The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age

 GameCube
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. games(TM)
    70
    Sadly, the adventure itself is far too linear; there's little in the way of side-quests, and you have no freedom over where you go or what you do. If you can overlook this, though, The Third Age does mix a neat battle system with a great franchise to provide a surprisingly enjoyable adventure. [Dec 2004, p.107]
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  2. Total Video Games
    70
    This is not the best RPG title to be released this year by a long shot, but for those who wish to get into the world of Middle-Earth, The Third Age will satisfy some of the desire to become immersed in the story to a deeper level than the previous LOTR titles allowed.
  3. GameSpy
    70
    For most of the game I felt like I was too powerful and things never really felt challenging. Again, I'm thinking that this is partly by design since the game has a mainstream license and will attract many casual gamers. (Damn casuals always ruin everything.)
  5. My Gamer
    70
    All in all, Lord of the Rings: The Third Age is steeped in high (if utterly borrowed) production values and serves as a perfectly solid RPG.
  6. GamePro
    70
    It takes more than formulaic adventuring and dusty turn-based combat to craft a role-playing title worthy of the LOTR name.
  7. Nintendo Power
    68
    A well-produced, if slightly generic RPG. [Jan 2005, p.136]
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  8. Computer and Video Games
    67
    It's also AMAZINGLY loud. Random battles erupt with an explosive screech sure to stain your sofa and almost every flick of the D-Pad on menus results in a baffling, ear-smashing clang.
  9. Play Magazine
    67
    Better suited for those who want to play an impressive companion piece to the movies rather than play a compelling RPG. [Dec 2004, p.62]
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  10. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    63
    An RPG that deftly copies "Final Fantasy X" but is burdened with a story that plays more like a "deleted scenes" bonus DVD than anything coherent. [Holiday 2004, p.104]
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  11. N-Insanity
    60
    A mediocre story just doesn't cut it anymore, and this one is especially mediocre because they are presenting a story everyone knows and do nothing to spice it up to keep us interested.
  12. Game Revolution
    50
    As promising as a role-playing game based on The Lord of the Rings mythos sounds, The Third Age's reality is one of strict linearity, wacky plot foibles, and generic turn-based action.

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best GameCube Game of 2004
36
#36 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2004
34
#34 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2004

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 24
  3. Negative: 4 out of 24
  1. DanielGG91
    Nov 15, 2022
    9
    Uno de mis juegos favoritos de la época. Disfruté el modo de combate por turnos, que fue muy criticado por ser más "sencillo" que otros paraUno de mis juegos favoritos de la época. Disfruté el modo de combate por turnos, que fue muy criticado por ser más "sencillo" que otros para los más "puretas", pero en mi opinión se hace divertido, y al ser fácil de aprender le pillas el truco a todos los personajes sin que sea una carga. Además es un juego bastante completo, con la banda sonora original y escenas de las películas.… Full Review »
  2. Gamer1867
    Jan 12, 2021
    10
    Great lot RPG game. Great graphics and a nice storyline that coincides with the movie trilogy.
  3. ayyylmaoo
    Feb 23, 2016
    9
    Great game, playing on dolphin. The cutscenes and movie clips make it pretty comfy. I'm only half way through, but I already know it's a greatGreat game, playing on dolphin. The cutscenes and movie clips make it pretty comfy. I'm only half way through, but I already know it's a great game and worth my time. About to fire it up right now… Full Review »
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