The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth II

 Xbox 360
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 50 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 50
  3. Negative: 0 out of 50
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  1. GamePro
    70
    As far as multiplayer goes, while a couple heroes dispatching entire enemy armies on their own might seem true to the spirit of the films, it hardly makes for a balanced and satisfying online encounter.
  2. 1UP
    70
    This superport does an admirable job of taking a complex PC game from an intimidatingly complex PC genre and making it an accessible console title. If any part of your heart enjoys playing on Live, you'll be too busy crushing the hobbits to even notice that you can't quite select the unit you were aiming for.
  3. Total Video Games
    70
    Remaining credible to the works of Tolkien, EA LA have adapted The Lord of the Rings into the mechanics of an RTS with some success, though there are one or two niggles that stop this from being a classic.
  5. games(TM)
    70
    Probably the best console RTS that we’ve ever played in terms of flexibility and control, but it will still prove frustratingly slow and awkward to seasoned PC and Mac users. [Aug 2006, p.116]
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  6. WHAM! Gaming
    70
    It's hard to imagine how this epic strategy game's control scheme could be any better on a console, but it's still not quite a match for the precision of the PC version.
  7. Boomtown
    70
    Something of a disappointment. One cannot fault EA for trying to bring an intelligent strategy game to the console yet at the same time the removal of the dynamic campaign shows that the publisher wasn't quite convinced the game would fly on the console.
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  8. PALGN
    70
    One of the best console RTS titles in a long time, if you've avoided RTS titles in the past on consoles then this game will change your perception on whether they can work or not.
  9. X-ONE Magazine UK
    70
    As long as you're a fan of the RTS format, it's hard to fault Battle for Middle-Earth II on anything other than the controls. We think most will adapt soon enough, though. [Issue 9, p.84]
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  10. Digital Entertainment News
    70
    Ultimately, it's ony worthwhile for those that don't have a decent gaming PC.
  11. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    While Battle does a serviceable job of distilling the requisite commands into an intuitive sequence of button taps on the controller, it doesn't come close to the convenience of the tried-and-true keyboard and mouse combination. Playing on the 360 feels like flying an airplane using only the ''cabin lights off'' switch.
  12. 3DAvenue
    60
    BFME 2 presents a visual spectacle that's quite engaging, as long as you're playing it through a high definition display. Drop it down to a standard definition TV, and you'll find yourself looking at tiny units and blurred text.
  13. Game Revolution
    58
    I’ll give EA credit for trying what few companies have the cajones (or cockiness) to do –stick an RTS on a television. Unfortunately, the result of their effort is somewhat inconsistent and misses the smooth, intuitive play of the original.

Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2006
26
#26 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2006
21
#21 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 113 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 90 out of 113
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 113
  3. Negative: 11 out of 113
  1. Enemylifetaker
    Dec 17, 2013
    10
    I for one Love this game so very much. When you able to also have friends on it the game becomes Very intrusting I wonder who still plays thisI for one Love this game so very much. When you able to also have friends on it the game becomes Very intrusting I wonder who still plays this and I wish i didn't give it away to my cousin I need to get it back ASAP It was fun V.S Ai and Remaking Battles like Helms Deep when you see like 10 Attack Trolls and 200 or more Enemys coming at your gate all you see is arrows raining down on Your enemy you get that rush and when they break the gate and You have men waiting right there and charge into the Enemy it's Such a Wonder Battle Feeling it makes you feel and Think as If you were there in the battle making your next move!… Full Review »
  2. ReelW.
    Aug 18, 2006
    4
    Good graphics, but I really just couldn't get into the control scheme. As pointed out, RTS games are better on PC than console and this Good graphics, but I really just couldn't get into the control scheme. As pointed out, RTS games are better on PC than console and this one proves the point. Points for graphics, and voice overs, but if you really want to sink your teeth into an RTS game, I'd do it on the computer instead using the trusty mouse instead of a controller.… Full Review »
  3. Unholypride
    Aug 20, 2023
    9
    Easily one of the best games on xbox 360. Its a shame online support is gone. Single player campaign (good or evil) and even just skirmishesEasily one of the best games on xbox 360. Its a shame online support is gone. Single player campaign (good or evil) and even just skirmishes were great.… Full Review »
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