The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Why recommended

• Engaging hack-and-slash combat featuring fluid swordplay, ranged bow attacks, and supernatural Wraith abilities, reminiscent of the brawler style from 'The Return of the King'.
• Criteria — Action is central to the gameplay, with satisfying combat encounters against hordes of enemies, and Adventure is driven by exploring Mordor and uncovering its secrets.
• The game provides a challenging experience, especially when dealing with high-ranking Uruk captains and warchiefs through the innovative Nemesis system, requiring strategic approaches to overcome.

Why recommended

• Features intense, visceral third-person action combat against mythological beasts and gods, with a focus on impactful melee attacks and special abilities, echoing the brawler feel.
• Criteria — Action is paramount, with a deep combat system, and Adventure is driven by exploration of the Nine Realms and uncovering its lore and secrets.
• Offers a challenging difficulty, especially on higher settings, demanding mastery of Kratos's diverse arsenal and abilities, and strategic engagement with varied enemy types.

Why recommended

• Constant hack-and-slash combat against hordes of demonic enemies, allowing players to switch between two distinct characters (Strife and War), similar to the multiple protagonist gameplay.
• Criteria — Action is the core gameplay loop, with continuous combat and boss encounters, and Adventure is about exploring distinct areas of hell and heaven to progress the story.
• The game provides a challenging experience through its varied enemy types, environmental puzzles, and demanding boss fights that require pattern recognition and strategic use of abilities.

Why recommended

• Features deep action combat with diverse vocations (classes), allowing for varied playstyles from sword-and-shield to magic, and the ability to climb large monsters for weak point attacks.
• Criteria — Action is central to the engaging combat system, and Adventure is driven by exploring a large, dangerous fantasy world filled with quests and mythical creatures.
• The game is known for its challenging difficulty, especially against formidable monsters and bosses, requiring careful preparation, strategic party composition, and skill to overcome.