The places of power mentioned above are special sites that provide a benefit to the player controlling the site.  The benefit varies from one place of power to the next and includes bonuses such as increased attack power or bonus hit points for units.  Each place of power is surrounded by a control zone and a side must place units within the control zone to control the site and receive its benefits.  It is not necessary to keep units within the control zone to retain ownership of a place of power, but if you leave one unguarded the enemy can take it from you by simply moving a unit into the control zone.  The control zones add an interesting dynamic to WotR's gameplay as they provide a strong incentive for players to send forces out early in the game to skirmish over the places of power.  Players who just sit back and try to build up their bases will quickly find themselves at a disadvantage.

Battle in the ruins.

WotR wouldn't be a RTS game without resources, and each side must collect food and ore in order to build structures and units.  Resource production is constrained in the game by the fact the each side's food facility can only be built on wells and ore facility on ore piles.  Evil bases are further constrained by a feature that will remind gamers of Warcraft, 3 and Starcraft - the evil side must plant war posts to corrupt land.  The corruption spreads out in a circle from the war post and evil buildings can only be built on corrupted land.

Each side's units are inspired by the combatants found on both sides of the War of the Ring.  Each side includes melee, ranged, stealth, and siege specialists, but there are no flying units in the game.  The game also includes a class of units known as "knockback" units.  These units can send enemies backwards when they hit, and by making judicious use of the game's terrain knock them off of cliffs or into lakes.

WotR is a 3D game with a look that will remind more than a few people of Warcraft 3.  The landscapes feature 3D terrain with mountains of varying elevation, valleys, and cliffs.  The maps also include animated touches that help bring them to life.  Trees sway in the wind and brush bends and parts as units pass through.  The water effects are particularly impressive as units create individual wakes as they wade through it.  In a nice touch your cursor will stir the surface when it passes over water.

After killing legions of orcs in many an RTS game, it is great to finally get a chance to fight the orcs that inspired them all.  An RTS game set in the Tolkein universe has been a long time coming, and it looks like a lot of care has gone into WotR to ensure that the first one is a good one.  Look for The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring in stores in November 2003.

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