Common Sense Media Review
By Chad Sapieha
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Online multiplayer fantasy game with a focus on fighting.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Guardians of Middle-earth
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
GUARDIANS OF MIDDLE-EARTH is one of the first true multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games to find its way to living room consoles. Also known as action real-time strategy games, this genre is without narrative, focusing instead on player-versus-player combat, with teams composed of up to five players -- plus many more computer-controlled soldiers and minions -- rushing headlong into battle against each other. Players sack towers and take control of shrines as they work through branching paths toward their ultimate objective: The enemy base. Between each 20-minute game players have opportunity to purchase new upgrades and guardians, customize \"loadouts\" (gamer-speak for equipment -- in this case gems and relics), and assign commands that they can use during the fight. The game begins with a lengthy tutorial, after which players can enter battles with other players against computer-controlled enemies or another team of humans.
Is It Any Good?
Guardians of Middle-earth won't be for everyone. It's pretty complex, has a steep learning curve, and you'll likely be among the worst players on your team for quite a while until you've managed to earn better characters, more powerful gems, and additional commands. But while play is a bit lopsided at the start, you'll eventually reach a point where you're on more or less equal footing with most other players. Then it's all about strategy and teamwork, which is where this game shines. Deciding when and how to upgrade towers, which paths to attack, when to work in teams, and which characters make good pairs -- all of these tactical elements make for a deep and habit forming experience. Add in the developer's sharp and effective use of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy license -- dozens of characters from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings appear -- and you have a surprisingly satisfying and compelling strategy game.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about online safety. How does your family keep safe while taking part in online activities? What do you do when you encounter someone engaged in inappropriate behavior?
Families can also discuss violence in media. This game doesn't have any blood or gore or slow-motion attacks. Still, all the players do is fight. How do you think games focused on combat might affect people who play them?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360
- Skills : Collaboration : cooperation , meeting challenges together , teamwork , Thinking & Reasoning : strategy
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Warner Bros. Games
- Release date : December 5, 2012
- Genre : Strategy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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