Free Range Games can’t keep the previously planned release window, but in exchange, there will be native versions for the current-gen consoles.

Here’s the game’s overview: “The story of The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria takes players beyond the books and into the Fourth Age of Middle-earth, the fantastical world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Summoned to the Misty Mountains by Lord Gimli Lockbearer, players take control of a company of Dwarves tasked to reclaim the lost spoils from the Dwarven homeland of Moria—known as Khazad-dûm or Dwarrowdelf—in the depths below their very feet. Their quest will require fortitude, delving deep into the Mines of Moria to recover its treasures. Players will join forces to survive, craft, build and explore the iconic, sprawling mines. Courageous expeditions will need to be vigilant as mysterious dangers await.

The game offers endless experiences by featuring a procedurally generated Dwarven realm of Moria, so no two adventures will be alike, and every expedition is traversable either solo or online with companions. Players can mine to craft more excellent gear and resources but beware, mining makes noise, and noise created in the quiet profound threatens to awaken the dangers below: where there’s a clatter, there’s combat. Excavate the mysteries of three legendary mountains, extract precious metals, scrape to survive, and battle unspeakable forces to learn the secret of the Shadow that lurks within.

Experience the Fellowship of the Dwarves like never before, with the rich lore of the iconic fantasy world from J.R.R. Tolkien interwoven into the very fabric of The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria. To survive the treacherous Mines of Moria, players must conserve resources, hunt and gather for food and manage their sleep, temperature, and noise levels. Utilize dynamic light systems for safety and to blaze a path further into the darkness. Battle unspeakable evils and survive hordes of monstrous Orcs in visceral combat while uncovering the secret of the Shadow that looms within the mountain. Find solace in the darkness. Reveal and precise new locations to create architecture on a grand scale. Get creative and construct bases from scratch or build upon the existing environment. Beware the evils which seek to destroy Dwarven progress.

Restore the long-lost ancient kingdom of Khazad-dum to its former glory, recovering Dwarven landmarks as the story progresses. Resurrect old mines and refire their forges to yield their natural resources. Procedurally generated environments are abundant with resources and fraught with mystery and danger, providing a unique experience every time. Adventure alone or band with friends in online cooperative multiplayer with up to eight players. Craft and loot legendary Dwarven armor, tools, weapons, and structures. Rebuild ancient forges to strengthen, repair and enchant gear. Upgrade and unlock new technologies and fantastical machines. Discover antique magic items, including swords that glow when Orcs are near, maps of long-dormant Mithril veins, books with forgotten crafting plans, and amulets that give strength or wisdom. Establish mines to unearth deposits of precious resources such as iron, gold, and quartz; and fantastical materials such as Mithril. Access crafting stations and forges to convert ore to ingots and upgrade gear. But be prepared; mining is loud and can awaken what lurks in the darkness. Players become part of the Dwarven Legend by creating their own Dwarf in the custom character creator. Dwarves can be customized in various ways to create a unique Dwarven identity. Then, during gameplay, players can find and craft armor and weapons to further enhance their unique style.”

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria was previously scheduled for a spring release. That didn’t work out. Instead, it will be released in the fall by North Beach Games for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC (Epic Games Store).

Source: Gematsu