Electronic Arts delivered three previously unseen movies to IGN today from its upcoming movie-based videogame, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, and each one is filled with dramatic action, combat and a great feeling for the new game due this November.
The trio of movies, which is pure game footage, much of which takes place at Minith Tirath close the Southern Gate level, is about two-thirds of the way through the game. At this point in the game players take on the role of Gandalf the White, as he helps to defend the walled city from a massive attack from Sauron's army of orcs, fell beasts, Uruk H'ai and other ugly-ass creatures.
Some interesting things to note: This new video shows off Gandalf in action. He fights somewhat like Aragorn, using light and heavy attacks with his staff, only additionally he's got magic spells to use at his whim. Secondly, gamers can see his new animations dropping down via a rope from the castle wall to a foothold where he runs to another section. Meanwhile, similar to a latter level in LOTR: The Two Towers, he simultaneously fights enemy soldiers while kicking down their extra wide ladders.
The second movie offers an excellent view of the game's intense drama. As Gandalf runs down the multitude of stairs to reach the front gate, he joins the city's onslaught of soldiers while flaming catapulted rocks rain down on the city. Smoke every-so-often blinds the viewer, providing a sense of urgency and realism and the picture on the TV actually rumbles and shakes to add to the power of the moment. The choral, orchestrated music helps to complete the emotional feeling of the confrontation.
The last and quickest film shows off Aragorn in full-on battle mode. The camera quickly cuts to him initiating the catapult, which helps to destroy the castle's corner parapet. You can see the camera is slightly pulled back to show more of the wide-open action and again, one can sense the full-level of drama and heated action during the scene.
As always, we'll have more on Lord of the Rings: Return of the King in the near future.