The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers might be just as aptly named as The Lord of the Rings: The Two Movies since it will give players the opportunity to play through some of the memorable events of the first two films.  The game's storyline will be tightly integrated into the plotlines of the movies - so much so that actual footage from the films will be used to introduce the game's levels.

Scenes from the films are included in the game, and the integration of the movie sequences with the gameplay looks very good.  The movie characters seamlessly segue into the in-game characters and the player is instantly thrust into the action - it is really an effective way to make you feel a part of the epic story told in the films.  Overall the graphics look great, with the Helms Deep level looking particularly good as you fight off orcs as the battle rages around you.  It's no surprise that the sword fighting in this level looks so good when you know that the game's developers put literally hundreds of unique combat animations into the game.

Further enhancing the game's epic feel is its soundtrack, which is drawn directly from the movies.  If there is any doubt about the quality of the score written by composer Harold Shore, you just need to check with the Academy of Motion Picture Sciences which awarded it an Academy Award.

During the game, you'll be controlling Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli through 16 different levels taken from locations in the films.  You'll have to battle the minions of the Dark Lord from the bowels of Middle Earth in Moria, to Helms Deep, a fortress in the mountains.  Gameplay is of the action/adventure genre, with a heavy emphasis on swordplay - or, in the case of Legolas, arrowplay.  The game also features a tactical gameplay system that will emphasize the proper selection of character and weapons to succeed at combat.

You'll be free to select which character that you want to control in each level, and you'll see the remaining two fighting by your side (as well as a few allies such as Gandalf on occasion).  While you can switch between characters before each level, there is an advantage to sticking with one character.  As you progress through a level, your character will gain in experience.  The amount of experience gained is directly tied to your performance in the game.  Between levels you'll have the opportunity to use your hard-earned experience to upgrade your character with enhanced abilities and special moves. 

While some levels may limit your character selection based on the constraints of the storyline, you won't be presented with any levels that require a certain character to complete.  You won't find a mid-level puzzle that can only be solved by one of the three playable characters and come to the disheartening realization that you picked the wrong one. 

The freedom in character selection and the experience feature will give the game some replay value.  You can play it again customizing your character in a different way, or experience the saga through the eyes of one of the other characters.

In addition to the game's regular levels, you'll be challenged with five boss monster battles as well.  The bosses are taken directly from the films, so you can expect to battle the cave troll of Moria and even to square off against the sorcerer gone bad, Saruman.

If you're a fan of the movies, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers looks like it will be a thoroughly enjoyable way for you to experience the films again.  Even if you're not, the game's great look and epic story will probably be enough to let it stand on its own as a fun game.  Look for the game to be released in November a few weeks before the movie - gamers who buy the game when it is launched will enjoy the added bonus of getting a sneak peek at the new movie.