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.

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"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,574 reviews

story332 positive mentions

stability409 negative mentions

story
1,345 mentions
25 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of *LEGO Lord of the Rings* closely follows the plot of the film trilogy, incorporating humor and charm typical of LEGO games while using original voice clips from the movies. Players experience the journey of Frodo and the Fellowship through a mix of main missions and an expansive open world filled with side quests and collectibles, although some players noted that the gameplay can feel tedious and repetitive, especially when pursuing 100% completion. Overall, the game is praised for its faithful adaptation of the beloved story, making it enjoyable for both fans of the franchise and newcomers.
- “The story of *Lego Lord of the Rings* was, of course, a familiar one: the quest to destroy the One Ring and save Middle-earth.”
- “The game faithfully follows the storyline of the series, but being able to actively play through the scenes instead of just watching them made the experience much more enjoyable.”
- “The story is well done, there are some nice comedy touches added and the gameplay is pretty smooth.”
- “The story is taken from the movies and is shown in great cutscenes, but the gameplay itself is simple and to be honest pretty boring (at least for me).”
- “The story retelling feels rushed and disjointed, with key moments glossed over or omitted entirely.”
- “With uninspired gameplay, a lackluster story, and technical issues aplenty, it's a game best left in the caverns of Moria.”
gameplay
588 mentions
34 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Lego Lord of the Rings" is characterized by its familiar mechanics from previous Lego titles, including puzzle-solving, character-switching, and block-breaking fun, which many players find enjoyable and engaging. However, it also suffers from repetitive elements, technical glitches, and some frustrating controls, particularly on PC, which can detract from the overall experience. While the cooperative gameplay adds a layer of enjoyment, the simplicity and occasional lack of depth may leave some players feeling bored or underwhelmed.
- “It's a great blend of the charm of the LEGO universe games, with simple and relaxing gameplay, and the epic world of Tolkien's Middle-earth.”
- “This constant mix of abilities keeps the gameplay fresh, offering both strategic depth and the satisfying rhythm of LEGO's classic block-breaking fun.”
- “The cooperative gameplay—allowing for two players to team up and tackle the journey together—also adds a layer of enjoyment, making it perfect for both solo and shared experiences.”
- “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 is a masterclass in balance and creativity.”
- “The gameplay is straightforward, but there really isn't a shop and you have to complete story mode (which is super long) if you want to buy characters for free play, which isn't how it's designed in some of the other games.”
humor
554 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "LEGO Lord of the Rings" is widely praised for its clever blend of lightheartedness and the serious themes of the original trilogy, often enhancing iconic scenes with playful twists and slapstick comedy. While many players appreciate the classic LEGO humor and funny cutscenes, some feel that the reliance on movie dialogue diminishes the franchise's trademark silliness. Overall, the game successfully captures the charm of LEGO's comedic style, making it enjoyable for both children and adults, though opinions vary on its effectiveness compared to previous titles in the series.
- “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.”
- “The humor, the beauty of Middle-earth, and the uplifting message of the game reminded me that I wasn’t alone—that even in the darkest of times, there was always a path forward.”
- “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
413 mentions
1 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The stability of "Lego The Lord of the Rings" has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users experienced game-breaking issues, frequent crashes, and frustrating achievement bugs, making 100% completion nearly impossible for some. While the game retains its charm and fun elements, the overwhelming instability detracts from the overall experience, leading to a consensus that it is one of the most buggy entries in the Lego game series.
- “Runs great on my potato laptop!”
- “Runs great goat game”
- “Lego game based on the Lord of the Rings movies (goes through all three movies, fun gameplay and runs great, tbh I haven't seen a Lego game done poorly (yet)), voice acting taken straight from the movies (so it isn't some half-assed voice actors), and the famous soundtrack (from the movies).”
- “This game is a buggy mess, but it's fun enough.”
- “There are so many bugs and glitches it is borderline unplayable.”
- “The game is extremely buggy, with levels often needing repeated attempts to get past jarring bugs and glitches.”
graphics
281 mentions
44 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the charming LEGO aesthetic and vibrant visuals that effectively capture the essence of the Lord of the Rings universe. While some players noted that the graphics show their age, particularly for a 2012 release, others found them to be impressive and well-executed, especially in cutscenes and open-world environments. However, there are reports of occasional graphical glitches and performance issues that can detract from the overall experience.
- “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 are outdated and lackluster, with character models that look like they were lifted straight from a dusty tome in the archives of Rivendell.”
- “Confused UI, unclear boss battle patterns, lack of tutorial, non-bot assist, ugly graphics, weird QTE events; the quality of this game is way beyond horrible to be accepted by players.”
- “For the standards of 2012, the graphics looked a bit dated, especially since the game stood to benefit from its trademark non-photorealistic art style and resist better the test of time; for some reason, it also errs on the side of too dark.”
music
219 mentions
40 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic and immersive quality, featuring the original soundtrack by Howard Shore and voice acting directly from the films, which enhances the overall gaming experience. Players appreciate how the iconic scores and dialogue create a strong connection to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, making exploration and gameplay feel epic and engaging. However, some users noted occasional issues with sound quality and repetitive tracks, but overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that elevates the game.
- “The music is nostalgic, it feels like it could have come out today (if they updated some of the graphics, not the LEGO ones though).”
- “The soundtrack is grand, which ties together the atmosphere the visuals produce.”
- “The music combined with the beautiful open world and voice acting makes for a truly spectacular movie-to-game experience.”
- “The music is flat, there are tons of bugs.”
- “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
87 mentions
3 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
83 % 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 character switching, level replaying, and collecting items. While some appreciate the depth and variety of tasks, others feel that the extensive backtracking and slow-paced exploration detract from the overall experience, making it feel like a grind, especially for completionists. Overall, players suggest that while the game can be enjoyable, it often requires a significant time investment to achieve 100% completion, which may not appeal to everyone.
- “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.”
- “Average grind level.”
- “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 remaining 75% of the game is just grinding and backtracking to say you did it.”
- “Having to play through every level again to uncover all the collectibles can be more than a little tedious, as some are poorly marked and/or easy to miss even with power-ups that should direct you to them.”
replayability
46 mentions
33 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, with numerous characters to unlock, collectibles, and side quests that encourage players to return after completing the main story. While many players appreciate the vast open world and the fun, humorous gameplay, some note that the linear levels and low difficulty may limit replay value for those not focused on 100% completion. Overall, it is highly regarded for its engaging content and replay incentives, particularly for fans of the franchise.
- “The open world is huge and there are plenty of collectibles which add to the replay value.”
- “Overall this game is still my favorite; the graphics are amazing and you can really get lost in this world. It has tons of incentive and replayability, and even an insane freeplay mode allowing you to unlock even more!”
- “Tons of replay value after the initial walkthrough, with free play and tons of canisters/rares to collect.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
32 mentions
41 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its perfect blend of Tolkien's worldbuilding and the whimsical charm of LEGO, creating an immersive experience that captures the essence of the Lord of the Rings films. Players appreciate the grand soundtrack, vibrant visuals, and the ability to explore a richly detailed environment, although some note that the introduction of voice acting detracts from the game's lighthearted tone. Overall, the game is celebrated for its engaging atmosphere that enhances both solo and cooperative gameplay.
- “The soundtrack is grand, which ties together the atmosphere the visuals produce.”
- “Tolkien's Middle-earth is beautifully crafted with stunning atmospheric accuracy.”
- “The bright and colorful atmosphere is expansive with plenty of areas to explore, collectibles to discover, and puzzles to scratch your head over.”
- “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.”
emotional
31 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Lego The Lord of the Rings" resonates deeply with players, evoking nostalgia and a sense of childhood wonder while balancing humor with poignant moments. Many reviewers noted that the game successfully captures the emotional weight of the original saga, leading to heartfelt reactions, including tears during key scenes. Overall, it is described as a wholesome and touching experience that combines lighthearted fun with significant emotional depth.
- “The humor never detracts from the story’s emotional weight, and even moments of danger are balanced by the charming and whimsical touch that LEGO games are known for.”
- “I cried at the ending.”
- “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.”
optimization
29 mentions
14 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
24 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, including crashes and stuttering, particularly during area transitions. While it runs smoothly on certain PCs, many users report that it is poorly optimized for PC overall, with specific problems on laptops using dedicated GPUs. Despite these issues, some players still find the game enjoyable, indicating that the optimization shortcomings do not completely detract from the experience.
- “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.”
- “This game works very well, no performance issues on PC.”
- “You will notice a slowdown in performance when it is loading a new area, and this seems to be the prime time it may decide to crash.”
- “The game is not optimized well enough for PC.”
- “Could've done a bit better about software optimization though; sometimes frame drops would occur for no reason at all during cutscenes or certain places in the levels, and I would've also increased the rendering distance of the objects since you can clearly see when objects appear or disappear from the screen, it kinda ruins the immersion.”
monetization
5 mentions
20 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling that it relies on recycled content and unfinished elements. 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
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Character development is effectively simplified, allowing players to easily grasp each character's essence and abilities, which aids in overcoming obstacles. The strong character designs and immersive storytelling contribute to an engaging experience, earning the game an 8/10 rating for its tight controls and compelling character arcs.
- “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 seem one-dimensional, and their growth throughout the game is minimal and predictable.”
- “I found the character arcs to be underwhelming, as they don't evolve in a meaningful way.”