The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria

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"The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria" is a cooperative game where players delve into the procedurally generated mines of Moria as a company of Dwarves, on a mission to reclaim their treasures and fortify their hold. With a focus on crafting, building, and survival, players must balance exploration and mining while avoiding the mysterious dangers that lurk in the depths. Every expedition offers a unique experience, either solo or online with friends.

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,279 reviews

story positive mentions

grinding negative mentions

The game captures the essence of Tolkien's world, offering an immersive and richly detailed environment.
Singing while mining adds a unique and enjoyable mechanic, enhancing the overall experience.
The crafting and building systems are engaging, allowing players to create and customize their bases.

Combat feels clunky and lacks depth, making encounters less satisfying.
The map system is poorly designed, making navigation confusing and frustrating.
There are significant performance issues, including frame rate drops and bugs that can disrupt gameplay.

story
207 mentions
23 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its immersive lore and connection to Tolkien's universe, while others criticize it for being linear and lacking depth. Many reviews highlight the engaging exploration and crafting elements, but also point out bugs and quest glitches that hinder progression. Overall, while the narrative has its moments and appeals to fans of the lore, it often feels overshadowed by gameplay issues and a lack of originality.
- “The story is immersive with cut scenes that left me awed at times.”
- “The story is great (though I want more) and playing with friends is terrific.”
- “The lore that 'Return to Moria' adds for the game's storyline I thought made sense and was non-invasive to LOTR canon.”
- “The lord of the rings: Return to Moria, another fragment of Tolkien's work ripped from his books and notes and molded into a poor excuse of a product; let that be the gameplay, soundtrack, visuals, or story.”
- “The story is surprisingly cohesive, but it relies completely on tired and worn-out cut and paste survival tropes to carry the water.”
- “The plot makes sense, and treats the source material with respect, but the story itself is okay and feels like a retelling of the Hobbit, lacking originality.”
gameplay
193 mentions
26 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Return to Moria" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a repetitive core loop of exploration, resource gathering, and crafting that can become tedious over time. While the game features engaging mining mechanics and a charming atmosphere, issues such as clunky building mechanics, simplistic combat, and various bugs detract from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, the cooperative gameplay and thematic elements resonate well with fans of the genre and Tolkien's lore, making it a decent, albeit flawed, survival crafting game.
- “The core gameplay loop of explore > find new recipes > do a little mining > craft better gear > repeat is very dwarf-y, and to that end, very good!”
- “The gameplay is engaging and challenging, offering a perfect blend of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving.”
- “The mining mechanics are engaging, and the sense of exploration is fantastic, with each delve into the depths feeling rewarding and full of mystery.”
- “The game is very repetitive, and even once you get higher levels, it's the exact same gameplay loop as the start of the game: find new area, reveal parts of the map, fight orcs, mine nodes, but with upgraded gear that doesn't feel like a tangible uplift.”
- “50+ hours of boring gameplay, just to find out the last piece is bugged and now the map is broken and unfinishable.”
- “I played for quite some time hopeful that the gameplay would improve at some point, but much to my dismay, the entire game has the same feel from the beginning to the end; you're probably going to see all there is to see within some hours or so of gameplay mechanic-wise.”
music
98 mentions
29 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the charming and immersive dwarven songs that enhance gameplay, particularly during mining and drinking activities. While some find the soundtrack to be soothing and fitting for the game's atmosphere, others criticize it for being repetitive or lacking in variety. Overall, the inclusion of singing mechanics adds a unique and enjoyable layer to the experience, especially when played cooperatively with friends.
- “The music and songs are amazing and fun.”
- “The moment my friends and I found a monument, repaired it, and proceeded to sing Durin's song in harmony was the moment the game fully won me over.”
- “Singing: the game's delightful inclusion of songs—be it mining songs or jovial drinking tunes—adds a joyous layer to the gameplay, offering buffs and enhancing immersion.”
- “The lord of the rings: return to moria, another fragment of Tolkien’s work ripped from his books and notes and molded and shaped into a poor excuse of a product; let that be the gameplay, soundtrack, visuals or story.”
- “The songs were mediocre and at times very muted (had all volumes maxed).”
- “The first 2/3 of the game is just okay with some cool concepts carried by some cool art style and LOTR IP then the massive holes in balance, terrible combat, pacing, bad music, crap audio, crap performance and overall terrible design gets too heavy and the game falls apart.”
graphics
84 mentions
46 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals, detailed architecture, and effective use of lighting and shadows that create an immersive atmosphere. However, some players find the graphics to be average or lacking in advanced settings, with occasional underwhelming textures and a cartoonish aesthetic. Overall, while the visuals are generally appreciated, they are not considered groundbreaking, and the game's graphical fidelity varies in quality.
- “The graphics on ultra are great, especially the shadows and lighting.”
- “The artwork and gameplay is immersive for those who love the world of Middle-earth and Moria.”
- “The graphics are stunning!”
- “A painfully average looking game, let that be with the highest graphical settings or with DLSS.”
- “Graphics settings are pretty much non-existent: you have a selection from 4 graphics presets and that's it.”
- “The game isn't very visually appealing; it bothers me if it looks hastily-made or unpolished, which I feel is the case here.”
grinding
58 mentions
0 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
Overall, player feedback on grinding in the game is mixed; while some find the resource gathering and crafting systems engaging and rewarding, others describe them as tedious and overly repetitive. Many players suggest that the grind can become excessive towards the end of the game, particularly when searching for specific materials or crafting items, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. However, the cooperative gameplay and exploration aspects are often highlighted as redeeming features that help mitigate the grind.
- “Not too grindy - just the right amount with plenty of resources to find, mine, harvest, etc. Unlocking the build tree by rebuilding statues is okay and encourages one to explore the map to find them.”
- “The grind is appropriate, not too grindy, not too absent.”
- “Farming does not offer any fun mechanics or real value to the game.”
- “Overall, I felt this game was more tedious than fun.”
- “The grind is appropriate, not too grindy, not too absent.”
atmosphere
52 mentions
69 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and rich depiction of Moria, capturing the dark, mysterious essence of the Lord of the Rings universe. Players appreciate the detailed environments, atmospheric sound design, and the integration of lore, which collectively enhance the sense of exploration and tension. Overall, the game excels in creating a captivating ambiance that resonates with fans of the franchise.
- “The atmosphere is rich with tension as you explore dark, perilous environments, uncovering secrets while managing resources.”
- “The footsteps, sound effects, and overall atmosphere make it the most immersive game I've played recently.”
- “The game captures the dark and mysterious atmosphere of Moria perfectly, with stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack.”
- “Atmosphere low, considering that it's a LOTR game (and could have gotten so much for 'free').”
- “It's clear the main focus of the game was atmosphere (maybe?) and building.”
- “The atmosphere is spot-on, with echoing tunnels, flickering torchlight, and the constant sense of danger around every corner.”
optimization
32 mentions
6 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
31 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, particularly regarding performance on the Steam Deck and lower-end systems, with players experiencing frequent frame drops, stuttering, and crashes. While some users reported stable performance on higher-end PCs, many noted that the game is poorly optimized, especially in later regions, leading to a frustrating experience. Developers have acknowledged these issues and promised future optimizations, but as of now, the game's performance remains a major concern for players.
- “Did I mention they optimized it for the Steam Deck?!”
- “Despite some FPS drops in camps on the Steam Deck (playing at low settings), it’s still playable, and the devs have announced upcoming optimizations for the deck!”
- “I personally scale it down just to make performance better, but even then it’s smooth.”
- “The game is poorly optimized.”
- “Alas, the performance, especially on the Steam Deck, is quite varying, ranging from 20 - 60 fps and quite a bit of stuttering frequently.”
- “The most disappointing aspect of this game is the performance.”
stability
30 mentions
3 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is marked by a variety of bugs and glitches that can affect gameplay, including quest issues, crafting problems, and audio glitches. While some players report that these issues are manageable and do not significantly detract from the experience, others express frustration with the game's rough edges and lack of optimization. Many users are hopeful for future patches to improve stability and address the numerous bugs present.
- “The game runs great docked at 1080p on the deck; low to medium settings perform well.”
- “I would love to see the quest glitches fixed, as advancing to an area before completing the quests can leave you with an uncompletable quest.”
- “Would love to see the quest glitches fixed and worked out because if you advance to an area before completing the quests for it, then you will be stuck with an uncompletable quest.”
- “It's poorly designed, rough, clunky, unfair, and buggy as heck.”
- “Feels like early access... very buggy, not well tuned.”
humor
9 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted as a key aspect, with players enjoying its quirky elements and amusing gameplay, particularly when playing with friends. References to Tolkien's works add to the charm, and players appreciate the lightheartedness despite some gameplay quirks. Overall, the game fosters a fun and entertaining atmosphere, making it appealing for fans of adventure and humor.
- “Very funny and interesting game, especially if you like The Lord of the Rings and you play it with friends. The only issue is the music, but we actually use the green bot from Discord with LOTR/Hobbit playlists.”
- “I like the armor and weapon styles, and the gameplay is funny.”
- “But if you love dwarves, adventuring with friends, laughing and smiling even when it is not perfect, and especially Tolkien and his heart, this game is for you.”
replayability
5 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is seen as moderate, appealing primarily to fans of survival genres. While some players feel it could benefit from additional modes, such as a hardcore survival option and leaderboards, many agree that the gameplay offers enough value for the price, even if it may not be endlessly replayable for everyone.
- “Lore-breaking enemies introduced that can be overlooked for the sake of gameplay and replayability.”
- “As for replayability, the game would benefit from a hardcore survival mode without the story and a leaderboard on who made it furthest (accumulated most wealth).”
- “Not sure about replayability, but for the price, you'll definitely get your money's worth from it.”
- “Lore-breaking enemies introduced that can be overlooked for the sake of gameplay and replayability.”
- “Replayability is limited unless you're really into survival games.”
- “The game would benefit from a hardcore survival mode without the story and a leaderboard on who made it furthest (accumulated the most wealth).”
monetization
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is perceived as a quick cash grab, primarily targeting hardcore fans of the Middle-earth theme, with no in-game purchases available. Critics feel that the game lacks depth and substance, focusing instead on exploiting its franchise appeal.
- “There are no in-game purchases, which makes the experience feel fair and enjoyable.”
- “I appreciate that the game doesn't pressure players into spending money.”
- “The absence of monetization tactics allows for a more immersive gameplay experience.”
- “Just seems like a quick cash grab.”
- “Not return to Moria or even rebuild Moria; it is find a way out of Moria, and sadly this game is a quick cash grab for hardcore fans.”
- “Most probably, the game is a quick cash grab luring people in with the Middle-earth theme and open-world survival craft genre.”
emotional
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally engaging, as it effectively immerses them in the experience of being a dwarf, highlighted by heartfelt interactions, particularly with iconic characters like Gimli. The emotional resonance is further enhanced by charming elements such as songs sung during gameplay, which contribute to a sense of nostalgia and connection. However, some users express frustration with certain rough aspects of the game, which may impact their overall enjoyment.
- “Ultimately, you emerge victorious and are crowned the new lord of Moria after a heartfelt exchange with Gimli himself.”
- “The songs you sing when mining or when you are drunk are so heartwarming.”
- “It might be a little rough around the edges, but I think it's a great balance of exploration, gathering, crafting, building, and fighting, and it's the only game so far that has actually made me feel like a dwarf.”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Character development is noted for its decent design and creation, reflecting Tolkien's established lore, such as the inclusion of female dwarves with beards, which may appeal to some players while potentially alienating others.
- “The character design and creation are impressive, reflecting a deep commitment to world-building that stays true to the lore.”
- “The depth of character development allows players to truly connect with their avatars, making each journey feel personal and meaningful.”
- “I appreciate how the game offers diverse character options, allowing for unique storytelling experiences that resonate with different players.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
- “I was disappointed by the limited growth of the characters throughout the game; they felt static and unchanging.”
- “While the character design is decent, the overall development is lacking, leaving many characters feeling one-dimensional.”