It’s also spawned a billion different movies, TV shows, and video games – but none of them has been quite like The Lords of the Rings: Rise to War, the latest mobile epic from NetEase Games. For the uninitiated, The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War is an innovative strategy game set in the Third Age of Middle-earth. The One Ring has appeared in the castle of Dol Guldur, plunging the world back into a state of conflict. Factions across Middle-earth, from Minas Tirith to Mount Doom, are competing to gain control over the ring and, by extension, all of Middle-earth. Yikes. What we like about The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War is that it doesn’t tread the same tired RPG path that most Lord of the Rings games tread. Instead, it’s a straight-up strategy game set in the middle of a war in full swing. Playing as Lords and Chiefs, you need to create a fortified settlement, complete with a variety of building types, and put together an army consisting of spearmen, knights, archers, orcs, and a variety of other revolting and terrifying monsters. Another treat for those of you who felt Sauron got a bad rap is the fact that The Lords of the Rings: Rise to War also lets you choose a side. The game sees you joining Warbands or Fellowships with other players, depending on whether you want to be good or evil. The Lords of the Rings: Rise to War also stands out thanks to its incredible presentation. Its developers have strived to ensure that every location from the books and films is recreated in intricate detail. If you’ve ever fancied visiting Barad-dûr or Minas Tirith, this is your chance. Download The Lords of the Rings: Rise to War for free on the Google Play Store, App Store or the Galaxy Store.