The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

 Xbox
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Image
Metascore
84

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

User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 42 Ratings

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  • Summary: Return to Middle-earth in a game based on the epic final chapter of the The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Developed using the same digital assets as the films, The Return of the King recreates in stunning detail the final events of the War of the Ring. Become the heroes who determineReturn to Middle-earth in a game based on the epic final chapter of the The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Developed using the same digital assets as the films, The Return of the King recreates 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, and even play co-op multiplayer with a friend as you march against the impenetrable Black Gates of Mordor. The fate of Middle-earth is in your hands.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Electric Playground
    95
    A pure celebration of the movies that inspired it. It is a terrific action game with a degree of depth and a great collection of surprises to collect. The game is also peerless in the presentation department and you can play it with a friend.
  2. Cheat Code Central
    90
    The graphics virtually rival the movie and a two-player co-op mode gives the game good replay value making this game a worthwhile pursuit. Although relatively short, The Return of the King is short on story and long on action.
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Xbox Nation Magazine
    90
    Basically an all-you-can-kill, hack-and-slash buffet from start to finish. [Dec/Jan 2004, p.82]
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  4. Xbox World Australia
    86
    By combining the same addictive button-mashing core of its predecessor with better visuals, better level design, more dynamic gameplay (thanks to the scripted events that drive the levels), and a multiplayer co-op mode, Return of the King is an exceptionally well-produced game.
  5. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    83
    Does a fantastic job of putting you into the world of the movie through its graphically stunning reproductions of the film's war-torn sets, smooth transitions from thriling cinema clips, into exciting gameplay, [and] top-notch voice work. [Dec 2003, p.181]
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  6. Game Revolution
    83
    It's bigger, longer and smarter than "The Two Towers."
  7. TotalGames.net
    50
    Insufferably bi-polar difficulty levels attacks that can't be repelled or escaped from no matter your skill and combat because your stuck on the ground in a death loops is something so lacking in grace that it numbs you.
    All this publication's reviews

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. AllanPo27
    Jun 22, 2020
    10
    Just amazing...
    Must have a reboot!
    A pure and beautiful game for his Time!
  2. SteveZ.
    Nov 22, 2003
    10
    Absolutely fantastic! Funnest game out for any console at this time!
  4. BobL.
    Jan 22, 2004
    10
    It might be easy to beat but its a awesome game!!!!
  5. SteveE.
    Nov 28, 2003
    9
    Just like the films this ooze`s class and is a significant improvement on the Two Towers game
  6. Mr.BT
    Jan 19, 2004
    9
    Absolutely fantastic move-tie-in game. Fun for single player or multi-player. As your characters progress, you're rewarded with greater Absolutely fantastic move-tie-in game. Fun for single player or multi-player. As your characters progress, you're rewarded with greater combos and skills that make the heroes truly shine on the battlefield. An excellent game.… Expand
  7. Uter
    Jan 28, 2004
    8
    This is one of the best movie to game translations I've ever seen (usually they turn out terrible). I really like how movie clips are This is one of the best movie to game translations I've ever seen (usually they turn out terrible). I really like how movie clips are periodically weaved in with the gameplay.… Expand
  8. NathanH.
    May 27, 2005
    7
    Similar in many ways to the Two Towers Game, I found Return of the King to be rather repetitive and boring. The graphics are beautiful and Similar in many ways to the Two Towers Game, I found Return of the King to be rather repetitive and boring. The graphics are beautiful and controls are responsive, but I did not enjoy the game.… Expand

See all 18 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Best Xbox Game of 2003
36
#36 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2003
18
#18 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2003