 Despite positive reactions , reviewers brought up several issues with the game . The British video game publication PC Gamer UK was unhappy with the game , claiming that Electronic Arts chose to release a formulaic game because it was a safer choice than taking The Battle for Middle @-@ earth II in another direction . PC Zone agreed with this view , claiming that although the game looked impressive , it took a by @-@ the @-@ numbers approach towards the real @-@ time strategy genre in a " mindless sort of way " , concluding that " in no way is it anywhere near the game we hoped for . " The game 's multiplayer portion disappointed GameSpy , which found it too unbalanced compared to the heroes , whom they considered to be too strong . Eurogamer considered the game to be of average quality , noting that there were no truly redeeming qualities . 
