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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)
Encyclopedia
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a 2003 cross-platform
third-person
hack and slash
video game based on Peter Jackson
's The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
. The game was published by EA Games
and developed by EA Redwood Shores
and released for the PlayStation 2
, Nintendo GameCube
, Xbox
and PC
. A hack and slash role-playing game
version was developed for the Game Boy Advance
.
The game is very similar to its predecessor The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
, but differs by adding multiple storylines, more playable characters and increased interaction with environments. The game follows three separate story arcs loosely based on events in the film. A two-player co-op
mode is available for some missions.
The Return of the King was developed in close collaboration with New Line Cinema
, using many of the actual reference photos, drawings, models, props and other asset
s from the film. The game was met with positive critical reception: its graphics, audio and gameplay were praised; camera
control was criticized.
, The Return of the King is a hack and slash
action game. The game is very similar to its predecessor
. The levels are twice the size of the largest level from The Two Towers and less linear. A major change from The Two Towers is the interactive nature of the game environments. The player can operate machinery, for example bridges and catapults to complete objectives, and use environment objects as weapons, such as spears and cauldrons to kill enemies.
Each character has their own set of combos and attributes. After the end of each level the player can upgrade their characters' abilities and combos using experience point
s earned in the game. The number of experience points available to the player depends on the efficiency of their kills in the game. Interviews with the film's cast and similar DVD
-style extras are unlocked as the player progresses through the game.
Unlike The Two Towers, The Return of the King features a co-op
mode, allowing two players to play through parts of together. The PS2 version also has online
multiplayer options with USB
headset support. Since at least March 2009, EA's server for online play has been discontinued, and The Return of the King is no longer mentioned on EA's official Web site.
but to allow the player to come as close as possible to experiencing the critical parts of the film for themselves. Levels were designed with this goal in mind, giving just enough story to provide action and give context to the player's actions. Reviews of the game acknowledged this lack of plot detail. Liberties with the plot are taken, and critics noted that there was little footage which could spoil the film for those who had not seen it. Greg Kasavin of GameSpot
said that "if you didn't know anything about the story of The Return of the King, then the story of the game may be hard to follow, though you'll still get the gist of it... in case you don't want any aspect of the movie spoiled for you, it'd be wise to hold off on playing The Return of the King until after you've seen the movie."
, helping to end the Battle of the Hornburg
. After this level, the game splits into three separate mission arcs, each with its own individual set of characters. The Path of the Wizard follows Gandalf
, the Path of the King follows Aragorn
, Legolas
and Gimli
(the player chooses one of these to control,) and the Path of the Hobbits follows Frodo
and Sam
(initially only Sam is playable).
The Path of the Wizard continues immediately after the events of the first level. Gandalf travels through a forest to Isengard
, fighting Orc
s with the occasional help of Ent
s. He then helps the Ents to destroy a dam and flood Isengard. The following levels are set in Minas Tirith
. Gandalf helps defend the city's walls from the attacking army of Orcs. Eventually, Gandalf and the soldiers of Minas Tirith retreat to a courtyard, where they must save a number of fleeing civilians from the enemy.
The Path of the King starts with Aragorn
, Legolas
, and Gimli
travelling through the Paths of the Dead
, fighting the Army of the Dead
on the way. They must then defeat the King of the Dead in combat to persuade him to aid Gondor
in the War of the Ring
. The Paths of the Dead start to collapse; Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli must escape before the falling rubble crushes them. They then travel to join in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields
, passing through the Southern Gate and fighting many of Sauron
's troops. During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli defend Merry
and Éowyn
from Oliphaunts and the Witch-king of Angmar
. The Path of the Wizard and Path of the King share the same final level, set at the Black Gate of Mordor
. The player must first defeat the Mouth of Sauron
, then fight off the attacking Orcs and Nazgûl
, ensuring no members of the Fellowship of the Ring are killed.
In The Path of the Hobbits, Frodo, Sam and Gollum
must escape from Osgiliath, fighting past Orcs to get to the sewers and ensuring that Frodo is not captured by the Nazgûl
. The following level sees Sam travel through Shelob
's lair, fighting past spiders and eventually Shelob to find Frodo. Sam then fights past Orcs to get to the Tower of Cirith Ungol and rescues Frodo. In the game's final level, the player controls Frodo and fights against Gollum
in Mount Doom
.
of The Two Towers, a video game adaptation of The Return of the King was announced on April 25, 2003. While The Two Towers was released on the three major consoles (the PS2
, GameCube
and Xbox
) but not the PC
, The Return of the King was released on the PC in addition to the three major consoles. EA announced that the game would offer three separate story branches rather than one and that eight playable characters would be on offer rather than the three of The Two Towers. Parts of Howard Shore
's score and footage from the films were set to feature, and members of the cast from the films would lend their voices to the game.
Developers working on The Return of the King described the game as "bigger and better" than The Two Towers. "In The Two Towers the player would occasionally run into 10 or 15 enemies," said lead game designer Chris Tremmel, "In The Return of the King there are areas where the player faces up to 40 orcs... Fans familiar with The Two Towers will find that the combat experience in The Return of the King feels familiar but much deeper." Before creating levels, the developers would initially write in-depth level designs out on paper, going into details such as combat setup, special props and enemy types. The levels would then be created in the game environment. The game is visually an improvement over The Two Towers. "We are pushing 2x the number of polys
& 2x the texture
density this year," said executive producer
Neil Young. Enemy AI
was also improved.
Executive producer Glen Schofield stated that the biggest challenge the developers were facing was "just trying to match the breathtaking look and feel of the movies". EA Redwood Shores worked closely with New Line Cinema
to make the games as authentic as possible, using the actual reference photos, drawings, models, props, lighting studies and motion-capture data. "We even hired the same stunt doubles from the movie to help us render the most realistic movements in the game," noted Schofield. Partner Relations Director Nina Dobner said that "we want the game to not just look like the films but to be exactly like the films." No details in the game are made up, she commented. "When we were reproducing Minas Tirith... we felt the team would benefit from being able to see and feel a piece of the actual movie set. Unfortunately, the set had already been dismantled. So, while in New Zealand, I searched the various warehouses to find remnants of the dismantled set. After much work, I returned to San Francisco proudly bearing four bricks from the Minas Tirith set."
The Return of the King went gold on all platforms on October 10, 2003. The game went on sale in North America
on November 6, more than a month before the film was released in cinemas on December 16.
2004 awards: Outstanding achievement in character performance (for Elijah Wood
's voice role as Frodo) and Outstanding achievement in sound design. As an adaptation, the game was praised by Michael Knutson of GameZone
as "the best movie to game conversion that has come out in a long time" and by Raymond Padilla of GameSpy
as "[setting] a new standard for video game adaptations of movies."
The graphics and THX
-certified audio were lauded by critics. The game's animations, scenery, player models, cut scenes, music and voice-overs were particularly well-received. "Sound effects used in the game will also blow you away," Knutson said, "Everything from the explosions, swords clashing, hundreds of incoming enemies storming your way, all sounds like it came directly from the movie!" Greg Kasavin of GameSpot
noted that "Frame rate issues do affect each version of the game, to varying degrees, and none of the character models for the main characters look all that remarkable, either," but conceded that "All other aspects of The Return of the Kings graphics are outstanding... The game's audio is even more effective than the graphics at conveying the intensity of the action." Ian McKellen
's narration of the game as Gandalf was also praised.
The game's combat was praised by most critics. Crispin Boyer of 1UP.com
described the game as "a thrill ride... And not just 'cause Return of the King unleashes larger hordes of foes than last year's equally slick Two Towers prequel. Many of Return of the Kings levels actually force you to multitask while you hack and slash." Tony Ellis of PC Gamer UK
commended the combat: "Combat in RotK is superbly satisfying. Your blows connect with a solid, visceral thud you can almost feel." Ellis also noted the variation between levels. In contrast, Matthew Kato of Game Informer
found the gameplay to be "repetitious": "Sometimes I got the feeling that I was working harder only to have less fun than in Two Towers."
The Return of the King was criticized for its poor camera
control. "What's the use of a new graphics engine and character models when the view is from so far away?" asked Kato. The game's save function was also criticized. Ellis commented that "You can only save after completing a level... which is not so good when you're forced to slog through the same sequences over and over again." Critics complained about the unskippable cut scenes, occasionally unclear objectives and relatively short length.
Despite the game's critical acclaim and strong sales, Peter Jackson
, director of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy
, stated that the video game tie-in for his next film, King Kong
, would not be developed by EA
but by Ubisoft
. Jackson claimed that EA were not interested in his input to the game and, having played Beyond Good & Evil
, he wanted to work with producer Michel Ancel
.
Cross-platform
In computing, cross-platform, or multi-platform, is an attribute conferred to computer software or computing methods and concepts that are implemented and inter-operate on multiple computer platforms...
third-person
Third-person shooter
Third-person shooter is a genre of 3D action games in which the player character is visible on-screen, and the gameplay consists primarily of shooting.-Definition:...
hack and slash
Hack and slash
Hack and slash or hack and slay, abbreviated H&S or HnS, refers to a type of gameplay that emphasizes combat. "Hack and slash" was originally used to describe an aspect of pen-and-paper role-playing games , carrying over from there to MUDs, MMORPGs, and video games in general...
video game based on Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson
Sir Peter Robert Jackson, KNZM is a New Zealand film director, producer, actor, and screenwriter, known for his The Lord of the Rings film trilogy , adapted from the novel by J. R. R...
's The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a 2003 epic fantasy-drama film directed by Peter Jackson that is based on the second and third volumes of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings...
. The game was published by EA Games
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
and developed by EA Redwood Shores
Visceral Games
Visceral Games is a video game development studio internally owned by Electronic Arts. They are perhaps best known for the critically acclaimed Dead Space series.-History:...
and released for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, Nintendo GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
, Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
and PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
. A hack and slash role-playing game
Role-playing game (video games)
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
version was developed for the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
.
The game is very similar to its predecessor The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a 2002 cross-platform video game based on Peter Jackson's New Line Cinema films The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers...
, but differs by adding multiple storylines, more playable characters and increased interaction with environments. The game follows three separate story arcs loosely based on events in the film. A two-player co-op
Cooperative gameplay
Cooperative gameplay is a feature in video games that allows players to work together as teammates. It is distinct from other multiplayer modes, such as competitive multiplayer modes like player versus player or deathmatch...
mode is available for some missions.
The Return of the King was developed in close collaboration with New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema, often simply referred to as New Line, is an American film studio. It was founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne as a film distributor, later becoming an independent film studio. It became a subsidiary of Time Warner in 1996 and was merged with larger sister studio Warner...
, using many of the actual reference photos, drawings, models, props and other asset
Asset
In financial accounting, assets are economic resources. Anything tangible or intangible that is capable of being owned or controlled to produce value and that is held to have positive economic value is considered an asset...
s from the film. The game was met with positive critical reception: its graphics, audio and gameplay were praised; camera
Camera
A camera is a device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies. The term camera comes from the camera obscura , an early mechanism for projecting images...
control was criticized.
Gameplay
Described by the developers as a modern version of GauntletGauntlet (arcade game)
Gauntlet is a fantasy-themed hack and slash 1985 arcade game by Atari Games. It is noted as the first class-based multiplayer game. Released during the emergence of popularity of other role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, the game was a sensation, being one of the first true dungeon crawl...
, The Return of the King is a hack and slash
Hack and slash
Hack and slash or hack and slay, abbreviated H&S or HnS, refers to a type of gameplay that emphasizes combat. "Hack and slash" was originally used to describe an aspect of pen-and-paper role-playing games , carrying over from there to MUDs, MMORPGs, and video games in general...
action game. The game is very similar to its predecessor
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a 2002 cross-platform video game based on Peter Jackson's New Line Cinema films The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers...
. The levels are twice the size of the largest level from The Two Towers and less linear. A major change from The Two Towers is the interactive nature of the game environments. The player can operate machinery, for example bridges and catapults to complete objectives, and use environment objects as weapons, such as spears and cauldrons to kill enemies.
Each character has their own set of combos and attributes. After the end of each level the player can upgrade their characters' abilities and combos using experience point
Experience point
An experience point is a unit of measurement used in many role-playing games and role-playing video games to quantify a player character's progression through the game...
s earned in the game. The number of experience points available to the player depends on the efficiency of their kills in the game. Interviews with the film's cast and similar DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
-style extras are unlocked as the player progresses through the game.
Unlike The Two Towers, The Return of the King features a co-op
Cooperative gameplay
Cooperative gameplay is a feature in video games that allows players to work together as teammates. It is distinct from other multiplayer modes, such as competitive multiplayer modes like player versus player or deathmatch...
mode, allowing two players to play through parts of together. The PS2 version also has online
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
multiplayer options with USB
Universal Serial Bus
USB is an industry standard developed in the mid-1990s that defines the cables, connectors and protocols used in a bus for connection, communication and power supply between computers and electronic devices....
headset support. Since at least March 2009, EA's server for online play has been discontinued, and The Return of the King is no longer mentioned on EA's official Web site.
Plot
Todd Arnold, senior producer of The Return of the King, stated that the game was not intended to re-tell the story of the film,but to allow the player to come as close as possible to experiencing the critical parts of the film for themselves. Levels were designed with this goal in mind, giving just enough story to provide action and give context to the player's actions. Reviews of the game acknowledged this lack of plot detail. Liberties with the plot are taken, and critics noted that there was little footage which could spoil the film for those who had not seen it. Greg Kasavin of GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
said that "if you didn't know anything about the story of The Return of the King, then the story of the game may be hard to follow, though you'll still get the gist of it... in case you don't want any aspect of the movie spoiled for you, it'd be wise to hold off on playing The Return of the King until after you've seen the movie."
Synopsis
The first level sees the player assuming the role of GandalfGandalf
Gandalf is a character in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In these stories, Gandalf appears as a wizard, member and later the head of the order known as the Istari, as well as leader of the Fellowship of the Ring and the army of the West...
, helping to end the Battle of the Hornburg
Battle of the Hornburg
The Battle of the Hornburg is a fictional battle in J. R. R. Tolkien's novel The Lord of the Rings. The battle pitted the forces of the Wizard Saruman against the Rohirrim under King Théoden, who had taken refuge in the mountain fortress of the Hornburg at Helm's Deep...
. After this level, the game splits into three separate mission arcs, each with its own individual set of characters. The Path of the Wizard follows Gandalf
Gandalf
Gandalf is a character in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In these stories, Gandalf appears as a wizard, member and later the head of the order known as the Istari, as well as leader of the Fellowship of the Ring and the army of the West...
, the Path of the King follows Aragorn
Aragorn
Aragorn II is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, one of the main protagonists of The Lord of the Rings. He is first introduced by the name Strider, which the hobbits continue to call him...
, Legolas
Legolas
Legolas is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, featured in The Lord of the Rings. He is an Elf of the Woodland Realm and one of nine members of the Fellowship of the Ring.- Literature :...
and Gimli
Gimli (Middle-earth)
Gimli is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, featured in The Lord of the Rings. A Dwarf warrior, he is the son of Glóin ....
(the player chooses one of these to control,) and the Path of the Hobbits follows Frodo
Frodo Baggins
Frodo Baggins is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium.He is the main protagonist of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. He was a hobbit of the Shire who inherited Sauron's Ring from Bilbo Baggins and undertook the quest to destroy it in the fires of Mount Doom...
and Sam
Samwise Gamgee
Samwise Gamgee, later known as Samwise Gardner and commonly as Sam, is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. Samwise is one of the chief characters in Tolkien's novel The Lord of the Rings, in which he fills an archetypical role as the sidekick of the protagonist, Frodo...
(initially only Sam is playable).
Isengard
In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, Isengard , a translation of the Sindarin Angrenost, was a large fortress. Both names mean "Iron fortress" In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, Isengard , a translation of the Sindarin Angrenost, was a large fortress....
, fighting Orc
Orc (Middle-earth)
In J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings, Orcs or Orks are a race of creatures who are used as soldiers and henchmen by both the greater and lesser villains of The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings — Morgoth, Sauron and Saruman...
s with the occasional help of Ent
Ent
Ents are a race of beings in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy world Middle-earth who closely resemble trees. They are similar to the talking trees in folklore around the world. Their name is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word for giant....
s. He then helps the Ents to destroy a dam and flood Isengard. The following levels are set in Minas Tirith
Minas Tirith
Minas Tirith , originally named Minas Anor, is a fictional city and castle in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth writings. It became the heavily fortified capital of Gondor in the second half of the Third Age...
. Gandalf helps defend the city's walls from the attacking army of Orcs. Eventually, Gandalf and the soldiers of Minas Tirith retreat to a courtyard, where they must save a number of fleeing civilians from the enemy.
The Path of the King starts with Aragorn
Aragorn
Aragorn II is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, one of the main protagonists of The Lord of the Rings. He is first introduced by the name Strider, which the hobbits continue to call him...
, Legolas
Legolas
Legolas is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, featured in The Lord of the Rings. He is an Elf of the Woodland Realm and one of nine members of the Fellowship of the Ring.- Literature :...
, and Gimli
Gimli (Middle-earth)
Gimli is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, featured in The Lord of the Rings. A Dwarf warrior, he is the son of Glóin ....
travelling through the Paths of the Dead
Paths of the Dead
In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, the Paths of the Dead were a haunted passage under the White Mountains.The Paths of the Dead started at the Dark Door at the end of the long valley of Harrowdale, beyond the Firienfeld and the forest of Dimholt, wedged in between the mountains Irensaga ,...
, fighting the Army of the Dead
Dead Men of Dunharrow
The Dead Men of Dunharrow are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium...
on the way. They must then defeat the King of the Dead in combat to persuade him to aid Gondor
Gondor
Gondor is a fictional kingdom in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings, described as the greatest realm of Men in the west of Middle-earth by the end of the Third Age. The third volume of The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, is concerned with the events in Gondor during the War of the Ring and with...
in the War of the Ring
War of the Ring
In the fictional high fantasy-world of J. R. R. Tolkien, the War of the Ring was fought between Sauron and the free peoples of Middle-earth for control of the One Ring and dominion over the continent. The War of the Ring took place at the end of the Third Age. Together with the Quest of Mount Doom,...
. The Paths of the Dead start to collapse; Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli must escape before the falling rubble crushes them. They then travel to join in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields
Battle of the Pelennor Fields
In J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy fiction, the Battle of Pelennor Fields is the battle for the city of Minas Tirith between the forces of Gondor and its allies, and the forces of the Dark Lord Sauron...
, passing through the Southern Gate and fighting many of Sauron
Sauron
Sauron is the primary antagonist and titular character of the epic fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.In the same work, he is revealed to be the same character as "the Necromancer" from Tolkien's earlier novel The Hobbit...
's troops. During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli defend Merry
Meriadoc Brandybuck
Meriadoc Brandybuck, usually referred to as Merry, is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, featured throughout his most famous work, The Lord of the Rings....
and Éowyn
Éowyn
Éowyn is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, who appears in his most famous work, The Lord of the Rings. She is a noblewoman of Rohan who describes herself as a "shieldmaiden".-Literature:...
from Oliphaunts and the Witch-king of Angmar
Witch-king of Angmar
The Witch-king of Angmar, also known as the Lord of the Nazgûl and the Black Captain among other names, is a fictional character and a major antagonist in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth fantasy writings. In Tolkien's novel The Lord of the Rings, he is the chief of the Nazgûl , the chief servants...
. The Path of the Wizard and Path of the King share the same final level, set at the Black Gate of Mordor
Mordor
In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, Mordor or Morhdorh was the dwelling place of Sauron, in the southeast of northwestern Middle-earth to the East of Anduin, the great river. Orodruin, a volcano in Mordor, was the destination of the Fellowship of the Ring in the quest to...
. The player must first defeat the Mouth of Sauron
Mouth of Sauron
The Mouth of Sauron is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. He appears in The Lord of the Rings — specifically in the chapter "The Black Gate Opens" in the third volume, The Return of the King — as the chief emissary of Sauron.He belonged to the race of the Black...
, then fight off the attacking Orcs and Nazgûl
Nazgûl
The Nazgûl are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium...
, ensuring no members of the Fellowship of the Ring are killed.
In The Path of the Hobbits, Frodo, Sam and Gollum
Gollum
Gollum is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. He was introduced in the author's fantasy novel The Hobbit, and became an important supporting character in its sequel, The Lord of the Rings....
must escape from Osgiliath, fighting past Orcs to get to the sewers and ensuring that Frodo is not captured by the Nazgûl
Nazgûl
The Nazgûl are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium...
. The following level sees Sam travel through Shelob
Shelob
Shelob is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. She appears at the end of the fourth book, second volume , of The Lord of the Rings.-Literature:...
's lair, fighting past spiders and eventually Shelob to find Frodo. Sam then fights past Orcs to get to the Tower of Cirith Ungol and rescues Frodo. In the game's final level, the player controls Frodo and fights against Gollum
Gollum
Gollum is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. He was introduced in the author's fantasy novel The Hobbit, and became an important supporting character in its sequel, The Lord of the Rings....
in Mount Doom
Mount Doom
Mount Doom is a volcano in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. It is located in the heart of the black land of Mordor and close to Barad-dûr, it is approximately high. Alternative names, in Tolkien's invented language of Sindarin, include Orodruin and Amon Amarth...
.
Development
Following the success of the video game tie-inThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a 2002 cross-platform video game based on Peter Jackson's New Line Cinema films The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers...
of The Two Towers, a video game adaptation of The Return of the King was announced on April 25, 2003. While The Two Towers was released on the three major consoles (the PS2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
and Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
) but not the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
, The Return of the King was released on the PC in addition to the three major consoles. EA announced that the game would offer three separate story branches rather than one and that eight playable characters would be on offer rather than the three of The Two Towers. Parts of Howard Shore
Howard Shore
Howard Leslie Shore is a Canadian composer, notable for his film scores. He has composed the scores for over 80 films, most notably the scores for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, for which he won three Academy Awards. He is also a consistent collaborator with director David Cronenberg,...
's score and footage from the films were set to feature, and members of the cast from the films would lend their voices to the game.
Polygon
In geometry a polygon is a flat shape consisting of straight lines that are joined to form a closed chain orcircuit.A polygon is traditionally a plane figure that is bounded by a closed path, composed of a finite sequence of straight line segments...
& 2x the texture
Texture mapping
Texture mapping is a method for adding detail, surface texture , or color to a computer-generated graphic or 3D model. Its application to 3D graphics was pioneered by Dr Edwin Catmull in his Ph.D. thesis of 1974.-Texture mapping:...
density this year," said executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
Neil Young. Enemy AI
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
was also improved.
Executive producer Glen Schofield stated that the biggest challenge the developers were facing was "just trying to match the breathtaking look and feel of the movies". EA Redwood Shores worked closely with New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema, often simply referred to as New Line, is an American film studio. It was founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne as a film distributor, later becoming an independent film studio. It became a subsidiary of Time Warner in 1996 and was merged with larger sister studio Warner...
to make the games as authentic as possible, using the actual reference photos, drawings, models, props, lighting studies and motion-capture data. "We even hired the same stunt doubles from the movie to help us render the most realistic movements in the game," noted Schofield. Partner Relations Director Nina Dobner said that "we want the game to not just look like the films but to be exactly like the films." No details in the game are made up, she commented. "When we were reproducing Minas Tirith... we felt the team would benefit from being able to see and feel a piece of the actual movie set. Unfortunately, the set had already been dismantled. So, while in New Zealand, I searched the various warehouses to find remnants of the dismantled set. After much work, I returned to San Francisco proudly bearing four bricks from the Minas Tirith set."
The Return of the King went gold on all platforms on October 10, 2003. The game went on sale in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
on November 6, more than a month before the film was released in cinemas on December 16.
Reception
The Return of the King was critically well-received. It won in two categories at the DICED.I.C.E. Summit
D.I.C.E. Summit is an annual multi-day gathering of video game executives held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Established in 2002 by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, the conference is host to the annual Entertainment Software Association's Interactive Achievement Awards...
2004 awards: Outstanding achievement in character performance (for Elijah Wood
Elijah Wood
Elijah Jordan Wood is an American actor. He made his film debut with a minor part in Back to the Future Part II , then landed a succession of larger roles that made him a critically acclaimed child actor by age 9. He is best known for his high-profile role as Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson's...
's voice role as Frodo) and Outstanding achievement in sound design. As an adaptation, the game was praised by Michael Knutson of GameZone
GameZone
GameZone is an American multiplatform video game website. GameZone's daily coverage includes reviews, previews, news, hints & cheats, and editorials. Additionally, GameZone offers downloads, a child-targeted website and in association with GameStop, hosts GZGameShop, an online retailer...
as "the best movie to game conversion that has come out in a long time" and by Raymond Padilla of GameSpy
GameSpy
GameSpy Industries, Inc., known simply as GameSpy, is a division of IGN Entertainment, which operates a network of game websites and provides online video game-related services and software. GameSpy dates back to the 1996 release of an internet Quake server search program named QSpy. The current...
as "[setting] a new standard for video game adaptations of movies."
The graphics and THX
THX
THX is a trade name of a high-fidelity audio/visual reproduction standard for movie theaters, screening rooms, home theaters, computer speakers, gaming consoles, and car audio systems. The current THX was created in 2001 when it spun off from Lucasfilm Ltd...
-certified audio were lauded by critics. The game's animations, scenery, player models, cut scenes, music and voice-overs were particularly well-received. "Sound effects used in the game will also blow you away," Knutson said, "Everything from the explosions, swords clashing, hundreds of incoming enemies storming your way, all sounds like it came directly from the movie!" Greg Kasavin of GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
noted that "Frame rate issues do affect each version of the game, to varying degrees, and none of the character models for the main characters look all that remarkable, either," but conceded that "All other aspects of The Return of the Kings graphics are outstanding... The game's audio is even more effective than the graphics at conveying the intensity of the action." Ian McKellen
Ian McKellen
Sir Ian Murray McKellen, CH, CBE is an English actor. He has received a Tony Award, two Academy Award nominations, and five Emmy Award nominations. His work has spanned genres from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction...
's narration of the game as Gandalf was also praised.
The game's combat was praised by most critics. Crispin Boyer of 1UP.com
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
described the game as "a thrill ride... And not just 'cause Return of the King unleashes larger hordes of foes than last year's equally slick Two Towers prequel. Many of Return of the Kings levels actually force you to multitask while you hack and slash." Tony Ellis of PC Gamer UK
PC Gamer
PC Gamer is a magazine founded in Britain in 1993 devoted to PC gaming and published monthly by Future Publishing. The magazine has several regional editions, with the UK and US editions becoming the best selling PC games magazines in their respective countries...
commended the combat: "Combat in RotK is superbly satisfying. Your blows connect with a solid, visceral thud you can almost feel." Ellis also noted the variation between levels. In contrast, Matthew Kato of Game Informer
Game Informer
Game Informer is an American-based monthly magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of popular video games and associated consoles. It was formed in August 1991, when FuncoLand started publishing a six-page magazine, free in all its retail locations...
found the gameplay to be "repetitious": "Sometimes I got the feeling that I was working harder only to have less fun than in Two Towers."
The Return of the King was criticized for its poor camera
Camera
A camera is a device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies. The term camera comes from the camera obscura , an early mechanism for projecting images...
control. "What's the use of a new graphics engine and character models when the view is from so far away?" asked Kato. The game's save function was also criticized. Ellis commented that "You can only save after completing a level... which is not so good when you're forced to slog through the same sequences over and over again." Critics complained about the unskippable cut scenes, occasionally unclear objectives and relatively short length.
Despite the game's critical acclaim and strong sales, Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson
Sir Peter Robert Jackson, KNZM is a New Zealand film director, producer, actor, and screenwriter, known for his The Lord of the Rings film trilogy , adapted from the novel by J. R. R...
, director of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy
The Lord of the Rings film trilogy
The Lord of the Rings is an epic film trilogy consisting of three fantasy adventure films based on the three-volume book of the same name by English author J. R. R. Tolkien. The films are The Fellowship of the Ring , The Two Towers and The Return of the King .The films were directed by Peter...
, stated that the video game tie-in for his next film, King Kong
King Kong (2005 film)
King Kong is a 2005 fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson. It is a remake of the 1933 film of the same name and stars Naomi Watts, Jack Black and Adrien Brody. Andy Serkis, through performance capture, portrays Kong....
, would not be developed by EA
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
but by Ubisoft
Ubisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment S.A. is a major French video game publisher and developer, with headquarters in Montreuil, France. The company has a worldwide presence with 25 studios in 17 countries and subsidiaries in 26 countries....
. Jackson claimed that EA were not interested in his input to the game and, having played Beyond Good & Evil
Beyond Good & Evil (video game)
Beyond Good & Evil is an action-adventure video game developed and published by Ubisoft and released in late for the GameCube, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, and Xbox platforms. The story follows the adventures of Jade, an investigative reporter and martial artist, who works with a resistance...
, he wanted to work with producer Michel Ancel
Michel Ancel
Michel Ancel is a French video game designer for Ubisoft. He is best known for creating the Rayman franchise for which he was the lead designer for the first two games, and which as of 2008 has sold the most units for the publisher. He is also known for the cult favourite Beyond Good & Evil and...
.