The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Common Sense says
- PlayStation 2, Xbox
- $45.99
- 2003
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a violent game, an epic fantasy of good versus evil. The game attempts to let the player join the story, but it lacks the softer aspects of the movie and book. This game has an online option; Common Sense Media does not recommend online play for anyone under 12.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Great game, and you don't need to like the movie to like the game, and vice versa.
game boy
What's it about?
This fantasy adventure game is a sequel to, and improvement on The Two Towers video game. The game provides intense graphics and allows the player to step into the game as any of a multitude of characters. As players advance, they unlock numerous extras about the movie and game, including interviews with the actors and filmmakers, movie photos, and secret missions.
Is it any good?
Developers have kept the best features of The Two Towers and improved on it by including new characters, new missions and abilities, and the opportunity to play online as a team. Unfortunately the game is still quite violent. It would have been nice to see the inclusion of some puzzle or exploration tasks that were less dependent on violence.
The game will be very enjoyable for most teenage players, but could be scary for younger children. The violence is very realistic, but at least limited to use in the missions, rather than generalized. Players cannot attack each other or the environment in general. While this game is visually intriguing and lets players become a part of a favorite movie, parents will need to decide if they are comfortable with the amount of violence presented here.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how the game compares with the movie and the book. Which do you like best? Why? How does the violence in the game compare with the other versions of the story?
Game details
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox
- Price: $45.99
- Available online? Not available online
- Developer: Electronic Arts
- Release date: September 24, 2003
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy
- ESRB rating: T
- Last updated: December 2, 2019
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.