The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

 PC
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 134 Ratings

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  • Summary: Return to Middle-earth in the only video game based on the epic final chapter of the highly-acclaimed The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Developed using the same digital assets as the films, The Return of the King re-creates in stunning detail the final events of the War of the Ring.Return to Middle-earth in the only video game based on the epic final chapter of the highly-acclaimed The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Developed using the same digital assets as the films, The Return of the King re-creates 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 from the onslaught of thousands of Sauron's minions, and even play co-op multiplayer with a friend as you march against the impenetrable Black Gates of Mordor. Eight playable characters, including Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Sam, and Frodo with exclusive voice-over provided by the films' actors. The fate of Middle-earth is in your hands. [Electronic Arts]… Expand
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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Gameplay Movie 1

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. 1UP
    90
    Minor camera issues aside, Return of the King is a refreshing example of competent licensing melded with the hack'n'slashery we all know and love. It's even got me psyched for a movie I couldn't have cared less about a week ago, and I think that's saying something.
  2. Play.tm
    89
    They have concentrated on distilling the best action they can out of Tolkein's, (or should that now be Jackson's) masterpiece and presenting it in a well executed package. Lord of the Ring fans could surely want for nothing more this Christmas.
  3. Game Over Online
    86
    You often feel like you are taking part in some vast battle, man and beast fighting all around you. It’s the kind of fighting game that sometimes almost drives me to get a console, and I wished showed up on the PC more often.
  4. PC Arena
    80
    The gameplay, cool moves, music and smokin’ graphics are all top notch. Even though the game was fairly short and the camera angles annoying, any fan of the franchise would / should probably buy it and those interested wouldn’t be disappointed.
  5. PC Gameworld
    80
    A fairly decent third-person action game, only mildly bungled by some not-so-great camera perspectives, long-winded cutscenes, and a tendency to go overboard with the shear number of enemy forces directed at you at once.
  6. GameZone
    77
    Has terrific graphics but suffers from clumsy gameplay.
  7. PC Format
    43
    There’s too much replaying of banal levels over and over again until you learn enough button combinations to survive long enough to reach a checkpoint. Sure, there are a few good moments – the sheer scale of the halls of the dead, and the backdrop of hundreds of charging orcs during some of the battle scenes – but the braindead playing of them renders the whole experience futile.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 3 out of 13
  1. RogerK.
    Jan 23, 2004
    10
    I think it is great my brother gets frustrated over it because we can't beat the crack of doom but the rest is great.
  2. MarkK.
    Nov 14, 2003
    10
    Return of the king is a great challange. It's lots of fun and it's hard to stop playing it. My friend has it too and he thinks it Return of the king is a great challange. It's lots of fun and it's hard to stop playing it. My friend has it too and he thinks it deserves more than 10 out of 10.… Expand
  4. KikkeliM.
    Dec 8, 2003
    9
    Very, very enjoyable in multiplayer-mode... With my friends, we have hacked so many enemies with big grins in our faces and some times yelled Very, very enjoyable in multiplayer-mode... With my friends, we have hacked so many enemies with big grins in our faces and some times yelled to each other... Anyway, A Plenty to Play For your Money... We Totally recommend this game, but not for single-player.… Expand
  5. iddqd4
    Feb 11, 2018
    8
    Кажется первая удачная игра по известной серии книг и фильмов, присутствуют все ключевые персонажи и битвы третьего фильма, вполнеКажется первая удачная игра по известной серии книг и фильмов, присутствуют все ключевые персонажи и битвы третьего фильма, вполне качественный слешер.… Expand
  6. Genek13
    Nov 18, 2019
    7
    Fun to play and watch. Faithful to the movie.
    Unfortunately didn't finish the game because of some technical problems back then - crashing,    Fun to play and watch. Faithful to the movie.
    Unfortunately didn't finish the game because of some technical problems back then - crashing, slow motion movement etc.    … Expand
  7. kane148
    Aug 7, 2012
    7
    This isn't a great game, but it definitely has its moments. It's pretty fun to slaughter hordes or orcs and other enemies--especiallyThis isn't a great game, but it definitely has its moments. It's pretty fun to slaughter hordes or orcs and other enemies--especially considering the scale of some of the battles you find yourself in--and a reasonable challenge to keep your cool and remember the various combos in the middle of battle. However the game does suffer from a terrible checkpoint system and sometimes-abrupt swings in difficulty. All in all, it's a worthwhile game for any LOTR fan who doesn't mind some button-mashing.… Expand
  8. plodea
    Mar 11, 2021
    1
    Terrible camera angles, ridiculous checkpoint locations and awful level designs. I don't even mention dumb characters which are controlled byTerrible camera angles, ridiculous checkpoint locations and awful level designs. I don't even mention dumb characters which are controlled by ai. Worst lotr game I have ever played. Just waste of time… Expand

See all 13 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Best PC Game of 2003
81
#81 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003
25
#25 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

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