LEGO The Lord of the Rings
- November 27, 2012
- Traveller's Tales
- 25h median play time
A fantastic tribute to The Lord Of The Rings franchise and one of the best LEGO games to boot.
"LEGO The Lord of the Rings" follows the storyline of the films, allowing players to relive scenes and adventures. It features iconic characters, locations, and objects from the movies, all reimagined with LEGO's signature humor and style. The game includes both a single-player and drop-in/drop-out co-op mode, enabling players to solve puzzles and battle enemies together.
Reviews
- story810 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Lego The Lord of the Rings" is a faithful and humorous adaptation of the original trilogy, covering key events from the films while incorporating classic Lego charm. Players experience the journey of Frodo and the Fellowship through a mix of engaging missions and an expansive open world filled with side quests and collectibles. While the narrative is well-structured and enjoyable, some players noted that the game can feel tedious due to fetch quests and occasional bugs, but overall, it remains a beloved retelling for fans of the franchise.
“The storytelling in 'Lego the Lord of the Rings' is also top-notch.”
“Faithful adaptation: the game faithfully recreates the epic tale of the Lord of the Rings using Lego bricks, capturing the essence of the original story with a delightful twist.”
“The story is a fun parody of the LOTR trilogy.”
“The story has been simplified heavily, and although it still remains coherent, it seems like a disservice to do this to Lord of the Rings of all movies.”
“The storyline is garbage.”
“A lot of the main story levels are very tedious to get through.”
- gameplay377 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Lego Lord of the Rings" is characterized by familiar mechanics typical of the Lego franchise, offering a mix of puzzle-solving, character abilities, and cooperative play that appeals to both children and adults. While the game features engaging humor and a faithful adaptation of the source material, it is marred by occasional bugs, camera issues, and some repetitive elements that can detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, many players find the open-world exploration and diverse character mechanics enjoyable, making it a solid entry in the Lego game series.
“The gameplay is fun and engaging for all audiences.”
“The cooperative gameplay is a standout feature, allowing players to share the adventure with friends or family.”
“The gameplay is light and fun.”
“The gameplay is not enjoyable and at this point I'm just trying to get through it for achievements.”
“The nostalgia is carrying this for me, but if you have no ties to it prior, it will be frustrating due to the amount of bugs and really terrible movement mechanics.”
“The gameplay and the grind that can come from collecting everything is pretty much exactly the same as every other Lego game, but I enjoyed spending a few hours exploring a Lego Middle-earth.”
- humor350 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Lego: The Lord of the Rings" is a blend of classic Lego charm and playful reinterpretations of the film's serious moments, often resulting in hilarious cutscenes and quirky character interactions. While many players appreciate the lighthearted approach and clever gags, some feel that the humor is less pronounced compared to other Lego titles, occasionally feeling forced or overshadowed by the film's dialogue. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of both the Lego franchise and the Lord of the Rings narrative, making it enjoyable for fans of all ages.
“A delightful and hilarious faithful adaptation of the LOTR movies, a great time solo or with friends.”
“The blend of humor and seriousness strikes a balance that pays homage to both the LEGO franchise and The Lord of the Rings.”
“The game perfectly captures the charm and humor of the LEGO games while also faithfully adapting the iconic story of The Lord of the Rings.”
“Maybe I am too old for this game, but for me it is not funny.”
“The book and movie of The Lord of the Rings are not funny at all.”
- stability266 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly disrupt gameplay. Many have experienced game-breaking issues, particularly when attempting to achieve 100% completion, leading to frustration and the need for frequent restarts. While some players noted minor glitches that were manageable, the overall consensus is that the game is riddled with stability problems, making it a challenging experience for completionists and casual players alike.
“Runs great goat game”
“Lego game based on the Lord of the Rings movies (goes through all three movies, fun gameplay and runs great).”
“I haven't seen a Lego game done poorly (yet), voice acting taken straight from the movies, and the famous soundtrack from the movies.”
“Unfortunately, the game is a buggy mess.”
“There are enough glitches that I've had to restart several levels, often several times in a row.”
“This game is a buggy mess with sloppy, poorly laid out controls.”
- graphics183 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising their charm and vibrant aesthetic, particularly for a LEGO title, while others note that they show signs of age. Some players appreciate the nostalgic feel and the successful translation of the Lord of the Rings visuals into LEGO form, while a few mention graphical glitches and outdated elements. Overall, the graphics are generally considered solid and enjoyable, especially for fans of the franchise.
“The graphics in this game are simply stunning.”
“The game's graphics are impressive, successfully translating the rich visuals of The Lord of the Rings into LEGO form.”
“The graphics are gorgeous.”
“The graphics could be better, and it's definitely made for children, but the game was good.”
“The graphics are decent.”
“The graphics are nothing special but it's a Lego game, not Crysis.”
- music121 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its use of the original soundtrack and voice acting from the "Lord of the Rings" films, creating a nostalgic and immersive experience. Players appreciate the grand compositions by Howard Shore, which enhance the gameplay and atmosphere, while the incorporation of humorous elements, like the disco phial song, adds a unique charm. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's enjoyment and authenticity.
“The biggest positive point is probably the official music by Howard Shore and actual movie dialogues used in the game!”
“The soundtrack is grand, which ties together the atmosphere the visuals produce.”
“The music, mostly being the original score by Howard Shore, is always nice to hear and throws me back to the first time I ever watched the movies after reading through the trilogy.”
“The musical score is adequate, no doubt taken directly from the movie - but let's not kid ourselves, it ain't Star Wars.”
“You get all the music and voices from the movie, but it's really limited to just that.”
“The audio in the game is straight from the movies which can be a little quiet on occasion; however, the music is second to none and brings back all those famous movie moments.”
- grinding55 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly when it comes to collecting items and completing quests. While some appreciate the depth and challenge of achieving 100% completion, others feel that the grinding can detract from the overall enjoyment, often requiring excessive backtracking and time investment. Overall, players suggest that while grinding is present, it varies in intensity and can be either a fun challenge or a frustrating chore, depending on individual preferences.
“Satisfying to 100% and not too grindy (apart from the slow UI).”
“Isn't necessary to progress.”
“Average grind level.”
“One of the most boring and tedious LEGO games, gameplay and story-wise, plus it's full of glitches.”
“The remaining '75% of the game' is just grinding and backtracking to say you did it.”
“Be aware that getting 100% may be impossible or else very, very tedious.”
- replayability28 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
Overall, "Lego Lord of the Rings" offers significant replayability, with many side quests, collectibles, and achievements that encourage players to return after completing the main story. While the game features a blend of linear and open-world elements, some players noted that the difficulty level and certain minigames may limit replay value for more experienced gamers. Despite some technical issues, the engaging atmosphere and humor contribute to a fun and immersive experience that fans of the franchise are likely to enjoy repeatedly.
“It perfectly captures the feel of atmospheric Tolkien worldbuilding, zany LEGO fun, and solid replayability.”
“Tons of replay value as you go back to earn all the goodies and achievements - you can easily spend hours in Middle-earth proving your quality, either on a solo journey or in a fellowship.”
“Lego LOTR is a fun, enjoyable installment to the LOTR franchise, and after beating the main story in about 12 hours, the game is really just starting. There is a lot of replay value here and I will probably see myself coming back to play this game often.”
“The linear levels and open world elements blend together seamlessly, but lacks the replayability present in the more linear games as a result of uninspired or bland minigames.”
“On the downside, even for all the collectibles, the open world, and the side missions, this game didn't have much replay value for me.”
“But just pick it up cheap on a sale and you can have your fun with it, didn't feel like it had enough replayability to go back and 100% everything.”
- emotional17 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Lego The Lord of the Rings" resonates strongly with players, evoking nostalgia and heartfelt connections to the beloved franchise. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to make them feel like children again, while also delivering touching moments that elicit genuine tears and laughter. Overall, the game is praised for its wholesome content and emotional depth, making it a memorable experience for fans.
“If you're a die-hard LOTR fan, you will find this nostalgic, silly, cute, and wholesome to a degree.”
“The emotional depth of the characters, like when Aragorn finally reunites with his long-lost son, had me in tears.”
“It really made me feel like I was in Middle-earth, unlike some other LOTR games.”
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its faithful representation of Tolkien's world, blending zany LEGO fun with an epic adventure feel. The grand soundtrack enhances the immersive experience, while the visuals effectively capture the essence of the movies, creating a captivating environment that resonates with players. Despite some minor critiques, the overall atmosphere is considered impressive and engaging, making it a standout aspect of the game.
“The soundtrack is grand, which ties together the atmosphere the visuals produce.”
“The game is very atmospheric (for a LEGO game) and really feels like watching the movie in a fun way.”
“Tolkien's Middle-earth is beautifully crafted with stunning atmospheric accuracy.”
“The atmosphere and environment were really dead on, and at times, if you squint, you'd think you were watching the movies.”
“I couldn't even get into the atmosphere of the game.”
“Atmosphere is a little bit dark.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while many players report smooth performance on older PCs, some experience significant stuttering and crashes, particularly during specific missions. Despite these issues, a few users have noted that the game runs well on mid-range hardware, suggesting that performance may vary based on individual setups.
“Overall, the game runs smoothly on PC.”
“Being an older game, there aren't really any performance requirements that most PCs can't run with ease.”
“Nice textures and graphics, runs smoothly on my GTX 770.”
“Performance issues and crashes.”
“Seems to be optimized very poorly as well.”
“Keeps stuttering as soon as I start it up... won't let me refund either.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development is simplified yet effective, successfully conveying each character's essence. The distinct character designs enhance gameplay by clearly indicating the abilities needed to overcome various obstacles.
“Character development, though simplified, is effective in conveying the essence of each character.”
“The character designs are great as it is easy to tell which character abilities you will need to solve the different obstacles.”
“Character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“The characters seem one-dimensional, and their growth throughout the game is minimal and predictable.”
“I found the character arcs to be underwhelming, with little to no meaningful change by the end of the story.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with some users feeling that it relies heavily on recycled content from popular movies. However, there is a contrasting view that suggests the microtransactions are justified by supporting a good cause.
“Microtransactions for a good cause!”
“The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel exploitative.”
“I appreciate that the game offers optional purchases without impacting gameplay.”
“Lego cash grab is Lego cashgrabby; they just throw a dart at a list of movies, steal the dialogue, and Lego it.”
“Microtransactions for a good cause.”
Critic Reviews
LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Video Game review
A fantastic tribute to The Lord Of The Rings franchise and one of the best LEGO games to boot.
90%LEGO Lord of the Rings Review
Not the best Lego game, and actually quite shallow, it still remains a good way to keep your kids busy with some Tolkien themed fun this holiday season.
70%there and back again
Lego Lord of the Rings perfectly captures the action and majesty of Tolkien's world
80%