You can almost taste it. The end of the biggest, battliest, orciest film trilogy ever. The Lord Of The Rings isn't for everyone though - some people will still instinctively wrinkle their noses at the merest mention of dwarves and wizards. But just what is it that has kept most people waiting with baited breath for what is bound to be this Christmas's box-office smash? Hands down, it's got to be the fighting. The Fellowship had a few brief skirmishes, The Two Towers had a seat-clenching black blood-letting finale, and The Return Of The King promises us two immense battles the likes of which, we dare day, you've never seen before.

Which brings us to the game. Staying true to the format of last year's Two Towers, the order of the day is third-person hack and hew fighting with all your favourite characters. The replay value in choosing different characters relies in essence on whether or not you want to experience exactly the same quests, just playing as a taller or shorter person. At base level, it's possible that this isn't something the more casual gamer would find attractive. However, fans and completists will have a field day with the choice on offer.

This time there's the option of three paths through the game, and a total of eight playable characters, including all of the hobbits. Each level can be taken on as a single player or co-operatively with a friend. The first time you try each route you'll be restricted to playing Gandalf on The Wizard's Path, Aragorn, Legolas or Gimli on The King's Path, or Sam on The Hobbit's Path. Each storyline follows the movie's plot through tumultuous battlefields, ramparts and finally all the way to the charmingly titled Crack Of Doom where there's the small matter of getting shot of the One Ring. Don't worry, we're not going to spoil it all by spilling the magic beans for those of you who don't already know how it all ends.

You can decide if you want to complete each quest's path one at a time, or mix it all up. Either way, you'll be rewarded as you go with fantastic movie clips and cut-scenes that melt into the action. There's also an array of DVD-style extra features, including cast interviews and game concept art. Sadly, there's no trailer for the new movie, but this is still a great addition to the game.

You'll doubtless be caught unawares many times as you're captured by Ian (Gandalf) McKellan's narration in the cut-scenes and then suddenly find yourself being clobbered by a beautifully animated orc. As impressive as the story aspect is, you're likely to find yourself screaming, "Just let me play!" at times. And not helping matters is the fact that you're forced through the same cut-scene every single time you fail. Frustrating, yes, but this is a hard game to criticise - we lost count of the number of times people appeared behind us as we played, and spouted, "There's a lot of hacking going on", "Which one's you?" or "It looks bloody lovely" while we were trying to finish off a Ring Wraith or topple a particularly troublesome troll.

You'll end up feeling entirely doused in Tolkienery as you go, which, for fans, will add real intensity. You'll rarely be fending off single enemies - it's more likely to be 200. Attacks need to be tempered with a lot of parrying and it's not the enemy in front of you that you need to worry about. One good hack-hack-slash combo and they're gone, but when there are orcs, swordsmen or spiders surrounding you, there's plenty left to worry about. Some enemies have shields that must be broken with fierce attacks before you can get to them but if it all looks hopeless - and usually it will! - simply look around. Conveniently placed catapult, sir? If a circle appears on the ground by it, just tap R1 and you'll unleash a fiery volley. The same goes for throwing spears or knocking over fire braziers. Ah, the sight of burning orcs - beautiful.

If you want to become a master of the Ring, you need to first get comfy with the combat system. It's simple really: normal attacks are accessed using X, fierce attacks using Triangle, physical attacks using Circle and parrying is done with Square. If you find yourself in a rare three-on-one encounter, you'll be able to deftly slice opponents using a string of moves, but for the majority of levels you'll find yourself blindly hacking away just so you're able to see your character through the battle.

Long-range weaponry such as arrows, axes or knives are accessed using the L1 button. They're essential on certain levels, and quickly switching between them and your sword is a good skill to learn. Extra combos for each character can be purchased using the experience points you'll accumulate with each kill. You'll also be able to buy increased health and more powerful weapons. By the final stages you'll need all the power you can muster just to survive the length of the bloody battles. Key enemies usually drop health potions just at the right time, so even if you're weak, it's still worth swinging away. There also seems to be a greater tactical emphasis on the gameplay this time. You could be Middle Earth's greatest fighter, but if you leave other members of the fellowship to their own devices they'll get slaughtered and it'll be game over for everyone. Gimll, you muppet!

Graphically the game has made significant leaps forward from The Two Towers and, naturally, the characters look great. Our favourite is still Aragorn, although Legolas's twin knives bring him in a close second. Diminutive dullard Gimli is still our least favourite - his dwarfish short-arsed appeal may be strong for some but he's simply too short and stroppy for us to enjoy. Still, whoever you choose, and however feverish it gets, there's still an amazing lack of slowdown even at the height of the most intense battles. Scripted moments occur as you run through the levels: fireballs land, crushing enemies and allies all around you, and buildings shatter and collapse. At times it can be a little confusing but the pace is so fast and razor sharp you won't feel removed from the action for a second.

The Two Towers had some of the best battling we've ever seen but The Return Of The King outpaces it easily from the word go. From Gandalf's heroic entrance at the end of The Two Towers to Aragorn's journey through the Paths Of The Dead, to Sam and Froddo's escape from Oshiliath and journey through Shelob's Lair, and finally to the fiery Crack Of Doom, there's a real sense of being part of the world created in the films that will delight fans but, more importantly, won't scare off any newcomers.

The biggest addition to the game is the co-operative play mode. Yet another planned online feature didn't make it to Blighty - the US gets to enjoy all the fun online but, unfortunately, you'll have to make do with your best mate sat beside you. However, the co-operative play mode does actually offer a great deal of enjoyment. Often in the single-player game you feel that other members of the fellowship don't quite give you the cover you need. With two of you, one can take down archers with a ranged weapon or spear while the other lowers a bridge or pours boiling oil over other enemies. It all happens on the same screen though, so you'll occasionally find yourself tied to each other's movements. And, unfortunately, you can't switch between single and co-operative modes on the same quest.

Whether you're with or without a friend, you're going to be doing a lot of running around Middle-Earth. You'll quickly learn that success is as much about being in the right place as it is about being good with magic swords. Gandalf's defence of Minas Tirith is a great example of this. Orcs are storming the walls and it's up to the bearded gentleman to give them a good drubbing. First, you try killing all the orcs. They keep coming, and as soon as a certain number of them are atop the wall, it's all over. Then you notice that there's a map with red dots that point out where the orcs' ladders are on the wall, and you soon realise that you can push these ladders away from said wall. Ah, now you're getting somewhere. But then they bring up siege towers. You can't hold them back and destroy the tower at the same time so it seems it's game over again. Just as you begin to wonder if you are, in fact, playing LOTR: Groundhog Day, you decide to explore a little further (and actually listen to the narration) and find a catapult that you use to blow the tower to bits. Phew, a little more staunch defending and you can finally move on. In case you didn't guess already, it's all about persistence, but with combat this enjoyable, it rarely feels like a chore. Each level has a distinct objective and, while you're free to experiment, it seems only a matter of time before you hit upon the solution.

Even so, as you stand outside the Black Gates with Sauron's whole army bearing down on you and your brave chums, you'll still catch a whiff of fear. It's so atmospheric, you really get a sense of being one of a few men against the dark army. One minute you're dodging falling buildings, the next you're battling orcs in the depths of Mordor. It's unlikely you'll get bored before you finish the game - frustrated perhaps but not bored. In many ways it's a shame the final level is not the gigantic blood-soaked battle you might be expecting but, hey, that's the way the story goes. We don't want to spoil it but it's not a bad way to wipe the smile off Sauron's big burning eye. The payoff could have been better, though...

The Return Of The King is a well-crafted and polished addition to the previous game and films. It suffers with the same problems as The Two Towers in that it's a little short and linear, but bridging the gap between the films is no easy feat - and Return Of The King manages it with style. Enough improvements have been made from the first game and a bumper package of extras mean you won't be disappointed. It's precious.

Graphics 90%
Crisp, flowing and fast.

Sound 80%
Explosions, ka-schwings and authentic voiceovers.

Gameplay 70%
Hack, hack, hack with just a little slash.

Lifespan 70%
Hobbit-sized main game but plenty of extras.

Overall 80%
Hardly ringing in any great changes, but with slick looks and feverish swordplay, we're not complaining.