The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

 PlayStation 2
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 204 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 173 out of 204
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 204
  3. Negative: 10 out of 204
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  1. RCBobs
    Nov 22, 2013
    10
    I give very few games a ten but going back and playing this game again ten years later, I am reminded how a truly brilliant co-op game can give my friends and I a more fulfilling experience than many available today.
  2. Hyomoto
    Apr 30, 2012
    8
    This is one of my favorite games. The hack and slash combat is quite good, something which seems to have disappeared in recent times. It also has another feature not seen in quite some time, unlockable characters! (though not available at the time, nowadays it would be DLC) And the ability to go through completed levels with other characters. One of the best games to bear the LotRThis is one of my favorite games. The hack and slash combat is quite good, something which seems to have disappeared in recent times. It also has another feature not seen in quite some time, unlockable characters! (though not available at the time, nowadays it would be DLC) And the ability to go through completed levels with other characters. One of the best games to bear the LotR franchise and despite some minor flaws, is a quality game through and through. They don't make them like this anymore!… Expand
  3. Krakken11
    Sep 4, 2022
    8
    love it , the campaign is nice but short. the move you uppgrade are kinda nice the only real bug for me is the unlockable character. they suck
  4. JimmyW.
    Aug 20, 2004
    2
    1 of the most greatest games on the planet.......untill u finish it...what an overrated game.
  5. JOSEPHS.
    May 25, 2004
    0
    Hard= unbeatable normal=unbeatable easy=unbeatable this game is a shame to EA games.
  6. SunnyS.
    Aug 21, 2004
    4
    "That was really good......if only I had rented it instead!!!!!!!!!!" }:¬# If you've played the Two Towers then don't be expecting too much from this game. EA rehash games not make them. Unless of course you want to experience an additional 2 characters (the hidden characters are a sham and are merely "reskinned" versions of the characters with the same moves etc) in the "That was really good......if only I had rented it instead!!!!!!!!!!" }:¬# If you've played the Two Towers then don't be expecting too much from this game. EA rehash games not make them. Unless of course you want to experience an additional 2 characters (the hidden characters are a sham and are merely "reskinned" versions of the characters with the same moves etc) in the third movie. However if you're new to the lotr games then this is the best one yet, the gameplay is good if a little repetive but short lived which is its ultimate downfall. If you literally got 2 weekends to burn then you can easily squeeze this rental of a game in. Its a shame that EA didn't make one big lotr game but like Disney they have a motto "Sorry, But There's Profit To Be Had."… Expand
  7. BenP.
    Jul 11, 2004
    10
    This game is easily one of the best close combat action games i ever played. different powerups and choice of characters gives this game the advantage over other similar games. Well Done EA, this is the most enjoyable games i've ever played (except n64 007)
  8. AndrewJ.
    Jan 31, 2004
    10
    Brilliant! I love this game.
  9. EdwinR.
    Feb 3, 2004
    10
    This is an INCREDIBLE game! I am nuts about it! the only game I've ever found that was better, was 007 nightfire, and that's only because its graphics are better. EA, keep 'em coming!
  10. Joe
    May 28, 2004
    9
    This is just as good as the movie, with some bumpy roads.
  11. Sam
    Jul 14, 2005
    9
    It's not the best of all the lord of the rings games, nor is it the best thing to happen to lord of the rings, but it's still a surprisinlgy fun game. I was still a bit dissapointed though. I loved the two towers game because it was an excellent game. This one is pretty much the same except i was expecting more, like a deeper multiplayer portion and better gameplay, but It's not the best of all the lord of the rings games, nor is it the best thing to happen to lord of the rings, but it's still a surprisinlgy fun game. I was still a bit dissapointed though. I loved the two towers game because it was an excellent game. This one is pretty much the same except i was expecting more, like a deeper multiplayer portion and better gameplay, but it's all the same, which isn't a bad thing per se, it's just if you played the first one, don't expect much different and you'll be fine.… Expand
  12. Brennan_Da_ShamanLester
    Nov 16, 2003
    10
    Lord of all LOTR games!Everything is Perfect!!Online play!?Sweet!The only 2 grips I have is that it's 2 simple & it's easy 2 lose yourself in heavy combat.But come on it's LOTR! p.s:cO-OP is sweet!
  13. SeeBosses
    Nov 3, 2003
    10
    A fun game, end to end. I played the PAL version and want to try online.
  14. JohnS.
    Dec 31, 2003
    10
    It was great everything about it the stages were much bigger and longer which was an excellent improvment from the 2 towers but the problem with the long levels was it was harder to stay alive that long which means you need to give it a couple of goes to finally finish it and when you die you have to go from the start or in some stages the checkpoint which is about halfway and have to doIt was great everything about it the stages were much bigger and longer which was an excellent improvment from the 2 towers but the problem with the long levels was it was harder to stay alive that long which means you need to give it a couple of goes to finally finish it and when you die you have to go from the start or in some stages the checkpoint which is about halfway and have to do the same thing over. there is also a lot of different types of levels not just fight a few guys and get to the end. it hasnt got many stages but the stages are long and harder so it seems like a normal game length.… Expand
  15. FernandoC.
    Jan 26, 2004
    9
    Spanish Comment: Lo mejor: el juego multijugador... lo que no le puedo perdonar que empieza el juego y lo botan en la mitad de la pelea con gandalf... sin posibilidad de entrenar o aprender a manejar al personaje... claro que realmente al principio no importa... pero seria lo unico... de resto buenos graficos buena trama... Recomendado
  16. KennyH.
    Jan 9, 2004
    8
    Magnificently fun, but extremely and ridiculously hard. When I die on this game, I want to smash my PS2 into about 8495783 and a half pieces.
  17. JoshB.
    Feb 16, 2004
    10
    Awesome, the only word to describe a game like this.
  18. MichM.
    Jun 10, 2004
    8
    This game was really awesome, but the only reason I gave it a 8 was because it had some really impossbile levels to beat.
  19. DanielL.
    Jun 30, 2005
    9
    It's really good and if u don't use cheats the challenge of the game is at it's best i also liked wen you could watch movie clips and u could watch the interview as well the thing i most liked was co-op mode cuase u can become a great team with a friend.
  20. ColeF.
    Jun 12, 2006
    10
    Just a wonderful game and somtimes very hard to beat the ladder level.
  21. EricP.
    Oct 14, 2003
    10
    Great two player fun. If you liked the films, and the previous game, then you'll love this.
  22. DeathSanchez
    Jan 29, 2004
    10
    Perfect in every way. one of the best games ive ever played in my life.
  23. BradW.
    Mar 25, 2004
    10
    This game has intense combat that keeps you on the edge of your seat. You never wanna walk away to you be it and unlocked everything. It has great graphics and sound. I love how it switches from movie to game.
  24. ColeM.
    May 19, 2004
    9
    This is an unbelievable game. when i played the two towers i was like holy wow, when i played return of the king i was even more impressed. the game just got better in every aspect. the LOTR two towers and ROTK could probably be considered some of the best games ever released. i suggest u buy it, because it's definitely worth it. buy both though.
  25. MarcoC.
    Nov 26, 2003
    10
    The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one my favorite movie that all remember in my young life and having to play the game makes me feel like I fell in love with the movie all over again. I played the two towers game and it was awsome. Then I played this game and it was even BETTER, the gameplay was improved, it as co-op play, and even Online play and I'm a online gamer geek lol (my SN The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one my favorite movie that all remember in my young life and having to play the game makes me feel like I fell in love with the movie all over again. I played the two towers game and it was awsome. Then I played this game and it was even BETTER, the gameplay was improved, it as co-op play, and even Online play and I'm a online gamer geek lol (my SN for nearly every good online game is DarkRuler, DarkRulerHades, and latintrigun) anyhow, if you like rpg action type of game (mostly action), doing combos and killing a **** load of bad guys then this is the game for you. "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them"… Expand
  26. ManiacAlchomin
    Dec 25, 2004
    10
    This is truly a very fun game. the best lotr rings game, and one of my favorites.
  27. TheQuietGamer
    Feb 13, 2011
    9
    This game is fantastic, and one I would highly recommend, the graphics are great and the sound is good, the controls are great, it's a highly enjoyable game with cool characters to unlock, and high replayability, if you enjoyed the movie you'll love this, you can tell alot went into this to make it a highly enjoyable game, and it succeeded in almost every way.
  28. Grimlon
    Feb 23, 2014
    10
    This game thrust me into the Lord of the Rings series with great cut scenes, uncomparable co-op, and great action with its hack and slash gameplay. The games difficulty was also great because it was always rewarding beating a new level (but incredibly frustrating to lose so close to the end of a mission). One of my favorites games growing up
  29. Ps2-game
    Aug 22, 2014
    7
    This game is best played as co-op. It sticks very close to the movie with some extra boss battle thrown in. You can level up aragon, gimli, legolas, and a few others. Levels are at a great difficulty (not too hard but not too easy) and it actually takes strategy to kill bosses when playing co-op. The reason it gets a 7 is because the levels are hit or miss. You will either love a level orThis game is best played as co-op. It sticks very close to the movie with some extra boss battle thrown in. You can level up aragon, gimli, legolas, and a few others. Levels are at a great difficulty (not too hard but not too easy) and it actually takes strategy to kill bosses when playing co-op. The reason it gets a 7 is because the levels are hit or miss. You will either love a level or despise it.… Expand
  30. HarryOnPC
    Feb 21, 2016
    9
    When EA were in top form and even there movie tie-ins were great games. A great rpg which also stays true to the film with the original voice actors and cut scenes.
  31. BenHazelden
    Jan 7, 2015
    7
    For it's time, pretty good, can't take much away from it. The upgrade system was good - spending xp for different moves. The unlockable characters were a cool addition, and the levels were pretty good (apart from Shelobs Lair). However, I did have issue with the cheats that are unlockable at the end of the game, and the interesting staged levels at the end were impossible.

    7/10 - Ben Hazelden
  32. Basquilly
    Mar 14, 2016
    8
    The best Lord of Rings game to date. Brilliant singleplayer and coop gameplay, and setpieces that mirror the movie. My only qualm is that the game is overly linear and restrictive at points. Definitely a classic.
  33. PeterAlexander
    Jan 6, 2016
    8
    The second instalment of the LOTR video game series once again captures the essence of the films. With improved graphics, gameplay and settings that portray that of the films expertly, it is in fact an improvement.
  34. ActionJackson
    Jul 2, 2015
    9
    This game is one of the best movie-licenced games of all time!!!
    It delivered great gameplay through the story of the Lotr-films, including several game plus elements, unlockable characters skills and moves, everything in the setting of middleearth.
    But its real strenght lies in the local coop gameplay, I have never experienced such a funny hack and slash orgy with swords and axes with    This game is one of the best movie-licenced games of all time!!!
    It delivered great gameplay through the story of the Lotr-films, including several game plus elements, unlockable characters skills and moves, everything in the setting of middleearth.
    But its real strenght lies in the local coop gameplay, I have never experienced such a funny hack and slash orgy with swords and axes with my bros beside me.
    Moreover the multiplayer isn´t a limited part, it offers the same experience as the single player!    … Expand
  35. bestbry
    Jul 12, 2021
    10
    One of the best licensed games ever made! Things happen really fast, gameplay is great. Ive loved as a kid and im loving it replaying now!!!!
  36. JakGLaDOS29
    Dec 30, 2016
    3
    What is this monstrosity? Controls are everywhere, gameplay is laggy and it feels clunky and like a cash grab to exploit the movie. Unstoppable cutscenes were just the end for me.
  37. BlakDak666
    Jun 7, 2017
    9
    You very rarely will come across a movie-centric videogame that really captures not just the movie itself, but also the core mechanics that make a game good on its own foundations. The Return of The King is sequel to The Two Towers game and improves on it in every way possible. Three branching paths that allowed people to try different levels with different characters, a combat system thatYou very rarely will come across a movie-centric videogame that really captures not just the movie itself, but also the core mechanics that make a game good on its own foundations. The Return of The King is sequel to The Two Towers game and improves on it in every way possible. Three branching paths that allowed people to try different levels with different characters, a combat system that feels very gratifying to play with, the soundtrack of the film trilogy's excellent score, and a co-op system that let couch play be an absolute blast. It truly struck gold and to this day I consider it the best movie video game license ever made.… Expand
  38. Sylictic
    Jul 8, 2023
    9
    Taking everything that made the two towers good and expanding everything. More playable characters, fun exclusive unlockables and oodles of replayability.
  39. AKthaBeast
    May 18, 2018
    7
    Better than the first so I wish I can give this a 7.5 but still as an actual video game this game is ok at best.
  40. XxAlbertoBuzzxX
    Jun 29, 2020
    8
    THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
    .......................................................................................................
  41. lidwang
    Mar 1, 2019
    5
    Not the worst game ever made, but the controls are so clunky it feels they didn't reallty thought about them. And even though the envoiroments look good(minas tirith is beautiful) the levels structure are quite bad. Play this one if you are interested.
  42. Arya977
    Nov 5, 2022
    10
    Gameplay..............Amazing
    Graphics................Amazing
    Story.......................Amazing
    Score.....................Amazing
  43. Jonneeyy
    Sep 15, 2022
    6
    Dieses Spiel ist keine Lizenzgurke, aber ziemlich schlecht gealtert. Die Spielzeit wird durch völlig bekloppte Missionen gestreckt, die man quasi durch das Sterben auswendig lernen muss. Dennoch hat es für seine Zeit gute Grundideen und an und für sich ein interessantes Gameplay, dass Missionen und Bossfights mischt.
  44. NerdGaming
    Jul 14, 2021
    8
    Eines der besten Playstation 2 Spiele und das obwohl es sich um ein Lizenz Spiel handelt, einfach ein musst have für jeden PS2 Besitzer
  45. GGAGG
    Dec 9, 2021
    0
    I personally really enjoy the Lord of the Rings movies. Without spoiling anything my favorite part of the movies are the graphics and vfx, the characters and the plot. They all are amazing in the movies and perfectly done. You can rarely see a weird looking vfx character in the movie and all the scenes are breathtaking. Every character is represented perfectly within the plot. Speaking of,I personally really enjoy the Lord of the Rings movies. Without spoiling anything my favorite part of the movies are the graphics and vfx, the characters and the plot. They all are amazing in the movies and perfectly done. You can rarely see a weird looking vfx character in the movie and all the scenes are breathtaking. Every character is represented perfectly within the plot. Speaking of, the plot is amazing and represents a struggle that many of us can relate to. That is why the Lord of the Rings movies are my favorite.… Expand
  46. The_D4RknesS
    Oct 23, 2022
    0
    the game has a **** cutscene and the worst thing is that you can't jump, it looks more like you're watching garbage from a movie
  47. AmadouIraklidis
    Oct 28, 2022
    9
    This was an awesome game that I replayed many times with my friends. Challenging and entertaining, while channeling the awesome universe of lord of the rings to our fingertips. Missions were varied and with a lot of possibilities that allowed for creativity and new ways to play and improve, all in a fun way.
  48. VLG
    Aug 22, 2023
    8
    I played the whole thing over and over with my HS friends, such a good time back then!

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best PS2 Game of 2003
29
#29 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
23
#23 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. GameNow
    100
    The graphics are first rate, and the action is intensely frenetic. Most important, ROTK turns up the LOTR authenticity full blast. [Jan 2004, p.55]
  2. GamePro
    90
    The controls for all versions do a masterful job of managing the fierce action. Even in battle so pitched that you literally lose sight of your character amid the multitudinous combatants, you still feel you’re the master of your fate.
    Read full review
  3. eToychest
    90
    This is without a doubt the best game based on a book/movie that I have EVER played. You can really tell that EA went to great pains to ensure its authenticity, and they truly went beyond the call of duty this time.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »