Platform: PS2, XB

Genre: Action/Adventure

Publisher: Vivendi Games

Developer: Surreal Software

ETA: Q4 2003

Review: Drakan: The Ancients' Gate (Playstation 2)

Review: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Xbox)

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The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard

With the popularity of the ongoing movies based on Tolkien’s classic novel, we’re seeing some pretty nice spin off merchandise being released. Already there has been some amazingly sculpted action figures, and Electronic Arts has released the well received The Two Towers game. Now Surreal Software is taking a stab at a game set in Middle Earth with The Treason of Isengard.

In the Fall of 2002 Surreal released a game based on the Fellowship of the Ring. Unfortunately that title was not very well received by critics at all largely due to an apparent lack of beta testing for the title, as collision detection and the ability to inexplicably walk through items proved a thorn in the side of many, as did the game’s overwhelming average-ness prove a shortcoming. Hopefully Surreal can take some of the development know how they used from their Drakan games to address the complaints gamers had about their first foray into The Lord of the Rings.

Already, it is quite apparent that a lot of work is being put into the presentation of the game with tons of detail being poured into the characters, monsters, and environments. Often times when images and movies of an upcoming game are released, it’s a safe bet that they aren’t as polished as what will be found in the finished product. If this line of reasoning holds true here, The Treason of Isengard could be packing some serious eye candy when it is released.

The game follows the events of second book in the trilogy, The Two Towers, chronicling the adventures of what remains of the fellowship of the ring as they have now parted ways, each to try and stop Sauron in their own way. Interestingly, not only will players be controlling the expected characters like Frodo, Aragorn, Gimli, and such, but they will also be playing as Treebeard and Gollum. This is hoped bring an added level of depth to the gameplay as not only will gamers need to hack and slash their way through legions of orcs, but they will also be able to inflict brute titanic force on enemies while using Treebeard and be required to go on stealth missions with the sneaky Gollum.

Features:

- Take control of J.R.R. Tolkien’s most famous characters from The Lord of the Rings. Gameplay alternates between frantic melee combat and archery with Boromir, Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas; stealth and puzzle solving with Gollum; and monster combat with Treebeard. Players switch between characters at different junctures of the story allowing for the most authentic depiction of the narrative. The contrast between these gameplay modes, combined with the greatest story ever written, imbues the game with a unique depth.

- Fight along side other members of the Fellowship. Players work in conjunction with computer-controlled party members to overcome obstacles, complete quests, and destroy the enemy.

- Environmental Puzzles – Players must solve puzzles that challenge their mind and skill.

- Cooperative Multiplayer. The Treason of Isengard will feature cooperative play for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Cooperative play will allow two players to play simultaneously on one game machine.

Surreal has plenty of experience in making these sort of games, and it will be interesting to see how they address the criticism laid against the Fellowship of the Ring and incorporate these fixes into The Treason of Isengard in time for its Christmas release.

Mr. Nash

July 26, 2003