The Lord of the Rings: Tactics

Me: Laruin mo din 'yung FF7: Crisis Core, dali! Para ma-in love ka din kay Zack.
Miguel: *disgusted* Pa'no ba 'yun? Parang may turns?
Me: Eew. Wala. 'Pag combat mode, laban lang.
Miguel: Aw. Ayoko nun.
Me: Bakit? Ang boring kaya 'pag may turns. Maghihintay ka pa. Tapos ang dami pa nung characters.
Miguel: Strategy 'yun no.
Me: Speed 'yun, 'pag walang turns. 'Pag mabilis ka mag-isip, mabilis ka sa controls, mabilis ka tumakbo, etc.
Miguel: Nagugulat ako sa ganun eh.
Me: Wahahahahaha. Dapat maglaro ka ng Silent Hill: Origins. Para mas magulat ka. Wahahahaha.

-conversation from late junior year

See, I don't enjoy games with turns. Okay...except Civilization 3. But it really annoys me when all nations become more progressive. Each city of each nation is busy doing something. All units (workers, combatants, planes, etc.) move. I can finish a medium-sized cupcake while waiting for that one, single turn to finish, seriously. I am impatient. BUT, I tried playing The Lord of the Rings: Tactics. That is how much I love Legolas.

I finished the game some time last week. I started playing one midnight and ended around 4am. Why? Because when the PSP batteries get drained and the PSP goes off, you can't resume your game! What's more, I have not saved any of my progress! So, I decided to get some sleep.

When I finally woke, it's time for the battle between the Fellowship and Mordor! I started all over because I can't let go of this game that easy. Aragorn is just so strong. And Legolas is just so hot. But really, they are both strong and hot.

I was spoiling my two heroes, Aragorn and Legolas. Not only because they were my favorite but also because they were the heroes often used in the game. It's the game that chooses the heroes to use - not me. That is why I have to invest in all of them: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Frodo, and Sam.

Some things I'll always remember on my way to Mt. Doom:

Eomer can not perform ranged attacks. And I don't find him that strong either!

The moment Legolas releases the arrow and Aragorn thrusts Anduril (his sword), it's a sure kill. I <3 their tandem!

Gandalf is a wizard! Equip him with spells!

I always put Legolas in a high place. I don't make him move because he can fire arrows to anywhere. He looked so lazy. Hahaha.

I fell in love with Theoden. He's old but he's really strong.

Saruman is...EVIL.

Ents are better at melee attacks but it's hard to keep them alive.

Legolas is an elf. He's better with bows and arrows. Aragorn is a ranger. He's better with swords. Use them where they're good at; you'll taste the sweet fruit.

***

The last stage is the Battle of the Morannon or the Battle of the Black Gate.

Mission Objectives: Aragorn must survive. Frodo must get to Mt. Doom (which means Frodo must survive too).

This was the final major battle against Sauron in the War of the Ring, fought at the Black Gate of Mordor. The Army of the West, led by Aragorn, marched on the gate as a diversionary feint to distract Sauron's attention from Frodo and Sam, who were carrying the One Ring through Mordor.

-wikipedia.org

So...my heroes were Aragorn and Gandalf accompanied by two Gondor soldiers and faced with a lot of creatures from Mordor. On the other side stood my two other heroes, Frodo and Sam. More enemies were here. Plus Sauron and the Mouth of Sauron!

As the stage progressed, more and more Mordor reinforcements arrive. Meanwhile, no Fellowship reinforcements arrive because no Fellowship reinforcements shall arrive. Why have I no reinforcements?! And Sauron keeps on stunning my characters! I had to do this level a lot of times until I finally gave up. I did some optional quests to earn gold and buy my heroes skills. I bought Aragorn Army of the Dead, Call of Eagles for Gandalf, Ent Summon for Sam, and Light of Galadriel for Frodo. All skills are summoning skills.

Back in Morannon...

Aragorn tries hard to get to Frodo and Sam immediately and slays enemies ahead. Gandalf and the two Gondor soldiers slay all enemies blocking Aragorn and their paths.

Meanwhile, Sam protects Frodo by having Frodo stay behind him. As the hobbits try to defend themselves, Mordor reinforcements arrive.

After some turns, Aragorn's campaign has slain three enemies. Frodo and Sam defeat one. Sauron and Mouth of Sauron approach the hobbits. Enemies come nearer to the hobbits - this means melee combat for everyone. More Mordor reinforcements arrive. It's time to use new skills! Ents came and damaged all enemies. A flash of blinding light killed some. And eagles soared and did more damage.

Finally, all enemies ahead of Aragorn were slain. However, my two Gondor soldiers have fallen. With Frodo behind him, Sam came face to face with Sauron. Aragorn and Gandalf were too far but close enough to perform ranged attacks.

What happened on my last turn?

Sam was stunned so he remained frozen between Sauron and Frodo.
Frodo misses Sauron. (Gosh, nag-miss pa siya!)
Gandalf restores Aragorn's health.
And Aragorn fires an arrow to Sauron.

Then, VICTORY!

A cutscene comes showing the battle of the Fellowship and Mordor outside the Morannon. So that's where my other heroes are - outside the Morannon.

Mt. Doom erupted. And between their own fights, my heroes stopped. They looked up the erupting Mt. Doom and smiled. Legolas smiled! *dies*

One whispered, "Frodo."

Everyone, of the Fellowship or of Mordor, knew what had happened. The ring was destroyed. And it was victory for the Fellowship.

And just like any other game I have finished, I stared at the credits and said, "Tapos na?"

You know what? It doesn't help investing in only one character. Wait, I know this beforehand. It doesn't help investing in only two or three characters. Every single unit is needed. Invest in them. Use them. The same goes with real life.

It's surprising how much can happen in one turn. If Gimli moves here, he might get caught between Lurtz and a Ringwraith. But if you move a ranger there, he could take care of the Ringwraith and leave Gimli with Lurtz. On that single turn depends your defeat or your victory. Decide wisely.

Be prepared. Bring sachels of fresh athelas and sachels of lembas bread cakes to restore your lost HP and AP.

It's okay to ask for help once in a while. Summon an eagle, or Ents, or the Light of Galadriel.

And finally, teamwork? I really loved how I spent my last turn. Sam was so loyal to Frodo. He protected him from ALL enemy attacks. He was courageous too! He was ready to do hand to hand combat with Sauron, until he was stunned. Frodo tried to do damage to Sauron but failed - probably because Sam was in the way. Aragorn arrived just in time to find that Sauron was so close to the hobbits and he fires an arrow from afar. I will die if Aragorn misses Sauron's head. And Gandalf heals the wounded Aragorn - Aragorn slayed a LOT of enemies.

My characters are so sweet. ♥

Really, I am in love. If you only knew how I spoke and acted the night I finished the game. I am so in love I want to watch the movies again. And read the books!