Tales of the Shire, Return to Moria Create a Need for One Type of LotR Game

by

As a lifelong fan of Middle-earth and its inhabitants, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I look back at the history of Lord of the Rings games. From the classic Two Towers and Return of the King to the quirky charm of LEGO Lord of the Rings, these games have been a staple in my gaming library. However, as much as I’ve enjoyed some of the more recent releases, it’s hard not to feel a bit disheartened by the string of mediocre or downright disappointing titles that have come out in recent years.

The epic saga of “The Lord of the Rings” has seen its share of ups and downs in the realm of video games. On one hand, the films’ adaptations like “The Two Towers” and “Return of the King” continue to be cherished even after two decades. On the other, the LEGO versions and Monolith’s “Middle-earth: Shadow” series have left a lasting impression. However, there are numerous “Lord of the Rings” games in between these standouts that, at best, can only be described as average.

Regrettably, the past few years have witnessed an overwhelming number of disappointing “Lord of the Rings” video games compared to satisfying ones. The release of “Lord of the Rings: Gollum” last year was a significant flop, and while “Return to Moria” wasn’t as terrible, it didn’t quite meet expectations either. The upcoming game, “Tales of the Shire,” is scheduled for release on consoles and PC in March 2025, and many fans are hopeful that it will be a rare gem amidst the mediocrity. However, regardless of its final reception, “Tales of the Shire” and “Return to Moria” have collectively set a trend for a specific kind of “Lord of the Rings” game.

The Lord of the Rings Needs an Elf-Focused Game

Return to Moria and Tales of the Shire Highlight Two Parts of a Lord of the Rings Trifecta

In contrast to last year’s “The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria” not being well-received by critics, it provided an unusual focus on the world of Tolkien’s dwarves, deepening their mythology. Set post Sauron’s defeat, “Return to Moria” follows Gimli as he leads a group of dwarves into Moria Mines, aiming to reclaim and restore the ancient city of Khazad-dûm. During this journey, players uncover rich historical details about the dwarves and their once-forgotten clans.

In March 2025, it is hoped that the game titled “Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game” will shine equally on the Hobbits. By employing its familiar game mechanics, “Tales of the Shire” may delve into the history of Bywater and its Hobbit families, offering further insights into the origins of the Hobbits.

With the dwarves and now the Hobbits both having their own video games, there’s one final Lord of the Rings fantasy race that deserves a game of their own, and that’s the elves.

Lord of the Rings’ Elves Lend Themselves Well to a Variety of Genres

The survival-crafting style of games appears to suit dwarves particularly well, and the Hobbits seem ideally suited to cozy games. However, the elves from The Lord of the Rings have a more intricate nature, allowing them to fit into a broader range of diverse video game genres.

One characteristic that sets the elves in “Lord of the Rings” apart is their nimbleness and elegance. Given this, it seems fitting for an elven character to excel in a stealth game, where players could slip past the Orc lines during the initial phases of the War of the Ring. Additionally, an action-adventure game concentrating on ranged combat and stylish kills would align well with the elves’ traits, offering players the chance to control a younger Legolas.

Instead of just warriors, the elves in “The Lord of the Rings” series are multifaceted beings, showcasing exceptional skills as craftsmen too. They were responsible for creating stunning cities such as Rivendell. A city-building game centered around elves could emphasize this aspect, allowing players to construct cities similar to Rivendell, Mirkwood, or even Eregion from the ground up.

Read More

2024-12-20 22:55