Difference between revisions of "The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II"
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{{Infobox game | {{Infobox game | ||
|title = The Battle for Middle-earth II | |title = The Battle for Middle-earth II | ||
Line 5: | Line 4: | ||
|developers = | |developers = | ||
{{Infobox game/row/developer|EA Los Angeles}} | {{Infobox game/row/developer|EA Los Angeles}} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/developer|BreakAway Games|Expansion}} | ||
|publishers = | |publishers = | ||
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Electronic Arts}} | {{Infobox game/row/publisher|Electronic Arts}} | ||
− | |||
|engines = | |engines = | ||
{{Infobox game/row/engine|SAGE}} | {{Infobox game/row/engine|SAGE}} | ||
|release dates= | |release dates= | ||
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|March 2, 2006}} | {{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|March 2, 2006}} | ||
+ | |reception = | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|the-lord-of-the-rings-the-battle-for-middle-earth-ii|84}} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|the-lord-of-the-rings-the-battle-for-middle-earth-ii|81}} | ||
+ | |taxonomy = | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | None }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing | Real-time }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives | Bird's-eye view }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls | Multiple select, Point and select }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres | RTS }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles | Realistic }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes | Fantasy }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series | The Battle for Middle-earth }} | ||
+ | |official site= https://web.archive.org/web/20070531195652/http://www.ea.com:80/official/lordoftherings/rotwk/us/home.jsp?ncc=1 | ||
|steam appid = | |steam appid = | ||
− | |gogcom | + | |gogcom id = |
+ | |lutris = lord-of-the-rings-battle-for-middle-earth-ii | ||
|strategywiki = The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II | |strategywiki = The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II | ||
+ | |mobygames = 23582 | ||
+ | |hltb = 10064 | ||
|wikipedia = The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II | |wikipedia = The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II | ||
|winehq = 4372 | |winehq = 4372 | ||
+ | |license = commercial | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | |||
− | + | {{Introduction | |
− | {{ | + | |introduction = |
− | |||
− | '' | + | |release history = The base game received six official patches, the fifth of which was produced by the [https://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth2/ GameReplays.org ''BFME2'' section]. This patch is most notable for the introduction of the hard counter system. |
− | {{mm}} [ | + | The game received '''''The Rise of the Witch-king''''' expansion pack in November 2006, outsourced to [[Company:BreakAway Games|BreakAway Games]]. It introduced the playable Angmar faction, new units for existing factions and new campaigns. It was, however, based on an obsolete build of ''BFME2'' (earlier than 1.05 at least), and its own single official patch left the game in a state of severe balancing problems and audio mixing/volume issues in the new campaign. |
− | {{mm}} [ | + | |
− | {{mm}} [ | + | As of December 31, 2010, the official [[GameSpy]] service was shut down and all purchases were halted due to [[Company:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]]' loss of the ''Lord of the Rings'' license.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth/portals.php?show=news&news_id=709520|title=Middle-earth Online Server Shutdown Announced - Battle for Middle Earth - GameReplays.org|date=2023-08-11}}</ref> |
+ | |||
+ | |current state = Same as with the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth|first game]], the game remains playable on modern Windows versions with some major technical hiccups that can be worked around; issues like [[#Game not starting on Windows Vista and later|errors when starting the game]] and [[#Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds|DRM issues]]. [[#Essential improvements|Unofficial patches]] resolve most of the game's problems; [[#Off-host delay|off-host delay]] was fixed only for ''The Rise of the Witch-king'' in unofficial patch 2.02 build 9.0.0 and newer. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''General information''' | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://t3aonline.net T3A:Online] - fan-hosted multiplayer server replacement | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth2 BfME II section on GameReplays.org] - home to the competitive community and the unofficial 1.09 patch | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://www.gamereplays.org/riseofthewitchking Rise of the Witch-king section on GameReplays.org] - home to the competitive community and the unofficial 2.02 patch | ||
==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
{{Availability| | {{Availability| | ||
− | {{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | + | {{Availability/row| Retail | | disc, key | {{DRM|SafeDisc|v4}}. | | Windows }} |
+ | {{Availability/row| Origin | | Origin | Physical copies used to activate on Origin, but they no longer do.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://answers.ea.com/t5/Other-Need-for-Speed-Games/Is-NFS-Carbon-redeemable-on-Origin/m-p/9157137/thread-id/10814|title=Solved: Is NFS Carbon Redeemable on Origin - Answer HQ|date=2020-12-03}}</ref> | | Windows | unavailable}} | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{--}} All versions include custom {{term|DRM}} code which can sabotage the game by destroying all units and structures owned by the player after 3 minutes and 30 seconds, triggering an automatic defeat. It can occur on legitimate copies under certain circumstances - see [[#Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds|Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds]] for instructions to fix this. | ||
+ | {{ii}} A free demo version can be downloaded from [https://www.gamefront.com/games/battle-for-middle-earth-2/file/lotr-the-battle-for-middle-earth-ii-sp-demo GameFront] or [https://www.gamepressure.com/download.asp?ID=10794 GamePressure]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Monetization== | ||
+ | {{Monetization | ||
+ | |ad-supported = | ||
+ | |dlc = | ||
+ | |expansion pack = The expansion pack includes a new faction, a new campaign, maps, units, and War of the Ring mode scenarios. | ||
+ | |freeware = | ||
+ | |free-to-play = | ||
+ | |one-time game purchase = The game requires an upfront purchase to access. | ||
+ | |sponsored = | ||
+ | |subscription = | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | |||
{{DLC| | {{DLC| | ||
− | {{DLC/row| | + | {{DLC/row| The Rise of the Witch-king | | Windows }} |
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Essential improvements== | ||
+ | ===Skip intro videos=== | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Skip intro videos|fix= | ||
+ | # Go to {{folder|{{p|game}}\data\movies\}} | ||
+ | # Delete or rename {{file|CS01.vp6}}, {{file|EALogo.vp6}}, {{file|TE_LOGO.vp6}}, {{file|NLC_LOGO.vp6}} and {{file|NewLineLogo.vp6}}. | ||
+ | {{ii}} For languages other than English the EA logo file played is a localised version extracted from the archive file {{file|{{p|game}}\lang\LanguageName.big}}. To remove the video, this file needs to be edited, for instance with a custom tool such as [http://wagnerma.de/yinger/showdownload.php?detail=1 FinalBIG] or [https://www.ppmsite.com/osbigeditorinfo/ OS BIG Editor]. | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Official patches=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} The latest official patch for the base game is 1.06, available from [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/4254/7/32843 Patches-Scrolls], [https://www.gamefront.com/games/battle-for-middle-earth-2/category/v1-06 GameFront], and [https://cncnz.com/downloads/battle-for-middle-earth-ii-downloads/#patches CNCNZ.com]. | ||
+ | {{ii}} The latest official patch for The Rise of the Witch-king is 2.01, available from [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/4256/7/32856 Patches-Scrolls], [https://www.gamefront.com/games/battle-for-middle-earth-2-rotwk/category/patches-148 GameFront] and [https://cncnz.com/downloads/rise-of-the-witch-king-downloads/#patches CNCNZ.com]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Widescreen mods for BFME2 without 1.09=== | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://www.the3rdage.net/item-717?addview Modified interface download link] | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://www.the3rdage.net/item-792?addview Maps with modified zoom download link (breaks compatibility with originals)] | ||
+ | {{++}} Maintains developer-intended gameplay. | ||
+ | {{--}} Not used by users online. | ||
+ | {{ii}} To bypass the DRM, use the modified {{file|game.dat}} from the 1.09 patch. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Unofficial 1.09 patch (BFME2)=== | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth2/portals.php?show=page&name=bfme2-patch-1.09-version-3.0-live Download link] | ||
+ | {{++}} Does not require the disc. | ||
+ | {{++}} Adapts the main game interface for widescreen resolutions and fixes a lot of the bugs and imbalances left after the official 1.06 patch. | ||
+ | {{++}} Includes a patch switcher for switching between the official 1.00 and 1.06 versions, as well as 1.09. | ||
+ | {{--}} Breaks compatibility with the Rise of the Witch-king expansion. | ||
+ | {{--}} Changes visuals extensively. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Unofficial 2.02 patch (RotWK)=== | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://www.gamereplays.org/riseofthewitchking/portals.php?show=page&name=unofficial-patch-202-download-page Download link] | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://gitlab.com/forlongthefat/rotwk-unofficial-202 Source code] | ||
+ | {{++}} Does not require the disc. | ||
+ | {{++}} Adapts the main game interface for widescreen resolutions and fixes a lot of the bugs and imbalances left after the official 2.01 patch, and is actively maintained. As of release 9.0.0 (February 4, 2023), an engine-level bug plaguing all games in the series that caused delayed commands in multiplayer has been fixed. | ||
+ | {{++}} Active multiplayer community. | ||
+ | {{--}} Requires the BFME2 1.09 unofficial patch to be deactivated to run. | ||
==Game data== | ==Game data== | ||
===Configuration file(s) location=== | ===Configuration file(s) location=== | ||
{{Game data| | {{Game data| | ||
− | {{Game data/ | + | {{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|appdata}}\{{LocalizedPath|My Battle for Middle-earth(tm) II Files}}\options.ini|{{p|appdata}}\{{LocalizedPath|My The Lord of the Rings, The Rise of the Witch-king Files}}\options.ini}} |
}} | }} | ||
===Save game data location=== | ===Save game data location=== | ||
{{Game data| | {{Game data| | ||
− | {{Game data/ | + | {{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|appdata}}\{{LocalizedPath|My Battle for Middle-earth(tm) II Files}}\save|{{p|appdata}}\{{LocalizedPath|My The Lord of the Rings, The Rise of the Witch-king Files}}\save}} |
}} | }} | ||
− | ==Video | + | ===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]=== |
− | {{Video | + | {{Save game cloud syncing |
− | |wsgf link = | + | |discord = |
+ | |discord notes = | ||
+ | |epic games launcher = | ||
+ | |epic games launcher notes = | ||
+ | |gog galaxy = | ||
+ | |gog galaxy notes = | ||
+ | |origin = unknown | ||
+ | |origin notes = | ||
+ | |steam cloud = | ||
+ | |steam cloud notes = | ||
+ | |ubisoft connect = | ||
+ | |ubisoft connect notes = | ||
+ | |xbox cloud = | ||
+ | |xbox cloud notes = | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Video== | ||
+ | {{Image|LotRBFME2 general settings.png|General settings menu (the expansion has an identical menu, with a different theme)}} | ||
+ | {{Image|LotRBFME2 advanced graphics settings.png|Custom graphics settings menu}} | ||
+ | {{Video | ||
+ | |wsgf link = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/lord-rings-battle-middle-earth-ii | ||
|widescreen wsgf award = limited | |widescreen wsgf award = limited | ||
|multimonitor wsgf award = limited | |multimonitor wsgf award = limited | ||
Line 59: | Line 152: | ||
|4k ultra hd wsgf award = incomplete | |4k ultra hd wsgf award = incomplete | ||
|widescreen resolution = hackable | |widescreen resolution = hackable | ||
− | |widescreen resolution notes= | + | |widescreen resolution notes= See [[#Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]] or use an unofficial patch launcher for setting a custom resolution.<br>The UI is stretched by default; see [[#Widescreen mods for BFME2 without 1.09|Widescreen mods for BFME2 without 1.09]] or an unofficial patch to adapt the interface to widescreen aspect ratios. |
− | |multimonitor = | + | |multimonitor = unknown |
− | |multimonitor notes = | + | |multimonitor notes = |
|ultrawidescreen = unknown | |ultrawidescreen = unknown | ||
|ultrawidescreen notes = | |ultrawidescreen notes = | ||
Line 67: | Line 160: | ||
|4k ultra hd notes = | |4k ultra hd notes = | ||
|fov = hackable | |fov = hackable | ||
− | |fov notes = | + | |fov notes = No FOV sliders exist; the maps themselves need to be manually edited. For FOV adapted to 16:9 resolutions, see [[#Widescreen mods for BFME2 without 1.09|Widescreen mods for BFME2 without 1.09]] or use an unofficial patch. |
− | |windowed = | + | |windowed = hackable |
− | |windowed notes = | + | |windowed notes = Use <code>-win</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|parameter]]. |
|borderless windowed = unknown | |borderless windowed = unknown | ||
|borderless windowed notes = | |borderless windowed notes = | ||
− | |anisotropic = | + | |anisotropic = false |
|anisotropic notes = | |anisotropic notes = | ||
− | |antialiasing = | + | |antialiasing = false |
|antialiasing notes = | |antialiasing notes = | ||
− | |vsync = | + | |upscaling = false |
− | |vsync notes = | + | |upscaling tech = |
+ | |upscaling notes = | ||
+ | |vsync = false | ||
+ | |vsync notes = | ||
|60 fps = false | |60 fps = false | ||
− | |60 fps notes = Frame rate is capped at 30 FPS | + | |60 fps notes = Frame rate is capped at 30 FPS<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=192855|title=LOTR: Battle For Middle Earth II FPS Unlocker!!!! NO MORE 30 FPS LIMIT - Guru3D.com Forums|date=May 2023}}</ref>, with game speed tied to frame rate. |
|120 fps = false | |120 fps = false | ||
|120 fps notes = | |120 fps notes = | ||
− | |color blind = | + | |hdr = false |
+ | |hdr notes = | ||
+ | |color blind = false | ||
|color blind notes = | |color blind notes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | ==Input | + | ===[[Glossary:Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]]=== |
− | {{Input | + | {{Fixbox|description=Set custom resolution|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2021-09-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix= |
− | |key remap = | + | # Open the [[#Configuration file(s) location|configuration file]] with a text editor. |
+ | # Change <code>Resolution xxx xxx</code> to the desired resolution. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Input== | ||
+ | {{Input | ||
+ | |key remap = false | ||
|key remap notes = | |key remap notes = | ||
− | |acceleration option = | + | |acceleration option = false |
|acceleration option notes = | |acceleration option notes = | ||
− | |mouse sensitivity = | + | |mouse sensitivity = false |
|mouse sensitivity notes = | |mouse sensitivity notes = | ||
− | |mouse menu = | + | |mouse menu = true |
|mouse menu notes = | |mouse menu notes = | ||
− | |invert mouse y-axis = | + | |invert mouse y-axis = false |
|invert mouse y-axis notes = | |invert mouse y-axis notes = | ||
+ | |touchscreen = unknown | ||
+ | |touchscreen notes = | ||
|controller support = false | |controller support = false | ||
|controller support notes = | |controller support notes = | ||
Line 108: | Line 214: | ||
|invert controller y-axis = unknown | |invert controller y-axis = unknown | ||
|invert controller y-axis notes= | |invert controller y-axis notes= | ||
− | | | + | |xinput controllers = unknown |
− | | | + | |xinput controllers notes = |
− | |button prompts | + | |xbox prompts = unknown |
− | |button prompts notes | + | |xbox prompts notes = |
+ | |impulse triggers = unknown | ||
+ | |impulse triggers notes = | ||
+ | |dualshock 4 = unknown | ||
+ | |dualshock 4 notes = | ||
+ | |dualshock prompts = unknown | ||
+ | |dualshock prompts notes = | ||
+ | |light bar support = unknown | ||
+ | |light bar support notes = | ||
+ | |dualshock 4 modes = unknown | ||
+ | |dualshock 4 modes notes = | ||
+ | |tracked motion controllers= unknown | ||
+ | |tracked motion controllers notes = | ||
+ | |tracked motion prompts = unknown | ||
+ | |tracked motion prompts notes = | ||
+ | |other controllers = unknown | ||
+ | |other controllers notes = | ||
+ | |other button prompts = unknown | ||
+ | |other button prompts notes= | ||
|controller hotplug = unknown | |controller hotplug = unknown | ||
|controller hotplug notes = | |controller hotplug notes = | ||
|haptic feedback = unknown | |haptic feedback = unknown | ||
|haptic feedback notes = | |haptic feedback notes = | ||
− | | | + | |simultaneous input = unknown |
− | | | + | |simultaneous input notes = |
+ | |steam input api = unknown | ||
+ | |steam input api notes = | ||
+ | |steam hook input = unknown | ||
+ | |steam hook input notes = | ||
+ | |steam input presets = unknown | ||
+ | |steam input presets notes = | ||
+ | |steam controller prompts = unknown | ||
+ | |steam controller prompts notes = | ||
+ | |steam cursor detection = unknown | ||
+ | |steam cursor detection notes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | ==Audio | + | ==Audio== |
− | {{Audio | + | {{Audio |
− | |separate volume = | + | |separate volume = true |
|separate volume notes = | |separate volume notes = | ||
|surround sound = unknown | |surround sound = unknown | ||
Line 128: | Line 262: | ||
|subtitles = true | |subtitles = true | ||
|subtitles notes = | |subtitles notes = | ||
− | |closed captions = | + | |closed captions = false |
|closed captions notes = | |closed captions notes = | ||
− | |mute on focus lost = | + | |mute on focus lost = always on |
|mute on focus lost notes = | |mute on focus lost notes = | ||
− | |eax support = | + | |eax support = true |
− | |eax support notes = | + | |eax support notes = |
+ | |royalty free audio = unknown | ||
+ | |royalty free audio notes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
Line 139: | Line 275: | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
|language = English | |language = English | ||
− | |interface = | + | |interface = true |
− | |audio = | + | |audio = true |
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = true |
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
|language = Simplified Chinese | |language = Simplified Chinese | ||
− | |interface = | + | |interface = true |
− | |audio = | + | |audio = unknown |
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = true |
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
|language = Traditional Chinese | |language = Traditional Chinese | ||
− | |interface = | + | |interface = true |
− | |audio = | + | |audio = unknown |
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = true |
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
|language = French | |language = French | ||
− | |interface = | + | |interface = true |
− | |audio = | + | |audio = true |
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = true |
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
|language = German | |language = German | ||
− | |interface = | + | |interface = true |
− | |audio = | + | |audio = true |
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = true |
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
|language = Italian | |language = Italian | ||
− | |interface = | + | |interface = true |
− | |audio = | + | |audio = true |
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = true |
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
|language = Norwegian | |language = Norwegian | ||
− | |interface = | + | |interface = true |
− | |audio = | + | |audio = false |
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = true |
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
|language = Polish | |language = Polish | ||
− | |interface = | + | |interface = true |
− | |audio = | + | |audio = false |
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = true |
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
|language = Russian | |language = Russian | ||
− | |interface = | + | |interface = true |
− | |audio = | + | |audio = true |
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = true |
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
|language = Spanish | |language = Spanish | ||
− | |interface = | + | |interface = true |
− | |audio = | + | |audio = true |
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = true |
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
|language = Swedish | |language = Swedish | ||
− | |interface = | + | |interface = true |
− | |audio = | + | |audio = false |
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = true |
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
|language = Thai | |language = Thai | ||
− | |interface = | + | |interface = true |
− | |audio = | + | |audio = unknown |
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = true |
}} | }} | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Issues unresolved== | ||
+ | ===Off-host delay=== | ||
+ | {{--}} All games in this series suffer from a delay when giving commands, measured in seconds, if the player is not the host of the multiplayer match. | ||
+ | {{--}} For ''Battle for Middle-earth II'', there is no known fix. | ||
+ | {{++}} For ''The Rise of the Witch-king'', this issue was fixed in the [[#Unofficial 2.02 patch (RotWK)|unofficial 2.02 patch]] in builds 9.0.0 and newer. A full explanation is available [https://www.gamereplays.org/riseofthewitchking/portals.php?show=page&name=rotwk_2.02_delay_fix here]. | ||
==Issues fixed== | ==Issues fixed== | ||
− | ===Game not starting on Windows | + | ===Game not starting on Windows Vista and later=== |
− | {{ii}} When first starting the game after the installation the game instantly crashes with an error. | + | {{ii}} When first starting the game after the installation, the game instantly crashes with an error. |
+ | {{ii}} Caused by the installer not creating a crucial {{file|options.ini}} file automatically. | ||
+ | {{--}} If the game is uninstalled and reinstalled on the same system, the file is always deleted and has to be created anew every time the game is installed. | ||
− | {{Fixbox| | + | {{Fixbox|description=Manually creating options.ini|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2021-09-14|comment=}}</ref>|fix= |
− | + | #Locate the default folder for the {{file|options.ini}} at {{folder|{{p|appdata}}\My Battle for Middle-earth(tm) II Files}} and {{folder|{{p|appdata}}\My The Lord of the Rings, The Rise of the Witch-king Files}} | |
− | #Locate the default folder for the | + | #Create a new text document and name it {{file|options.ini}} |
− | # | + | #Open the file and insert the following lines: |
− | #Open | ||
<pre> | <pre> | ||
AudioLOD = High | AudioLOD = High | ||
Line 229: | Line 372: | ||
TimesInGame = 6 | TimesInGame = 6 | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
− | {{ii}}Make sure to change the | + | {{ii}}Make sure to change the {{code|Resolution}} value to the preferred resolution. |
− | :4. Save | + | :4. Save the changes |
− | :5. | + | :5. Run the game. |
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} Is triggered by DRM, even on legitimate installations. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Use [[#Essential improvements|unofficial patches]]|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2022-08-10|comment=}}</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | {{ii}} Circumvents DRM causing this issue. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Check game's serial key registry entries|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2022-08-10|comment=}}</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Clean reinstall of the game as administrator|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2022-08-10|comment=}}</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | {{ii}} Fully re-install the game with administrator privileges in hopes the registry keys will be correctly created. | ||
}} | }} | ||
Line 241: | Line 398: | ||
|local play notes = | |local play notes = | ||
|lan play = true | |lan play = true | ||
− | |lan play players = | + | |lan play players = 8 |
− | |lan play modes = | + | |lan play modes = Versus |
|lan play notes = | |lan play notes = | ||
− | |online play = | + | |online play = hackable |
− | |online play players = | + | |online play players = 8 |
− | |online play modes = | + | |online play modes = Versus |
− | |online play notes = | + | |online play notes = The official [[GameSpy]] service has been shut down on December 31, 2010 due to Electronic Arts losing the Lord of the Rings license.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.gamereplays.org/battleformiddleearth/portals.php?show=news&news_id=709520&home|title=Middle-earth Online Server Shutdown Announced|date=May 2023}}</ref>. Replaced by [https://t3a-online.net/ T3A:Online]. |
|asynchronous = | |asynchronous = | ||
|asynchronous notes = | |asynchronous notes = | ||
}}{{Network/Connections | }}{{Network/Connections | ||
− | |matchmaking = | + | |matchmaking = true |
|matchmaking notes = | |matchmaking notes = | ||
− | |p2p = | + | |p2p = true |
|p2p notes = | |p2p notes = | ||
− | |dedicated = | + | |dedicated = false |
|dedicated notes = | |dedicated notes = | ||
− | |self-hosting = | + | |self-hosting = true |
|self-hosting notes = | |self-hosting notes = | ||
− | |direct ip = | + | |direct ip = false |
|direct ip notes = | |direct ip notes = | ||
}}{{Network/Ports | }}{{Network/Ports | ||
|tcp = | |tcp = | ||
− | |udp = | + | |udp = 16000 |
− | |upnp = | + | |upnp = unknown |
}} | }} | ||
Line 270: | Line 427: | ||
===API=== | ===API=== | ||
{{API | {{API | ||
− | |direct3d versions = | + | |direct3d versions = 9.0c |
|direct3d notes = | |direct3d notes = | ||
|directdraw versions = | |directdraw versions = | ||
Line 284: | Line 441: | ||
|metal support = | |metal support = | ||
|metal support notes = | |metal support notes = | ||
− | |vulkan | + | |vulkan versions = |
− | |vulkan | + | |vulkan notes = |
|dos modes = | |dos modes = | ||
|dos modes notes = | |dos modes notes = | ||
|shader model versions = | |shader model versions = | ||
|shader model notes = | |shader model notes = | ||
− | |64-bit | + | |windows 32-bit exe = true |
− | |64-bit executable notes= | + | |windows 64-bit exe = false |
+ | |windows arm app = false | ||
+ | |windows exe notes = | ||
+ | |macos intel 32-bit app = | ||
+ | |macos intel 64-bit app = | ||
+ | |macos arm app = unknown | ||
+ | |macos app notes = | ||
+ | |linux 32-bit executable= | ||
+ | |linux 64-bit executable= | ||
+ | |linux arm app = unknown | ||
+ | |linux executable notes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
Line 304: | Line 471: | ||
|input = | |input = | ||
|input notes = | |input notes = | ||
− | |cutscenes = | + | |cutscenes = On2 VP6 |
|cutscenes notes = | |cutscenes notes = | ||
|multiplayer = GameSpy | |multiplayer = GameSpy | ||
− | |multiplayer notes= | + | |multiplayer notes= Shut down in 31 December 2010. |
}} | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===[[Glossary:Command line arguments|Command line arguments]]=== | ||
+ | {| class="wikitable" | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! Command<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gamereplays.org/community/index.php?showtopic=416726|title=List of ROTWK command line switches. - GameReplays.org|date=May 2023}}</ref> !! Description | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | -win || Runs the game in windowed mode | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | -mod [path to .big file] || Runs the game with the selected mod | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | -xres [number] || Sets resolution width | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | -yres [number] || Sets resolution height | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | -noaudio || Disables the game audio | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | -noshellmap || Disables the Argonath animation in the main menu | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Modifications=== | ||
+ | '''Base game''' | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://www.moddb.com/mods/battle-for-middle-earth-2-hd-edition BfME II: HD Edition] | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://www.moddb.com/mods/an-unexpected-mod An Unexpected Mod] | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://www.moddb.com/mods/special-extended-edition Special Extended Edition] | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Rise of the Witch-king''' | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://www.moddb.com/mods/rotwk-hd-edition RotWK HD Edition] | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://www.moddb.com/mods/the-horse-lords-a-total-modification-for-bfme Age of the Ring] - requires the unofficial 2.02 patch | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://www.moddb.com/mods/edain-mod Edain Mod] - incompatible with the unofficial 2.02 patch | ||
+ | {{mm}} [https://www.moddb.com/mods/rj-rotwk RJ RotWK] - incompatible with the unofficial 2.02 patch | ||
==System requirements== | ==System requirements== | ||
Line 316: | Line 513: | ||
|minOS = XP | |minOS = XP | ||
|minCPU = 1.6 GHz | |minCPU = 1.6 GHz | ||
− | |minRAM = 256 MB | + | |minRAM = 256 MB |
|minHD = 6 GB | |minHD = 6 GB | ||
− | |minGPU = Nvidia | + | |minGPU = Nvidia GeForce 3 |
|minGPU2 = ATI Radeon 8500 | |minGPU2 = ATI Radeon 8500 | ||
|minVRAM = 64 MB | |minVRAM = 64 MB | ||
Line 327: | Line 524: | ||
|recCPU2 = AMD Athlon XP 3 GHz | |recCPU2 = AMD Athlon XP 3 GHz | ||
|recRAM = 1 GB | |recRAM = 1 GB | ||
− | |recHD = | + | |recHD = |
|recGPU = Nvidia GeForce 7800 | |recGPU = Nvidia GeForce 7800 | ||
|recVRAM = 128 MB | |recVRAM = 128 MB | ||
|recDX = | |recDX = | ||
+ | |notes = {{ii}} Online mode requires 512 MB of system RAM. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{References}} | {{References}} |
Revision as of 15:49, 7 March 2024
Developers | |
---|---|
EA Los Angeles | |
Expansion | BreakAway Games |
Publishers | |
Electronic Arts | |
Engines | |
SAGE | |
Release dates | |
Windows | March 2, 2006 |
Reception | |
Metacritic | 84 |
IGDB | 81 |
Taxonomy | |
Monetization | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack |
Microtransactions | None |
Modes | Singleplayer, Multiplayer |
Pacing | Real-time |
Perspectives | Bird's-eye view |
Controls | Multiple select, Point and select |
Genres | RTS |
Art styles | Realistic |
Themes | Fantasy |
Series | The Battle for Middle-earth |
The Battle for Middle-earth | |
---|---|
Subseries of Middle-earth | |
The Battle for Middle-earth | 2004 |
The Battle for Middle-earth II | 2006 |
Warnings
- SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see Availability for affected versions).
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II is a singleplayer and multiplayer bird's-eye view RTS game in the The Battle for Middle-earth series.
The base game received six official patches, the fifth of which was produced by the GameReplays.org BFME2 section. This patch is most notable for the introduction of the hard counter system.
The game received The Rise of the Witch-king expansion pack in November 2006, outsourced to BreakAway Games. It introduced the playable Angmar faction, new units for existing factions and new campaigns. It was, however, based on an obsolete build of BFME2 (earlier than 1.05 at least), and its own single official patch left the game in a state of severe balancing problems and audio mixing/volume issues in the new campaign.
As of December 31, 2010, the official GameSpy service was shut down and all purchases were halted due to Electronic Arts' loss of the Lord of the Rings license.[1]
Same as with the first game, the game remains playable on modern Windows versions with some major technical hiccups that can be worked around; issues like errors when starting the game and DRM issues. Unofficial patches resolve most of the game's problems; off-host delay was fixed only for The Rise of the Witch-king in unofficial patch 2.02 build 9.0.0 and newer.
General information
- T3A:Online - fan-hosted multiplayer server replacement
- BfME II section on GameReplays.org - home to the competitive community and the unofficial 1.09 patch
- Rise of the Witch-king section on GameReplays.org - home to the competitive community and the unofficial 2.02 patch
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | SafeDisc v4 DRM[Note 1]. | |||
Origin (unavailable) | Physical copies used to activate on Origin, but they no longer do.[4] |
- SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).
- All versions include custom DRM code which can sabotage the game by destroying all units and structures owned by the player after 3 minutes and 30 seconds, triggering an automatic defeat. It can occur on legitimate copies under certain circumstances - see Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds for instructions to fix this.
- A free demo version can be downloaded from GameFront or GamePressure.
Monetization
Type | Notes |
---|---|
Expansion pack | The expansion pack includes a new faction, a new campaign, maps, units, and War of the Ring mode scenarios. |
One-time game purchase | The game requires an upfront purchase to access. |
DLC and expansion packs
Name | Notes | |
---|---|---|
The Rise of the Witch-king |
Essential improvements
Skip intro videos
Skip intro videos |
---|
|
Official patches
- The latest official patch for the base game is 1.06, available from Patches-Scrolls, GameFront, and CNCNZ.com.
- The latest official patch for The Rise of the Witch-king is 2.01, available from Patches-Scrolls, GameFront and CNCNZ.com.
Widescreen mods for BFME2 without 1.09
- Modified interface download link
- Maps with modified zoom download link (breaks compatibility with originals)
- Maintains developer-intended gameplay.
- Not used by users online.
- To bypass the DRM, use the modified
game.dat
from the 1.09 patch.
Unofficial 1.09 patch (BFME2)
- Download link
- Does not require the disc.
- Adapts the main game interface for widescreen resolutions and fixes a lot of the bugs and imbalances left after the official 1.06 patch.
- Includes a patch switcher for switching between the official 1.00 and 1.06 versions, as well as 1.09.
- Breaks compatibility with the Rise of the Witch-king expansion.
- Changes visuals extensively.
Unofficial 2.02 patch (RotWK)
- Download link
- Source code
- Does not require the disc.
- Adapts the main game interface for widescreen resolutions and fixes a lot of the bugs and imbalances left after the official 2.01 patch, and is actively maintained. As of release 9.0.0 (February 4, 2023), an engine-level bug plaguing all games in the series that caused delayed commands in multiplayer has been fixed.
- Active multiplayer community.
- Requires the BFME2 1.09 unofficial patch to be deactivated to run.
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | %APPDATA%\<Localized My Battle for Middle-earth(tm) II Files>\options.ini %APPDATA%\<Localized My The Lord of the Rings, The Rise of the Witch-king Files>\options.ini |
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | %APPDATA%\<Localized My Battle for Middle-earth(tm) II Files>\save %APPDATA%\<Localized My The Lord of the Rings, The Rise of the Witch-king Files>\save |
Save game cloud syncing
System | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Origin |
Video
Graphics feature | State | WSGF | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Widescreen resolution | See Widescreen resolution or use an unofficial patch launcher for setting a custom resolution. The UI is stretched by default; see Widescreen mods for BFME2 without 1.09 or an unofficial patch to adapt the interface to widescreen aspect ratios. |
||
Multi-monitor | |||
Ultra-widescreen | |||
4K Ultra HD | |||
Field of view (FOV) | No FOV sliders exist; the maps themselves need to be manually edited. For FOV adapted to 16:9 resolutions, see Widescreen mods for BFME2 without 1.09 or use an unofficial patch. | ||
Windowed | Use -win parameter. |
||
Borderless fullscreen windowed | |||
Anisotropic filtering (AF) | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Anti-aliasing (AA) | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
High-fidelity upscaling | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Vertical sync (Vsync) | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
60 FPS and 120+ FPS | Frame rate is capped at 30 FPS[5], with game speed tied to frame rate. | ||
High dynamic range display (HDR) | See the glossary page for potential alternatives. |
Widescreen resolution
Set custom resolution[6] |
---|
|
Input
Keyboard and mouse | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Remapping | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | |
Mouse acceleration | ||
Mouse sensitivity | ||
Mouse input in menus | ||
Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
Controller | ||
Controller support |
Controller types |
---|
Audio
Audio feature | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Separate volume controls | ||
Surround sound | ||
Subtitles | ||
Closed captions | ||
Mute on focus lost | ||
EAX support | ||
Royalty free audio |
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | ||||
Simplified Chinese | ||||
Traditional Chinese | ||||
French | ||||
German | ||||
Italian | ||||
Norwegian | ||||
Polish | ||||
Russian | ||||
Spanish | ||||
Swedish | ||||
Thai |
Issues unresolved
Off-host delay
- All games in this series suffer from a delay when giving commands, measured in seconds, if the player is not the host of the multiplayer match.
- For Battle for Middle-earth II, there is no known fix.
- For The Rise of the Witch-king, this issue was fixed in the unofficial 2.02 patch in builds 9.0.0 and newer. A full explanation is available here.
Issues fixed
Game not starting on Windows Vista and later
- When first starting the game after the installation, the game instantly crashes with an error.
- Caused by the installer not creating a crucial
options.ini
file automatically. - If the game is uninstalled and reinstalled on the same system, the file is always deleted and has to be created anew every time the game is installed.
Manually creating options.ini[7] |
---|
AudioLOD = High FlashTutorial = 0 HasSeenLogoMovies = yes IdealStaticGameLOD = High Resolution = 1024 768 StaticGameLOD = High TimesInGame = 6
|
Auto-defeat after 3 minutes and 30 seconds
- Is triggered by DRM, even on legitimate installations.
Use unofficial patches[8] |
---|
|
Check game's serial key registry entries[9] |
---|
Clean reinstall of the game as administrator[10] |
---|
|
Network
Multiplayer types
Type | Native | Players | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Local play | ||||
LAN play | 8 | Versus |
||
Online play | 8 | Versus The official GameSpy service has been shut down on December 31, 2010 due to Electronic Arts losing the Lord of the Rings license.[11]. Replaced by T3A:Online. |
Connection types
Type | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Matchmaking | ||
Peer-to-peer | ||
Dedicated | ||
Self-hosting | ||
Direct IP |
Ports
Protocol | Port(s) and/or port range(s) |
---|---|
UDP | 16000 |
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
Direct3D | 9.0c |
Executable | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Windows |
Middleware
Middleware | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Cutscenes | On2 VP6 | |
Multiplayer | GameSpy | Shut down in 31 December 2010. |
Command line arguments
Command[12] | Description |
---|---|
-win | Runs the game in windowed mode |
-mod [path to .big file] | Runs the game with the selected mod |
-xres [number] | Sets resolution width |
-yres [number] | Sets resolution height |
-noaudio | Disables the game audio |
-noshellmap | Disables the Argonath animation in the main menu |
Modifications
Base game
Rise of the Witch-king
- RotWK HD Edition
- Age of the Ring - requires the unofficial 2.02 patch
- Edain Mod - incompatible with the unofficial 2.02 patch
- RJ RotWK - incompatible with the unofficial 2.02 patch
System requirements
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | XP | |
Processor (CPU) | 1.6 GHz | Intel Pentium 4 3 GHz AMD Athlon XP 3 GHz |
System memory (RAM) | 256 MB | 1 GB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 6 GB | |
Video card (GPU) | Nvidia GeForce 3 ATI Radeon 8500 64 MB of VRAM DirectX 9.0c compatible | Nvidia GeForce 7800 128 MB of VRAM |
- Online mode requires 512 MB of system RAM.
Notes
References
- ↑ Middle-earth Online Server Shutdown Announced - Battle for Middle Earth - GameReplays.org - last accessed on 2023-08-11
- ↑ Not Loading in Windows 10; this will break thousands of - Microsoft Community - last accessed on 2017-01-16
- ↑ Microsoft - MS15-097: Description of the security update for the graphics component in Windows: September 8, 2015 - last accessed on 2018-02-16
- ↑ Solved: Is NFS Carbon Redeemable on Origin - Answer HQ - last accessed on 2020-12-03
- ↑ LOTR: Battle For Middle Earth II FPS Unlocker!!!! NO MORE 30 FPS LIMIT - Guru3D.com Forums - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2021-09-14
- ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2021-09-14
- ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2022-08-10
- ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2022-08-10
- ↑ Verified by User:Plok on 2022-08-10
- ↑ Middle-earth Online Server Shutdown Announced - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ List of ROTWK command line switches. - GameReplays.org - last accessed on May 2023