The best games set in the J.R.R. Tolkien "Middle Earth" world 2024
Looking for a really good game set in the Middle-earth world of J.R.R. Tolkien? Then we have just the thing: The list with the best Middle-earth games.
Who was J.R.R. Tolkien?
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (January 3, 1892 - September 2, 1973) was an English writer, poet, philologist and academic, best known as the author of the fantasy works The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
Lord of the Rings is one of the most successful books of the 20th century and is considered a foundational work of modern fantasy literature.
Professor of English at Oxford
From 1925 to 1945, he was professor of English at Pembroke College, Oxford - and from 1945 to 1959 at Merton College, Oxford. Tolkien was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II on March 28, 1972, for his works.
Hobby becomes profession - from storyteller to author
When his children were old enough in the early 1920s, Tolkien began telling them imaginative stories on a regular basis. The disappearance of a toy dog belonging to his second son Michael, for example, led to the story "Roverandom." Then in 1930, he began writing the children's story "The Hobbit." Through connections with a publisher through one of his former students, the book "The Hobbit" was then published in 1937.
Work on Lord of the Rings interrupted by World War 2
The direct follow-up project was "The Lord of the Rings," but due to other tasks, World War II, and several publishing disputes, completion dragged on until 1954. Due to paper prices skyrocketing as a result of the World War, the book was published in 3 volumes. Tolkien always rejected the term "trilogy" - actually the book had 6 parts. An unauthorized pirated printing in the USA then finally triggered the wave of success of the fantasy world Middle-earth.
Middle Earth... what is that?
Middle Earth is the fictional setting of much of J. R. R. Tolkien's works. The term corresponds to Miðgarðr of Norse mythology and describes the world inhabited by man. This is the central continent of the Earth in Tolkien's invented mythological past. Tolkien's most widely read works, "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings," are set entirely in Middle Earth. "Middle-earth" has come to be used as an umbrella term for Tolkien's legendary works and his fictional view of the world.
Where is Middle Earth located?
Middle Earth is the main continent of Tolkien's Earth "Arda" in an imaginary period of Earth's past with the end of the Third Age about 6,000 years ago. Tolkien's stories about Middle-earth focus mainly on the northwest of the continent. This part of Middle-earth suggests Europe, the northwest of the Old World, with the environs of the Shire being reminiscent of England (more specifically, the West Midlands, with Hobbiton being on the same latitude as Oxford).
Games based on works by other authors:
A lot of games are based on the works of book authors. Just check out our list of games based on authors below.
List of the best board games from the Tolkien world of Middle-earth that you can buy 2024
Love Letter: The Hobbit – The Battle of the Five Armies
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth invites players to immerse themselves in the rich and legendary world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. This fully cooperative, app-supported board game is designed for one to five players, offering a unique blend of adventure, strategy, and storytelling set in the iconic landscapes of Middle-Earth.
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth- 1 - 5 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation
Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation Deluxe Edition is a celebrated two-player board game designed by Reiner Knizia. Set in the rich world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, this game allows players to immerse themselves in the epic struggle between the forces of Sauron and the Free Peoples. Renowned for its blend of strategy, bluffing, and adventure, this deluxe edition elevates the experience with enhanced components and new gameplay elements.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
War of the Ring: Second Edition
More details for War of the Ring: Second EditionImmerse yourself in the epic struggle for Middle Earth in War of the Ring: Second Edition, a riveting board game that pits the Free Peoples against the formidable Shadow Armies. As the fate of Middle Earth hangs in the balance, players embark on a quest for victory through military conquest or the perilous journey of the Ringbearer.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 150 - 180 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Hard to learn
Video reviews for War of the Ring: Second Edition
Hobbit Tales from the Green Dragon Inn
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
More details for Hobbit Tales from the Green Dragon Inn- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 - 60 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game is a cooperative adventure game that immerses players in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The game challenges players to complete scenarios using heroes, allies, and a deck of event and attachment cards.
Nominated for 7 awards.
More details for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game- 1 - 2 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Revised Core Set
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Revised Core Set- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game
- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 - 160 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*The Lord of the Rings: Adventure to Mount Doom
- 1 - 4 Players
- 50 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Monopoly: The Lord of The Rings Edition
- 2 - 6 Players
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Der Hobbit: Smaugs Einöde
- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Deck-Building Game
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 15+ years old
- Easy to learn
Lord of the Rings
Nominated for 1 award.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2003
More details for Lord of the Rings- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
🔥 Great price!Check for best price now at*Video reviews for Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Lord of the Rings: Journey to Mordor
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Deck-Building Game
- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 15+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Two-Player Limited Edition Starter
- 1 - 2 Players
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Two-Player Limited Edition Starter
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a cooperative board game that immerses players in the epic journey of the Fellowship as they strive to destroy the One Ring and thwart the dark powers of Sauron. Each player assumes the role of a Hobbit from the Fellowship, each with unique abilities that contribute to the team's success.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2001
More details for The Lord of the Rings- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Video reviews for The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings Labyrinth
- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for The Lord of the Rings Labyrinth
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Deck-Building Game
- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 15+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Deck-Building Game
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 15+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 15+ years old
- Easy to learn
Yahtzee
Yahtzee is a well-known and beloved classic dice game that involves both luck and strategy. The game is straightforward but offers engaging gameplay as players try to score in various categories using five dice.
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More details for Yahtzee- 2 - 10 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
🔥 Great price!Check for best price now at*The Hobbit: An Unexpected Party
- 2 - 4 Players
- 40 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Battle of Five Armies
The Battle of Five Armies is a strategically rich board game that transports players to the climactic scene from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. This game brings to life the epic confrontation where the forces of the Elvenking, Dwarves, and Men ally against the menacing armies of Wolves, Goblins, and Bats, under the leadership of Bolg. Key characters like Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins, and potentially even the Eagles and Beorn, play crucial roles in this battle for the fate of Middle-earth.
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for The Battle of Five Armies- 2 Players
- 90 - 240 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Hard to learn
Exit: The Game – The Lord of the Rings: Shadows over Middle-earth
- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Risk: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Edition
More details for Risk: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy EditionRisk: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Edition expands upon the classic game of global domination by incorporating elements from the entire Lord of the Rings film trilogy, inviting players to battle across Middle-Earth for supremacy. This edition enhances the traditional Risk experience with a wealth of content that draws deeply from the rich lore and geography of Tolkien's world.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 180 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Das Kartenspiel
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
- 1 - 4 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 15+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Hobbit
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for The Hobbit
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