Of the many fictional worlds in media, Tolkien’s Middle-earth is among the most popular alongside mega hits such asStar Warsand theMarvel Cinematic Universe. Due to the immense success of both the books andPeter Jackson’s film adaptations of Middle-earth,The Lord of the Ringshas also made the jump to gaming on more than one occasion.
Whether it be tie-in adaptations of Jackson’s aforementioned films or original ideas like 2014’sMiddle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, the creatures, locations, and lore of this world have been the home of many well-received video games over the years. Next up isThe Lord of the Rings: Gollum, more of a puzzle/adventure title. It is unclear what future games based onThe Lord of the Ringsare coming, but developers should look to the past for some cues on how to approach each project.
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Paying Homage to the Lord of the Rings Films
It would be difficult to talk aboutThe Lord of the Ringsfranchiseand not bring up Peter Jackson’s iconic film trilogy. The visuals, music, and performances have all become engrained in the imaginations of many fans, becoming the definitive version of this world and its characters. This impact and influence can be seen in many other projects, such as the similar design of Gollum inMiddle-earth: Shadow of Mordor.
Considering how beloved these films are to audiences, it would be wise for developers to keep it in mind when approaching a new game. Yet studios should put a different spin on it and keep things fresh, despite any subtle winks or visual homages to thePeter Jackson films.
Making Lord of the Rings Games in Multiple Genres
The Lord of the Ringsseries is based in a fantasy world, so it makes sense to adapt it to gaming genres that fit the description. Action games likeMiddle-earth: Shadow of Waror RPGs likeThe Lord of the Rings: The Third Ageare clear paths that the franchise could venture through. However, as great as these titles have been, it’s good for a franchise to experiment and try something outside the box.
Future developers could take this concept even further. A first-person shooter for example, in which players control an Elf like Legolas with archery skills similar to theCrysisseries, could make for a fun twist. Mobile gaming is also popular, particularly in the puzzle genre, so something making use of Hobbits' clever ability to solve riddles would lead to an interesting take on aLord of the Ringsgame.
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Making Games About Major Lord of the Rings Characters
When talking about characters inThe Lord of the Ringsfranchise that would make good standalone games, fans may be quick to suggest Aragorn, Gandalf, orLegolas. This is for good reason, as these characters are well-rounded, with intuitive problem-solving skills, combat prowess, and a deep knowledge of the world around them.
For this reason, it’s strange that the next major video game installment isThe Lord of the Rings: Gollum. Regardless of the upcoming title’s quality, it is an odd choice for a main character considering the assortment of more suitable protagonists. AGandalf video gamein the same style asThe Witcher,or an Aragorn origin story in the style ofAssassin’s Creed,could be enticing for players.
Borrowing From Shadow of Mordor’s Combat
Rocksteady reinvented the wheel with its free-flow combat system in theBatman: Arkhamseries, something which was later incorporated intoMiddle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. The agility of movement, counter mechanics, and brutal takedowns transitioned seamlessly from playing as the caped crusader to a lone ranger in the land of Middle-earth. The hack-and-slash systems of prior games were certainly fun, but this new approach was perfect for taking down swarms of orcs and trolls.
Seeing how well this worked in bothShadow of MordorandShadow of War, it would be worth including this style of combat into future games. Gandalf would naturally have more magic-based attacks mixed into melee, similar toThe Witcherseries, meanwhile Legolas could bring a much deeper emphasis on long range attacks similar to what is on display in the recentTomb Raidergames.
There are plenty of avenues in which future videos games based onThe Lord of the Ringscan go. This universe is packed to the brim with gorgeous vistas, interesting lore, and terrifying monsters, leaving endless sources of inspiration for studios to dive into.
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