The Unseen Dangers of Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria

Free Range Games debuted a gameplay trailer for their upcoming Lord of the Rings video game, Return to Moria, during the Summer Game Fest showcase. This new survival crafting experience will transport players to the Fourth Age of Middle-earth, offering a unique take on the beloved franchise. With gameplay reminiscent of Deep Rock Galactic, the game has the potential to be a thrilling addition to the Lord of the Rings universe. However, with the disappointment of recent releases such as The Lord of the Rings: Gollum and The Rings of Power, the fanbase's confidence in the franchise may be dwindling. As the second Lord of the Rings game set to launch in 2023, Return to Moria will have to exceed expectations and deliver on the potential of Middle-earth to win back fans' trust. Its success may ultimately depend on the franchise's current trajectory and whether it can live up to its predecessors.

Lord of the Rings is in a Bit of a Tough Spot

The future of Middle-earth video games seemed bright after the success of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, but things quickly took a turn for the worse with the release of Middle-earth: Shadow of War. The game was heavily criticized for its microtransaction model and lackluster story, leaving fans disappointed. The next major Lord of the Rings video game, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, was also met with criticism for being a boring and buggy mess. Despite the developers' apology, the damage had already been done and fans had moved on.

The Rings of Power, the first live-action show depicting Middle-earth's Second Age, failed to capture audiences despite its initial strong debut. With only 37 percent of US viewers and 45 percent of international viewers finishing the first season, it fell short of expectations and was deemed mediocre. This, combined with disappointing video games and The Hobbit's lackluster reception, puts a lot of pressure on the upcoming Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria. Its success is crucial for the franchise's future, and failure could potentially lead to fewer releases in the future. The expectations are high, and it remains to be seen if Return to Moria can live up to them.

The much-anticipated game, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria, has left players wanting more, with only a glimpse of its gameplay being revealed so far. Unfortunately, no official release date has been announced as yet, which has left fans eagerly waiting for its arrival. However, given the possibility of a delay due to the reception of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, fans will have to remain patient. As the release date nears, more gameplay is expected to be unveiled, and fans hope that this game will succeed where its predecessors have faltered. Scheduled to be launched in 2023, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria will be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.