# The Lord of the Rings: War — user reviews > 527 indexed App Store user reviews of The Lord of the Rings by NETEASE INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT PTE. LTD, rated 4.33/5 from 18,279 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-lord-of-the-rings-war/id1485854536/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-lord-of-the-rings-war/id1485854536.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 13,212 · 4★ 2,085 · 3★ 714 · 2★ 391 · 1★ 1,879 ## What do users think of The Lord of the Rings? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🚀 Visually stunning graphics - 🤝 Great community and team coordination - 🎮 Fun and engaging gameplay **Cons** - 💰 Pay-to-win mechanics - 🔁 Repetitive and grindy gameplay - 🐛 Bugs and glitches - 🧠 Steep learning curve - ⚖️ Faction imbalance and lack of player agency **Commonly reported bugs** - Server connection issues - Account wipes and data loss - Unresponsive controls and UI **Most requested features** - More single-player content - Improved tutorial and onboarding - Better faction balance and player progression - Reduced grind and more meaningful progression ## Newest reviews (11 of 527) ### 3/5 — Doesn’t feel like RNG *2025-10-07, version 3.0.1059993* I’ve been playing this game for years, but tell me one thing, with so many equipments, and after spending so much money, I’ve acquired the same top tier gear multiple times, and turns out it’s the most useless ones, the ones that really make a difference never seem to be popping out of chests. Like I said, I played for years, I swear it doesn’t seem like random outcomes when you open the chests. I have receipts. ### 2/5 — Role Play *2025-09-17, version 3.0.1059993* Evil has huge advantage. Troops are better and counter system and gear is not good ### 2/5 — Options *2025-08-23, version 3.0.1059993* Added the ability to reset commander respects ### 4/5 — i love this game but sth changed *2025-08-18, version 3.0.1059993* I had this game installed before and you could also be the villain, but now there are only three factions. I hope they come back to the game. ### 3/5 — Orc Problem! *2025-08-14, version 3.0.1059993* If you don't like your side, you cannot switch back it just stays as one side ### 2/5 — Okay game delusional community *2025-07-30, version 3.0.1057955* I absolutely loved the game my 1st season was really awesome lord of the rings characters the map factions quests so cool and met some really awesome people I enjoyed it so much I was giddy with excitement when season 2 came…and it was horrible The friendly community I had in season 1 was gone with people always fighting for themselves to be in control of the faction no else’s way was the right way constant arguing and bickering i grew to hate the people in my faction more than the actual enemy. A lord of the rings environment should never be so toxic it goes against the story Tolkien shared with us on companionship. The insults and threats were as petty as any social game. But what really got to me was the so called skilled base of the game, there is much talk of experience and skill in this game but what it really comes down to is basic rocker paper scissors tactics and RPG skill point selection, and of course who ever spends the most opening chests to get equipment. The tactical level of this game is very basic and simple which isn’t a bad thing it’s just annoying when people try to shove experience down your throat like it’s something special when all you need is basic skills in communication figuring out the units rock vs paper stuff and being able to read what building does what it’s nothing complicated like real strategy games like the total wars or other pc strategy games especially since it is all auto resolved battles and of course the pay to win element that is actually worshipped and expected in this game When it comes down to not the only real skill is communicating and coordinating when people get on to do what which honestly isn’t worth it for a mobile game ### 2/5 — Unbalanced *2025-07-24, version 3.0.1057955* The biggest problem with this game is how unbalanced it is. The game prioritizes players who spend tons of money over the average player. It winds up that a handful of players can completely dominate everyone else and prevent them from playing. Unless you are willing to spend the hundreds of dollars it takes to get to that level, don’t download this game. ### 1/5 — You can take my liberty but you can’t take the evil factions! *2025-07-21, version 3.0.1057955* I use to love playing this game as the evil forces and even now I came back to see if they added them back, but no the game was perfect before the update bring them back! ### 1/5 — Waste of time *2025-07-18, version 3.0.1057955* Glitches and game play are horrible ### 1/5 — New gameplay is terrible *2025-07-09, version 3.0.1055781* Took a break from this game as I didn’t like how everything would reset so quick. Thought I would give it another chance but now the gameplay is completely changed and is a huge turn off from playing this game again. Not fun at all! Also having only 3 army options is lame ### 1/5 — Used to like the game *2025-07-08, version 3.0.1055781* I used to like LOTR but when I reinstalled it the main reason I like the game was to play as the dark side but I couldn’t when I reinstalled it but I just hope the they can bring back the evil side in the game ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Read if you are a returning player *2025-09-30, version 3.0.1059993* I really liked this game a while back. I returned to it to start playing it again, but it is entirely different. At first, I thought I had installed the wrong game. Apparently, it received a massive update, and I have to say, it is horrible. It is childish, poorly made, it is extremely uninteresting, and none of the great aspects that the former game had are still here. If you are looking for the diplomacy and grand strategy of the old LOTR version, then do not install this game ### 1/5 — Devs genuinely do not care *2025-09-29, version 3.0.1059993* This game is not what it seems; the developers have repeatedly claimed to be making beneficial updates, but are not telling the truth or just don’t care. I, along with many other players, have directly reached out to the support team for issues like faction removal, pay to win mechanics, etc, and every time, the devs say something promising to raise our hopes and keep us playing, but never implement any real change- yet, they find time to censor speech in the chat system that criticizes the Chinese government and allows hate speech. Sign the petition by Zach Vigoren on change.org to revoke NetEase’s license for this game so a better developer team can take over and fix this mess. ### 1/5 — Don’t play *2025-09-20, version 3.0.1059993* I played this game for years and it fell apart. The devs don’t care about the gameplay and it’s all gone downhill people quitting all over the place. ### 1/5 — Bait and Switched *2025-09-16, version 3.0.1059993* First season wasn’t bad with pay to win but as soon as second season came it made everything as pay to win as you possibly could without breaking the law and player base. If you aren’t down to spend hundreds you will not enjoy this game ### 1/5 — You ruined your game *2025-09-13, version 3.0.1059993* Deleted factions. Nope I’m mad I spent money on this game in the past. ### 1/5 — Good game but… *2025-09-01, version 3.0.1059993* There isn’t much strategy and that’s why I got it and the graphics are not what I thought they would be like I am probably going to get a different war strategy game. ### 1/5 — Another example of unbalanced game play *2025-08-27, version 3.0.1059993* Higher level, or ones that pay to play utterly dominate this game. There is no balance to the pvp, and the developers just tell you, sorry you feel that way. It’s a slap in the face. ### 1/5 — Wild Behaviour goes Unchecked *2025-08-26, version 3.0.1059993* So I’ve played the game a few different times and I’ve never really found it enjoyable due to people telling me to unalive myself nothing if you make a joke and it doesn’t land people become abusive and spout hatred and vitriol for talking in the world chat the devs don’t react when you report peoples behaviour so it just seems like a dumping ground for peoples mental health issues and unfortunately that’s everywhere online these days but a I pad or phone game would be the last place you would expect behaviour like this. ### 1/5 — Money pit *2025-08-10, version 3.0.1059993* Unless you are wanting to spend a ton of money this game is not worth it. I got over 2 k of gems and used for a gear chest . Just to get all blue gear no purple no gold. ### 1/5 — Worst game ever *2025-08-10, version 3.0.1059993* You have to pay por some deals but when a new season begins you have to star all over again….it is a scam. Not satisfied at all ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Top notch *2025-10-04, version 3.0.1059993* Congratulations on your launch of 2.0 ! Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the game it makes it a very special experience ### 5/5 — Fun but. He pack error constantly *2025-09-16, version 3.0.1059993* That n keeps force closing on me sadly good game but please fix this Ty ### 5/5 — Mi mundo favorito *2025-09-15, version 3.0.1059993* Llevo casi cuatro años sin dejar de jugar este maravilloso juego gracias al equipo por mantener vivo el hermoso mundo que nos dio Tolkien ### 5/5 — 5 stars *2025-09-08, version 3.0.1059993* This is a really good game unlike most games like this. It doesn’t feel like there’s a massive paywall. Even though you definitely do have your whales like in games like this this game makes it so you cannot buy resources which means no matter what you are forced to farm resources just like everybody else in this game runs on resources. So I’m not going to say spending doesn’t help but it doesn’t make you an automatic winner either. ### 5/5 — Bring back 1.0 *2025-08-15, version 3.0.1059993* We just need 1.0 back pls that way f2p players can have fun if not the game is gonna die out and everyone wants it back anyway ### 5/5 — Good game *2025-07-26, version 3.0.1057955* Great game over all. There’s just one thing it won’t let me talk to or become friends with anyone. I try to do everything it says to and it still won’t let me contact customer support. ### 5/5 — Amazing game, fixed the problems *2025-07-16, version 3.0.1057955* The problems used to be that it was good versus evil and it was not balanced, so they tried to change it by making the game only good but that was unpopular so now you can play however you like, and be allies with someone of a faction that is an enemy in the lord of the rings, love the commander system, the only downside is that the it should be easier to get mathom medals. Very new player friendly but also competitive, lovely community, and lots of game modes! ### 5/5 — Best game *2025-07-13, version 3.0.1055781* If you like LOTR the. You will love this ### 5/5 — Don’t trust the Devs *2025-07-08, version 3.0.1055781* Absolutely loved this game the first year it was released. I registered a year early before it was even was out. Whether you’re a fan of Lord of the Rings or strategy war games this game had it all. Challenge, versatility, lore and measurable strategies. HOWEVER, this game suffered from its own early success. After the second year after release the game became a huge cash grab. No longer about player experience blocked by pay wall after pay wall. Do NOT trust the developers of this game. The game is run more like a casino than a community strategy board game. Requires considerable commitment of time and money to succeed by game standards and is not built for casual enjoyers. That time has long since passed. I only hold onto the hope that a new game similar to this will come along to once again provide that initial level of enjoyment from learning the game through trial and error. RIP ### 5/5 — The lord of the rings rise of war *2025-07-08, version 3.0.1055781* vary good --- *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.*