The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Image
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 198 Ratings

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  • Summary: Return to Middle-earth in the only video game based on the epic final chapter of the highly-acclaimed The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Developed using the same digital assets as the films, The Return of the King re-creates in stunning detail the final events of the War of the Ring.Return to Middle-earth in the only video game based on the epic final chapter of the highly-acclaimed The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Developed using the same digital assets as the films, The Return of the King re-creates in stunning detail the final events of the War of the Ring. Become the heroes who determine the fate of Middle-earth as you traverse the haunted Paths of the Dead, defend Minas Tirith from the onslaught of thousands of Sauron's minions, and even play co-op multiplayer with a friend as you march against the impenetrable Black Gates of Mordor. Eight playable characters, including Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Sam, and Frodo with exclusive voice-over provided by the films’ actors. The fate of Middle-earth is in your hands. [Electronic Arts] Expand
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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Gameplay Movie 1
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 31
  2. 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. There is so much to do, and players will be drawn into the game, and it won't let them go until they unlock everything. This is the best movie to game conversion that has come out in a long time.
  3. 90
    It's one of the finest crossover titles I've ever played; mainstream gamers will enjoy it for its excellent use of the movie license, sharp visuals, and easy-to-pickup gameplay, but it also has enough challenge and variety for hardcore players to soak up.
  4. EA has done an exceptional job creating a game around the movie, and their efforts are certainly deserving of your attention.
  5. It’s bigger, longer and smarter than The Two Towers.
  6. PSM Magazine
    80
    A beautiful hack-and-slasher that lives up to the considerable scope and grandeur of the filmic source material. [Holiday 2003, p.32]
  7. The combat system is extremely shallow, and Gamestyle can find little in depth to favourably commend it.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 46
  2. Negative: 6 out of 46
  1. AndrewJ.
    Jan 31, 2004
    10
    Brilliant! I love this game.
  2. ManiacAlchomin
    Dec 25, 2004
    10
    This is truly a very fun game. the best lotr rings game, and one of my favorites.
  3. 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 canI 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. Expand
  4. 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 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. Expand
  5. 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
  6. 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.
  7. JOSEPHS.
    May 25, 2004
    0
    Hard= unbeatable normal=unbeatable easy=unbeatable this game is a shame to EA games.

See all 46 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

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