The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria

Gameplay

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria is a survival and construction game set in the iconic Mines of Moria, created by J.R.R. Tolkien, featuring procedurally generated environments. Players face the challenge of exploring caves often shrouded in complete darkness while dealing with various survival and construction elements.

The opening cinematic introduces the character Gimli leading a company of dwarves but losing contact with them as they pass through the Doors of Durin. The narrative also delves into the history of the dwarves, the different clans, and the impact of Sauron’s fall on the orcs, placing the game in a post-apocalyptic setting.

In Return to Moria, players explore the mines to discover ancient items such as swords that glow blue when orcs are near, maps, building blueprints, and magical amulets. They can also reclaim ancient dwarven structures, such as forges and halls, blocked by runes or debris. Players must manage factors like hunger, sleep, body temperature, willpower, and noise levels. Neglecting these aspects can compromise their survival.

Resources like iron, gold, quartz, gemstones, and Mithril can be mined from three distinct mountains. These materials are used to craft tools, weapons, armor, and other structures that aid in survival and progression within the mines, which are inhabited by orcs, cave trolls, and other mystical creatures. Players can choose to engage in direct combat or use stealth strategies to survive these encounters.

It is possible to build bases to shelter characters and create structures that assist in exploration and survival. Additionally, dwarves can be extensively customized through a robust character creator, allowing each player to design their avatar uniquely.

Multiplayer

The game supports an online cooperative mode, where you can host “your own Moria” and invite up to eight other players to explore and survive together.

Setting and Plot

Set after Sauron’s defeat, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria explores a post-apocalyptic scenario where players uncover the history of the dwarves and the legacy of their clans. The narrative delves into the impact of these events on the orcs and the broader world of Middle-earth.

The introductory cinematic sets the stage with Gimli leading a company of dwarves to the Doors of Durin, only to lose contact with them, hinting at the adventures and challenges awaiting within the mines.

Presentation

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria follows the dwarves as they embark on a new adventure to reclaim Moria, the legendary home beneath the Misty Mountains. Players will join forces to survive, craft, build, and explore the iconic sprawling mines. Brave adventurers must remain vigilant, as many dangerous mysteries await.

Reclaim Moria, the Dwarves’ Homeland

Summoned to the Misty Mountains by Lord Gimli Lockbearer, players take control of a society of dwarves tasked with reclaiming the lost spoils deep within the dwarven homeland of Moria — known as Khazad-dûm or Dwarrowdelf. The quest will demand courage, delving deep into the Mines of Moria to recover its riches.

Set in a procedurally generated Moria, no two adventures are alike. Each expedition can be undertaken solo or online with friends. Players can mine resources to craft better gear and tools, but mining creates noise, which may attract dangers. Where there is noise, there is combat. Uncover the mysteries of the three legendary peaks, mine precious metals, and battle indescribable forces to uncover the secret of the Shadow lurking within.

Features

• Experience the Fellowship: Immerse yourself in the Fellowship of Dwarves like never before, with the rich lore of J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic fantasy world woven into the very fabric of The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria.
• Survive the Darkness: To survive the treacherous Mines of Moria, players must conserve resources, hunt and gather for food, and manage sleep, temperature, and noise levels. Use dynamic light systems for safety and to forge further into the darkness. Fight indescribable evils and survive hordes of monstrous orcs in bloody combat while uncovering the secret of the Shadow lurking within the mountain.
• Base Building: Find refuge from the darkness. Discover and clear new locations to craft large-scale architecture. Use creativity to build bases from scratch or develop over existing environments. Beware of evils that seek to destroy the dwarves’ progress.
• Restore and Reconfigure Moria: Return the lost glory to the long-forgotten kingdom of Khazad-dûm by reclaiming dwarven landmarks as the story progresses. Revitalize the ancient mines and reignite their forges to extract untapped resources.
• Explore: Venture deep into the Mines of Moria. Procedurally generated environments are rich in resources and filled with mystery and danger, providing a unique experience every time.
• Cooperative Multiplayer: Embark on adventures alone or with friends in the online multiplayer cooperative mode for up to eight players.
• Craft Dwarven Tools, Weapons, and More: Forge and loot legendary dwarven armor, tools, weapons, and structures. Restore ancient forges to strengthen, repair, and enchant gear. Upgrade and unlock new technologies and fantastic machinery.
• Discover Magical Artifacts: Find ancient magical items, including swords that glow near orcs, maps of Mithril deposits, books with forgotten crafting blueprints, and amulets granting strength or wisdom.
• Mine Ores and Gemstones: Establish mines to extract valuable resources such as iron, gold, and quartz, and fantastic materials like Mithril. Access crafting stations and forges to convert ore into ingots and enhance equipment. But beware, mining is noisy and may awaken what lurks in the darkness.
• Extensive Dwarf Builder: Players become part of the Dwarves’ Legend by creating their own dwarf in a customized character creator. Dwarves can be personalized in various ways to craft a unique identity. During gameplay, players can find and forge armor and weapons to further enhance their unique style.