Highlights

• The Lord of the Rings franchise has a solid presence in the video game market, with many games based on the movies and some creating new stories.
• Recent additions to the Lord of the Rings video game library, such as Lord of the Rings: Gollum and Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria, did not receive critical acclaim due to repetitive combat and bland gameplay.
• Older Lord of the Rings games, like Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Lord of the Rings Online, have stood the test of time and offer immersive and enjoyable gaming experiences.

There have been many entries in The Lord of the Rings video game library. The iconic franchise, with the movies now over twenty years old, has a wide fan following. As such, video game releases have been tailored for both adults and younger players alike.

The games here are either based on the trilogy or are tied closely to its events, with narratives running parallel to the main story and the beloved cast of characters featured. Whether an RPG, platformer, or online release, these games are all well-worth editions to any LOTR video game collection and are set at the same time the noble Frodo Baggins undergoes his journey to Mordor.

Updated January 22, 2024 by Nadia Mullings: The Lord of the Rings franchise has a solid presence in the video game market, with many games based on the groundbreaking movie trilogy, and some even creating new stories that invite players into a unique narrative. There have been some recent additions to The Lord of the Rings video game library. Lord of the Rings: Gollum and Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria were both released in 2023, however, they didn't receive critical acclaim.

Issues like repetitive combat segments and overall bland gameplay mean these new games do not stand out among other LOTR titles. However, many of the older games have stood the test of time, providing immersive and highly enjoyable gaming experiences in Tolkien's legendary world. As such, these are the best Lord of the Rings games of all time.

11 The Lord Of The Rings: Conquest

Metascore: 55

• Released: 2009-01-09
• Developer: Pandemic Studios
• How Long To Beat: 6 hours
• Platform: PS3, Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS

Similar in terms of mechanics to the Star Wars: Battlefront series, LOTR Conquest is an action game inspired by the movies. Players can run through the "Good Campaign" and the "Evil Campaign." The Good Campaign offers a loosely based recreation of key battles during the War of the Ring, whereas the Evil Campaign is set in an alternate timeline, in which Frodo is killed by the Nazgûl. Players can fight on the opposing side in key LOTR battles such as Helm’s Deep, and can even control Sauron.

Conquest received criticism for boring combat segments, technical issues, and poor design. However, players can choose from a variety of iconic characters, and controlling an alternate timeline is quite thrilling.

10 The Lord Of The Rings: War In The North

Metascore: 61

War in the North is a hack-and-slash action RPG title, the first of its kind to be based on both the films and the original books. Transporting players to Middle Earth’s northern regions, it follows three adventurers on a quest to defeat Agandaûr the Númenórean, who has been tasked by Sauron to decimate the North. Their journey runs parallel to LOTR’s main story and sometimes crosses over with it.

The game wasn’t a huge commercial success and was criticized for bugs, repetitive combat sequences, and weak character development. Despite receiving mixed reviews, War in the North still offers a fun adventure with good graphics.

9 The Lord Of The Rings: Tactics

Metascore: 64

• Released: 2005-11-08
• Developer: Amaze Entertainment
• How Long To Beat: 3 hours
• Platform: PlayStation Portable

This RPG is a direct adaptation of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Featuring plenty of the cast of iconic heroes, villains, and even some lesser-known minor characters, it offers an adequate tactical RPG experience.

Despite the limited hardware and the weak storytelling, the strategy elements are solid, split between "The Fellowship" and "Host of Mordor" campaigns. The game also features a good number of maps, offering some satisfying variety. There’s also a multiplayer mode, offering quick battles in the most famous settings, from the Mines of Moria to Helm's Deep.

8 The Lord Of The Rings: Heroes Of Middle-earth

Metascore: 65

• Released: 2023-05-10
• Developer: Electronic Arts
• Platform: iOS, Android

Redesigning beloved characters in an entirely new art style makes this title iconic in its own right. Concerning alternate timelines, the game allows players to be granted their own Ring of Power - one that can alter time and history itself. Some such storylines completely alter the traits of iconic characters, wherein heroes like Gandalf or Galadriel can serve as villains instead.

Starting with Frodo and Strider, players must carefully select a team of heroes to progress and unlock more characters, all of which contain special and unique abilities. Such changes ensure the game isn’t a repeat of what’s come before, but allow players to experience the epic story in an entirely new way.

7 The Lord Of The Rings: The Third Age

Metascore: 75

An RPG, The Third Age progresses along a loosely-adapted version of the iconic film trilogy. It features well-known characters, with the game’s narrative running parallel to the events of the movies. It starts with Berethor, a Captain of Gondor, who is tasked by the Steward Denethor to travel to Rivendell in search of Boromir. After he’s attacked by the Nazgûl and rescued by the elf Idrial, Berethor’s journey follows the Fellowship of the Ring, aiding Gandalf after the Fellowship splits.

It shares a similar style to the Final Fantasy game series. The Third Age didn’t meet the highest of reviews, but it sports amazing graphics and a refreshing storyline.

6 The Lord Of The Rings: The Battle For Middle-earth 2

Metascore: 79

Including new levels of difficulty, BFME 2 builds on the high standards set by its predecessor, The Battle for Middle-earth. Including new maps and factions, there’s even the ability in the PC version for players to create their own heroes.

This time, the game is set in Middle Earth’s North, explaining what happened there during the time of the War of the Ring. The "Good Campaign" begins when the Fellowship has set off to Mordor; the "Evil Campaign" once again is an alternate version of the events in the North. More of the LOTR films’ cast provide voices in-game. Alongside brilliant graphics and sound, this is an immersive LOTR experience.

5 LEGO: The Lord Of The Rings

Metascore: 80

A faithful adaptation of the iconic film trilogy, with a light-hearted comedic twist, this version of LOTR is a joy to play through. With a large character roster, fun levels, and side-missions, this game provides an accessible experience of LOTR for younger players.

Middle Earth is once again very immersive. From the quaint Shire to the gloomy Cirith Ungol, every major location from the films can be unlocked and explored. There’s even an option to change the time of day. Dialogue from the films enhances the cutscenes, the second LEGO game to use this feature. Each character is equipped with their own weapons and many magical items can be obtained. In Bag End, players can customize their characters. This title is one of the best LEGO games.

4 The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers

Metascore: 82

• Released: 2002-10-21
• Developer: Electronic Arts
• How Long To Beat: 6 hours
• Platform: PS2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Xbox (Original)

Drawing on the first two installments in the film trilogy, this game is a fan-favorite LOTR title. Released two months before The Two Towers film, the video game has a unique playstyle, with much replay value.

Stunning visuals, smooth animations, and an excellent combination of movie footage with game cutscenes provide an immersive experience. There’s plenty of fast-paced, large-scale action. However, the game faced some criticisms over the lack of a multiplayer mode, and the story's quick end. Nevertheless, this remains one of the greatest titles in the LOTR video game market.

3 The Lord Of The Rings: The Battle For Middle-earth

Metascore: 82

A commercial success among both critics and fans, this title is a real-time strategy game. It won three awards, including the E3 Game Critics Award in 2004. It remains stylistically consistent with the movies, even using short clips from the films and some of the actors’ voices.

Like LOTR: Conquest, the game is divided into two campaigns, Good and Evil. The "Good" mission mirrors the story of the movies, the events in chronological order. The "Evil" campaign is another alternate version, wherein Sauron destroys Minas Tirith and assumes control of Middle Earth. A multiplayer mode is also included. This game is polished, fast-moving, and very fun.

2 The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King

Metascore: 85

• Released: 2003-11-03
• Developer: Electronic Arts
• How Long To Beat: 8.5 hours
• Platform: PS2, Microsoft Windows, GameCube, macOS, Game Boy Advance, Xbox (Original)

Even bigger and better than The Two Towers, Return of the King raised the stakes even higher. The gameplay, sound, and visuals were taken to the next level, resulting in a truly intense experience. Criticisms of the previous game were taken into account, and this title saw a co-op mode, additional characters, and even provided an online experience for PS2 players.

Telling the story as the movie portrays it, players no longer have a linear experience. The story is now broken into three pathways: Frodo’s, Aragorn’s, and Gandalf’s separate journeys. All must be completed to access the final level, though players can switch between the pathways. The levels are cleverly designed, and the game provides long-term value.

1 Lord Of The Rings Online

Metascore: 86

LOTR Online is an MMORPG. The events, as the name suggests, take place in the same time period as The Lord of the Rings. Featuring frequent updates and expansions, the game sports various weather effects and a day/night cycle, making for some atmospheric and immersive gameplay. Middle Earth is a vast and wonderful world to explore. There’s a main story progression, but each region of Middle Earth is fixed during the events of the War of the Ring.

The main story unfolds through "Volumes." Some follow the Fellowship’s journey across Middle-earth; others run parallel to these events. The game met with high acclaim due to its good mechanics, rich setting, and a story faithful to Tolkien’s work.