Play The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest Online

Summary

The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest on the Nintendo DS feels like a trimmed‑down adventure that still manages to capture the spirit of Peter Jackson’s films. The handheld’s second screen doubles as a handy map, while the HUD is tweaked just enough to keep the action clear from a top‑down, isometric perspective. Unlike its console cousins, this version drops the co‑op mode and the free‑roam Shire, but it adds an arena mode and exclusive levels set in Caradhras, the Gates of Moria – complete with a showdown against the Watcher in the Water – and the eerie hills of Dunharrow. Gameplay leans into light RPG mechanics: you earn experience, allocate points to special abilities, and upgrade AI companions, which makes the stat‑management surprisingly satisfying. Critics were mixed; Nintendo Life gave it 6/10, noting the graphics and depth of stats, while IGN scored it 5/10, calling the combat shallow and the overall challenge too easy.

Storyline

The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest opens fifteen years after the War of the Ring. Samwise Gamgee, now Mayor of the Shire, is preparing a party for King Elessar (Aragorn) and tells the tale of the War to his four children while they help with the preparations.

The story begins with Aragorn meeting the Hobbits in Bree and shielding them from the Nazgûl. After a night attack at Weathertop, Frodo is wounded by a Morgul blade, and Arwen rides ahead, using elven magic to flood the river Bruinen and drive the Nazgûl away. In Rivendell, Elrond heals Frodo and the council decides the Ring must be taken to Mount Doom, forming the Fellowship of nine.

The Fellowship attempts to cross Caradhras, is forced into the dwarven mines of Moria, discovers Balin’s tomb, battles orcs and a Balrog, and watches Gandalf fall from the Bridge of Khazad‑dûm. They escape to Lothlórien, are later attacked by Uruk‑hai, and the group splits as Frodo and Sam head for Mordor while Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli pursue the captors.

Aragorn’s trio meets Elder the Ent, helps destroy two Isengard construction camps, and later joins Gandalf in rescuing Théoden from Saruman’s influence. They fight at Helm's Deep, witness the Ents raze Orthanc, and see Saruman’s power broken.

Aragorn then summons the Dead Men of Dunharrow, reaches Minas Tirith, and fights in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields where Éowyn slays the Witch‑king. The Dead Men distract Sauron’s forces, allowing Frodo and Sam to destroy the Ring on Mount Doom. With Sauron defeated, Aragorn is crowned king, and the game returns to the Shire where Aragorn presents Sam with the Star of the Dúnedain as the celebration begins.