Battle for Middle Earth 2 Interview

[Akeldama]

I recently had the opportunity to ask LOTR:BFME2 Executive Producer Mike Verdu all about the Tolkien strategy sequel. In the following interview he discusses the single player mode, the new hero creation system, increased strategic depth, multiplayer and the game’s eye-candy.


We’re giving players much more control over their armies. Players will be able to create complex formations of troops just by grouping units and moving the mouse - the artificial intelligence will line up formations automatically in an intelligent way (soldiers and pikemen up front, archers in the back, cavalry on the flanks, and siege weapons like catapults in the rear to support attack or defence). This new smart formation system does away with a lot of the micro-management in the first game (for combo hordes, formations, etc.).

Tactical fidelity in Battle for Middle-earth II will also be much higher – players will get bonuses if they flank their opponents. For example, if you attack a formation from the side, you’ll get a bonus in the attack since you’re hitting them from a vulnerable angle. Another example: If you ride your cavalry over pikemen while they have their pikes facing the other way, you’ll overrun your opponent – unlike the first game, where pikemen slaughtered cavalry no matter which direction their pikes were facing. We heard back from a number of players that they were frustrated that it didn’t seem to matter where their units were facing or how they were lined up. We listened and the new game is a lot more realistic that way.
You can read the full interview with Mike Verdu (http://pc.boomtown.net/en_uk/articles/art.view.php?id=10567) over at Boomtown.

[Grimgrock]

Battle for Middle Earth II or Empire at War. This interview makes the decision tough. For me, anyway.

[Lexicon]

Battle for Middle Earth II or Empire at War. This interview makes the decision tough. For me, anyway.

After playing both demos definetely going with Empire at War for me. The pathfinding and AI in the demo of Battle for Middle Earth II was pretty bad. Pretty hard to flank people etc when your units don't really like to do what they are told. That's my opinion anyway, if you played a lot of multiplayer I could see where Middle Earth II might be more interesting.

[drakkarim]

i'll get both.

i really enjoyed the first BfME, and looks like they only improved on it in the sequel, so can't go wrong there for me.

i only do singleplayer, so don't know if that was/is/will be crap, nor do i care.

[BleedTheFreak]

I was trying to decide which one as well, but I think I like the depth of BFMEII better, plus the custom heroes are very fun. I'll probably hold off, lots of games coming out in the next few weeks.

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

I thought the demo of Battle for Middle Earth II was horrible. I never played the first one though.

[jwbxx]

I thought the demo of Battle for Middle Earth II was horrible. I never played the first one though.You would have gotten the same experience from the first.

I would pick empire at war because it might have some strategy in it compared to bfme 2.

[Hizawky]

You would have gotten the same experience from the first.

I would pick empire at war because it might have some strategy in it compared to bfme 2.

Play the demo space mission using only Han Solo.

You can beat it. It's a joke.

Play the ground mission Using one artillery unit and a squad of bombers. Or just Chewbacca supported by Bombers, you can beat that mission too.