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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring, The
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 25 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 15 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Sierra
Developer: Liquid Entertainment
Genre(s): Real-Time Strategy
Players: 8
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: November 4, 2003
Summary
Play the Greatest Story Ever Written . . . The quest to destroy the One Ring continues in the first Real-Time Strategy game based on The Lord of the Rings saga. Massive battles erupt as the forces of light and darkness battle for control of Middle-earth. Play as the forces of good and valiantly fight for the One Ring's destruction or play as the forces of evil to claim control over Middle-earth forever. [Sierra]
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
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What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Game Over Online
Being one of the first strategy titles based on Tolkien's locus classicus, War of the Ring should introduce a good many movie fans to the strategy genre -- and most likely, no greater percentage of Ring fans exists than amongst the gaming demographic -- but veteran real-time strategy players might want to look elsewhere if depth is what they're seeking.
Read Full Review >Armchair Empire
A solid if not original effort through the much trodden RTS genre. The short technology tree doesn’t offer the gamer a whole lot to look forward to, and the missions aren’t very challenging either.
Read Full Review >IGN
If you're just looking for a game with some Tolkein lore and units, then this isn't a bad choice at all. Just don't expect to find anything ground-breaking or extraordinarily amazing inside. War of the Ring is a decent game, not great, but certainly not bad.
Read Full Review >PC Gamer
While War of the Ring does little to revolutionize the RTS genre, it does serve Tolkien's Middle-Earth admirably while letting you control the actions of the majority of its most storied denizens. [Jan 2004, p.98]
PC Format
Ultimately, the licence both saves the game, by giving even the most basic of its scenarios a degree of weight, and hinders it by causing regular moments where you double take, realising something isn’t quite right.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
While WotR is a good title that offers a lot of fun, it simply doesn't offer a game that's new or interesting enough to raise it from the pack of similar RTS titles available.
Read Full Review >Electric Playground
It’s too bad that the gifts this game offers--and there are quite a few--are mired in repetitious, humdrum gameplay routines.
Read Full Review >GameZone
Fantastical creatures abound in this RTS, but ultimately fail to capture the essence of Tolkien.
Read Full Review >Gamers' Temple
If you enjoy strategy games you’ll probably like WotR, although hardcore RTS gamers may find it to be just an average game and only a light challenge.
Read Full Review >Game Chronicles
This mix of tried and true RTS gameplay along with the polished production values added by an outstanding soundtrack and visual effects engine does much to enhance this game, but leaves the entire experience a little lopsided.
Read Full Review >ActionTrip
There are many issues conflicting with the actual story and we were rather disappointed that the game fails to convey the epic scope of Tolkien's mythology...Conversely, if you are a casual gamer looking to enjoy an RTS classic like "Battle Realms" and "Warcraft 3," this one should be right up your alley.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
The most glaring deficiency in this title is in the variety of units and factions. There are only two options of who to play as, and neither is comparable to anything in current RTS titles. [Jan 2004, p.156]
Read Full Review >GameSpot
A competent, if lackluster, effort that will probably appeal to Middle-earth fans and casual gamers who haven't played a lot of real-time strategy before. If you're a real-time strategy veteran looking for something fresh and exciting, don't look here.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
A fun but ultimately forgettable RTS. It’s a guided, open-topped bus tour of Middle Earth where you only stop at a the tourist places, buy a snow globe with a miniature Lothlorien inside, eat some Frodo-Fries, and never get to see any of the real place.
Read Full Review >GameNow
A solid yet basic and dated RTS. [Jan 2004, p.67]
G4 TV
The presence of only two playable sides, mission brevity, and overall simplicity will likely be a disappointment to some fans. However, it's a competently designed and well-packaged game that should appeal to casual gamers.
Read Full Review >GamePro
The orchestral score and voice acting are good, and the detailed graphics are incredibly well animated, but those features and Tolkien’s story aren’t enough to distinguish this game from all the other strategy titles out there.
Read Full Review >Computer Gaming World
A textbook case of glorious buildup and shattered expectations. [Feb 2004, p.72]
eToychest
Every thing about this game just feels generic and bland. There's absolutely nothing here that hasn't been done dozens of times before.
Read Full Review >Yahoo! Games
War of the Ring's primary flaw is that it fails to really make use of its license. Remove the LOTR backdrop and names, and you could be playing any generic fantasy RTS game. It's missing the dramatic scope of the books.
Read Full Review >netjak
The complete lack of innovation, uninspired online play and the inability to have a variety of units (why lump Dwarves, Elves, and Men into the same side?) cause the game to lose a lot of its luster.
Read Full Review >Play Magazine
The AI is pretty intelligent and will give a decent level of challenge, but when the game doesn't force you to think outside the box, it can get stale real quick. [Jan 2004, p.70]
Just Adventure
Those looking for a true and original real-time strategy challenge will be very disappointed with War of the Ring. Those looking for a game that truly captures the atmosphere of the Lord of the Rings trilogy will also be equally disappointed.
Read Full Review >1UP
It's mild, tame, and exactly what you'd expect from the genre and a title trying to capitalize off of a prominent license: more of the same. Though not broken or particularly bad, this one is clearly middle of the road material.
Read Full Review >Computer Games Magazine
Has some lovely visuals but in the end is so passionless and denuded, it makes you feel dumb for having looked forward to it. [Feb 2004, p.54]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 6.4 (out of 10) based on 15 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Miha L. gave it a10:
If you ask me this game is good!
Ewan J. gave it a3:
Just doesn't capture the LOTR spirit. Bad acting too.
Matt S. gave it a 1:
Very cartoonie.
Gennie G. gave it a 10:
I love It. I love It. I love it.
Tyler L. gave it a 4:
I really think they could have had better character animation and voice I was really disapointed with how the charaqcters looked very little like like they did and how bad the voices were, I think they could have made campaigns that were more relevant to the trilogy.
Dork mom gave it a 10:
One of the best games i have ever played.
James B. gave it a 6:
Fun game through the eyes of a Tolkein fan. Wanders from the book but shows some insight to stage before the Council of Elrond. Gameplay is simple and confusing. Can' wait to see what the next installment will be. Something to keep an eye on.
