First-Rate Heroes
The developers at EA faced an interesting proposition when crafting their new full-trilogy-blowout roleplaying game (RPG)The Lord of the Rings™: The Third Age™. EA planned to cover the entire trilogy in one title, and the designers decided to use a turn-based combat system (more along the lines of Final Fantasy thanStar Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™) to do so.
But, how do you create a roleplaying game that allows the gamer choices and consequences, when anyone playing the game knows how the story turns out? Simple: You tell a different story, while having the original plot ongoing in the background. That means you bring the characters formerly on the fringes to the fore.
This decision allowed EA to create a game that evokes the look, drama, and depth of Peter Jackson's film trilogy, while offering a new angle full of twists and surprises. The movie itself is represented by special guest warriors—like Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli—but these heroes only join your party at key points.
So, who makes up this new fellowship? Since EA only has the license for the Jackson films (not the Tolkien books), great care had to be taken to ensure that the character came from the movies. Look closely, especially at the extended DVD editions, and you might catch Idrial the elf standing behind Galadriel or Berethor flashing his breastplate. The characters' challenges and in-game backgrounds are original and compelling, proving that you don't need to bring hobbits or a magic Ring to participate in a world-shaking epic adventure. Each hero brings a combination of skills, powers, equipment, and statistics grow and change over the course of the game, creating unique additions to your eventual six-member fellowship. The four key members of your group include …
Welcome to the party, pal.
Berethor: Citadel Guard of Gondor
When Denethor's son Boromir joins the Fellowship of the Ring at Rivendell, Denethor himself dispatches young warrior Berethor to track the group on their journey. Unfortunately, not soon after he departs Elrond's realm, Ringwraiths attack Berethor. Though he fights valiantly, he only survives due to the timely intervention of an elf woman of Lothlorien.
One of Berethor's abilities boosts party strength.
Berethor is a human warrior who fights with shield, sword, and armor. He resembles Faramir, Boromir's brother. Berethor is the party leader and the first character you will control in the game. Like all six of your party characters, he can carry a unique type of "war emblem" to add strength in battle (specifically, War Rings from the First, Second, and Third Ages). Berethor is also the only character with the Leadership party-boosting combat ability. The game includes the most equipment for Berethor. Search hard enough, and he'll eventually find six sets of armor, 14 shields, and 15 swords.
Idrial: Elf of Lothlorien
The elf maiden Idrial finds Berethor near death on the road through Hollin and fights Sauron's Ringwraith to save the human's life. Idrial is a scout for Lady Galadriel, leader of the elves departing Middle Earth, though she herself intends to remain behind. After their encounter, Idrial joins forces with Berethor.
Idrial arrives in the nick of time.
This character has, by far, the strongest connection to Spirit forces in the game, and she will often be the one you turn to for a quick Spirit Power spell in combat or healing powers when you're running low on lembas bread. She's also handy with a curved elfen sword. Idrial can find unique chokers (to wear as her war emblem) as well as many different shields and swords.
Elegost: Dunedain Ranger of Arnor
Elegost, like Strider (later revealed to be Aragorn), is a Ranger. This heroic woodsmen helps protect peaceful lands in the west—like Frodo's home, the Shire—from the evils of the forest and the eastern reaches. Idrial and Berethor encounter Elegost as he is apparently being attacked by Wargs in the Carhadras pass. They help the Ranger kill his attackers.
Elegost lets one fly.
Elegost is the bowman of the group and the only character that can use the Bowcraft skill to attack with devastating impact at range. He can find and wear several different cloak brooches that give him additional powers against the forces of Sauron. In addition, he can use various bows he finds in his travels and be a valuable guide to the area leading up the Mines of Moria.
Hadhod: Dwarf of Fundin's Clan
Hadhod is a friend of Elegost. The two met when Hadhod left Elrond's Council to face the orcs that had invaded his home of Moria. During that fierce battle, the two became allies, but have now been separated. When Idrial and Berethor encounter Elegost, he his hunting the dwarf, which he believes is inside Moria itself.
Hadhod where he likes to be—in action.
Hadhod becomes your guide for the depths of Moria, and he'll always be nagging at you to fight orcs at the first available opportunity. He's also pretty darned funny in a game that's rich with tragedy and epic drama. And, like Gimli in the films, he finds himself in some pretty un-dwarf-like positions throughout The Third Age. Hadhod wears belt buckles as war emblems, and he's the only character that can use powerful war hammers in combat.
By Danny Chihdo
