LEGO The Lord of the Rings

Genre: 3D Action-Platformer

Players: 1-2 Co-Op (Local Wireless), StreetPass Supported

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Review:

LEGO The Lord of the Rings is a family-friendly 3D Action-Platformer released in 2012 on the PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and Xbox 360, with a slightly different but similar version also released on Nintendo 3DS in 2012, and with a later release of the game coming to mobile devices in 2013. As with LEGO Batman 2 before it, LEGO Lord of the Rings on Nintendo 3DS offers a somewhat similar experience to its console counterpart, but drops the Open-World elements.

By this point in the Traveller’s Tales’ LEGO series on Nintendo 3DS, I had grown used to disappointment with this franchise not only being a “lesser than” version of the console games, but frankly seeming to be outright lazy in its design. So imagine my surprise when this release actually manages to do something right for a change. That is, for the first time on Nintendo 3DS, a LEGO game actually has local multiplayer. What’s more, even though this version sadly doesn’t have the Open World of the console games, it still features some relatively large open-ended areas, and being able to have a friend assist you in exploring these large areas can certainly be of help.

Beyond this, of course, LEGO The Lord of the Rings is pretty much “just another Traveller’s Tales’ LEGO game”, which is to say that this game features decent but simple and accessible gameplay, but it isn’t generally anything terribly involved or interesting. I do think that this game does at the very least tighten up the combat somewhat, so that’s good to see, at least.

The graphics this time around are pretty good, with some strong atmosphere from the films and some good environmental detail. I feel like this series on Nintendo 3DS keeps getting farther and farther away from the nice lighting effects of LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, but even so, what’s here is pretty good.

However, the real treat in this game is the excellent voicework and music, pulled directly from the epic, legendary Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Even with the silly-looking LEGO characters and goofy slapstick these games tend to have, the incredible acting and absolutely gorgeous soundtracks of the films still convey a sense of epic gravitas even through these bits of simulated plastic.

There is one other thing I have to point out regarding this game. This is, as far as I can tell, the only LEGO game on Nintendo 3DS to include multiplayer. A fact that’s honestly shocking to me, as I always felt that multiplayer co-op was absolutely integral to the Traveller’s Tales LEGO game experience. In fact, it’s such an essential part of the experience that I wouldn’t have even thought to mention it here if it weren’t for the fact that all of the other Nintendo 3DS games lack this feature.

Okay, so is LEGO The Lord of the Rings as good as its console counterpart? Certainly not. Does the Nintendo 3DS version make severe cutbacks to not just the visuals, but the core gameplay of the console version? It absolutely does. Yet despite this, what’s here is still quite good, and for once the 3DS version didn’t get the short end of the stick in its multiplayer functionality. If you’re a fan of the Lord of the Rings franchise looking to explore the world with a friend on the go, this is a good way to do so.

tl;dr – LEGO The Lord of the Rings is yet another game to feature Traveller’s Tales’ family-friendly LEGO game formula, and while it sadly lacks the Open World of the console games, what’s here is still good, and for once the Nintendo 3DS version doesn’t miss out on multiplayer co-op. If you’re a fan of LEGO games and/or Lord of the Rings, this should be a good choice for you. Just don’t expect anything on par with the console versions.

Grade: B-

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