I might get it in a month or two, but for now I'm focusing on Oblivion.

As far as Middle Earth II is concerned, the create-a-hero part looks BADASS. The only thing that bugged me in playing the demo (not bugwise) is that the game is basically like Age of Empires and all those other games out there where you build as fast as you can and then send your troops out, disorganized, enmasse. Seriously, there wasn't enough time to actually focus on putting your troops in formation, because right after you're done sending them out you have to jump back to your HQ and continue building.

I seriously think that really makes the game boring for me. I prefer Rome: Total War type building and troop deployment far better. In that game, building things isn't nearly as important as the tactics you use when actually going to battle with your troops. Formations and Battle tactics are far more important.

I guess I'm just kind of pissed that Battle For Middle Earth games have gone the route of Age of Empires type (building strategy) over the Total War type (unit tactics). I'm sure there's a lot I haven't seen yet in BME II, and I'm sure to get it, I just seriously love leading, organizing, and deploying the troops tactically. I really could give a shit about building strategy. It just bores me to death.

Hmmm, wonder if there are any good games where you can have one player work on building strategy while the other player on the same side focuses on leading troops with battle tactics? That would seriously kick ass and bring the best of both worlds to the table.

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[Linked Image from nodiatis.com]