After 25 Years, I’m Shocked We Still Haven’t Gotten A Good Game In This Iconic Franchise

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In the past, when a popular movie, comic, or book series became a hit, a low-quality video game version would often follow quickly. Thankfully, those days are largely behind us. We’re now seeing fewer of these disappointing adaptations, and more games that meet the standards players expect today. A simple retelling of the story with a few basic levels and passable voice acting just doesn’t cut it anymore.

I’m happy we’ve left behind the days of poorly made game adaptations, even though some of those older games were fun. But it’s frustrating that popular franchises that could have amazing games often don’t get them. It’s surprising that The Hunger Games never had a really good video game, especially since the idea quickly became popular in the gaming world. Even more puzzling is the lack of quality Lord of the Rings games. Considering how iconic the series is, you’d think developers would jump at the chance to make a game set in that universe. Unfortunately, most Lord of the Rings games are just not very good, and that needs to change soon.

The Lord Of The Rings Deserves Better Video Game Adaptations

Let me start by saying there are some good Lord of the Rings games. I personally enjoyed playing Battle for Middle-earth 2 when I was younger, was happy to be surprised by Conquest on the Xbox 360, and recognize the creative ideas in Shadow of Mordor and War. But what’s most striking to me is that for every great Lord of the Rings game, there are many truly bad ones. And out of all of them, only one really captures the feeling of the books and movies.

While many games have tried, Lord of the Rings Online remains the most faithful adaptation of the epic journey at the heart of the original LOTR trilogy, despite its flaws. As one of the oldest still-running MMOs, it shows its age with outdated quests, slow combat, and graphics that don’t fully capture the beauty of Tolkien’s world. It’s a commendable effort and was likely once the best LOTR game available, but now it feels somewhat dated.

When it comes to good Lord of the Rings games, the options are limited. While the Shadow of games are well-regarded and offer exciting action and a glimpse into Middle-earth, they don’t quite capture the heart of what makes The Lord of the Rings special – the sense of a grand journey. Surprisingly, the game that best embodies the magic of Tolkien’s world isn’t even a Lord of the Rings game at all. That title belongs to Dragon’s Dogma 2, which focuses on adventure and the importance of traveling with companions.

For some, the Shadow of Mordor and War games are the ideal Lord of the Rings experience. Others might find LOTR Online satisfying. But for me, no game currently captures the wonder and beauty of Howard Shore’s music, the stunning scenery from Tolkien’s books and Peter Jackson’s films, or the strong friendships within the Fellowship. I’m not interested in simply replaying Frodo’s story or taking on the role of an existing Lord of the Rings character. I want a game where I can create my own hero and embark on an epic adventure in Middle-earth, filled with both grand battles and meaningful relationships.

We Need An Open-World Lord Of The Rings Game

Back in 2025, Insider Gaming revealed that a Lord of the Rings game was being developed with the goal of being similar to Hogwarts Legacy, which immediately excited me. Ever since I first experienced The Lord of the Rings, and after reading the detailed books multiple times, I’ve dreamed of an open-world game that truly captures the feeling of being in Middle-earth, just like the best movie and TV adaptations.

As a huge fan, I’m really hoping this new game can capture the magic of Middle-earth the way Hogwarts Legacy did for Harry Potter fans last year. But honestly, I’m a little worried. The publisher, Embracer Group, also greenlit The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, and they’ve got a pretty bad track record. They’ve closed studios, laid off tons of people, and cancelled a bunch of games because of how they’ve been managing things. If you look online, you’ll see a lot of gamers aren’t very excited about this new Lord of the Rings game, and it’s all down to Embracer’s involvement. It’s just hard to feel confident when they’re in charge.

I’m skeptical that an open-world Lord of the Rings game will truly capture what makes the series special. Recent adaptations, including the new movies and TV show, have focused on minor details of the lore instead of the core themes. This same issue plagued games like Shadow of Mordor, War, and Gollum – they explored interesting concepts but missed the heart of what people love about The Lord of the Rings. While the world is rich and detailed, offering plenty of room for new stories, the real magic lies in its unique adventure – a story about war, loss, friendship, and family.

I could be wrong about what makes a good Lord of the Rings game. Perhaps I’m being unrealistic to not want every game to be packed with detailed backstory, references, and cameos. But maybe others, like me, simply want to experience Middle-earth firsthand, forging our own adventures like Frodo, Bilbo, and the heroes who came before. If this new open-world game can capture even a fraction of the wonder Harry Potter fans felt when first entering Hogwarts in Hogwarts Legacy, I think I’ll be pleased. Ultimately, I just want the recent string of disappointing Lord of the Rings games to end. I hope this is just a temporary slump, a passing shadow, because even the darkest times eventually come to an end.

Are you excited about the upcoming open-world Lord of the Rings game? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-28 00:11