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LEGO The Lord of the Rings

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 Game Cover
85%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, grinding
89% User Score Based on 7,220 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 7 reviews

Platforms

Playstation 3Xbox 360AndroidXboxSteam DeckiPhoneWindowsPlayStationPCTabletMac OSPhoneWiiiPadMobile Platform
LEGO The Lord of the Rings Game Cover

About

LEGO The Lord of the Rings is a single player and multiplayer open world action adventure game with a comedy theme. It was developed by Traveller's Tales and was released on November 27, 2012. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"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.

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89%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,220 reviews
story358 positive mentions
stability475 negative mentions

  • Faithful adaptation of the Lord of the Rings trilogy with charming LEGO humor.
  • Expansive open world that allows for exploration of iconic locations from Middle-earth.
  • Engaging gameplay with unique character abilities and a variety of collectibles.
  • Riddled with bugs and glitches that can hinder gameplay and progress.
  • Character switching and platforming mechanics can be frustrating and inconsistent.
  • Some achievements are buggy and may require workarounds to unlock.
  • story
    1,454 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in *LEGO The Lord of the Rings* is a faithful adaptation of the film trilogy, capturing key plot points while infusing the narrative with LEGO's signature humor. Players can expect a lighthearted retelling that remains accessible for younger audiences, though some may find the humor detracts from the original story's depth. While the main storyline can be completed in about 10 hours, the game offers extensive side quests and collectibles, encouraging exploration of a richly detailed open world. However, technical issues and bugs can hinder the experience, particularly for those aiming for 100% completion.

    • “The game faithfully recreates the key moments from the Fellowship of the Ring, the Two Towers, and the Return of the King through 18 story levels, each packed with puzzles, combat, and platforming challenges.”
    • “It's this silly, playful style of storytelling that takes what could be a dark tale and makes it fun and approachable for kids.”
    • “The humor, clever references, and the open-world fetch quests are all wonderfully done, adding that signature LEGO charm to Middle-earth.”
    • “The story is mostly a straight remake of the movies (in cutscenes often shot-for-shot), almost completely devoid of the humor these games are known for.”
    • “The story takes ~10 hours.”
    • “The story retelling feels rushed and disjointed, with key moments glossed over or omitted entirely.”
  • gameplay
    645 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Lego Lord of the Rings" is characterized by its classic Lego mechanics, including puzzle-solving, character-switching, and open-world exploration, which many players find enjoyable and engaging. However, some users note that the gameplay can feel repetitive and is marred by technical issues such as bugs and awkward controls, particularly on PC. Overall, while the game captures the charm of the source material and offers fun co-op experiences, it may not innovate significantly beyond previous Lego titles.

    • “The gameplay is addicting and super fun, especially in co-op.”
    • “The co-op gameplay is seamless and perfect for a parent-child duo.”
    • “It successfully combines the epic story of Tolkien’s trilogy with playful LEGO charm, a sprawling world to explore, and thoughtful gameplay mechanics.”
    • “Platforming mechanics can suck, and some issues with swapping characters that were frustrating.”
    • “The gameplay is uninspired, the combat is repetitive, and the puzzles lack the cleverness and variety that made earlier entries in the series enjoyable.”
    • “The gameplay itself is very basic and shallow; it is fun and interactive enough to keep you entertained.”
  • humor
    597 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "LEGO The Lord of the Rings" is a blend of classic LEGO charm and clever reinterpretations of the film's serious moments, often resulting in lighthearted, slapstick comedy that appeals to both children and adults. While some players noted that the humor is toned down compared to other LEGO titles due to the use of movie dialogue, many found the cutscenes and character interactions to be genuinely funny, enhancing the overall experience. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with the epic narrative of the trilogy, making it an enjoyable and entertaining adaptation.

    • “The game captures the epic scale of the films while wrapping it in the signature LEGO charm and humor, making it perfect for family game night.”
    • “The humor, ever clever and never cheap, dances through the story like hobbits at a harvest festival—bringing laughter without diminishing the weight of the quest.”
    • “The game brilliantly captures the essence of the beloved trilogy, offering a delightful mix of humor and heart.”
    • “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.”
  • stability
    481 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay, particularly for completionists aiming for 100%. Common issues include game-breaking glitches, invisible walls, and character control problems, often requiring restarts or workarounds to progress. While some players still find enjoyment in the game despite these issues, the overall consensus is that its stability is a major drawback, making it frustrating for those seeking a smooth experience.

    • “Looks beautiful on Steam Deck and runs great.”
    • “Runs great on my potato laptop!”
    • “Runs great on Steam Deck with Proton hotfix.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess, but it's fun enough.”
    • “There are so many game-breaking glitches that it almost feels unplayable.”
    • “The game is full of annoying and potentially game-breaking glitches.”
  • graphics
    295 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "LEGO Lord of the Rings" have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the charming LEGO aesthetic and the game's ability to capture the essence of Middle-earth. While some noted that the visuals show their age and can occasionally suffer from glitches, others praised the game's colorful design and overall graphical fidelity, especially for a title released in 2012. Overall, the graphics are considered good for a LEGO game, with many players finding them enjoyable despite some technical issues.

    • “The graphics are stunning, the soundtrack is epic, the gameplay is superb in every way.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous.”
    • “The graphics in this game are absolutely sublime.”
    • “The graphics are outdated and lackluster, with character models that look like they were lifted straight from a dusty tome in the archives of Rivendell.”
    • “The lego aspect seems to be only an excuse for a) bad graphics, and b) the lamest humor imaginable.”
    • “Despite not looking very much like a lego game, it's tough to complain about the visuals, even with the occasional frame drop or screen tear.”
  • music
    242 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its authenticity, featuring the iconic soundtrack composed by Howard Shore and dialogue taken directly from the Lord of the Rings films, which enhances the overall atmosphere and nostalgia for fans. While the familiar tunes create a relaxing and immersive experience, some players noted that the repetition of certain tracks can detract from the enjoyment during extended play. Overall, the combination of high-quality music and voice acting significantly elevates the game's appeal, making it a standout entry in the LEGO franchise.

    • “The musical score, inspired by Howard Shore’s iconic compositions, elevates the overall experience, turning simple journeys into epic moments that evoke the grandeur of the films.”
    • “The soundtrack is grand, which ties together the atmosphere the visuals produce.”
    • “Just walking around and listening to the amazing music is reason enough to play, and there is a lot of nostalgia to be found if you like the movies.”
    • “The music is 100% original, but the voice acting sounds like it's mostly from the movies. The sound quality seems to be way worse sometimes, or they just made cheaply made extra voice lines.”
    • “The soundtrack loops depressing tunes from the movies, and Middle-earth, as it is presented here, is empty with hardly any NPCs, quests, or side activities to change up the monotony.”
    • “If this game has one flaw, it's that hearing the music and seeing the visuals of LOTR kind of just makes me want to stop playing the game and go read the books or watch the movies instead to get the fuller experience.”
  • grinding
    104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 side quests. While some enjoy the challenge of achieving 100% completion, they often note that the process can be frustrating due to bugs, clunky mechanics, and excessive backtracking. Overall, while the game offers a fun experience, the grinding elements may deter those who prefer a more streamlined gameplay experience.

    • “Satisfying to 100% and not too grindy (apart from the slow UI).”
    • “The story levels are mostly good (except the swamp level), the endgame up to 100% is just the right mix of replaying old levels and completing sidequests, just enough old levels while not overusing them, and just enough sidequests while not being tedious.”
    • “Medium level of grinding.”
    • “The game can be super tedious at times as traversing the open world will take a long time as your character moves at a walking pace.”
    • “The problem is the portion I’ve always considered the core of a LEGO game - the scouring of levels for every last doodad and thingamabob to arrive at that satisfying 100% - was insufferably tedious and drawn out.”
    • “Having to play through every level again to uncover all the collectibles can be more than a little tedious, so if you enjoy finding everything you may want to check out a guide to ease the process.”
  • replayability
    48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability, with a vast open world, numerous collectibles, and multiple playable characters that encourage players to return after completing the main story. While many players appreciate the humor and engaging side quests, some note that the linear levels and low difficulty may limit replay value for those not focused on 100% completion. Overall, it is well-regarded for its replay potential, especially for fans of the franchise and achievement hunters.

    • “The open world is huge and there are plenty of collectibles which add to the replay value.”
    • “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.”
    • “I do think the replayability suffers a lot.”
    • “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.”
    • “I can't say there is a whole lot of replayability unless you are trying to 100% the game, or really like the levels in this game, but it's pretty fun to play through once.”
  • emotional
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Lego: Lord of the Rings" is characterized by its nostalgic charm and heartfelt storytelling, evoking feelings of joy and whimsy while also delivering moments of genuine emotional weight. Players appreciate the blend of lighthearted humor with the epic narrative, often finding themselves moved to tears by character moments and the overall experience, which successfully captures the essence of both the Lego franchise and the beloved film series. Despite some gameplay flaws, the game is celebrated for its wholesome adventure and ability to transport players back to their childhood.

    • “Though it has its rough edges in controls and pacing, the game offers a heartfelt and enjoyable experience for fans of both Lego and the Lord of the Rings universe.”
    • “The charm of the game was infectious, and the way it blended lighthearted humor with the grand scale of the Lord of the Rings saga made me feel like I had stepped into a world where anything was possible.”
    • “To this date, this is the only game that has made me cry, and I will probably take that fact to the grave unless, though in my farthest dreams, LOTR2 drops, and then may the original take my #1 spot for game of the universe.”
  • atmosphere
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its faithful representation of Tolkien's world, enhanced by the iconic music and voice acting from the films. Players appreciate the vibrant, colorful LEGO art design that captures the essence of Middle-earth, creating an immersive experience that balances epic adventure with lighthearted humor. While some critiques mention the impact of voice acting on the game's tone, the overall consensus is that the atmosphere is one of the game's standout features, making it a top contender among LEGO titles.

    • “Voice acting from the movies adds to the atmosphere, and the open world of Middle-earth is amazing to explore.”
    • “The soundtrack is grand, which ties together the atmosphere the visuals produce.”
    • “Tolkien's Middle-earth is beautifully crafted with stunning atmospheric accuracy.”
    • “I still can't understand why they put in voice acting... it completely breaks the light and cartoonish atmosphere of the game, taking away most of the silent jokes that were numerous in other games.”
    • “I couldn't even get into the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The atmosphere and environment were really dead on and in some times if you squint you'd think you were watching the movies.”
  • optimization
    31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant performance issues, including crashes and stuttering, particularly during area transitions. While some players experienced smooth gameplay on higher-end PCs, others noted that the game is poorly optimized for PC overall, with specific problems on laptops and inconsistent frame rates. Despite these issues, some players still found the game enjoyable, indicating that the optimization shortcomings did not completely detract from their experience.

    • “Overall, the game runs smoothly on PC.”
    • “This game works very well, with no performance issues on PC.”
    • “Nice textures and graphics, runs smoothly on my GTX 770.”
    • “It's poorly optimized.”
    • “The game is not optimized well enough for PC.”
    • “Seems to be optimized very poorly as well.”
  • monetization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling it was rushed and unfinished for profit. While some mention microtransactions being for a good cause, there is a strong sentiment against supporting the developer due to their controversial business practices in recent years.

    • “Microtransactions for a good cause.”
    • “It seems like this game was released too early as a fast cash grab and was just unfinished and untested.”
    • “I would advise against giving WB Games any money, especially given their business practices over the recent years, one of the more well-known of which being the monetization of Shadow of War around release.”
    • “Lego cash grab is Lego cashgrabby; they just throw a dart at a list of movies, steal the dialogue, and Lego it.”
  • character development
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is praised for its effectiveness in conveying each character's essence, despite being simplified. The character designs are well-executed, making it easy for players to identify necessary abilities for overcoming obstacles, contributing to an immersive gameplay experience. Overall, the character development enhances the story and gameplay, earning a positive reception.

    • “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.”
    • “8/10 good game with tight controls and immersive character development that really drew me into the story.”
    • “Character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “The characters don't evolve in a meaningful way, leaving their arcs feeling flat and unengaging.”
    • “There is little to no growth in the characters throughout the game, which diminishes the overall experience.”
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30h Median play time
26h Average play time
14-40h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 28 analyzed playthroughs
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LEGO The Lord of the Rings is a open world action adventure game with comedy theme.

LEGO The Lord of the Rings is available on Steam Deck, iPhone, Windows, PC and others.

On average players spend around 26 hours playing LEGO The Lord of the Rings.

LEGO The Lord of the Rings was released on November 27, 2012.

LEGO The Lord of the Rings was developed by Traveller's Tales.

LEGO The Lord of the Rings has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

LEGO The Lord of the Rings is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include LEGO The Hobbit, LEGO Jurassic World, The LEGO Movie Videogame, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game and others.