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jp's Lord of the Rings: Conquest (DS)

[June 7, 2023 12:46:53 PM]

Huh. This is way more interesting than I expected. I guess I'll get the "bad" things out of the way first to then write about what I thought was kind of neat...

The graphics are kind of dark and muddy and it made it hard for me to tell who was friend/foe such that my attacks could be effective. Also, the touch controls were too finnicky for my taste.

Ok.

I've been thinking about this game in terms of characterizing what kind of game it is - where does it sit in relation to other games.

So, it's a 3D sort of isometric action/brawler type game. You can pick from different character types (archer, warrior, wizard) and run around in an environment killing monsters. The environments are relatively small and constrained.

BUT, there's a larger map (for the environment you're in) and there are objectives you need to meet. Hold a point, defeat a bad guy, etc.

The points (I'll call them command points) are key - when they're held by an enemy it's bad, so you can them over by standing next to a banner until it changes to your flag. At the banners you can also change character type "for free".

BUT, there are also NPCs that spawn - good ones that help, but also bad ones (enemies.

So, the game feels sort of like a MOBA in the advancing on the map towards control points (they also serve as spawn points here), but there's story and changing objectives as you play a mission, but there's the NPCs. So, it's sort of MOBA like but also sort of like musou games - they also have large maps with objectives and NPC characters that fight along side you. BUT, there aren't that many NPCs (technical challenges?) so, it doesn't have the overwhelming masses that make musou games interesting.

So, it's sort of a mix of all these? It's interesting just for that reason tbh. (which might be more interesting because it's an old game - so perhaps it anticipates some later games in that way?)

I'm also reminded of the Earth Defense Force Games - it has a similar vibe in terms of the chaos, even though completely different in theme/setting of course.

Oh, another thing - in a given level after a certain amount of time (or some other thing that's being measured?) you can swap your character for a named character from the movies! (the game is based on the movie IP for LoTR) So, you can switch into Gimli or an Ent, and so on. You can also play as good or bad guys! (different campaigns).

So, cool game for sure!