PSP World

New Lord of the Rings Game Coming to PSP

The good news is that Warner Brothers Interactive is planning a new Lord of the Rings game for the PSP platform. The bad news is that seems to be aimed at a more casual audience. Designated The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest, this first entry in a planned multi-title series is being developed for just about every console under the sun, never a good sign for the often-neglected handheld version. The PSP title is in development by TT Fusion, most widely known for their work on the LEGO Batman, Indiana Jones and Star Wars games.

Warner Brothers Interactive has struck a long-term partnership with The Saul Zaentz Company and New Line Productions for literary and film rights to publish games based on The Lord of the Rings trilogy. In a statement issued today, Warner Brothers said that they will target "many genres designed to appeal to a wide range of unique gamers, including hard-core RPG fans and families."

The first game will be The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest, a new third-person action adventure title. The game is set to appear on the Wii, DS, PS2 and PSP platforms. No current-gen version of the title has yet been announced.

When Aragorn's Quest kicks off, preparations are underway in Hobbiton for a great party to welcome Aragorn, King of Gondor, and honour Samwise Gamgee for his service during the War of the Ring. The children of the town are eager to learn more of this great man and so Samwise, now Mayor, embarks on a tale of the revered warrior, Strider -- as Aragorn is known in his Ranger days -- and his most valiant battles. Players assume the role of Aragorn and embark on his greatest quests from The Lord of the Rings trilogy as they wield his sword, bow or spear on foot and on horseback. On the Wii platform, two-player co-op gameplay featuring Gandalf will allow kids, families and friends to work together in the heart of the action. We suppose that means decapitations will be kept to a minimum.

The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest is being developed for Wii by Headstrong Games and for Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2 and PSP systems by TT Fusion. It is due to hit retail shelves in the fall of 2009.

This is Aragorn, in case you were wondering. Make sure your Wii wrist straps are firmly fastened, ladies.

[Source: Official Press Release]