Despite the recent surprise remaster of The Lord of the Rings: War in the North and the upcoming Hunt for Gollum film, a lesser-known title from EA Redwood Shores, The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, stands out as a formative Middle-earth experience for fans of turn-based JRPGs. Released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube, this game is a direct homage to Final Fantasy 10, adopting its core gameplay mechanics and narrative structure while weaving an original story within Tolkien's established universe.
Developed by the team that would later create Dead Space and Dante's Inferno, The Third Age tells a parallel story to Peter Jackson's film trilogy. Players assume the role of Berethor, a captain of Gondor, who is joined by a cast of characters each secretly connected to figures from the main film narrative. Characters like Idrial, an Elf serving Galadriel, and the ranger Elegost, alongside the dwarf Hadhod, form a party reminiscent of classic Square RPG ensembles, each receiving individual story arcs that contribute to their development.
The game's progression involves traversing environments inspired by the films, from dark forests to elven meadows and snowy mountains. While these locales are designed to evoke familiarity without exact replication, the gameplay loop is straightforward, focusing on quests like defeating specific enemies or finding shrines. This approach effectively serves as fan service, allowing players to relive the spirit of Frodo's journey, even featuring an encounter with the Balrog alongside Gandalf.
The most striking aspect of The Third Age is its overt borrowing from Final Fantasy 10's combat system. The user interface, character action lists, and turn order display are nearly identical to Square's JRPG. While combat animations may feel more sluggish, the foundation is undeniably that of a classic turn-based system. The Third Age does introduce its own enhancements, such as a skill point allocation system for character progression and more comprehensive customization options for character appearance and abilities. The game also features dynamic cutscenes, though not on the scale of the films' CGI, that contribute to its atmospheric presentation.
Beyond its borrowed mechanics, The Third Age offers engaging gameplay, particularly through its party customization. Equipping new weapons and armor is reflected in character appearances, encouraging frequent inventory management. A notable feature for players is the unlocking of "Epic Scenes," which are short, low-resolution clips from the films narrated by Ian McKellen as Gandalf, providing context to the ongoing narrative. These unlockable scenes add significant value and are plentiful throughout the game.
Unfortunately, The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age is currently inaccessible on modern platforms without emulation. This mirrors the fate of many beloved licensed games from its era, which become difficult to play due to expiring licenses or a lack of publisher interest. However, with recent licensed game remasters surfacing, there is a potential for The Third Age to receive a similar treatment. Enhancements to visuals, user interface, and video quality could revitalize this unique RPG, offering a new generation of players a chance to experience its blend of Lord of the Rings lore and classic JRPG gameplay.