ (replaces one fallen man in a batallion and heals all within effect range)
- Summon Men of Dale allies 10+ (summons the Dale men)
- Dwarven riches 10+ (increase one resource structure's output permanently to 300%)
- Lone tower 10+ (summons an arrow/axe tower)
- Summon Hobbit allies 10+ (summons a group of Hobbits, including the Fellowship Hobbits)
- Barrage 15+ (delivers a bombardement)
- Cloud break 15+ (cancels Darkness and Rain spells and stun the enemy)
- Undermine 15+ (placeable mine shaft)
- Earthquake 25+ (launches structure-destroying earthquake)
- Summon citadel 25+ (summons a smaller fortress anywhere on the map)
- Rallying call 5+ (temporarily increases health and armor of units' by 50%)
- Heal 5+ (replaces one fallen man in a batallion and heals all within effect range)
- Farsight 5+ (Reveals shroud in targeted area)
- Enshrouding Mist 10+ (Friendly units within the mist become stealthed. Significantly reduces enemy armor and damage)
- Arrow volley 10+ (launches a swarm of arrows anywhere on the map)
- Elvenwood 10+ (All ally units except heros gain +50% armor. All enemy units lose their leadership bonuses)
- Summon Tom Bombadil 10+ (Summons Tom Bombadil to the battlefield)
- Summon Eagle Allies 15+ (Summons two eagles)
- Cloud break 15+ (cancels Darkness and Rain spells and stun the enemy)
- Summon Ents 15+ (Summon several Ents to the targeted area)
- Sunflare 25+ (Calls a fiery beam of sunlight to scorch the battlefield)
- Flood 25+ (Summons a powerful Flood to crush enemy units)
Some liberties are being taken with Tolkien's works for the sake of gameplay (and, of course, fidelity to the Jackson films). For example:
- Orcs and goblins were not distinct races, as the game (and films) would have one believe. "Orc" and "goblin" are just different but generally interchangeable terms for the same creatures — even the '' also confuses the two. "Jacksonites" typically use the term to refer to Moria Orcs. See Here for more details.
- Tolkien wrote nothing about orcs riding giant spiders
- In Tolkien's works the events of the war in the north were very different. The realm of Angmar in the north had been defeated centuries earlier, Smaug had already been evicted from Erebor, and Rivendell was not attacked outright after the Second Age (though had Sauron been victorious it would no doubt have been, despite the magical protection it enjoyed from the rivers). Tolkien wrote of attacks on Dale and Erebor by an army sent out from Mordor and upon Lórien by forces from both Dol Guldur and Moria. While Sauron himself had abandoned Dol Guldur it remained a stronghold for his forces.
- It's extremely unlikely Shelob (and by inference, the Spiders of Mirkwood) would have sided with goblins. She often captured and ate them when they ventured into her lair, as found in '' The Return Of The King ''.
- Among other things, Tolkien never wrote about "Gorkil" or "Drogoth". However, the last two are arguably based upon the Great Goblin and Tolkien's canonical dragons such as Glaurung , Ancalagon and Smaug ; EA cannot use them for copyright reasons.
- Tolkien never wrote about Galadriel (and Arwen , one might add) actually fighting, though they could and would have, when the need arises; see Here for details.
- A minor nitpick: While Glorfindel is featured, he has White hair. Actually, he is supposed to be Blond ; his name (''glor'' + ''findel'', "golden-haired") says as much.
- Some may also find the inclusion of Old Tom Bombadil bizarre, to say the least; also, (though this is more nitpicking) his concept art features him with a white beard, whereas Tolkien quite clearly described him as brown-haired.
On the positive side, the game also makes use of more of Tolkien's writings.
- The mountain giants also appear in '' The Hobbit '', though they are little more than a nuisance for Thorin and Company, and appear nowhere else, not even in '' The Silmarillion ''. They were certainly not as huge and powerful as the ones featured in the game.
Other then the normal Heros of the movies and litrature 4 members of the Fellowship of the Third age also star in the game. Hadhod, Berethor, Morwen and Idrial from '' The Third Age '' have joined the battle for the North. Hadhod is a Dwarven Ancient who fights alongside his dwarven Bretherin in the Dwarves Faction while Berethor and Morwen fight as heros as 'Men of the West' ands Idrial defends Lorien from harm in the 'Elves' Faction.
Berethor is a Gondorian Captain,
Morwen a Shield Maiden of Rohan,
Hadhod a Dwarven Ancient
and Idrial a Elven warrior. They do not play a part in the campaign but can be found in skirmishes.
|
