What is the best Lord of the Rings video game?

Middle-earth has inspired dozens of video games across four decades. Which Lord of the Rings game deserves the One Ring?

1

Shadow of Mordor

A 2014 open-world action-RPG celebrated for its revolutionary Nemesis System and fluid Assassin's Creed-inspired combat.

2

Shadow of War

The 2017 sequel that expanded the Nemesis System to fortress sieges and a fully open Mordor to conquer.

3

LEGO The Lord of the Rings

A 2012 surprisingly faithful brick adaptation using original film dialogue and covering all three Peter Jackson movies.

4

The Two Towers (EA)

A 2002 EA beat-em-up that put players inside the battle of Helm's Deep with stunning film footage as cutscenes.

5

The Return of the King (EA)

The 2003 EA follow-up — three-player co-op hack-and-slash across the entirety of Tolkien's final act.

6

The Lord of the Rings Online

The 2007 massively multiplayer RPG set in Middle-earth that is still actively updated nearly two decades later.

7

Return to Moria

A 2023 survival-crafting game set beneath Khazad-dûm — praised for its fidelity to Tolkien lore and atmosphere.

8

The Third Age

A 2004 Final Fantasy-inspired turn-based RPG that charted an original fellowship's journey alongside the main story.

9

The Hobbit (2003)

A 2003 stealth-platformer faithfully following Bilbo's journey from the Shire to the Lonely Mountain.

10

The Fellowship of the Ring (Vivendi)

A 2002 atmospheric RPG following the book rather than the film, praised for its faithful recreation of the novel.

11

Conquest

A 2009 Pandemic Studios battlefield game allowing players to relive — or rewrite — the great battles of Middle-earth.