Title: “The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria Falls Short of its Grand Potential”
In a disappointing turn of events for fans, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria fails to live up to its grand potential. The highly anticipated multiplayer crafting survival game, available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC since October 24, 2023, presents the opportunity for players to conquer the orc-infested mines of Moria and regain power over the grand halls. However, despite the exciting premise, the game falls short, leaving players underwhelmed.
Upon entering the game, players are greeted with a surprisingly detailed and fun-to-use customization menu, allowing them to create a unique Dwarf character. The options for hair, beard, voice, origin, and other features provide ample room for personalization. However, this initial excitement quickly dissipates as the game fails to deliver consistent moments of enjoyment.
Despite the vastness of the mines, there is a lack of meaningful activities for players. The repetitive nature of navigating the monotonous halls, filled with only a few scattered items like scrap metal, ore deposits, and barrels, quickly becomes tiresome. The lack of variety makes it easy to get lost in the endless corridors, with most spaces appearing indistinguishable from each other. While the presence of wild animals adds some interest, the overall experience feels lifeless and generic.
Creating a sense of belonging by reclaiming Moria for the Dwarves becomes an arduous task. The limited crafting options only allow for basic tools, walls, and ceilings, leaving little room for creativity. Warm decorations, such as carpets and curtains, are notably absent, resulting in a lack of character and uniqueness in the game’s spaces. An occasional visit from raiding orc parties adds a level of challenge, but their attacks are more frustrating than fearsome.
Moreover, the game suffers from technical glitches, with orcs and badgers becoming trapped in walls and items glitching when placed in tight spaces. These issues further hinder the overall experience.
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria joins the ranks of recent Lord of the Rings game releases that have left fans disappointed. The lackluster execution fails to capture the essence of the beloved fantasy universe, echoing the letdown brought by Lord of the Rings: Gollum. Unfortunately, the game falls short of delivering the incredible scope, adventure, and fantastical setting for which the series is known.
For now, fans seeking immersion in Tolkien’s world may find solace in the books and movies. Alternatively, recreating a Dwarven city in Vanilla Minecraft might prove more satisfying than attempting the same in Return to Moria.
In terms of accessibility, the game offers limited options, with basic subtitle settings being the primary customizable feature. Players can adjust voice and UI effects volume levels for a quieter experience.
The review is based on a 10-hour gameplay experience on PC, which was marred by multiple glitches and technical issues. Despite attempting to explore all that the mines had to offer, the solitary nature of the game proved limiting, leading to excessive time spent on mundane tasks.
In conclusion, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria falls short of its potential and leaves fans yearning for a more fulfilling gaming experience within Tolkien’s beloved universe.
