LOTR: The Battle for Middle-Earth II

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On the back of the recent movie adaptations, J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings has lately spawned a large number of video games. And, even with the movie trilogy brought to a close, there is still more gaming action to be had with The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II on its way.

Last year's The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth may not have brought much innovation to the real-time strategy genre but it was exciting because of its success in bringing the armies, creatures and characters of Tolkien's fantasy world into a PC strategy game. It also incorporated a few RPG elements: heroes gain experience, for instance, going up in rank and unlocking more powerful special abilities that can decimate armies.

In order to expand the scope of Battle for Middle-earth II beyond that of its predecessor, EA have secured not simply the Lord of the Rings movies but rights to Tolkien's original books. This means that, although The Battle for Middle-earth II will have the same look as the films, it will also go beyond the battles and the characters depicted on the big screen and explore new directions. Battles around Mirkwood and the Lonely Mountain that were hinted at in the books, for example, will be fleshed out and expanded upon.

This sequel also boasts more serious and tactical gameplay in an attempt to draw in experienced RTS players as well as Lord of the Rings fans. Bases will be more customisable, and the player will be able to construct new buildings anywhere with enough flat ground, rather than just at pre-determined locations. You can also look forward to defensive pieces like secret entrances, arrow towers and boiling oil, as well as an expanded array of siege weaponry to bring out against the new improved forts. Combat will even extend onto the waves - the sequel will offer full-on naval battles, something that the original Battle for Middle Earth lacked.

The plot course of the game has not yet been revealed, but as mentioned earlier, it will apparently take place further to the North, and involve Dol Guldor, and the great forest of Mirkwood. Mirkwood certainly points to more Elves, but the game also promises to include dwarves, spider-riding goblins and the fearsome Black Riders.

No release date has yet been given, but it is expected that Battle for Middle-earth II will be ready for release either later this year or early 2006.