Middle-earth is possibly the most intricately detailed world in all of fiction. It’s a testament to J.R.R. Tolkien’s prowess as a linguist and writer that he was able to craft so many distinctive regions and cultures with such exquisite authenticity. Despite their gargantuan length, theLord of the RingsandHobbitmovies barely scratch the surface of sightseeing, as this fantasy setting houses countless other exotic locales built over thousands of years.
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Luckily, video games have more time to flesh out a world. Players have seen a plethora of Middle-earth titles over the years. Many of these aren’t direct adaptations of the popular stories, but rather tell their own tales within Tolkien’s realm. On top of the narrative freedom, this gives fans a way to visit breathtaking locales previously accessible only via the page.
10Fornost
This was one of the primary strongholds of Arnor, the northern kingdom of Men. Like many of their structures, Fornost was impressive in scale, grandeur, and efficacy. This was not to last, as the forces of Angmar eventually conquered it along with the rest of the kingdom.
From then on, Fornost was a ruin, abandoned by all except for the fell creatures within. The party battles their way through this ruin inThe Lord of the Rings: War in the North. If this is not enough, players can actually enact the siege in theRise of the Witch-kingexpansion forBattle for Middle-earth II. Beware, though: it’s impregnability is no exaggeration.
9Gundabad
A sinister fortress in Angmar, Gundabad served as a base forthe Witch-king. The mountainous tunnels and firelit chasms spawned countless dark legions, and it easily rivaled Sauron’s abode in Mordor.
Technically, fans saw this place in theHobbittrilogy, but only from a distance.War in the Northtakes the party inside the hellish halls, where they encounter a few surviving Dwarf slaves. This certainly tracks with the villains in Middle-earth corrupting others into joining their ranks, be it by speechcraft or force.
8Minas Ithil
This is another locale audiences saw in the films; they just didn’t know it. Minas Ithil was once a fortress of Gondor bordering Mordor. Unfortunately, this made it that much easier for the Enemy to attack. It’s transformed into the sanctuary of the Witch-king and the other Ringwraiths, redubbed “Minas Morgul” in mockery of its previous hosts.
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This should sound familiar to those who playedMiddle-earth: Shadow of War. Near the beginning, the game shows the place in its former glory before Sauron’s hordes overtake it. The unsuspecting castle thenbecomes the greenlit monstrosity that fans know and hate.
7Tom Bombadil’s House
Fans have never forgiven the filmmakersfor losing this leg of the journey. On the way to Bree, Frodo and company become lost in the Old Forest and encounter Tom Bombadil. This musical mystery man gives no answers about what he is or where he comes from, but he and wife Goldberry gladly provide a warm shelter for the hobbits, making them feel truly safe in these dark times.
Ever since this odd aside, readers have been dying to visit Tom’s humble home. Not only does it seem like one of the most comfortable, welcoming places in Middle-earth, but Bombadil’s bizarre enigma sparks curiosity well beyond most denizens of the world. Those few who played theFellowship of the Ringgame–based on the book instead of the film–spent time with Tom early in the journey. Those signed intoThe Lord of the Rings Onlinecan also seek out this fancy hut. They just have to know where to look.
6The Barrow-Downs
The journey from the Shire to Bree was fraught with more than just Mordor menaces. After leaving Tom’s house, Frodo and friends come to the Barrow-downs. Men of the Firstand Second Agebuilt these burial mounds to house their dead. Sadly, this attracted ghostly foes known as “Barrow-wights,” which waylay the heroes.
Despite this, the Barrow-downs were another chapter on the chopping block in the movies. Luckily, morbidly curious fans can visit these haunted hills inThe Lord of the Rings Onlineand theFellowship of the Ringgame, two titles based on the novels. On top of that,The Rise of the Witch-kingsees Angmar’s armies come to the Barrow-downs to press the wights into service. It’s just a shame they’re as slow as cows.
5The Ettenmoors
Both theLord of the RingsandHobbittrilogies have trolls aplenty. Whether they’re servants of Sauron or just dullards trying to find their next meal, these hulking creatures cause trouble everywhere in Middle-earth.
It’s ironic that they never bring audiences to where they live. The Ettenmoors aren’t called the “Troll-fells” for nothing. This mountainous region was brimming with these gluttonous beasts, with many of the tale’s trolls coming from here. This makes it a prime level for video games likeWar in the NorthandThe Lord of the Rings Online, as there’s no shortage of enemies to fight.
4Dol Amroth
The only Gondor settlements the films showed were Minas Tirith and Osgiliath. While these were grand, they weren’t the extent of the kingdom. The Men of the South also had a harbor city called Dol Amroth. It was this fortification that frequently contended with the Corsairs of Umbar, the pirates briefly seen inThe Return of the King.
Thankfully, the inhabitants resisted these attacks due to their elite fighters. The Men of Dol Amroth were renowned for their artistic culture and physical capability, which were partially credited to their Elvish and Númenórean ancestors. Playerscan witness this for themselves when visiting the coastal city inThe Lord of the Rings Online.
3Núrn
The most fans saw of Mordor in the movies was a volcanic wasteland. Though thatisa significant portion, further east exists actual vegetation and water. This is Núrn, a grassland surrounding the vast lake known as the Sea of Núrnen.
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One wouldn’t think a relatively healthy landscape would be under Sauron’s domain, but its beauty is not to last. The Orcs mainly exploit this area’s resources to fuel their forces. Players witness this corruption in theMiddle-earthgames:Shadow of MordorandShadow of War. Before long, this place will look just as desolate as the rest of the region.
2The Iron Hills
Audiences briefly saw the Iron Hills Dwarves when their lord, Dáin Ironfoot, led an army to reinforcehis cousin, Thorin, inThe Hobbit. However, this region lies further east than even the Lonely Mountain. Dwarves had mined its resources for hundreds of years and continued to dwell there long after Dáin became the king of the Lonely Mountain.
The Battle for Middle-earth IIshows their longstanding presence here. Players can use the Iron Hills as a map for skirmishes, and the Dwarvish footprint is prominent. Their stone structures and tunnels are carved firmly into the ground. Any other faction looks utterly out of place here.
1Harad
Not all Men were as righteous as those of Rohan, Gondor, or Dale. In addition to the barbarians of Dunland, there were the Haradrim. These wicked souls sided with Sauron straight away, bringing their exotic weaponry and elephant-esque Mûmakil to bear against all who resisted, most notably inThe Return of the King.
Not content to merely have them as Mordor foot soldiers, theBattle for Middle-earthseriesexpands their aesthetic to include their native land. In keeping with the book’s scant descriptions, Harad is basically a desert. Players might be frustrated by the lack of natural resources in this harsh climate, but it’s the one to which the Haradrim, with their light armor and generally African-inspired culture, are uniquely suited. It makes this region and its people radically different than the European-influenced places in the rest of Middle-earth.
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