The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II
In short: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II is a strategy game released in 2006 by EA Los Angeles, available on PC. Our score: 8.5/10 (highly recommended).
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II expands upon its predecessor by offering more factions, units, and a deeper gameplay experience. Players can lead their forces in a campaign across Middle-earth or engage in skirmishes.
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II (BFME II) is a real-time strategy game developed by EA Los Angeles and released in 2006. It builds upon the foundations of its predecessor, offering a richer and more expansive take on Tolkien's iconic universe. Players are no longer restricted to just the forces of Good and Evil, but can now command a variety of new factions, including the Elves, Dwarves, and Goblins, each with their unique units, heroes, and playstyles. The game significantly expands the playable map of Middle-earth, allowing for battles in previously unexplored territories like the northern reaches and Misty Mountains. This sequel also introduces the ability to build fortifications anywhere on the map, offering greater strategic depth and defensive options.
Game details
- Developer: EA Los Angeles
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Release year: 2006
- Platforms: PC
- Category: strategy
Our review
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II takes the beloved RTS formula of its predecessor and refines it, offering a more diverse and engaging experience. The new factions, especially the Elves and Dwarves, bring fresh strategies to the table, and the ability to build anywhere on the map truly enhances the strategic depth. While the graphics show their age, the sheer fun of commanding massive armies and iconic heroes in epic battles remains compelling. Both the Good and Evil campaigns offer solid narratives that immerse players deeper into Middle-earth lore. A must-play for RTS fans and LotR enthusiasts.
Pros
- Diverse new factions with unique playstyles
- Enhanced strategic depth with fortifications anywhere
- Engaging campaigns for both Good and Evil
- Iconic LotR heroes and units
- Replayability through skirmish modes
Cons
- Graphics are dated by modern standards
- Some balancing issues between factions
- Steep learning curve for new players
FAQ
- Is The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II still playable today?
- Yes, BFME II is still playable today, though it may require some community-made patches and fixes for modern operating systems and resolutions. There's an active community that supports the game with unofficial servers and mods.
- Are there any expansions for BFME II?
- Yes, there is one official expansion pack called 'The Rise of the Witch-king' which adds a new playable faction, the Angmar, and a new single-player campaign.
- Can I play BFME II multiplayer?
- Officially, the Gamespy servers were shut down years ago. However, the dedicated community has created solutions like Hamachi or custom servers to allow players to continue enjoying multiplayer matches.
- What are the main differences between BFME I and BFME II?
- BFME II introduces new playable factions (Elves, Dwarves, Goblins), allows base building anywhere on the map, expands the map of Middle-earth, and offers more diverse unit rosters and hero abilities compared to the first game.
More about this game
- Is The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II worth buying?
- The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II guide
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Last updated: 04/04/2026