DESCRIPTION

Based on the first book in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Pocket Studios' The Fellowship of the Ring follows the adventures of the nine fellowship members who begin a quest to destroy the One Ring being sought by the evil wizard Sauron. Promising more than 20 hours of gameplay, The Fellowship of the Ring features Frodo Baggins, Peregrin Took, Boromir, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Gandalf the Grey as they journey to the river Anduin on the way to Mt. Doom.

Adventuring gameplay is from an isometric perspective with interludes of turn-based combat, where the combatants line up and face one another. Each character has five equipment slots (head, body, feet/legs, and two for weapons, shields, or items) as well as a skill and health rating. The arsenal includes a hobbit stick, dagger, sword, bow, axe, and sling, but most weapons are limited to specific characters, as are the eight types of armor. Gandalf, the wizard, can blast enemies with magic spells learned from gathered scrolls and books.

In typical role-playing fashion, characters gain strength from eating food, finding health elixirs, and taking antidote potions. Items can be enchanted by magic spells, while skills and knowledge receive a boost from scrolls and books of ancient lore. Throughout Middle Earth, the party will encounter trolls, orcs, Ringwraiths (Dark Riders), elves, and other inhabitants. Gameplay is single-player only with the story based on the Vivendi Universal book license (not the New Line Cinema film). ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide