Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 19
  2. Negative: 4 out of 19
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  1. 75
    I like this game despite its many flaws and annoyances, its often outdated technologies, graphics, laughable character models and voice acting...a truly mixed bag.
  2. A very big disappointment for gamers everywhere, because it is a lackluster effort for a game that had the potential to be awesome.

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002
75
#75 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2002
User Score
5.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 41 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 41
  2. Negative: 17 out of 41
  1. Nov 29, 2022
    0
    Anyone who says this game is the "best" or even remotely good is lying to you. Assume they're trolls.

    This game is a pile of **** and is
    Anyone who says this game is the "best" or even remotely good is lying to you. Assume they're trolls.

    This game is a pile of **** and is the reason EA won the licensing war for the franchise's movie adaptation rights.
    Full Review »
  2. Oct 28, 2022
    7
    Really fun game. It did a great job of setting the atmosphere and universe of lord of the rings.
  3. Mar 7, 2022
    4
    I confess; this game has some magic in it, but it could've been a lot more. It starts off quite nicely, in the Shire, introducing it's manyI confess; this game has some magic in it, but it could've been a lot more. It starts off quite nicely, in the Shire, introducing it's many habitants, and their way of life. It can be relaxing and surprisingly good to just walk around the place and explore it's surroundings.

    The lore is great, and it follows the book in a satisfying way, but the gameplay itself is the real problem in here... especially the combat, and it's COMPLETELY failed attempt of a stealth. It can be absolute hell to control Frodo in a fight, and less of a tragedy for the other characters, such as Gandalf and Aragorn. "Oh, but Frodo can't fight", I know he can't, but the gameplay is still trash all the same.

    The level design has some inspired segments, but the graphics themselves are not really that great to look at (and that's putting it mildly). By the end of 2001 (a year ago at that time), we already had games like Final Fantasy X and Shadow Hearts, so there's no excuse for such mediocrity from a respectable IP such as this one; you could feel the developer did put a certain small amount of passion in some aspects of this title though.

    I had some fun in it, but that's probably 'cause I just love the theme it's based, so I went in with all the patience in the world.

    Anyway; there are a lot of semi, or full RPG games out there in the PS2 market that would completely obliterate this guy, but do give it a try if you're a LOTR fan, or you'd just like to experience the Fellowship of the Ring story arc in a video-game.

    It is a BELOW AVERAGE game.
    Full Review »