The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age

 Xbox
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 29
  3. Negative: 4 out of 29
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  1. HarkA.
    Nov 1, 2004
    9
    Lord of the Rings meets Final Fantasy. If you don't like turn based RPGs with random encounters then don't buy it.
  2. BillyC.
    Nov 5, 2004
    10
    One of the best lotr games i have played.
  3. DanTheSpeakerman
    Nov 22, 2004
    9
    A fun ride through Middle Earth. I would almost consider this more of an action game with RPG elements than a straight RPG. EA really did a job on this one technically, immersing you in Middle Earth's beauty and treachery with outstanding graphics and perfect sound/music. If you roll into this with the right expectations and love LOTR, you should really enjoy this.
  4. NathanH.
    May 27, 2005
    8
    The game does faithfully recreate Tolkein's Middle Earth and the graphics are nice. On the other hand, the game seems limited for an RPG, especially one based on FFX. Since I am a huge LOTR fan, I enjoyed the game and would recommend it to other fans but for anyone else I would recommend Final Fantasy X over this game.
  5. MattP.
    Dec 8, 2004
    8
    Kinda whimsical, but over all very fun.
  6. PeteC.
    Dec 4, 2007
    8
    I personally thought that this was a pretty fun game. The non-storyline inclusion of characters was inventive nad i thought that the combat was good however the larger fights could get very very repetitive. The graphics definatlely could have been better. People say this is an RPG when its more of a cross between an RPG and an advenutre game. Overall i liked this game. good addition to I personally thought that this was a pretty fun game. The non-storyline inclusion of characters was inventive nad i thought that the combat was good however the larger fights could get very very repetitive. The graphics definatlely could have been better. People say this is an RPG when its more of a cross between an RPG and an advenutre game. Overall i liked this game. good addition to the lord of the rings videogames.… Expand
  7. [Anonymous]
    Nov 1, 2004
    8
    Pretty cool rpg. almost repetitive game. nice graphics.
  8. JaydenPickens
    Nov 26, 2019
    9
    One of my all-time fav game. Replayed it again this year and it still holds up. My only complain would be that the spawn of the enemies (indicated by palantir, eye of sauron or the hand of saruman) is irritating as hell. Especially in the rohan part of the game. The enemies just spawn all the time, while you're trying to get from point A to point B, but then you remember, that you forgotOne of my all-time fav game. Replayed it again this year and it still holds up. My only complain would be that the spawn of the enemies (indicated by palantir, eye of sauron or the hand of saruman) is irritating as hell. Especially in the rohan part of the game. The enemies just spawn all the time, while you're trying to get from point A to point B, but then you remember, that you forgot something and need to go back... and the fights start again. Don't get me wrong, I like the fights, but this is a s***show. Was this feature just added to grind or lengthen the game? I'm not sure, but it's f***ing sh*t. The rest of the game is a masterpiece. Pickens approves.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Best Xbox Game of 2004
38
#38 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2004
50
#50 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. AceGamez
    80
    A stylish RPG that authentically represents Middle Earth from the book and the film trilogy. Whilst the gameplay is both enjoyable and addictive, it is also very traditional in style and does nothing at all to further the genre.
  2. Eurogamer
    70
    It's too easy. Yes, there's a Hard mode, and Evil mode if you can be bothered to play through it that many times, but if you've got a solid grounding in role-playing games, you'll walk through it.
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  3. 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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