Eidos-Montréal was working on a Lord of the RingsA game with a strong story focus, but the project was canceled early on. Reports indicate it was a narrative-driven game with card-based mechanics and a structure reminiscent of Telltale games. Development apparently never progressed beyond an early stage, yet the first images from it have now surfaced.
The studio, known for its work on tomb raider and Deus ExFollowing the Embracer acquisition, it increasingly found itself in the role of a support team. Several internal projects fell victim to budget cuts, including one. Legacy of Kain-Soft reboot and this Lord of the Rings-Game. The images that have now surfaced give a more concrete impression of what was planned for the first time, even if they are only snapshots of an early concept.
Lord of the Rings between Umbar and Bree
The concept art (via Mp1stThese images come from the portfolio of a former Eidos Montreal artist. They depict various locations from Middle-earth in a top-down perspective. Umbar, a port city on the coast of Gondor described in Tolkien's works as a stronghold of corsairs, appears particularly frequently. Ships, arid biomes, and massive harbor facilities fit this theme well.
Another motif will likely seem immediately familiar to fans: the inn “To the prancing pony“in Bree. The illustration's filename leaves little room for interpretation. This choice of location suggests that the game aimed to focus not only on large battles, but also on narratively important locations.”
Gameplay snippets and open questions
Alongside artwork, there's a short video showing Umbar Bay before and after the city's fall—apparently as a visual representation of choices or story progression. Other images show early gameplay tests, including untextured 3D environments, visible grids, and simple mechanics like ladders for climbing. Red silhouettes are reminiscent of orcs, with internal notes explicitly referring to them as "Corsairs."
Exactly how the card mechanics were intended to be integrated remains unclear. The top-down perspective and melee combat approach seem more like an action RPG. It's possible that the concept was revised multiple times or that the game deliberately aimed to transcend genre boundaries.
Ultimately, a feeling of missed potential remains. Whether it would have worked in everyday gaming is pure speculation. According to reports, Eidos-Montréal is now working on a new open-world action-adventure game based on Unreal Engine 5. The question is: Will the studio be given the creative freedom that this game deserves? Lord of the Rings-Project apparently missing?
What do you think, would a story-heavy game have been better? Lord of the RingsDid a game outside of classic action have a chance?
What happened to this studio is, in my opinion, one of the biggest current gaming crimes/injustices.
I love every game from Eidos Montreal, and with Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Mankind Divided they have delivered two of the best games ever.
Even the unnecessarily and unfairly maligned Thief is simply magnificent and a minor masterpiece.
Guardians of the Galaxy was also great and is one of the best superhero games, partly because it wasn't your standard superhero game and played refreshingly differently. It also looks amazing.
Tomb Raider needs no introduction...
embracer should finally get their act together and let them work on a conclusion to the Deus Ex trilogy.
Then a new brand with stealth, choices, and an awesome setting + a great story.
If any studio can do that, it's Eidos Montreal.