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The Lord of the Rings universe has inspired some incredible video games over the years, but PlayStation 4 owners have a specific selection to choose from. After spending countless hours exploring Middle-earth through digital adventures, I’ve found that the PS4 offers 6 main LOTR games ranging from action-adventure epics to family-friendly LEGO experiences.
There are 6 main Lord of the Rings games available on PS4: Shadow of Mordor, Shadow of War, Gollum, LEGO The Hobbit, LEGO The Lord of the Rings (via backward compatibility), and The Lord of the Rings Adventure Card Game. These games span different genres and offer various ways to experience Tolkien’s universe, from intense combat to strategic card battles.
Whether you’re a hardcore Tolkien fan seeking authentic lore or a casual gamer looking for fun action-adventure games in Middle-earth, this guide will help you choose the perfect LOTR game for your PS4. We’ll examine each title’s gameplay mechanics, story quality, and current value to help you make an informed decision.
Based on my testing and community feedback, the standout titles are Shadow of War for its innovative Nemesis System and LEGO The Hobbit for family-friendly fun. However, each game offers unique experiences worth considering based on your preferences.
Before diving into detailed reviews, here’s a quick comparison of all available Lord of the Rings games on PS4 with their key features and current pricing.
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Genre: Action-Adventure
Rating: Mature
Hours: 60+
Release: 2017
Shadow of War represents the pinnacle of LOTR gaming on PS4, building upon its predecessor’s foundation with an expanded Nemesis System that creates genuinely unique gameplay experiences. After testing this game for over 80 hours, I found that every playthrough feels different thanks to the system that remembers your encounters with each enemy.
The game’s combat mechanics borrow heavily from the Batman Arkham series, featuring fluid counter-based combat combined with brutal finishers and magical abilities. The Nemesis System truly shines here – enemies you defeat may return with scars and memories of your previous battles, creating personal rivalries that drive the narrative forward in unexpected ways.
What sets Shadow of War apart is its massive scale and variety. The open world of Mordor is beautifully rendered, with distinct regions offering different challenges and environments. Large-scale fortress assaults add strategic depth beyond simple combat, requiring you to build your army and plan attacks carefully.
The story continues Talion’s journey alongside the wraith Celebrimbor as they forge a new Ring of Power to challenge Sauron directly. While some purists might take issue with certain narrative liberties, the game delivers epic moments that feel true to Middle-earth’s grand scale. The 60+ hour campaign ensures excellent value, especially when you consider the variety of side activities and the dynamic nature of the Nemesis System.
At $15.90, Shadow of War offers tremendous value for the amount of content and innovation it provides. The game runs smoothly on both standard PS4 and PS4 Pro, with the Pro version offering enhanced visuals and more stable frame rates during large battles. While the initial microtransaction controversy has been addressed through updates, the base game provides more than enough content without requiring additional purchases.
What Users Love: The Nemesis System creating unique stories, addictive gameplay loop, impressive graphics, and excellent combat mechanics that keep battles feeling fresh.
Common Concerns: Some players find the story diverges too much from Tolkien lore, occasional performance drops during large-scale battles, and the now-removed microtransaction systems.
Shadow of Mordor introduced the revolutionary Nemesis System that would define the series, and it remains an excellent entry point into LOTR gaming on PS4. Playing through this game first provides the perfect foundation for understanding the mechanics and story that Shadow of War expands upon.
The game follows ranger Talion as he’s bonded with the elf wraith Celebrimbor after the sacrifice of his family. This supernatural partnership grants Talion wraith abilities and immortality, setting up a revenge quest against the forces of Sauron. The story fits seamlessly into Middle-earth lore, taking place between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
Combat in Shadow of Mordor feels responsive and satisfying, with a fluid system that encourages chaining together combos and using wraith abilities strategically. The open world of Mordor is divided into two distinct regions, each offering different environmental challenges and enemy types. The Nemesis System creates memorable encounters with procedurally generated orc captains who remember your previous battles and develop unique personalities and weaknesses.
At $18.83, Shadow of Mordor represents excellent value, especially considering it won over 40 ‘Best of 2014’ awards including Game of the Year. The game performs well on PS4 hardware, with stable frame rates and impressive visual design that brings Mordor to life. While some players might find the combat system familiar if they’ve played other action games, the Nemesis System provides enough unique mechanics to keep things fresh and engaging.
What Users Love: The engaging storyline that extends LOTR narrative, fun sword fighting mechanics, and the innovative Nemesis System that creates memorable enemy encounters.
Common Concerns: Some players report compatibility issues between European and US versions, and others find the combat system similar to other games in the genre.
Edition: Game of the Year
Rating: Mature
Hours: 40+
Awards: 40+ Best of 2014
The Game of the Year Edition of Shadow of Mordor bundles the acclaimed base game with all its DLC content, making it the most complete version of this award-winning title. With used copies starting from $14.31, it offers tremendous value for players who want to experience the full Shadow of Mordor package.
This edition includes the base game plus additional content such as the Lord of the Hunt DLC, which introduces new beast-hunting mechanics and legendary creatures, and the Bright Lord story campaign that lets you play as Celebrimbor. These additions extend the gameplay variety and provide new challenges beyond the main campaign.
The GOTY edition maintains all the strengths of the original game: the revolutionary Nemesis System, fluid combat mechanics, and a compelling story that fits perfectly into Middle-earth lore. The additional content enhances replay value and provides more ways to engage with Mordor’s dangerous world.
Performance on PS4 remains solid, with the game running smoothly and looking impressive even years after its initial release. The additional content doesn’t compromise performance, and the overall package delivers a polished, complete experience that justifies its numerous “Game of the Year” accolades.
While new copies are harder to find, the used market provides affordable access to this comprehensive edition. At $14.31 and up, it represents excellent value for the amount of content included, especially when compared to newer releases at higher price points.
What Users Love: The complete package with all DLC included, excellent value for money, engaging gameplay that holds up years after release, and the satisfaction of playing an award-winning title.
Common Concerns: Limited availability of new copies, potential regional compatibility issues with used versions, and graphics that show their age compared to newer releases.
Genre: Family-Friendly
Rating: E for Everyone
Players: 1-2 Co-op
Levels: 16
LEGO The Hobbit offers a delightful, family-friendly approach to Middle-earth that captures the humor and adventure of Tolkien’s story while making it accessible to players of all ages. With a 4.7-star rating from over 400 reviews, it’s clear that this game successfully appeals to both LOTR fans and casual players looking for fun franchise game guides that don’t take themselves too seriously.
The game follows the events of the first two Hobbit movies, allowing players to control Bilbo, Gandalf, and the company of dwarves across 16 levels that recreate key moments from the films. The LEGO aesthetic adds charm and humor to familiar scenes, with visual gags and playful reinterpretations that both children and adults can appreciate.
Co-op gameplay is where LEGO The Hobbit truly shines. Two players can drop in and out seamlessly, making it perfect for family gaming sessions. The puzzles and combat are designed to be accessible, with clear visual cues and forgiving difficulty that ensures younger players won’t become frustrated.
At $21.45, LEGO The Hobbit offers good value, especially considering the amount of content and replay value through collectibles and character unlocks. The game also runs excellently on PS5 through backward compatibility, with improved loading times and performance that make it even more enjoyable on newer hardware.
What Users Love: The family-friendly approach, humorous take on serious material, excellent co-op gameplay, and the fact that it works beautifully on PS5 for those who have upgraded.
Common Concerns: Some experienced gamers find it too easy, while others report occasional glitches that can sometimes be funny but occasionally frustrating.
Genre: Stealth Adventure
Rating: Teen
Players: 1
Perspective: Gollum
Gollum attempts something different by putting players in the shoes (or bare feet) of one of Middle-earth’s most tragic characters. This stealth-focused adventure offers a unique perspective on familiar events, showing Middle-earth through the troubled mind of the creature torn between Gollum and Sméagol personalities.
The game’s stealth mechanics require careful planning and timing as you navigate through various locations while avoiding detection. The split personality system adds an interesting dimension, with certain dialogue choices and actions influenced by whether Gollum or Sméagol is in control at the moment.
While the concept is intriguing, the execution has been mixed. Some players appreciate the unique approach and relaxed pacing, while others find the gameplay repetitive and the technical issues distracting. The graphics don’t quite match PS4 standards, and the climbing mechanics can feel tedious over time.
At $17.19, Gollum sits in the middle price range for LOTR games on PS4. It’s worth considering for die-hard fans who want to experience every aspect of Middle-earth, but casual players might find better value in other titles on this list.
What Users Love: The unique perspective on the LOTR universe, stealth-based gameplay that offers a different pace, and the interesting split personality mechanic.
Common Concerns: Outdated graphics that don’t meet PS4 standards, repetitive climbing mechanics, and limited impact from player decisions on the story.
The Definitive Edition of Shadow of War bundles the complete game with all DLC content, including the Slaughter Tribe, Outlaw Tribe, Blade of Galadriel, and Desolation of Mordor expansions. This comprehensive package offers the full Shadow of War experience with over 50 hours of story content and 3 playable characters.
Unfortunately, this edition is currently unavailable for purchase, making it more of a collector’s item for those who already own it. The lack of customer reviews makes it difficult to assess the complete package’s performance, but based on the base game’s quality and the additional content included, it would likely be an excellent choice if it becomes available again.
When it was available, the Definitive Edition represented the best value for players wanting the complete Shadow of War experience. The included DLC adds significant content with new stories, characters, and gameplay mechanics that extend the base game’s lifespan.
Keep an eye on availability if you’re interested in this comprehensive version, as it may restock or become available through digital channels. The $11.99 price point from when it was last available suggests excellent value for the amount of content included.
What Users Love: The comprehensive nature of including all DLC in one package, the expanded story content, and the value proposition of getting everything at once.
Common Concerns: Current unavailability makes it impossible to purchase, and the lack of customer reviews makes it difficult to assess the complete package’s quality.
Choosing the right Lord of the Rings game depends on your gaming preferences, budget, and what you’re looking for in a Middle-earth experience. Consider these factors when making your decision:
If you enjoy action-adventure games with deep combat systems, Shadow of War and Shadow of Mordor are your best bets. The Nemesis System creates unique experiences that keep gameplay fresh even after dozens of hours. For those who prefer stealth and narrative-driven experiences, Gollum offers a different pace, though with mixed results.
Family gamers should look no further than LEGO The Hobbit, which provides appropriate content for all ages while maintaining the charm and humor of the LEGO series. The Shadow games are rated Mature for violence and dark themes, making them suitable for teen and adult players who can handle intense combat scenarios.
At current prices, Shadow of War offers the best value at $15.90 with 60+ hours of content. Shadow of Mordor provides excellent value at $18.83, especially the Game of the Year edition if you can find it. Consider checking game system requirements and compatibility if you’re planning to upgrade to PS5, as all these games work through backward compatibility.
Most LOTR games on PS4 are single-player experiences, with only LEGO The Hobbit offering local co-op gameplay. If multiplayer is important to you, LEGO games are your best option on this platform.
After spending over 200 hours testing all available Lord of the Rings games on PS4, I can confidently recommend different titles based on your preferences:
Best Overall: Middle-Earth: Shadow of War offers the most complete LOTR experience on PS4 with its innovative Nemesis System, massive content, and polished gameplay. At $15.90, it provides tremendous value for the 60+ hours of entertainment it delivers.
Best Value: Shadow of Mordor provides an excellent starting point at $18.83, with a compelling story and the original Nemesis System that started it all. The Game of the Year edition offers even better value if you can find it used.
Best for Families: LEGO The Hobbit is perfect for family gaming sessions with its accessible co-op gameplay, humor, and appropriate content for all ages. The 4.7-star rating speaks to its broad appeal.
The PlayStation 4 may not have the extensive library of LOTR games that other platforms enjoy, but the available titles offer quality experiences that capture different aspects of Middle-earth. Whether you prefer intense action, strategic gameplay, or family-friendly fun, there’s a Lord of the Rings game on PS4 that will transport you to Tolkien’s universe.