The Ultimate Ranking of 'Lord of the Rings' Video Games - Unveiling the Top Game Ever Created

Highlights

The Lord of the Rings video games offer a variety of experiences, including RPGs, action games, and strategy games, all set during Frodo's journey to Mordor.

War in the North and Conquest, despite receiving mixed reviews, offer enjoyable adventures with impressive graphics and captivating alternate storylines.

The LEGO Lord of the Rings game is highly popular among fans and is a fantastic option for younger players. It features a vast selection of characters, user-friendly gameplay, and immerses players in iconic locations from the films.

The Lord of the Rings’ video game library boasts numerous entries, catering to both adult and younger players. With a dedicated fan base and the movies being two decades old, the franchise has garnered widespread popularity. The games included in this list either directly follow the trilogy's storyline or are closely tied to its events, featuring the beloved characters and running alongside the main narrative. Whether you prefer RPGs, platformers, or online releases, these games are highly recommended additions to any LOTR video game collection. Furthermore, they take place during the noble Frodo Baggins' perilous journey to Mordor.

10 The Lord of the Rings: Tactics (2005)

This RPG for the PlayStation Portable is a faithful adaptation of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. With a diverse cast of iconic heroes, villains, and even lesser-known minor characters, it delivers a satisfying tactical RPG experience.

Although constrained by limited hardware and lacking in storytelling, the strategy elements in this game are robust. Players can engage in both The Fellowship and Host of Mordor campaigns, ensuring a well-rounded gameplay experience. Additionally, the game boasts a wide selection of maps, providing enjoyable diversity. For those seeking multiplayer action, there is a mode offering fast-paced battles in renowned settings.

9 Lord of the Rings: War in the North (2011)

War in the North is a unique hack-and-slash action RPG that combines elements from both the films and the original books of Middle Earth. Taking players to the northern regions, the game follows the quest of three adventurers determined to defeat Agandaûr the Númenórean, who has been sent by Sauron to devastate the North. As their journey aligns with the main story of LOTR, there are occasional crossovers.

Unfortunately, the game did not achieve commercial success and faced criticism for its bugs, repetitive combat, and underdeveloped characters. However, despite mixed reviews, War in the North still delivers an enjoyable adventure with impressive graphics.

8 The Lord of the Rings: Conquest (2009)

LOTR Conquest, an action game inspired by the movies, is similar to the mechanics of the Star Wars: Battlefront series. Players have the option to engage in both the Good Campaign and the Evil Campaign. The Good Campaign provides a loosely-based recreation of significant battles during the War of the Ring, while the Evil Campaign takes place in an alternate timeline where Frodo is slain by the Nazgûl. Players can participate in key LOTR battles such as Helm's Deep, and even assume control of Sauron. Despite criticisms of monotonous combat segments, technical issues, and inadequate design, players can still enjoy the choice of various iconic characters and the exhilaration of commanding an alternate timeline.

7 The Lord Of The Rings: The Third Age (2004)

The Third Age is an RPG available on Xbox, GameCube, and PS2 that loosely follows the iconic film trilogy. It includes the well-known characters from the movies and its story runs alongside the events depicted in the films. The game begins with Berethor, a Captain of Gondor, who is given the task by the Steward Denethor to travel to Rivendell in search of Boromir. Along the way, he is attacked by the Nazgûl and is saved by the elf Idrial. From there, Berethor's journey aligns with the events of the Fellowship of the Ring, offering assistance to Gandalf after the Fellowship's separation.

In terms of gameplay style, The Third Age bears resemblance to the renowned Final Fantasy series. While it may not have received the highest reviews, the game boasts impressive graphics and a captivating storyline.

6 The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth (2004)

This title, which is a real-time strategy game, has been acclaimed by both critics and fans as a commercial success. It has received three awards, including the prestigious E3 Game Critics Award in 2004. The game maintains a stylistic consistency with the movies, even incorporating brief clips from the films and featuring the voices of some of the actors.

Similar to LOTR: Conquest, this game is structured into two distinct campaigns: Good and Evil. The Good campaign follows the story of the movies, faithfully depicting the events in chronological order. On the other hand, the Evil campaign presents an alternate version where Sauron destroys Minas Tirith and seizes control of Middle Earth. Additionally, the game offers a multiplayer mode. With its polished gameplay, fast-paced action, and undeniable fun factor, this game truly delivers an enjoyable experience.

5 Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Based on the initial two films in the trilogy, this game has gained popularity among fans of LOTR. It was actually launched two months prior to the release of The Two Towers film and was made available on the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox consoles.

With impressive visuals, seamless animations, and a seamless integration of movie footage and game cutscenes, players will enjoy an immersive experience. The game offers plenty of fast-paced, large-scale action. However, it has received criticism for the absence of multiplayer mode and the abrupt conclusion of the story. Nevertheless, it still remains one of the top titles in the LOTR video game market.

4 LEGO: The Lord of the Rings (2012)

LEGO Lord of the Rings

Franchise LEGOPlatform(s) Android, iOS, PC, PS3, PS Vita, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, Xbox 360Released October 30, 2012Developer(s) Traveller's Tales, TT Games

This rendition of the beloved LOTR trilogy is a delightful and humorous adaptation, offering an enjoyable experience for players. With a diverse range of characters, entertaining levels, and optional missions, this game presents an accessible way for younger audiences to embark on their journey through LOTR.

The immersive world of Middle Earth is once again brought to life, allowing players to unlock and explore all the notable locations from the films, from the cozy Shire to the eerie Cirith Ungol. Additionally, the game introduces the option to alter the time of day, further enhancing the immersive experience. Utilizing dialogue from the films, the cutscenes are enriched, making it the second LEGO game to implement this feature. Each character boasts their own unique weaponry, while players can also discover numerous magical items. Moreover, in the delightful Bag End, players have the chance to customize their own characters. Undoubtedly, this title belongs to the upper echelons of LEGO games.

3 Lord of the Rings Online (2007)

Lord of the Rings Online

Platform(s) PCReleased April 24, 2007Developer(s) Standing Stone GamesPublisher(s) Daybreak Game Company

Initially released in 2007, LOTR Online is a PC MMORPG set in the same time period as the Lord of the Rings. With regular updates and expansions, the game offers various weather effects and a dynamic day/night cycle, enhancing the immersive gameplay. Middle Earth, a vast and captivating realm, provides endless exploration opportunities. While there is a main story progression, each region of Middle Earth remains fixed within the events of the War of the Ring.

The captivating narrative unfolds through "Volumes," some of which follow the Fellowship's journey across Middle-earth, while others run parallel to these events. The game has received high acclaim for its impressive mechanics, detailed world-building, and faithful adaptation of Tolkien's work.

2 The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth 2 (2006)

BFME 2 enhances the excellence of its predecessor by introducing a new difficulty level and being accessible on both Xbox 360 and Windows platforms. The game expands its offerings with fresh maps, factions, and the exciting feature for PC players to craft their own heroes.

Delving into the untold tales of Middle Earth's North during the War of the Ring, BFME 2 unravels the events that unfolded in that region. The Good Campaign embarks on the journey to Mordor following the Fellowship, while the Evil Campaign presents an alternate narrative of the events in the North. Notable actors from the LOTR films lend their voices, elevating the immersive experience along with the remarkable visuals and captivating sound design.

1 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Return of the King surpasses The Two Towers in both scale and quality. The gameplay, sound, and visuals have been elevated to new heights, creating an incredibly immersive experience. Taking into account previous criticisms, this installment introduces a co-op mode, additional characters, and even offers an online experience for PS2 players.

Unlike its predecessor, the game now presents the story in a non-linear fashion, mirroring the events depicted in the film. The narrative is divided into three distinct pathways, following the separate journeys of Frodo, Aragorn, and Gandalf. All three pathways must be completed in order to unlock the final level, but players have the freedom to switch between them. With cleverly designed levels and lasting replay value, the game offers a satisfying and long-lasting experience.