The Lord of the Ringswas published back in 1954 and still has a huge fanbase. That is in part due to Peter Jackson’s trilogy released in the early 2000s. Since then, the owners of the fantasy series have released a series of merchandise, toys, spin-off series, and video games.
While many ofthe games based on Tolkien’s Middle Earth have been fantastic,the books have been lauded as some of the most inspirational works of fiction in history. As such, there are always new games being released that have clearly usedThe Lord of the Ringsas a reference point. Many of these video games are perfect for fans of the films and books.
OnceThe Lord of the RingsTrilogy had ended in 2003, fantasy fans were left yearningfor more fantasy contentto fill the gap. Luckily, that content came out one year later in the form ofLionhead Studio’s Fable.
While the first game did not deliver everything the marketing promised, this choice-based RPG was perfect for fans ofThe Lord of the Rings. Set in the medieval fantasy realm of Albion, players could use magic, archery, or a sword to become a benevolent hero or an evil tyrant. Complete with a dry wit and many other British sensibilities, theFableseries is perfect for fans looking to have some sway over a Tolkienesque landscape.
One of the biggest bonuses of theLord of the Ringsmovies is that fans get to experience huge battles unlike anything ever seen in cinema before. Sadly, there is little in the way of video games that offer the same experience, particularly for those who do not enjoy playing an RTS. Fortunately, both theMount and Bladegames allow players to command and engage in full-out war on open plains just as if they were Theoden charging across the Pelennor.
Mount and Blade: WarbandandMount and Blade 2: Bannerlordare imaginativeRPGs that allow players to experience a historically based medieval kingdom. Start out as a merchant or fight in epic wars for your king. The only thing missing from thisLord of the Rings-themed war simulator are the fantasy creatures.
5Age of Empires 4
The firstAge of Empiresgame is one of the few medieval army games that pre-date the firstLord of the Ringsmovie. Now that the franchise has continued to grow into its fourth installment,Age of Empires 4is the latest version of the real-time strategy series that allows players to command legions of troops and villagers to become the strongest empire in the land.
While there is little in the way of fantasy elements inAge of Empires 4, the game does offer the chance for players to grow and advance their own medieval empire. Engage in combat on horseback, on foot, by boat, or withrampaging War Elephants.The choices are only limited by the player’s imagination.
Most players who have not played aDark Soulsgame have probably only ever been toldabout the difficulty. However, all theDark Soul’sgames take place in a breathtaking fantasy world, full of sword and sorcery shenanigans.
While the content of the Souls series may be a little darker than that ofLord of the Rings, the player will still encounter plenty of dragons, giant spiders, knights, and spirits. Also, like with reading theLord of the Rings, there is always more to discover with every newDark Soulsplaythrough.
It is no secret that the fantasy RPG board game,Dungeons and Dragons, was largely influenced byThe Lord of the Rings.Therefore, fans of the books and films should love a video game franchise based on a dice-rolling epic fantasy world created byGary Gygax.
Baldur’s Gate 3allows players to create and control their very ownDungeons and Dragonscharacter as theymeet and interact with allies and enemies to fight goblins, trolls, and demons. Any goodDungeons and Dragonscampaign should make gamers feel like they are on an epic quest inMiddle Earth, and that is exactly whatBaldur’s Gate 3provides.
The first console game to try and recreate theDungeons and Dragonsformula wasDragon Age: Origins. Released a bit closer to theLord of the Ringsfilms in 2009,Dragon Age: Originsallowed players to choose to start their adventure as a man, elf, or dwarf. From here, the game took players on an epic quest to slay monsters and make allies.
WhileDragon Age: Originsis a bit more limited in choices than other games in the same genre, it wasa huge step at the time for fantasy fans.It even birthed a sequel in the form ofDragon Age: Inquisition.
The Witcherseries of games is likeLord of the Ringsin the fact that they are also based on a series of books. Set in the fantasy world of the Continent, players controla monster slayer called Geraltas they explore a large open world.
The most popular game in the series by far isThe Witcher 3:Wild Huntreleased in 2015, and the Nordic fantasy series has even inspired a streaming series onNetflix. The game balances fantasy creatures and real-world enemies in equal measure. Players may be fighting some local wildlife early on, but then a few hours later they are fighting all manner of monsters or humanoid enemies. All the while, players go on lengthy quests that take them to breath taking locations that will easily remind them of Middle Earth.
