Today, the video game industry is booming, and fans can always be assured that there is something for everyone here (whether it be sports games or puzzle ones). However, one set of games that have proven quite popular is the Lord of the Rings franchise.
Famous for their fantasy and adventure-style gameplay, these products gave fans the chance to explore the Shire or destroy the One Ring in the fiery pits of Mordor for themselves. They also gave fans the chance to play some of their favorite characters and face off against some of the movies' iconic villains. But, if fans had to rank them, which one would they say is the best?
The Lord Of The Rings Online (PC) - Unknown
In this game, a player's Middle-Earth adventure starts almost immediately. Here, players get to participate as their favorite characters, including Bilbo Baggins, Aragorn, or even Gandalf the Grey. Once a character is selected, players can choose to participate in skirmishes, such as those in Moria, the Shire, and Weathertop.
Players can also participate in crafting, and serve as woodsmen, tinkerers, armorers, or armsmen. One can also choose to become a historian or explorer. Aside from these, players can also participate in some Player vs. Monster Player where they fight as one of Sauron’s soldiers.
The Lord Of The Rings: Conquest (PC, Xbox 360, PS3, DS) - 57%
In this game, the main focus is the battle for the ring, with players get to participate in either side of the fight. They also get to readily change characters whenever they want to increase their odds at winning. And if they choose to try the Evil campaign, players get to battle through several scenarios that take place after Frodo fails to destroy the ring.
Despite only scoring 57%, the game allows for a multiplayer mode where four players can go against each other locally. A grand total of 16 players can participate online.
The Lord Of The Rings: War In The North (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) - 66%
Scoring 66% on Metacritic, this action RPG game remains to be a favorite by many. Here, players can readily form a fellowship, consisting of three heroes; together, they must work to fight and defeat several enemies in the North. The quest for the ring may not be the main goal but players will also encounter the story’s most famous characters at some point.
In some cases, rescues may also be needed as a player's allies may be snatched up by trolls. Fortunately, there are several weapons, special abilities, and skills that can be upgraded here. Not to mention, there's an option for co-op gameplay so one never has to fight alone.
Lord Of The Rings: War Of The Ring (PC) - 67%
Based on Tolkien’s sweeping Middle Earth saga, this real-time strategy game sees players go on a quest themselves to destroy the One Ring. Unlike other games, however, this one is solely based on Tolkien’s books instead of Peter Jackson’s movies.
The game offers battles that may be unfamiliar to movie fans. It also offers players the chance to explore the other side, where they may play as an orc or even take command of Sauron. They may also play as Nazgul himself. Overall, this ended up getting 67% on Metacritic
The Lord Of The Rings: Third Age (PS2) - 73%
In this classic game, players can explore all of Middle-Earth using a historically accurate map of the universe during the Third Age. Here, one can visit Durin’s tower, the Black Gate, Isengard, Mordor, the Mirkwood forest, or Minas Tirith. And when it’s time to go to battle, players can choose from different factions, including armies from Gondor, Isengard, or Rohan.
There is also the option to utilize the Silvan elves or dwarves. Players can also choose to use Sauron’s own forces, including orcs from the Misty Mountains or Gundabad. It also scored 73% on Metacritic.
Middle-Earth: Shadow Of War (PC, PS4, Xbox One) - 75%
Scoring 75% on Metacritic, the main objective of this game isn’t the quest for the ring. Instead, players are supposed to infiltrate enemy lines to defeat the Dark Lord Sauron in Mordor.
Leading the campaign is Talion, a Ranger captain with nothing left to lose after his wife and son were slain by the Black Hand of Sauron. To win, he must forge alliances with other characters and tribes in Mordor. In some cases, players may have to form an alliance with orcs themselves. In the end, players get to amass their own army to take Sauron’s land by force.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (PS2, GC, Xbox) - 82%
Stormfront Studios’ Fellowship of the Rings game may have been quite a disappointment. Luckily, this one got better reviews, scoring an impressive 82% on Metacritic.
The Two Towers features a lot of the film’s cast, allowing players to re-live some of the memorable scenes from the movie, including the Battle of Helm’s Deep and the Mines of Moria. They also get to play as Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas, as they take on Sauron’s evil forces. The game also comes with multiplayer modes that allow for two players to forces.
Lego The Lord Of The Rings (PC, PS3, VITA, 3DS, iOS, Wii, Xbox 360) - 82%
the success of LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy). These games follow the storyline that the movies also utilized, starting with the Fellowship of the Ring and concluding in the Return of the King. Here, players get the chance to explore all of Middle-Earth.
Players also get to experience several epic battles in the movie, whether it involves orcs, the Uruk-hai, the Balrog, and even the Witch King. With continuous play, they can also collect various weapons and special items, such as the Light of Earendil.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Battle For Middle-Earth II: The Rise Of The Witch-King (PC) - 84%
Ever since the movies were released, many have grown more curious about the Witch-King of Angmar. Even today, movie fans still know little about this character as how powerful of a sorcerer he can be).
After all, this game (sort of) offers a history lesson that gives an overview of the Witch-king’s rise to power. Of course, there’s are also battles to be fought and won here, which is made more interesting when using the War of the Ring mode. It also scored 84% on Metacritic.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (PC, PS2, GC, GBA, Xbox) - 85%
The Return of the King is, arguably, the most successful of all the Lord of the Rings films, being the sequel that snagged an Oscar. It’s also no wonder that this video game is a hit among fans of both the book and franchise. The Return of the King features 12 environments that were reproduced from the movies.
Here, players can experience what it’s really like to defend Minas Tirith or battle with Sauron’s army at the Pelennor Fields. There is also the ultimate confrontation at the Crack of Doom and the Black Gate. It also received 85% on Metacritic.