The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age (GBA video game)

Gameplay

At the start of a campaign, the player selects a commander from either the good side (Aragorn, Elrond, or Gandalf) or the evil side (Saruman, the Witch-King of Angmar, or the Mouth of Sauron). This choice determines the campaign perspective. The game allows two saved games, one for each alignment. Secondary heroes become available depending on the campaign; good heroes include members of the Fellowship such as Gimli, Théoden, Éomer, Faramir, and Boromir, while evil heroes include orcs and servants like Grima Wormtongue, Gorbag, Sharku, Ugluk, Grishnakh, Lurtz, and Gothmog. Experience points earned from completing missions can be spent on skills and equipment upgrades for both primary and secondary heroes. A Sauron Mode makes heroes who fall in battle unavailable for the rest of the campaign. Isildur appears as a non-selectable, non-upgradable hero in the first good mission. Evil campaign companions include Orc chieftains and captains, Uruk-hai lieutenants and captains, and in select missions, Sauron. Standard-bearers occasionally add command points to a flank. The campaign consists of 24 levels, two tutorial levels, and six bonus missions. All missions in an episode must be completed to advance. Bonus levels and heroes are unlockable by meeting specific conditions.