J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is the epitome of the fantasy epic. The saga of the One Ring has been a pillar of the fantasy genre since it was first published, inspiring other fantastical adventures across other mediums such as film, television, and video games.
While there have been several titles that pull directly from the film adaptations from Peter Jackson, such as War in the North and Shadow of Mordor, the Ring of Power's influence is also felt across other virtual adventures as well, with and without Hobbits.
The Hobbit
This video game adaptation of Tolkien's beloved prequel gets a spot on the list because instead of taking from Peter Jackson's films, it takes its influence right from the source material, with a little Zelda thrown in for good measure. It's essentially a Zelda-like game with a Middle Earth skin, but it's great for new gamers.
It plays like a "my-first-Zelda game," in which players take up the role of Bilbo Baggins and hack and slash their way through chapters of the novel from "An Unexpected Party" to "The Return Journey."
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
On to a real adventure: a pointy-eared protagonist must take up a magic sword to save races of people from an evil darkness that lives in a foreboding tower. Does any of this sound familiar?
Although Middle Earth might lack Hylians and Gorons, the breathtaking mountains, orcish minions, and enchanted weapons would definitely feel right at home in Tolkien's masterpiece. The game could definitely use more wizards and eagles, though.
Final Fantasy
Any RPG that has the player lead a party of adventurers is bound to have Middle Earth's influence. Enter the original Final Fantasy game, with a quest that changed the gaming industry as players knew it.
The premise is simple but definitely one that Tolkien would approve of. While the crystals might not be as powerful as the magic rings, there is a certain familiarity to seeing the hero characters wield them before embarking on their adventure.
Dragon’s Crown
Dragon's Crown is one of the most beautiful fantasy games ever created. It as if all the best of the best of the genre came together in one glorious hand-drawn adventure for gamers to enjoy, and Lord of the Rings is, unquestionably, a heavy influence.
Swords, sorcery, elves, dwarves, and a golden artifact that grants its wearer phenomenal power are all trademarks of Tolkien's work. The real question is how can one not think of Middle Earth when playing this game?
Kingdoms Of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
Kingdoms of Amalur might take more from games like Skyrim and World of Warcraft, but the war between the Fae and the mortal races of Amalur feels vaguely similar to the battle for Middle Earth. Granted, it would have been a lot shorter if Frodo were as powerful as the Fateless One.
From its high-fantasy visuals to its massive sword-swinging battles, Amalur will satisfy anyone with a remote interest in the genre, including those baptized in the waters of Rivendell.
Skyrim
Just as one does not simply walk into Mordor, one does not simply talk about fantasy RPGs without talking about Skyrim. Tolkien pulled a lot of his inspiration from Norse mythology, as did Skyrim.
Characters like Gimli, Boromir, and Aragorn seem like they'd be just a little bit too comfortable in the mountains of Tamriel. The title is certainly more dragon-heavy than any of the books or movies, but it's impossible not to think of Erebor or Moria when exploring some of the dungeons.
Divinity: Original Sin Series
There are plenty of isometric RPGs that take influence from Tolkien's work, but one of the more recent entries in the genre that fits this description is Divinity: Original Sin. What LOTR does better than many stories it has influenced is its world-building and how Middle Earth is affected by the characters.
This rich RPG experience has incredible lore, characters, and a world that would rival many of Tolkien's imaginings. It's a perfect game for those wanting to lose themselves in the fantasy.
Dragon Age Series
Of course, one can't mention a story-heavy RPG without mentioning something by BioWare. The Dragon Age series is absolutely ideal for those who want to experience a rich story with familiar motifs and visuals from the fantasy genre.
Dragon Age wears its Tolkien influence on its sleeves, especially when considering the cultures of the different races. While Darkspawn might be a tougher order than the average army of orcs, the races of men, elves, and dwarves must stand together when their realm is threatened. Certainly sounds like a LOTR plot.
Dragon’s Dogma
For those looking for something more action-heavy, the answer lies on a golden platter with Dragon's Dogma. While it might rely on more traditional fantasy tropes rather than Tolkien's alone, the feeling of journeying with a party of adventurers simply drips with Fellowship of the Ring every time.
Tradition is the name of the game in this adventure, and while its titular dragon is a tad more demonic, there are elements of Smaug the Terrible in his presentation. It certainly feels familiar, at any rate.
Dragon Quest XI
The likes of Final Fantasy might have pulled from Eastern and classic mythology, but the Dragon Quest series unashamedly pulled from the West in its influences, especially from The Lord of the Rings. But nowhere is this more prominently felt than in Dragon Quest IX.
A chosen one that leads a party of adventurers across a massive fantasy landscape to defeat a dark lord? It really doesn't get more direct than that. While it lacks certain choices from Tolkien's work, few capture its undiluted spirit of adventure.