Summary
The Lord of the Ringsis not only one of the best literary works of modern times, but also the inspiration for an extremely successful cinematographic franchise. It all started with a timeless classic film trilogy that spawned many video games and even series that have kept fans satisfied for over two decades.
While games likeMiddle-earth: Shadow of MordorandMiddle-earth: Shadow of Warexplore vast areas of Middle-earth in open-world settings for players to enjoy, there’s still much more to discover. Here are someMiddle-earth locations that would make fantastic open-world games.
5Rohan
Open Plains, Ideal For Horseback Riding
It’s not surprising thatRohanis known to be the home of the horse lords. After all, with all that space to roam, explore, and cover, the residents of this kingdom must learn how to ride a horse from a very early age. Rohan would make an amazing location for an open-world game, not only because of the potential horseback combat game mechanics, but also due to how much there is to explore there.
Anopen-world gamein this location could potentially have players not only roam the open fields of Rohan, but also incorporate missions in Helm’s Deep and the Fords of Isen, expanding on the possibilities of how the game could be designed. Unlike other locations like Khazad-dûm, which would require tons of vertical exploration and climbing, Rohan offers the perfect exploration experience due to its mostly flat surfaces.
Dwarven Cities Are Very Intriguing
WhileLord of the Ringsfans have had the chance to see inside dwarven mines and caves since the early days of the original trilogy, those were filled with nothing but decomposing dwarven skeletons and a spectral silence. It wasn’t untilThe Hobbitand the more recent TV series,The Rings of Power, that fans could see dwarven mountains and their cities in all their splendor.
Khazad-dûmwould make an amazing open-world game, not only because of how interesting dwarven cities look from inside the mountains, but also because there could be a lot of climbing and vertical exploration involved. As seen inThe Rings of Power, dwarves have complex tunnels and elevator systems that allow them to move around; however, it’s also mentioned that they often choose to make complicated climbs to reach other, more secluded destinations.
Anopen-world gamein Khazad-dûm could potentially incorporate several main missions and side quests that allow players to explore the inside of the mountains. There could also be a guild system and even trade game mechanics involving mining precious metals and selling or exchanging them for money or other valuable items.
3The Misty Mountains
A Merciless Setting That Could Host A Survival-Focused Open-World Game
Some of the most popular open-world games involve deep and complex survival mechanics where players have to look for resources, gather them andmanage them to ensure they last as long as possible. Having to fend off predators and surviving other dangers is also quite common in these types of games, and theMisty Mountainsmake for the perfect setting to make an open-world survival game in Middle-earth.
Not only is the terrain dangerous and extremely deceiving with all the snow there is, but the low temperatures, steep inclines, heavy fog, and stone giants hurling stones at each other add another layer of danger and uncertainty to the area. This location would be great for a game where players have to hunt for their meals, climb and navigate through treacherous terrain, and set up camp as they venture through the Misty Mountains when night falls. Developers could takeRed Dead Redemption 2’s first chapter as a base and build on that with a more medieval, fantasy-based approach.
2The Shire
Great For A Family-Friendly Open-World Adventure
There are many nightmarish locations in theLord of the Ringsuniverse. From the forsaken ruins of Dol Guldur, to the spirit-infested Dunharrow fortress, or the infamous Mordor, there’s no shortage of places most people in Middle-earth wouldn’t want to visit. And then,there’sthe Shire, probably the most wholesome, colorful and peaceful place in the entire Tolkien universe. Not only are the Hobbits that live there very friendly, but there are also constant parties, banquets, and other social events to keep residents entertained.
While areas like the Black Gate of Morannon would be better suited for a game developed for older audiences, the Shire is the perfect location to build a family-oriented open-world game around. Players could walk along the Shire greeting their neighbors and helping them with different tasks, including farming, harvesting and even banquet planning. ThinkHogwarts Legacy, but revolving around a tight-knit community of Hobbits, where danger isn’t a reality, but rather an element in old wives' tales.
1Valinor
An Epic Location To Delve Deeper Into Valar Lore
Finally, there’sValinor, the closest thing J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy universe comes to an interpretation of paradise. Mostly known as the home of the Valar, otherwise known as angelic powers, these undying lands are typically reserved for immortal beings; however, there have been a few instances where mortals, like Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, as well as Samwise Gamgee have been allowed to live there as well. While living in Valinor doesn’t grant immortality, it’s hard to think of a better place to live until the curtain closes.
Valinor would make an amazingopen-world location, as it could not only dive deeper into what this paradise looks like, but also explore the origins of the Valar, how they came to be, and their ultimate purpose. Granted, a lot of this information is already covered in several of Tolkien’s literary works, but it would be great to see it incorporated into the video game world through this setting.
