The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War is a new strategy game set in Middle-earth, the high fantasy setting of many of J.R.R. Tolkien's books. However, it borrows music, building designs, and character likenesses from the Peter Jackson films, too. It expands beyond the movies into the books in some ways, though, so fans may be curious to know where Lord of the Rings: Rise to War fits on the canon timeline.
Some characters and events show up in the game that were not in the films. For instance, Barrow Wights are a recruitable unit for evil factions in LOTR: Rise to War. They never show up in the movies, but they are featured in the books.
The events from when the Fellowship of the Ring is formed to the destruction of the One Ring take place within a year. However, around 17 years between Bilbo Baggins’ 111 birthday party and when Frodo finally ends up leaving the Shire. So, where exactly then does The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War fit within the books' timeline?
The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War: Setting & Timeline Placement
It seems that The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War is not meant to be a retelling of the original story, but rather a “what if” scenario. Perhaps it is a version of what happens in the Mirror of Galadriel. It shows things that were, things that are, and things that yet may be. The One Ring is in Sauron’s former fortress, Dol Goldur, and all the armies of Middle-earth are fighting for control of it. Elves are fighting against Men, and Dwarves fighting against Elves. It is a war on a perilous scale, and betrayal in Lord of the Rings: Rise to War runs rampant. Essentially, it is what would happen if Frodo failed in his quest to destroy the One Ring.
Even the Red Book of Westmarch, which allows players to experience classic battles from the series, is an exaggerated scale to fit the gameplay. It was just the nine of the Fellowship who traveled through the Mines of Moria, yet in The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War, its command entire armies. The game does this because it wants to teach the player how battles work. Some units are strong against certain types of units, and the abilities of commanders can greatly impact a battle. These are all things that players should know in the mid-game when they go up against both powerful NPC armies and enemy players from other factions.
Since the landscape of LOTR: Rise to War also features scattered settlements and forts as opposed to the beautiful countryside seen in the film, it’s likely the game doesn’t intend to fit within the established canon. Also, every player has their own Ring of Power, which again contradicts anything in Tolkien's books. Lord of the Rings: Rise to War does bring Tolkien fans from across the world together, which is an exciting prospect, although it takes liberties with the source material, it is a surprisingly deep mobile game.
