Though there are hundreds of films that release every year, only a handful of franchises stand the test of time and retain the same quality on repeat viewings.Lord of the Ringsis one of them, as its beginnings in the pages of Tolkien’s masterpiece novels has transitioned beautifully to the silver screen. Its iconic characters, stunning set design, atmospheric music, and storied lore are just a handful of things that fans love about the license, and theupcoming Amazon series will look to recapture fanswith the very things that made Peter Jackson’s films so revered in the first place.
In the realm of video games,Lord of the Ringshas had success, but never to the heights that the license could potentially provide. FromLEGO Lord of the Rings’humor-filled retelling of the trilogy toMiddle-earth:Shadow of Mordor’s combat-heavy experience that puts Middle-earth’s dense lore in the background, the IP hasn’t truly had a game that fully captures the magic of Tolkien’s incredible invention. On the other hand, another of fiction’s biggest properties,Star Wars,has been spoiled with how many video game offerings it has had. This is in no way indicative of the potential that each franchise has, asLord of the Rings has more than enough in its lore to rival anything that comes from the galaxy far, far away.
RELATED:Talion May Not Be Lord of the Rings Canon, But He Should Be
Middle-earth’s Plateau of Lore
WhileStar Warshas TV shows, films, books, and video games that fit into its wider canon,Lord of the Ringshas been far more conservative in how its events have unfolded.Middle-earth is a sprawling, gorgeous, and diverse worldthat’s packed with mighty heroes, unassuming communities, and all-too-powerful villains. Each of the books and films' characters have an essential part to play, and when Frodo and his heroic fellowship enter the harsh land of Mordor, they feel like they don’t belong. Middle-earth’s world is far smaller than the oneStar Warspresents, but it’s clear when investing time into anythingStar Warsrelated that much of its setting is unexplored.Lord of the Ringstakes place in a world that is forged by the people who inhabit it, which makes for a far more intriguing video game setting, especially in the RPG genre.
In many video games, lore and world building is essential. Entering a landscape that already feels lived in, and fought for can make the setting feel alive, making every side activity, main quest, and optional collectible feel as though players are making their mark in the game’s history. For example,The Witcher 3: Wild Huntleans so heavily on the world it createsto provide players the feeling that they’re making an impact.Star Warshas taken advantage of its world building in titles likeJedi: Fallen Orderand BioWare’sKnights of the Old Republicwith maximum effect, but with the decades-long and ever-evolving lore that makes upThe Lord of the Ringsit’s evident that the latter can easily challenge whatStar Warsoffers.
The Sounds of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings
In the fantasy genre, there are few components that are as important as music, andLord of the Ringshas always been exceptional at providing songs and pieces fitting of the situation unfolding on screen. Much like in horror films, it’s crucial to understand the importance of sound design, implementing the right musical flourishes at the right time.Star Warshas some of the most iconic themes in all cinema, and plenty of its unforgettable scenes wouldn’t have had the impact they did without them.
Lord of the Ringsis similar in so many ways, making it as ripe asGeorge Lucas' crowning achievementfor the video game medium. From Megalovania inUndertaleto Gourmet Race inKirby Super Star, music is essential in games. It serves as the backdrop for the events that occur, whether they’re tense, funny, scary, or exciting.Lord of the Ringshas such an extensive repertoire of tunes that cover a vast range of emotions and situations, meaning any moment in a new Middle-earth game could be backed by a suitable song, no matter the occurrence.
RELATED:Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Needs the KOTOR Remake Treatment
The Sting of the Lightsaber
In each respective property, combat moments are aplenty as each extensively cover the cost of war and political disagreements. Both always seem to end up with violence, be it the Battle of Helm’s Deep or the events that follow Order 66. In many gaming genres, a good combat system is very important, but perhaps even more so is the way in which it is implemented. Having players hack and slash their way through a game that’s intended for children would be a strange, and wouldn’t connect with what is expected of it. ThankfullyLord of the Rings,likeStar Wars,has a story that lends itself beautifully to something more combat-focused.
With games likeJedi: Fallen OrderandThe Force Unleashed, there have been developers that proved that combat can be effortlessly implemented into aStar Warsgame, resulting in a positive experience.Star Wars:Battlefrontshowed it could do the same but with very different mechanics and weapons, sitting in the FPS genre. Conversely,Shadow of Mordor’s gameplay was smooth, andShadow of Mordor’s nemesis systemwas a breath of fresh air for gaming as a whole. However, one of the game’s criticisms was that it didn’t take full advantage of the license, and as such it isn’t necessarily a must-play for Tolkien fans. The next greatLord of the Ringsgame should put the best qualities of the license at the forefront, hopefully providing an engaging combat system to make battling through the war-torn landscape feel justified.
If there’s one fictional genre that has the most potential for a great video game experience, it would be fantasy. A world that feels so different from reality is ripe for so many interesting narrative twists and turns gives any game more freedom to explore new and innovative ideas. The restrictions are loosened and in the realm of cinema,Star WarsandLord of the Ringsshow that this path can provoke overwhelming critical and commercial acclaim.Star Warsis continuing to find success in the gaming space, butLord of the Ringsis more than capable of doing the same, despite the offerings being far less frequent.
MORE:Lord of the Rings: Gollum Has to Get Gandalf Just Right
