LEGO The Lord of the Rings

When J. R. R. Tolkien dared to imagine an epic tale of a small, unassuming Hobbit getting roped into a realm wide struggle between the forces of light and darkness, a creature who would become the central figure in an unlikely fellowship charged with a task that would decide the fate of Middle Earth, I wonder if he ever sat back and imagined it all…in the form of Lego bricks.

Lego Lord of the Rings is still a huge success that's wonderfully adorable and an absolute delight to play.

LEGO LOTR plays it safe with both the LEGO and The Lord of the Rings licenses, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Both are timed-honored classics, and this title manages to stay true to its source material without rocking the boat too much.

Good, clean fun; that’s how to properly represent Lego Lord of the Rings. The adventure game doesn’t add or detract anything from a rewarding playtime, especially if this time is shared with someone else. With some added content, there’s even a reason to keep sleuthing together in this simple but enjoyable game.

As a huge LOTR fan, I enjoyed my time with LEGO The Lord of the Rings. It's an interactive guided tour through three incredible films that relives all of the most memorable moments. It lacks some of the unique charm that the series is known for, and the gameplay, while fun at times, is beginning to lose its luster. Fans of the other LEGO games will certainly enjoy it; just don't expect anything you haven't seen before.

Moreover, the decision to faithfully adapt Peter Jackson's trilogy — including specific lines of dialogue from all principal actors involved — results in a game that isn't silly enough to be across the board funny and isn't reverent enough that LOTR fans won't find the game's tone awkward and slightly off-putting. It's only the game's expansive open world that is an outright success, but even then that is not part of the core experience. If for nothing else than a nostalgic trip through Fellowship, Two Towers, and Return of the King, LEGO Lord of the Rings is worth a casual recommendation. But...

If you look at the LEGO games with disgust at how one company is trotting out kiddie game adaptations of movies with nigh-identical gameplay and a camera that’s barely improved in seven years, then LEGO Lord of the Rings isn’t for you. Truth be told, you’ve got a point. Fortunately TT Games are not content to rest on their laurels as they’ve managed to pack in an exciting, thrilling and funny adventure with lots to explore and hours of gameplay to make the whole package feel not only ...

Dwarf tossing, synchronised horse dancing and deadly banana arrows can only mean one thing – someone has been on the wacky baccy again. That, or a new LEGO game has sailed over the horizon replete with the same trademark brand of humour that has seen us rejoice in sunbathing Stormtroopers, rubbish Robin hijinks and error prone wizarding at Hogwarts. Forget all those so called AAA titles, as LEGO is here to bring the fun. Well assuming fun means smashing stuff into pieces and then smashing t...