Electronic Arts

One school of thought says that videogames are pure entertainment, nothing more, nothing less. Taking a different view, some suggest that the power of a well-crafted interactive experience can be more significant than an afternoon of frivolous distraction. The answer likely lies somewhere in between, but for any game, it's important to consider the content and the context in which it is couched.

Game Description: Freedom: The Battle for Liberty Island is set in a world where the Soviet Union won the Cold War. Now a fierce conflict is beginning to unfold in the streets of America. Red Army troops are pouring across the borders of Mexico and Canada shortly after a nuclear missile is unleashed on Washington D.C. Chaos sets in when breaking news informs Americans that their President has been killed and the Russians have invaded the country. Players take on the role of a blue-collar worker who evolves into a charismatic and fearless freedom fighter obsessed with finding and freeing his brother, who has been taken hostage along with other New Yorkers by the Soviets. You must recruit and lead an army of urban guerillas to take on the Soviet threat in the streets of New York City.

Erin's right when she says that The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers works surprisingly well as a beat 'em up, but I think the reason why it works so well doesn't have that much to do with notions of Good and Evil. When I look at the stories Tolkien has created, I see a grand legend.

For those whose should-know-better stubbornness can go round for round with that of the game's level designers, amazingly and in spite of its crudities and failings, Pursuit Force's pull factor never really wanes.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Comic Mischief, Mature Sexual Themes, Mild Violence

Game Description: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers action-adventure game will allow players to take control of the trilogy’s action heroes—Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli—with other members of the Fellowship taking an active role during gameplay. Players will battle a variety of Orcs and square off against vicious boss monsters including the Cave Troll and Saruman. A tactical gameplay system will encourage players to react quickly and be strategic with their selection of characters, weaponry, and combat moves.

While gamers who are not fans of The Lord Of The Rings will likely find The Two Towers to be nothing more than an average action title (especially given its short length of twelve missions), I feel that the true test of any licensed game is whether it is able to hold up under the scrutiny of the fans. The answer in this case is yes.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood, Violence

According to ESRB, this game contains: Suggestive Themes, Violence