Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

This pack lives or dies on how much you enjoy collecting and selecting characters in LEGO The Lord of the Rings. There are five additions here—Sauron (Second Age), Prince Imrahil, Beregond, Théodred, and Sméagol—and the first reaction is likely to be simple: either you are pleased to see those names join the roster, or you wonder why they were not bundled into a larger expansion.

Second Age Sauron is the obvious headliner. He gives the pack a suitably grand Tolkien pull, while Imrahil, Beregond, and Théodred cater to fans who appreciate characters beyond the story’s most familiar leads. Sméagol rounds out the selection with a character whose inclusion makes sense for anyone who enjoys filling out the world’s cast rather than sticking only with heroes and villains.

Do not buy it expecting a new mode, new adventure, or a dramatically different reason to play. This is a player-unit pack, and its payoff is the extra choice it adds to the existing game. It works best as a small treat once you already know you want more LEGO Middle-earth in your character list.

Graphics

The draw is seeing these five Tolkien characters represented within the game’s LEGO look. Sauron’s Second Age version has the strongest immediate hook simply because it brings such a major piece of Middle-earth imagery into the selectable cast; the others are more for fans who will recognize and appreciate the names.

Story

There is no new narrative promised here, so judge the pack as a roster footnote rather than a missing chapter of The Lord of the Rings. Its choices still show affection for the setting’s wider cast: Imrahil and Beregond point toward Gondor, Théodred brings in Rohan, and Sméagol adds another angle on a familiar figure.

That spread gives the pack a little more personality than a random assortment of extras. It reaches across different corners of Middle-earth instead of loading up on one faction, and Sauron provides a weighty counterpoint to the human characters.

Still, names alone are the whole proposition. If your attachment to LEGO The Lord of the Rings comes mainly from replaying its story, these additions will not change that experience. They are rewards for Tolkien enthusiasts who find genuine enjoyment in a broader ensemble.

Overall Experience

Middle-earth Character Pack 1 is easy to recommend to completionists and devoted Lord of the Rings fans, particularly if Second Age Sauron or the Gondorian additions mean something to you. Its modest scope is honest: five characters, no grander promise.

For everyone else, it is a harder sell. A character pack has to earn its place through affection for the roster, and this one does not offer much beyond that affection. You should treat it as optional seasoning, not essential LEGO The Lord of the Rings content.

If you are already considering smaller add-ons, the related Weapons and Magical Items Pack may also fit your appetite for expanding the base game. This character set is worthwhile when you want these specific names in your collection; otherwise, the base adventure remains the better place to spend your time.

Retro Replay Score

5/10