Available for XBOX, PS2, GC, CBA

THE final part of this amazing trilogy has finally been released on the consoles.

The Return of the King plays very similarly to The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and, like this last instalment, the Return of the King is rammed full of clips taken from the actual movie, which cleverly turns into game-play characters during cut scenes.

You are able to play as any of the main characters, each harbouring their own unique skills and plot line, as portrayed in the film.

The graphics have been amazing throughout the Lord of the Rings series and really show off what the PS2 can do. Loading times vary, but overall are good.

However, the main difference from the Two Towers is the multi-player mode, which allows you and a friend to follow the story of your chosen characters together, which is a real asset to the game.

Movement is easily picked up, as tutorials are given, and comments on your ability as you pick off the enemy.

This makes the game-play relatively simple, although does get tricky and somewhat repetitive towards the end.

This is by far the best game that has been released for the Lord of the Rings, both graphically and in the game-play and, with the added bonus of a multi-player feature, this game is an unbeatable action adventure.

RATING: 7/10

TOP 10

1 Grand theft Auto: Double Pack

2 Need for Speed: Underground

3 Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

4 The Sims Bustin' Out

5 Medal of Honor: Rising Sun

6 Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

7 True Crime: Streets of LA

8 XIII

9 Simpson's Hit and Run

10 Fifa 2004

UPCOMING

Mafia (PS2, Xbox) - January 30

Sonic Heroes (PS2) - February 6

Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance 2 (PS2) - February 6

Harvest Moon 2: Friends of Mineral town (GBA) - February 13

James Bond: Everything or Nothing (Xbox, PS2) - February 20

Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles (GC) - March 12

The Sims 2 (PC) - March 19

Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault (PC) - March 19

Driver 3 (Xbox) - March 19

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2) - January 2005