The Lord of the Rings’ IP in an Odd Predicament
The world of Lord of the Rings has always been a popular and beloved IP for fans of fantasy storytelling and world-building. However, when it comes to adapting this epic saga into video games, the results have been somewhat inconsistent. There have been some standout successes, but also a fair share of disappointments. This has put the IP in an odd predicament, where the situation seems like it can only get better from here on out.
The Sad State of The Lord of the Rings Games
Recent Lord of the Rings games, such as Gollum and Return to Moria, have failed to live up to fan expectations. While Return to Moria has received some positive feedback for its survival-crafting elements, it still falls short in terms of overall quality. Meanwhile, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum has been met with widespread criticism and is considered a major disappointment.
Many aspects of Gollum have been underwhelming, from its unimaginative choice of focusing the game solely on Gollum’s character to locking certain voice lines and emotes behind a paywall. This game represents the current sad state of Lord of the Rings gaming, with fans feeling let down by the lack of innovation and creativity.
The Need for a New Shadow of Mordor, Return of the King
To revive the Lord of the Rings IP in gaming, what is needed is a game that can meet the high standards set by previous successful titles such as Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. These games were praised for their engaging combat, innovative Nemesis system, and faithful adaptation of the source material.
A new Lord of the Rings game should aim to exceed these expectations. It could explore original stories within the Middle-earth universe, introducing new characters and narratives that expand upon the rich lore. Alternatively, a modern remake of fan-favorite titles like Return of the King or The Third Age, with updated graphics and gameplay, would also be welcomed by fans.
The Potential for Future Lord of the Rings Games
Although recent Lord of the Rings games have fallen short, they have inadvertently set a low bar for future games. This provides an opportunity for developers to learn from past mistakes and create games that not only meet but exceed fan expectations. With the right approach, a new Lord of the Rings game could capture the heart and imagination of players, breathing new life into the franchise.
Fans of the IP are eager to see what the future holds for Lord of the Rings in the gaming world. The announcement of Weta Workshop and Private Division’s Tales of the Shire has sparked curiosity, but more details are needed to gauge its potential impact. Regardless, the bar has been set low, and future games have the opportunity to shine and reclaim the glory of past Lord of the Rings gaming experiences.
How Recent Games Set a Low Bar for the IP
The recent lackluster Lord of the Rings games, particularly Gollum, have inadvertently set a low bar for the IP. This puts the next Lord of the Rings game in an awkward position. It is hard to imagine a game being as poorly received as Gollum, which means that the next game is likely to be received better even if it falls short of greatness.
While the low bar set by recent games may seem discouraging, it actually offers hope for the future of Lord of the Rings games. Developers now have the opportunity to learn from past mistakes and create games that not only meet the baseline expectations set by recent titles but also exceed them. This could lead to the next Lord of the Rings game being a much more satisfying experience for fans.
In conclusion, the state of Lord of the Rings games lately has put the IP in an odd predicament. However, this predicament also presents an opportunity for future games to exceed expectations and revitalize the franchise. With the right approach and a commitment to quality, the next Lord of the Rings game has the potential to be a standout title in the gaming world.
Analyst comment
Neutral.
As an analyst, it is expected that the market for Lord of the Rings games will improve in the future. With recent games falling short of expectations, there is a low bar set for the IP, providing an opportunity for developers to learn from past mistakes and create games that exceed fan expectations. With the right approach and commitment to quality, the next Lord of the Rings game has the potential to be a standout title in the gaming world.
