The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

 GameCube
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Image
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

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  • Summary: Return to Middle-earth in a game based on the epic final chapter of the The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Developed using the same digital assets as the films, The Return of the King recreates in stunning detail the final events of the War of the Ring. Become the heroes who determineReturn to Middle-earth in a game based on the epic final chapter of the The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Developed using the same digital assets as the films, The Return of the King recreates in stunning detail the final events of the War of the Ring. Become the heroes who determine the fate of Middle-earth as you traverse the haunted Paths of the Dead, defend Minas Tirith, and even play co-op multiplayer with a friend as you march against the impenetrable Black Gates of Mordor. The fate of Middle-earth is in your hands.… Expand
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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Gameplay Movie 1

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Play Magazine
    91
    Few games are as excitingly presented, as gorgeously constructed, as intensely visceral as the extraordinary The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. [Dec 2003, p.52]
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  2. GameSpy
    90
    It's one of the finest crossover titles I've ever played; mainstream gamers will enjoy it for its excellent use of the movie license, sharp visuals, and easy-to-pickup gameplay, but it also has enough challenge and variety for hardcore players to soak up.
  3. GameZone
    90
    The interactive battles are nothing short of being an astonishing work of art. They'll take your breath away, both in how the game is played and how it looks.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Fans will find much to enjoy, but don't blame us if you're as haggard as Gollum by the time you actually finish the game. [19 Dec 2003, p.L2T 20]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Game Informer
    83
    This title is absolutely stuffed with content. [Dec 2003, p.156]
  6. GameCube Europe
    82
    Aside from seeing the film on big screen, this is the most intense Lord of the Rings experience available.
  7. TotalGames.net
    58
    If though you're after more than eye catching cosmetic gloss and an ear stroking cinematic score, if, in short, you're after a brilliantly playable game based on one of the most celebrated, loved and epic fantasies in living memory, then sadly this isn't what you're looking for.
    All this publication's reviews

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. DannyE.
    May 8, 2004
    10
    It's incredible, and you could even play muti-player
  2. Mouzinho
    Nov 15, 2021
    10
    this is a best game for game cube
    a history is perfect compared the book and graphics this game is compared a movie i love this game
  4. MattS.
    Nov 11, 2003
    10
    Great game, If you liked the first one then you'll love this, if you hated the first one the you'll love this and Multiplayer tops Great game, If you liked the first one then you'll love this, if you hated the first one the you'll love this and Multiplayer tops it off. Great battles and new features. A MUST for every fan.… Expand
  5. BoogerSnot
    Apr 27, 2004
    10
    I am a huge Lord of the Rings fan so I had to check out the game. First I have to do cons of the game. (Though there weren't that many.) I am a huge Lord of the Rings fan so I had to check out the game. First I have to do cons of the game. (Though there weren't that many.) The first and the one that bugs me the most is they don't really use all that many scenes from the third movie!! This is Return of the King after all! Not the Fellowship or the Two Towers! Then second con is not being able to use Frodo until after you complete the game! He is the Ring bearer he should be a wholly playable character! There are two more cons that are in Co-Op mode. One is there are no check points in the levels!!! You are allowed to die once for your two characters and then if your one step from the end Boom! You have to start all over again! That is annoying!! The final con is it is nearly impossible to toss Gollum even close to the side! If you knock him once he'll scream and kick your friend in the head!!! Now for the pros!! Many of them ^_^! They did put footage of the third movie! You get to play with more characters. (Yah! We get to play with the hobbits!) The Co-Op mode is fun (if you both have a lot of time on your hands.) A personal favorite is you get to torture Gollum in the last level and finally get rid of him! (I don't have nothing against Andy. I don't like Gollum.) Then there is unlockable film and game art, movie stills, interviews with the actors, cheats, and two extremly hard levels (if you didn't bother with memorizing the cheats.) I reccomend this for fans of the movie, book, video games, and one of the actors fans. … Expand
  6. RyanM.
    Jun 1, 2004
    9
    The lord of the rings series has always been about presentation, and this game has it. It has the great opening cinematic and it throws you The lord of the rings series has always been about presentation, and this game has it. It has the great opening cinematic and it throws you into the action immediately. Not a great game, but it offers a whole new perspective to video games based on movies. … Expand
  7. Ismael10
    Feb 5, 2022
    9
    Un juego bastante obligado jugarlo en la gamecube, es una experiencia completa del señor de los anillos, sobresaliente en todos losUn juego bastante obligado jugarlo en la gamecube, es una experiencia completa del señor de los anillos, sobresaliente en todos los componentes de un juego, una atmosfera muy bien lograda, si bien es cierto que jugarlo solo es muy difícil en cooperativo mejora mucho la experiencia volviéndose equilibrada para los jugadores, buena interfaz, muy buenas misiones, mucho tiempo de juego.… Expand
  8. ChrisM
    Jan 1, 2004
    4
    This game is just a poor attempt at capturing the great moments of the movie. Sadly it fails poorly. The camera angles provided often prove This game is just a poor attempt at capturing the great moments of the movie. Sadly it fails poorly. The camera angles provided often prove annoying and end up with you being attacked by a foe you cannot even see. Add to this the fact that this game is terribly short and you have one craptastic waste of money.… Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best GameCube Game of 2003
39
#39 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2003