10 Best Lord of the Rings Games of All Time

The Lord of the Rings games brought Middle-earth to life in ways that captivated players around the world. They introduced epic battles, legendary heroes, and fearsome villains to the gaming scene. Over the years, we’ve seen some truly remarkable Lord of the Rings games. Some of them let us charge into battle alongside Aragorn and Legolas, and others gave us an entirely new perspective on the war for Middle-earth. From strategy epics to action-packed RPGs, these games have captured the magic of Tolkien’s universe in different ways. That said, here are the 10 best Lord of the Rings games of all time.

10. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age

Kicking things off, we have The Third Age. This game is a bit of an oddball. Instead of playing as the famous Fellowship, you control a group of original characters who are following the main story in the background. Think of them as Tolkien’s “B-team.” This game stands out because of its turn-based combat, which feels a lot like Final Fantasy X. If you’re into classic RPGs, this one might surprise you. 

9. The Lord of the Rings: War in the North

Here’s a game that deserved way more attention. War in the North is a dark, action-packed RPG that follows a trio of heroes. It follows Eradan the Ranger, Andriel the Elf, and Farin the Dwarf as they battle Sauron’s forces in the northern regions of Middle-earth.

The game has co-op gameplay, meaning you and your friends can slash through orcs together. The combat is surprisingly brutal, with some intense and satisfying hit impacts. It also features some awesome cameos from the main cast, like Aragorn and Gandalf.

8. The Lord of the Rings Online

The Lord of the Rings Online is still going strong after all these years! This MMORPG lets players create their own character and explore a ridiculously detailed version of Middle-earth. One of the best things about this game is its world-building. From the Shire to Mordor, everything is beautifully crafted and feels authentic. The game captures the magic of Tolkien’s world better than almost any other game. Furthermore, players can be a Hobbit and just chill in the Shire if that’s your thing. It might not have the flashiest combat, but if you want to immerse yourself in Middle-earth, this is the game for you.

7. The Hobbit

Before we got The Hobbit movie trilogy, we got this fun little action-adventure game based on Tolkien’s classic book. It was one of the first computer games based on Tolkien’s works, which were based on his first Middle Earth novel, The Hobbit. Notably, The game plays a lot like an old-school Zelda game, offering exploration, puzzle-solving, and light combat.

You play as Bilbo Baggins in the game, going from a simple Hobbit to a dragon-conquering adventurer. The game has some fun mechanics, like using Bilbo’s Ring of Invisibility to sneak around enemies. Despite being aimed at a younger audience, it’s still a charming and enjoyable adventure.

6. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Return of the King took the hack-and-slash gameplay from The Two Towers and took it up a notch. You can play as Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and even Gandalf, cutting through waves of orcs in epic set-piece battles. The game’s Minas Tirith levels are Pure chaos. The Paths of the Dead offer a creepy but awesome vibe, while the final battle against Sauron’s forces is absolutely legendary. Additionally, the game featured co-op, which made it even better. If you played this as a kid, you probably have some great memories of fighting through Middle-earth with a friend.

5. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was a game changer when it came out. It blended movie footage with gameplay in a way that felt revolutionary at the time. The combat was simple but satisfying. It was all about hacking, slashing, and blocking your way through Helm’s Deep, Weathertop, and more. In the game, each character (Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli) had their own strengths, making repeat playthroughs fun. Somewhat, it was short, but every level felt epic. For many fans, this was the first Lord of the Rings game they ever played, and it still holds up today.

4. LEGO The Lord of the Rings

LEGO games are always a blast, and this one did not disappoint. It managed to be hilarious, charming, and surprisingly faithful to the movies. The game lets you roam around an open-world Middle-earth, swapping between characters and solving puzzles. Additionally, the game included voice acting from the actual movies, making it feel even more immersive. 

3. The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II

Strategy game fans, this one’s for you. Battle for Middle-earth II improved upon the first game in every way. The game had bigger battles, more factions, and even a “War of the Ring” mode that mixed turn-based strategy with real-time combat. Being able to command huge armies in Middle-earth was a dream come true for Tolkien fans. Defending Minas Tirith, storming Helm’s Deep, or sending dragons to burn enemy fortresses? That was Incredible. Notably, it is still one of the best RTS games ever made.

2. The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth

The first Battle for Middle-earth game was groundbreaking. It brought the movies to life in a way that no other game had before. Players could command massive armies, summon heroes like Gandalf or the Witch-king, and fight in legendary battles. Even today, fans are keeping this game alive with mods and online communities. If you love strategy games, you owe it to yourself to try this one.

1. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

And here it is, the best Lord of the Rings game ever. What made Shadow of Mordor so special is the Nemesis System. Enemies remembered you. They grew stronger if they defeated you. Some even developed personal grudges, making every fight feel personal. The combat was fluid and brutal, feeling like a mix of Assassin’s Creed and Batman: Arkham. And let’s be honest, killing orcs never got old. Ultimately, this game redefined what a Lord of the Rings game could be and still holds up today.