Summary
The Lord of the Ringshas always been a story of light versus dark, good versus evil, and hope versus despair. While its themes of friendship and camaraderie are often brought to the forefront, the series also never neglects the darkness that grips Middle-earth. This contrast ultimately makesThe Lord of the Ringsnot just a timeless fantasy epic for book and film, but also establishes it as a potential candidate for the horror genre of video games.
Whether good wins in the end or not,The Lord of the Ringshas all the elements required to offer a compelling horror gaming experience. Its atmosphere, themes, and characters all make up the ingredients necessary for such an experience, and it already has a solid foundation to stand on, built by other successfulhorror titles likeAmnesia,Alien: Isolation, and theSilent Hill 2remake.
A Lord of the Rings Horror Game Feels Like a Must
Lord of the Rings Is Already Primed for a Themed Horror Game
WhileThe Lord of the Ringsexplores themes of hope and friendship, there’s no denying the presence of darkness it maintains throughout each book. From the momentFrodo and Sam leave the Shire, the story ofThe Lord of the Ringsonly grows darker, as Sauron’s grip on Middle-earth strengthens in his desperate search for the One Ring. In fact, the strongest argument in support of aLord of the Ringshorror game comes down to the story’s foreboding atmosphere, which it so effortlessly maintains until it finally reaches its hope-filled conclusion.
WhileThe Lord of the Ringsexplores themes of hope and friendship, there’s no denying the presence of darkness it maintains throughout each book.
For a horror game to deliver a truly terrifying experience, it can’t simply rely on jump scares as many horror titles have been known to do in the past. Where the horror genre (in all forms of media, really) ironically shines the brightest is in its ability to create an atmosphere that makes viewers and participants feel uneasy, alone, and helpless against the darkness. As it turns out, this is a core theme ofThe Lord of the Rings, where the smallest of individuals, hobbits, are tasked with ensuring a prime evil is disarmed, all while navigating Middle-earth beneath the oppressive clouds cast by the dark lord. In other words, aLord of the Ringshorror gamewouldn’t have to work very hard to establish an atmosphere worthy of the genre.
The Lord of the Ringsdoesn’t just have the atmosphere befitting a horror game either, as many of its more intricate elements serve to reinforce that atmosphere.The Nazgul, also known as Ringwraiths, for instance, are iconic figures of fear, and aLord of the Ringshorror game could make them terrifying stalkers, with eerie whispers, spine-tingling sounds, and even jump scares. Another great example of the IP’s horror elements can be found inThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, where Frodo and Sam explore Shelob’s Lair in one of the most terrifying sequences of the trilogy.
The Dead Marshes, which Frodo, Sam, and Gollum navigate inThe Two Towers, also features otherworldly horror, where spirits haunt the group from beneath the ground.
All in all,The Lord of the Ringsalready has all the right ingredients for a horror game, especially one that might center around stealth and survival, similar to otherhorror games likeAlien: Isolation. Games likeAmnesiaandEternal Darknessthat use psychological effects as a gameplay element could also inspire aLord of the Ringshorror game, especially if the One Ring were implemented in any way.
The Director of the Silent Hill 2 Remake Wants a Lord of the Rings Horror Game
Fortunately, it seems that an influential hand in the gaming industry is already on board with making aLord of the Ringshorror game, so it might only be a matter of time before one manifests. The director of the remake ofSilent Hill 2, Mateusz Lenart, in aninterview with YouTube channel Bonfire Conversations, said that his dream project would be to work on a horror fantasy RPG, going as far to cite J.R.R. Tolkien as one of his inspirations. Apparently, he even pitched his ideas around that, so the concept may very well already be brewing.
Whether aLord of the Ringshorror game eventually happens remains to be seen, but with the reputation the IP has been losing in the gaming space over the last decade, it certainly needs to make a sharp turn at some point. As such, perhaps venturing intothe horror genrewould be the best thing for it. At the very least,Silent Hill 2director Mateusz Lenart has already made himself available for one, so it may only be a matter of time.
