What Future Lord of the Rings Games Should Take Away From Older Games

Many video game adaptations of The Lord of the Rings have already been made, thus future games should look to these previous titles for inspiration.

Tolkien's Middle-earth is one of the most popular fictional universes in culture, alongside mega-hits like Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Lord of the Rings has made the leap to gaming on several occasions, thanks to the enormous success of both the novels and Peter Jackson's film adaptations of Middle-earth.

The creatures, places, and history of this realm have been the subject of several well-received video games over the years, whether they're tie-in adaptations of Jackson's aforementioned films or fresh ideas like 2014's Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is the next game, which is more of a puzzle/adventure game. It's unclear what kind of games based on The Lord of the Rings will be released in the future, but developers can look back to see how they should approach each project.

a tribute to the Lord of the Rings movies

It's difficult to discuss The Lord of the Rings franchise without mentioning Peter Jackson's legendary cinematic trilogy. Many fans' minds have been captivated by the images, music, and performances, which have become the definitive representation of this universe and its people. This influence and impact may be observed in a variety of subsequent projects, such as Gollum's design in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor.

Given how popular these films are, it would be prudent for creators to keep this in mind while creating a new game. Despite any subtle winks or aesthetic homages to Peter Jackson's films, studios should put their own take on it and keep things fresh.

The Making of The Lord of the Rings Games from a Variety of Genres

Because The Lord of the Rings is set in a fantasy setting, it's only natural to adapt it to gaming genres that match the bill. Action games like Middle-earth: Shadow of War and role-playing games like The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age are both viable options for the property. However, as wonderful as these games have been, it's always a good idea for a series to branch out and attempt something new.

Future developers may be able to expand on this concept. For example, a first-person shooter in which players control an Elf akin to Legolas with archery skills similar to the Crysis series could be an interesting twist. Mobile gaming is extremely popular, especially in the puzzle genre, so a Lord of the Rings game that makes use of Hobbits' intelligent ability to solve riddles would be an interesting take.

Creating Games Based on Major Lord of the Rings Figures

Fans may immediately think of Aragorn, Gandalf, or Legolas when discussing characters from The Lord of the Rings franchise who would make interesting solo games. This is understandable, as these characters are well-rounded, possessing intuitive problem-solving abilities, combat prowess, and a thorough understanding of their surroundings.

As a result, it's odd that The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is the next big video game instalment. Regardless of the quality of the next release, it's a strange pick for a major character given the abundance of more suitable heroes. Players might be interested in a Gandalf video game in the vein of The Witcher or an Aragorn origin narrative in the vein of Assassin's Creed.

Taking Cues from the Battles of Shadow of Mordor

In the Batman: Arkham series, Rocksteady reinvented the wheel with its free-flow combat system, which was eventually included into Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. From playing as a caped crusader to a lone ranger in Middle-earth, the quickness of movement, counter techniques, and vicious takedowns transferred flawlessly. Prior games' hack-and-slash systems were entertaining, but this new style was ideal for dispatching swarms of orcs and trolls.

Given how effectively this worked in both Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War, future games should incorporate this type of combat. Gandalf would naturally have more magical attacks mixed in with combat, akin to The Witcher series, whilst Legolas could place a greater emphasis on long-range assaults, similar to the new Tomb Raider games.

Future video games based on The Lord of the Rings can go a variety of directions. This realm is brimming with breathtaking views, intriguing stories, and deadly monsters, providing developers with countless amounts of inspiration.