Although it makes somewhat questionable use of the license and might be too simple for strategy junkies, "War of the Ring" proves itself an agreeable title. The two playable campaigns (good and evil) comprise a series of scenarios loosely paralleling events in Tolkien's trilogy. Battles from the book such as Helm's Deep and the defense of Gondor are chained together by other events either only hinted at or wholly invented by the game's developer. Skirmish maps and multiplayer scenarios are also included. Mission length is shorter than other strategy games, a design that might actually appeal to gamers who aren't looking to spend 18 straight hours parked in front of their computers.