5 Things The Next Lord of the Rings Game Needs to Learn From Recent Mistakes

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Video games based on The Lord of the Rings have often been excellent, with memorable titles like The Return of the King and the innovative Shadow of Mordor. However, recent games haven’t always lived up to that standard. While some have tried new approaches with genres like survival or farming, the results have been inconsistent, and The Lord of the Rings: Gollum was unfortunately a low point. Now, another game is in development, hoping to achieve the same success as Hogwarts Legacy and deliver a truly immersive experience for fans of Tolkien’s world.

Okay, so this new Lord of the Rings game sounds promising! Hogwarts Legacy really nailed the whole ‘stay true to the source material but also be a great game’ thing, and that’s what this new LOTR game needs to aim for. We’ve had some amazing Lord of the Rings games before, and to get back to that level, the developers need to learn from what didn’t work recently. I’m hoping they really deliver on the potential and give us the epic Middle-earth experience we all want!

5. Don’t Overpromise on Timelines and Launch When the Game Is Ready

Game delays are happening more and more often, and the new Lord of the Rings game, Tales of the Shire, experienced this firsthand with not one, but two postponements. While these delays are frustrating for fans, it’s also likely that constantly rushing to meet unrealistic deadlines is hard on the developers themselves. Even after being delayed, many games still feel unfinished, which isn’t enjoyable for players or the people making them.

The developers should avoid rushing the next Lord of the Rings game. It’s better to take the time needed to create a polished experience, rather than announce it prematurely with an unrealistic deadline. While Tales of the Shire was enjoyable, even with its delays, it still felt unfinished. The next LOTR game should be released only when it’s truly ready, just like Gandalf always arrives at the perfect moment.

4. Let Us Customize Our Character, But Give Us Familiar Faces, Too

A highlight of Tales of the Shire is the ability to create and play as your own Hobbit. While you’re building a custom character, the game still includes recognizable elements and characters from Tolkien’s world, making it feel authentic. Attempts to center games around lesser-known characters from the existing stories haven’t always been successful, as seen with Lord of the Rings: Gollum. While direct adaptations of the films can work, Tales of the Shire proves that a game doesn’t need to follow an established protagonist to be enjoyable.

Many great Lord of the Rings games have let players experience the story through new characters. While Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor doesn’t let you create a completely custom character, you don’t play as a well-known hero from Tolkien’s books either. I prefer the option to fully customize a character, as seen in newer games, but a strong Lord of the Rings game doesn’t need to focus on a lesser-known character like Boromir. There’s enough rich history and detail in Middle-earth to create an authentic experience with a brand new protagonist.

3. Tell A New Story, And Make It A Good One

Movie-based games were fun in their time, but we’ve explored that territory already. While some fans might enjoy updated versions, I believe it’s better to create a completely new story set in Middle-earth. This would allow us to experience the world fresh, without simply revisiting old plots. However, any new story needs to be substantial and truly fulfilling, not just a brief adventure.

Tales of the Shire focuses on a very small-scale story, and while that’s not necessarily a problem, the story ends too quickly. It doesn’t offer much opportunity to really explore the world. Gollum attempted a fresh take on storytelling but didn’t succeed. What fans are hoping for is a game similar to Shadow of Mordor – one that introduces a compelling new narrative and allows players to become fully immersed in Middle-earth.

2. Make it an RPG, Not a Trendy Spin-off Genre

Like many others, I was really looking forward to a relaxing, cozy Lord of the Rings game. However, the way games like Tales of the Shire and Return to Moria were received suggests that focusing on very specific genres might not be the best approach for Lord of the Rings games. While there’s a large fanbase with diverse tastes, these games didn’t fully resonate with most fans or critics. Lord of the Rings games truly succeed when they offer a big, immersive role-playing experience in Middle-earth.

The most popular Lord of the Rings games have always been role-playing games (RPGs). While it’s okay to try different genres, fans are hesitant after the latest games received mixed reactions. What players really want is a return to the classic RPG style, allowing them to experience an epic story and battles in Middle-earth. It sounds like the upcoming game, rumored to be similar to Hogwarts Legacy, might deliver just that.

1. Bring Back the Middle-earth Open World Adventuring

Both Return to Moria and Tales of the Shire focus on smaller areas compared to the wider world of Middle-earth. Return to Moria keeps you mainly within the Mines of Moria, and Tales of the Shire centers around Bywater. While it’s enjoyable to really explore these specific locations, many players are hoping for the grand, sweeping journey we experienced in The Lord of the Rings films. The sense of vast exploration was a key part of what made games like Shadow of War and Shadow of Mordor so appealing.

We’ve likely seen the last of small, focused maps in Lord of the Rings games. After some recent attempts at smaller-scale experiences didn’t quite succeed, many players are eager to explore the large, iconic world of Middle-earth again. Let’s hope the next game allows us to embark on a grand, story-driven adventure across well-known lands.

What are you hoping the next Lord of the Rings video game will be like? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-22 23:13