The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

 PC
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 134 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 90 out of 134
  2. Mixed: 37 out of 134
  3. Negative: 7 out of 134
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  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. 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 by ai. Worst lotr game I have ever played. Just waste of time
  3. ChristopherT.
    Jan 5, 2004
    7
    It's an overall good game, very replayable if you have a friend to play with and if you play the multiplayer-mode... but this game based on the film so I can't expect much from single-player which is too short. (The movie is awesome btw.)
  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 to each other... Anyway, A Plenty to Play For your Money... We Totally recommend this game, but not for single-player.
  5. TruePlayer
    Mar 21, 2004
    3
    If you love frustration, this is your game. I've played many different types of games but this one is the most frustrating game I played thus far. First, if you're really, really, really, really, good, you must finish an entire level before the game is saved. There's not saving the game in betweens. So, say you played for hours but not finished the level, then you're If you love frustration, this is your game. I've played many different types of games but this one is the most frustrating game I played thus far. First, if you're really, really, really, really, good, you must finish an entire level before the game is saved. There's not saving the game in betweens. So, say you played for hours but not finished the level, then you're our of luck. You have to start the level all over again. Then, if you did manage to save the game but did not finish the level and decide to get back to it later and "load" the saved game, guess what, you're starting all over...not where you saved the game but...no, no, they don't make it easy for you...not at all. Your only option is to "finish" each levels, that is if you're very, very, very, very, very, and really, really really, really, good. I've made it to defeating the Undead king so far but its running away from the falling rocks that's pissing me off....I have to restart the level if I get killed along the way. Don't waste your money and time on this game...find something else. Unless of course you love frustrations and you think I'm full of it...well, in that case, find out for yourself.… Expand
  6. tiredplayer
    Mar 21, 2004
    3
    If you like frustration, this game is for you. There's no way to save the game in between. So, you must play the entire level before a save is done. And, if you did manage to finish the level and got a save, when you tried to "reload" to continue, guess what, you have to start the level all over again. I don't know how some of these guys are rating the game so high. Perhaps If you like frustration, this game is for you. There's no way to save the game in between. So, you must play the entire level before a save is done. And, if you did manage to finish the level and got a save, when you tried to "reload" to continue, guess what, you have to start the level all over again. I don't know how some of these guys are rating the game so high. Perhaps they're playing the "Easy" level. I'm playing the "Normal" level that I normally do for all games I play. This game just doesnt cut it for me. It lacks user control. Don't waste your money and time on this game unless you think I'm full of it...in that case, go buy and find out for yourself...you'll be sorry.… Expand
  7. 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 deserves more than 10 out of 10.
  8. 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--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-abruptThis 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
  9. iddqd4
    Feb 11, 2018
    8
    Кажется первая удачная игра по известной серии книг и фильмов, присутствуют все ключевые персонажи и битвы третьего фильма, вполне качественный слешер.
  10. Axilley
    Jul 22, 2021
    8
    good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good legend tlotr
  11. Amorph0us
    Jan 12, 2022
    8
    For a game that was based on film this one was very good. However much of its success is due to the perfect cinematography of the films.
  12. Cz3rw0ny
    Jan 10, 2021
    8
    As a kid, I really enjoyed this game. The graphics which smoothly switched from the movie scenes really made a good impression back in the days. The gameplay was also very fun.
  13. 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, slow motion movement etc.

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. Computer Gaming World
    80
    With all the action and unlockable DVD-like special features, this is not only a good game that drags you right into the movie, it's also a fantastic supplement for die-hard Rings fans. [Feb 2004, p.70]
  2. PC Gamer
    58
    The game's enormous potential is squandered by bad playbalancing. [Jan 2004, p.82]
  3. 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.
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