There have been some truly stellar official Lord of the Rings games over the years. But the last few titles officialy set in Middle Earth have gotten mixed reception, including Return to Moria and Tales of the Shire. While you can always revisit the classics, sometimes, you want a new fantasy game that gives you those LOTR vibes. Thankfully, the official games aren’t the only great options out there for Lord of the Rings fans looking for a solid gaming experience.
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What makes a fantasy game suitable for Lord of the Rings fans? I’m glad you asked. While your mileage may vary, I’m looking at games with a vibrant fantasy setting that feels alive. We’re also looking for compelling side characters and stories that feel almost as epic as Frodo destroying the One Ring. While not every game on the list actually features members of the Fellowship, each has something to offer Lord of the Rings fans looking for their next great game.
5. Elder Scrolls Online
Not too long ago, I delved into Elder Scrolls Online to see whether this aging MMORPG is still worth playing. And it turns out that despite being over 10 years old, this fantasy MMORPG still has plenty to offer. It lets you explore Tamriel and meet a variety of colorful characters, while also having the option to join up with friends in a virtual Fellowship of your very own.
Though we’re all still hoping for Elder Scrolls 6, this online game has some of the newest content Bethesda has offered in the world of Tamriel in quite some time. So, it’s a great option for LOTR fans looking for a game that will keep giving them more to do. And much like LOTR, there’s plenty of walking around the world to be done.
4. Pillars of Eternity
If you want to dig into a fantasy world where your choices can truly impact the story, Pillars of Eternity will deliver. The game offers party-based combat that will evoke those Fellowship vibes as you explore a robust fantasy world full of adventure. The game lets you craft a custom character, with plenty of Tolkien-esque options like Dwarves and Elves. Then, you dig into a world full of engaging characters and places to uncover.
One reason this game will resonate with many LOTR fans is its colorful cast of companion characters. Players will be able to recruit various team members, with a total of 11 different options. If you want to build your own fantasy Fellowship to take on an adventure, you could do worse than Pillars of Eternity.
3. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
Another party-based fantasy game that will scratch that Lord of the Rings itch is Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. This RPG borrows the world and mechanics of the Pathfinder TTRPG to create an engaging fantasy story for players to uncover. Like Tolkien’s fantasy saga, the game contends with the very nature of good and evil while also taking players through a vast open-world fantasy landscape.
Wrath of the Righteous offers an engaging, choices-matter story that lets you craft your own fantasy epic. It also has quite a few compelling side characters to round out your Fellowship as you work to fight back the powers of evil that are escaping the Abyss. With plenty of classes and races to choose from, the game offers plenty of customization to step into your own heroic journey.
2. Baldur’s Gate 3
Of course, I almost don’t need to recommend Baldur’s Gate 3 at this point. The game’s stellar reputation for solid storytelling, compelling companion characters, and all-around good fun has certainly made the rounds. But even if it is officially a Dungeons & Dragons game, it has plenty to offer fans of Lord of the Rings, as well.
Baldur’s Gate 3 really draws you into its fantasy world, with lush and detailed worldbuilding. You craft a team of characters brought together by unlikely circumstances, determined to defeat an evil that’s bigger than it first appeared. And of course, there’s also the deep character customization and myriad of romance options to keep things interesting.
1. Lord of The Rings Online
If anything other than Middle-earth itself simply won’t do, The Lord of the Rings Online will take you there. For free, at least until you’re ready for the paid DLC. This free-to-play MMORPG is set in Tolkien’s fantasy world, letting you explore familiar settings from the Prancing Pony to Lothlorien and beyond. You will be able to create a custom character steeped in Middle-earth lore from character class to race options and beyond.
As an MMORPG, this game lets you step into a Fellowship with friends. But it’s a pretty solid solo player experience as well, letting you be a hero or join the forces of Sauron to take on the good guys. With no monthly subscription fee and a free download, this is a solid game for Lord of the Rings fans who want to return to Middle-earth and spend some time there.
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