The Lord of the Rings has not been extensively visible in the gaming world, except for a few notable instances that left a lasting impact. The franchise has a history of games that have either been widely acclaimed or considered disappointing, with very few falling in between. Both licensed and original games have garnered love and adoration, leaving the quality of future releases unpredictable.
Interestingly, the potential for a Lord of the Rings game in modern gaming is immense, whether it's a faithful adaptation or an exploration of new stories within the lore. In the last decade, Monolith's Middle-earth games have been the most successful. Despite recent setbacks, the low benchmark set by these games might pave the way for the future of Lord of the Rings gaming.
The Lord of the Rings IP - A Crossroads in Gaming
Gollum and Return to Moria Reflect the Current State of The Lord of the Rings
Two recent Lord of the Rings games, Return to Moria and The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, have faced criticism. Though Return to Moria has received some praise for its immersive elements, it lacks crucial features. On the other hand, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum has been widely criticized for various shortcomings, such as its unimaginative concept and microtransactions. The announcement of Weta Workshop and Private Division’s Tales of the Shire has provided little insight, leaving much anticipation for its release.
With Gollum setting a low standard for Lord of the Rings games, future releases must either meet this benchmark or surpass it, putting them in a challenging position. However, the likelihood of another failure on the scale of Gollum seems slim, raising hopes for a better reception of future Lord of the Rings games.
The Need for a New Shadow of Mordor, Return of the King
It is evident that the next Lord of the Rings game should aspire to meet the standards set by Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor or The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. While Tales of the Shire may not aim for this level of ambition, it should not deter future Lord of the Rings games from doing so. Both Shadow of Mordor and its sequel were praised for their innovative combat mechanics, while Return of the King was celebrated for its engaging co-op mode and progression system.
Developers could also consider exploring original stories within Middle-earth to introduce new characters and experiences. Alternatively, a modern remake of Return of the King or The Third Age with updated graphics and gameplay would be well-received by the current gaming audience.