J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth is one of the most expansive and detailed fictional settings ever created. ThroughThe Hobbit,The Lord of the Rings, and other works, he builds a world steeped in culture, history, and yes, magic. Of course, many concepts in the books and subsequent films spark curiosity. Where do they come from? What’s their story?
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Tolkien actually answers these questions in the appendices and additional works. Middle-earth has several events that shape its foundation and alter its history, and many of these events are ripe for expanding in visual form, be it film, television, or video games.
11The Creation
The origins of Arda and, by extension, Middle-earth are biblical in nature. Although Eru (Middle-earth’s creator) delegates the overseeing of various lands and races to specific spirits, the accounts are vague on the details. The methods generally stem from holy songs and manifesting people from one’s thoughts.
This stuff isn’t quite as digestible as medieval battles and wizard duels. You might think a tale this abstract wouldn’t fly in the gaming market. However,Team Icoand smaller/indie developershave flourished with artful projects like this, relying less on concrete narrative and more on fundamental themes and powerful feelings they evoke. A primordial Middle-earth seems right up their alley.
10The Fall Of Moria (Second Time)
This mountain city seemed doomed from the start. Even after losing it once, the Dwarves attempted to resettle in these underground caverns. It went swimmingly until they delved too deeply and were overrun by goblins (and a Balrog).
Considering the chilling account left behind, this dark chapter has all the drama and suspense of a horror story. What makes it juicier is that several Dwarves fromThe Hobbitwere prominent figures in the Moria mission. Seeing familiar characters meet such grisly ends would hit longtime fans harder than a tale about a bunch of new guys.
9The Capture And Conversion Of The Elves
The immortal Elves of Tolkien’s world are a striking people. They’re fair, graceful, wise, and occasionally snobby. How Morgothturned them into the repulsive Orcs is a nightmarish thought.
The physical and psychological torture they must have endured sparks some morbid curiosity, and it’d make for heartbreaking drama to see the remaining Elves forced to fight their former brethren. For a truly demented twist, the developers could let you experiment with different genomes and mutations to create custom creatures a laJurassic World: Evolution.
8Sauron’s Betrayal of Númenor
This tale has all the sweeping spectacle of a great myth and all the pathos of a tragedy. Sauron the Deceiver lives up to his name, persuading the king of Númenor to sail to the Undying Lands, a realm reserved for Elves and divine beings. Eru sinks Númenor beneath the ocean in retaliation. The survivors of this disaster later founded the kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor.
It’s a potent story about greed and the price of hubris, and it has the potential dramatic heft to trumpthe best story-driven games on the market. In addition, the fact that this epic odyssey culminates in something familiar would make it much more accessible than other Middle-earth events.
In possibly the funniest skirmish in Middle-earth history, Bullroarer Took made his name in a gloriously unconventional way. This ancestor of Bilbo Baggins was exceptionally tall for a hobbit, able to ride a real horse instead of a pony, and he used this to lead his people against the invading goblins. In the Battle of Greenfields, he decapitated the goblin king with a single club swing. The villain’s head landed in a rabbit hole, thus inventing the game of golf.
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Too often,Lord of the Ringsgames have gone for the gloom-and-doom tone of the films. Middle-earth has seen plenty of more lighthearted events, and this particular one could signal a return tomore fun fare like 2003’sThe Hobbitand theLEGOtitles.
6Gondor And Rohan Split
InThe Lord of the Rings, these two kingdoms of Men are so different in their aesthetics and attitudes that you’d never confuse them. What might surprise mainstream audiences is that they used to be part of the same kingdom. Even more surprising is that the split was perfectly amicable. The Steward of Gondor gifted Rohan to Eorl and his “Horse-lords” for their valiant service in battle.
Does this split carry any big changes? Playing as a member of either faction would be an immersive way to experience their cultural and tactical shifts. Fans would see firsthand how each kingdom evolves, both during and after the other’s influence. You can’t deny it’d beone of the deeper RPGs of recent years, offering several choices on par withGollum.
5The Rise Of Morgoth, The First Dark Lord
The first Dark Lord of Middle-earth, Morgoth (formerly Melkor)was a terror beyond all others in his day. Even Sauron was subservient to him, and anyone whom the Lord of the Rings answers to is clearly a formidable foe.
On top of that, mainstream viewers are used to seeing Sauron ravage the kingdoms of Men. Morgoth, on the other hand, strikes at many of the more spiritual aspects of Middle-earth, such as destroying the Great Lamps. Many of his actions shaped Middle-earth as audiences know it. Fighting someone who strikes at the primordial foundations of the world would be a radical departure from more tangible threats seen in games thus far.
4The Scouring Of The Shire
Although the One Ring’s destruction ends Sauron’s reign, some of his followers attempt to hold onto their power. Among these are Saruman and Wormtongue, who take over the Shire. In an epilogue chapter, Frodo and the other Halfling heroes must rally the hobbits to reclaim their home.
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Not only was this not shown in the films, but it’s curiously omitted from the games as well. Portraying this little rebellion would let audiences see these peaceful people in an entirely new light, embodying the stalwart quality that other characters so often note. It demonstrates how much Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin have matured, and it hammers home that not even the Shire is safe from the war.
3Ungoliant kills Valinor Trees
Arachnophobes, beware. This primordial being is the ancestor of Shelob and other great spiders, but she overshadows them all. Originally a pawn of Morgoth, Ungoliant helped the Dark Lord strike at the Valar by drinking the light from the Two Trees of Valinor. However, this only made her more colossal and ever hungrier. When they came to blows, Morgoth needed several Balrogs to defeat his former ally.
Sometimes, people want to play as the monster. A sadistic charm lies in absorbing enemies and adding their strength to your own, putting a dark twist on the usual progression. Titles likeKirbyandPrototypebenefit from this. An Ungoliant adventure would have the same appeal, standing as the most intense game ofPac-Manever. Plus, it wouldn’t feel desperate likeShelob the shapeshifterinMiddle-Earth: Shadow of War.
2Aragorn’s Reign
The real journey of this exiled Ranger was learning to appreciate the strength in Men. It was renewed faith in his people that inspired Isildur’s heir to become Gondor’s king. Since Aragornassumed the throne at the end of the story, readers/viewers never got to see how he ruled.
He implied that his reign would be one of unity and common ground, but how did he act on this? Did it help or hinder his campaigns against the Easterlings and remaining dark forces? Considering he lived to the ripe old age of 210, Aragorn has over a century of leadership that could make prime strategy game material.
