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Middle-earth Timeline






The Lord of the Rings Games in Chronological Order

Middle-earth video games do not share a single continuity: some follow the books, some the Peter Jackson films, and some tell original stories. This page places them by the in-universe date of their story.

  • Between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: The Lord of the Rings: Gollum (Daedalic, 2023), and Monolith's Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (2014) and Shadow of War (2017), with their original hero Talion.
  • The War of the Ring: The Fellowship of the Ring (Vivendi Universal, 2002), based on the book; Electronic Arts' film tie-ins The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003); and the online role-playing game The Lord of the Rings Online (2007), where players adventure alongside the Fellowship's quest.
  • The Fourth Age: The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria (2023), a survival game where the Dwarves try to reclaim Khazad-dûm.
  • In the Shire: Tales of the Shire (Wētā Workshop, 2025), a cosy life game set in Bywater.

See also the standalone timeline and the Peter Jackson movie timeline, where the games appear next to the films and series.

Frequently asked questions

Which Lord of the Rings game comes first chronologically?

Among the games listed here, the earliest stories are set between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War.

Do I need to play Shadow of Mordor before Shadow of War?

Shadow of War is a direct sequel and continues Talion's story, so playing Shadow of Mordor first is recommended, though not required.

Are the Shadow of Mordor games canon?

No. They are original stories inspired by Tolkien's world and take many liberties with his lore, so they are placed on the standalone timeline.

When is Return to Moria set?

Return to Moria is set in the Fourth Age, after the events of The Lord of the Rings, when the Dwarves return to reclaim Moria.