The Lord of the Rings Novels
“The Lord of the Rings” is the best-selling novel ever
written. It’s a sequel to J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel “The Hobbit”,
which was written and published between 1937 and 1949.
The Lord of the Rings book has sold over 150
million copies since its publication in 1954.
The novel was influenced by Tolkien’s own experiences in the
trenches as an English soldier during World War I. He was a part
of an entire generation of British men who saw his circle of
friends slain, maimed, or traumatized in the Great War. To that
point in world history, World War I (as it later was called) was
the bloodiest conflict in human experience. Many marched off to
war expecting a short war and potential glory, but returned
disillusioned with modern civilization and the industrialization
of war and society.
A Unique English Mythology
J.R.R. Tolkien read classical literature. In doing so, he
became familiar with Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology. He was
also a consumer of medieval literature, dwelling from his
childhood on Arthurian legends and Scandinavian sagas like
Beowulf. Tolkien also was a devout Catholic, so his books were
infused with his own Christian attitudes.
Tolkien told his friends he wanted to create a unique English
mythology, because England has no such native myths. Like the
Catholic Church fused together Christian saints with pagan
deities, Tolkien drew upon his readings of other European
traditions to build a fictional mythology which was noticeably
English in character. He even designed a new language and wrote
poetry based on it.
The Shire
At the heart of “The Lord of the Rings” is the Shire, which
is based on the West Midlands of England. His mother’s home had
been in Evesham in the West Midlands. Tolkien’s mother died when
he was 12 and he maintained an idyllic picture of the land from
his early years spent in the West Midlands.
The Shire is untouched by rampant technology and the
corruption of civilization. It is home to a race of demi-humans
known as Hobbits. The Hobbits are a simple agrarian people set
apart and untouched by contact with the outside world.
Middle-Earth in Peril
In LoTR, a great evil once walked the land and subjugated
most of Middle-Earth. That evil is embodied in Sauron, a devil
figure. Sauron was defeated long ago at a great loss of life,
but his evil is growing once more. His worshippers, the orcs,
are arming for war by building vast foundries.
These beings are obsessed with technology and conquest. No
doubt, J.R.R. Tolkien saw the orcs as embodying the corrupt
traits of modern civilization and its leaders: the politicians,
the generals, and the industrialists.
As the kingdoms of the prouder races (humans, elves, and
dwarves) are being consumed by war, the Shire is still
untouched. A wise figure, Gandalf, collects a small band of
Hobbits to go on a quest to Mount Doom. One Hobbit, Frodo
Baggins, must carry an evil ring to Mount Doom, where he must
cast it into a volcano. To do so will destroy the One-Ring, but
that ring will try to corrupt Frodo every step of the way.
About J.R.R. Tolkien
Though he is known in the 21st century as a great novelist,
J.R.R. Tolkien was known in his time as a professor at Oxford
University. He wrote the Middle-Earth novels over a period of 30
years. It appeared at times as if he would never publish them,
while some of his writings were never published in his lifetime.
Tolkien was known among a small group of writers known as
“The Inklings”, which included C. S. Lewis, Owen Barfield, and
Charles William. For many years, these men would meet to discuss
literature, religion, and their own writings.
Lord of the Rings Slots: Game Details
One cool thing about Lord of the Rings Slots is it takes the
player to locations all around Middle-Earth: Hobbiton,
Rivendell, Weathertop in Eriador, Amon Hen, Lothlorien, Bree,
and the Mines of Moria. These are part of the various bonus
games throughout a session.
Readers should keep in mind that the IGT slot machine is
licensed to the billion-dollar movie, with video clips and audio
from the original film. Thus, any deviations in the bonus games
below are due to the slot machine following the movie version of
the tale.
One-Ring to Unlock the Bonus
An icon of the One Ring is the scatter symbol in this game.
When three pictures of the One Ring appear the screen at one
time, it activates a bonus round. One of 8 different bonus games
is unlocked.
Lord of the Rings Slots does not work like other bonus
rounds. Most other IGT video slots have a wheel mechanism which
funnels players to different bonus games. The bonus rounds in
LoTR Slots follows the path of the Hobbits in the story, so
you’ll play these bonus games sequentially.
Prancing Pony Bonus Game
The Prancing Pony Bonus Game is the first adventure the
Hobbits had. The Prancing Pony was the tavern where Frodo and
his buddies expected to meet Gandalf the Gray. Shortly after,
they were chased by the Ringwraiths, also known as the Nazgul or
The Nine.
The bonus game therefore depicts the chase with the
Ringwraiths. Survive to win more coins.
Rivendell Bonus Game
The next bonus game is based on Rivendell, home of the elves.
The elfish civilization isn’t nearly as dangerous as the
Ringwraiths, so you should find the bonuses on this game a bit
less stress-inducing.
Or perhaps you won’t. Rivendell is where Elrond heals Frodo
from a Morgul blade wound, so the player’s life is on the line.
The Mines of Moria Bonus Game
The Mines of Moria were the fallen dwarven city in the bowels
of a mountain. Here, the Balrog, a fiery demonic creature,
appears to kill the traveling Hobbits. Only Gandalf is able to
save the Hobbits from the elemental evil, which destroyed the
city of Moria.
This bonus game pits the player against the Balrog. The
longer you last, the more coins you collect.
Lothlorien Bonus Round
After Gandalf’s death, Aragorn takes the Hobbits to
Lothlorien. In this location, Galadriel the Elf (also known as
Cate Blanchett) tells Frodo he must complete the quest to Mt.
Doom. This is a bit of an interlude for the slots player, but
more coins can be had.
Gimli Bonus Game
The Gimli Bonus Game is straightforward and entertaining.
Gimli the Dwarf enjoys turning battles into games, where he and
his comrades count to see who kills the most Urumqi Ha (orcs).
More dead opponents means more gold coins.
Gimli discusses the results as this 3-reel bonus game
continues. Payouts are aided by a Gimli wild symbol. It stays in
place until a winning combination is unlocked.
Amon Hen Bonus Round
Amon Hen was the great hill at the end of the first chapter
of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. There, the Hobbits faced the
horrible might of the Urumqi Ha. Once again, the longer you can
hold off the Urumqi Ha, the more coins you’ll collect.
In this battle, Aragorn and Boromir face the orc leader,
Lurtz. Your decisions determine the outcome of the battle, as
well as the number of coins you’ll receive.
Helm’s Deep Bonus Round
IGT produced a Lord of the Rings 2 slots game. In “The Two
Towers”, the Battle of the Hornburg was depicted. This was the
big assault on Helm’s Deep. In the Lord of the Rings slot
machine from WMS Gaming, this is a bonus game. Attacked climb
the battlements as you try to knock them off their ladders. It’s
a particularly fun game, but won’t be found on the original
version.
Other Lord of the Rings Slots
Lord of the Rings 3: Land of Mordor
Also, IGT developed a Lord of the Rings 3: Land of Mordor
slot machine. This is found in some Las Vegas area casinos, such
as the Rio All-Suite Hotel. Sauron gets a number of speaking
lines in this game, asking players to “Embrace the power of the
Ring.”
Lord of the Rings Slots by WMS Gaming
Williams Interactive, the online division of WMS Gaming, also
produced a Lord of the Rings Slot Machine. This include the
Power Spins feature. Gollum makes a number of appearances. This
is likely to cause a lot of confusion, so we mention it.
Summary
Anyone who loved the Tolkien novels or the Peter Jackson
movies should be thrilled by these movies. Few video slot
machine use their source material better. Hardly a minute
passing without a clip or a sound from the Lord of the Rings
movies. Even the WMS Gaming slots game is good. IGT’s Lord of
the Rings Slots series is highly recommended.
