# Encarda HD — user reviews > 45 indexed App Store user reviews of Encarda HD by Virtix Ltd, rated 4.60/5 from 45 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/encarda-hd/id420396627/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/encarda-hd/id420396627.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 34 · 4★ 9 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 1 ## Newest reviews (11 of 45) ### 5/5 — Perfect *2014-01-16, version 1.7* Just what I wanted. Search or browse to find any info about Middle-earth, complete with references to original sources. ### 5/5 — Praise Illuvatar! *2014-01-09, version 1.7* I've been using the Encyclopedia of Arda for years, and when I recently got an iPad and saw this app, I didn't hesitate to download it. It is perfect for the Tolkien fanatic on the go. So basically, stop reading this review and download this app immediately! ### 5/5 — Good *2013-11-15, version 1.5* Serves as a decent quick reference for those already familiar with the mythology. In other words, if you read the books comprising the mythology, you will realize the value of the app. If you don't, you won't. ### 5/5 — Great!!! *2013-07-16, version 1.5* One stop source for anything you need to know about the works of Tolkien ### 5/5 — Impressive *2013-06-01, version 1.5* The amount of research that went into this compilation is impressive. The UI is intuitive; the indexing/search engine employed in this app works very well. I recommend this app for anyone interested in Tolkien's cosmos. ### 5/5 — Awesome! *2013-05-27, version 1.5* Simply Epic! That's it...... Epic! The devotion is immediately sensed. Gentlemen, I salute you! ### 5/5 — Astonishing *2013-05-20, version 1.5* An amazing app for info on middle earth. A must have for Tolkien lovers. It would be awesome if you could do a guide for the silmarillion. Also an interactive map would be awesome. This app knows more than gandalf:) ### 5/5 — Amazingly detailed *2013-03-18, version 1.5* I had just finished reading the hobbit and began reading the fellowship of the ring when I found this app. it adds to the overall experience of the book to be able to look up and understand the references that are made in Tolkeins books. I highly recommend it! ### 5/5 — Must have for Tolkien fans *2013-03-16, version 1.5* The encyclopedia of Arda is the app to have for all things Tolkien at your fingertips. Very well laid out and logical interface, everything is easy to find. I love this app! ### 5/5 — Best Tolkien reference *2013-01-21, version 1.5* I have been going to the free Encyclopedia of Arda website for years. This app seems to have all the content of that very impressive website in a very aesthetically pleasing format. ### 5/5 — Awesome! *2013-01-17, version 1.5* A great app for anything Tolkien/Middle-Earth related! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Live update not working and app freezes *2022-09-03, version 1.15* Not sure if this is a result of the latest iPadOS version 15.6.1 or because the app has not been optimised for the latest iPadOS version (I have no issue with other apps so I suspect the latter) but it is just not possible to do a Live Update ($1.99 per year). The pop-up comes on but clicking on the button does nothing. You can close the pop-up window but the app actually freezes after that, so you need to close it and open it again to access its contents. Also, it is very slow to load, though once it does then there are no further delays (presumably because all the content has been loaded). As is, it’s difficult to recommend for an iPad although the content is very good - but this is a review of the app itself. Since it still works partially, it gets 2/5. ### 2/5 — Functional, Not Attractive *2016-03-29, version 1.12* While the reference material is useful, the application looks a bit dated. The small font and the light-on-dark color scheme makes it hard to read. Pictures & maps mediocre. This could be so much more with a bit of a facelift. Seems to be updated only once or twice. A year at this point. ### 2/5 — Good starting place for Tolkien info *2013-01-28, version 1.5* Great app for quick reference. Hopefully the site editors will continue to add and expand entries! ### 4/5 — No recover password option? *2019-12-03, version 1.13* This app is fantastic. There’s simply nothing better out there. Would you please update it so that your password can be recovered or reset via email? Thanks. ### 4/5 — I love this labor of love! *2016-05-24, version 1.12* Having read LOTR a double digit number of times over several decades, how could I not? One UI glitch bugs me a bit. In the A to Z lists of names, after reading an entry, the back arrow takes me to the TOP of the section. E.g. Go to the "G"s, scroll to Gwahir, look up Gwahir, hit the back arrow and you're back to the top of G. ### 4/5 — Great resource! *2015-03-17, version 1.8* Excellent resource for any Tolkien lover. ### 4/5 — A rock solid resource. *2015-01-09, version 1.8* Overall, this is an amazing guide to help you while reading through the world of Tolkien. Keeping track of all the names and places can be difficult to navigate and this is a great quick reference when you need some clarification. I only wish that some of the articles were more in depth. For example, the article on Yavanna Kementári is far too brief for my taste. It explains nothing of her part in the creation of Ents, or the Two Trees, or the Sun and the Moon. If only it were expanded, or it could be user edited... this would truly be a masterful resource. ### 4/5 — Love it! *2014-04-08, version 1.7* I have referenced this encyclopedia since before the films came out and I know that it must be a real labor of love for the creator. I was thrilled to see it transformed into an app. Some day it would be great to see interactive maps incorporated! ### 4/5 — A great beginning *2013-04-23, version 1.5* I found this when I was looking for more detailed maps of Middle Earth. In many ways this app satisfies my curiosity but there remain gaps which I hope, in time, are filled. One can see that work continues so there is hope! ### 4/5 — Great! *2012-12-26, version 1.4* This is a wonderful and informative app for Tolkien readers. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Te best Tolkien reference app *2022-10-30, version 1.15* The best Tolkien reference app ### 5/5 — Best of the best *2019-05-25, version 1.12* You can’t find a better way to waste time, I promise. ### 5/5 — Awesome middle earth info!!! *2018-07-29, version 1.12* As a long time Tolkien fan in both gaming like the lord of the rings online to all the books this is am awesome app!!! ### 5/5 — Comprehensive guide for any Tolkien fan *2018-06-09, version 1.12* I’ve been using this encyclopedia since well before anyone had heard of smart phones. A great resource, in-depth, wide-ranging and a whole hell of a lot of fun. ### 5/5 — Must have for any Tolkien fan! *2017-03-06, version 1.12* I can't say anything more, it's excellent! A great companion for new readers as well! ### 5/5 — Great app for the Middle Earth fan! *2016-11-06, version 1.12* Wonderful app. Great price for getting updates. I get so excited when I check once a week or so and get new updates! I would like to see the third Hobbit movie guide included in the app since it exists on the web version. ### 5/5 — Excellent! *2016-01-29, version 1.12* I have used encyclopedia of Arda for years and this app is great for accessing all the rich work that Tolkien did. Nice job ### 5/5 — Missing out on updates cuz don't have iOS 9 *2015-10-12, version 1.8* I can't upgrade my old iPad cuz it doesn't have room for iOS 9 or above. Upset cuz stuck with old outdated version of Encyclopedia UPDATE: I contacted the developer & they responded immediately with a solution. Fantastic customer service!! ### 5/5 — All you need. *2015-08-17, version 1.8* There's so much more to middle earth than just the events of the Lord of The Rings. So many people, wars, incredible acts of daring and bravery in the face of immense adversity. Whomever created this app did an outstanding job putting together all the references found therein, it's helped me come to understand and appreciate Tolkien's world so much more. ### 5/5 — More than makes up for the missing maps in iOS Silmarillion? *2014-01-22, version 1.7* Was bummed at first to not be able to find maps in the Silmarillion, but this app provides every kind of map and reference you could want. A fabulous companion to any of the books! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*