Star Wars: The Old Republic vs The Lord of the Rings Online
Every attribute in the database, side by side — MMOlist scores Star Wars: The Old Republic at 81 and The Lord of the Rings Online at 82, but the right pick depends on how you play.
Star Wars: The Old Republic
2011 · Free-to-Play + Sub Option · Tab Target
The Lord of the Rings Online
2007 · Free-to-Play + Sub Option · Tab Target
The short version
What they share: a themepark world, tab-target combat, a free-to-play + sub option model, no open-world PvP and vertical endgame progression.
Compared with Star Wars: The Old Republic, The Lord of the Rings Online is less alt-friendly, less PvP-focused, more PvE-focused, grindier and less casual-friendly.
Star Wars: The Old Republic — strengths: Eight fully voiced class storylines; Great solo KOTOR-style experience. Watch out for: Years of slow content cadence (picking back up with the 8.0 expansion).
The Lord of the Rings Online — strengths: Unrivaled Middle-earth world-building; Warm, mature community. Watch out for: Ancient engine and animations.
| Star Wars: The Old Republic | The Lord of the Rings Online | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Live | Live |
| Release year | 2011 | 2007 |
| Developer | Broadsword Online Games | Standing Stone Games |
| Business model | Free-to-Play + Sub Option | Free-to-Play + Sub Option |
| Platforms | PC | PC |
| Combat type | Tab Target | Tab Target |
| World design | Themepark | Themepark |
| MMOlist score | 81 | 82 |
| Steam rating | 81% | 80% |
| User score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 |
| Critic score | 85 | 90 |
| Steam peak CCU | 24K | 4K |
| PvE focus | ||
| PvP focus | ||
| Grindiness | ||
| Solo friendly | ||
| Duo friendly | ||
| Casual friendly | ||
| Typical session | 1–2 hours | 1–2 hours |
| Time to endgame | Under 40h | 100–300h |
| Catch-up friendly | ||
| Chore pressure | ||
| Endgame progression | Vertical | Vertical |
| Alt friendly | ||
| Crafting depth | ||
| Guild importance | ||
| P2W perception | Low | Low |
| Open-world PvP | No | No |
| Full-loot PvP | No | No |
| Housing | Instanced | Instanced |
| Steam Deck | Playable | Playable |
| Cross-play | Partial / N/A | Partial / N/A |
| Cross-progression | Partial / N/A | Partial / N/A |
| Update cadence | Slow | Active |
| Best for | Star Wars fans; Story soloers; Altoholics who want eight class stories | Tolkien devotees; Slow-travel explorers; Roleplayers; Cozy community seekers |
Pick Star Wars: The Old Republic if you want…
- Star Wars fans
- Story soloers
- Altoholics who want eight class stories
Pick The Lord of the Rings Online if you want…
- Tolkien devotees
- Slow-travel explorers
- Roleplayers
- Cozy community seekers
Keep exploring
Still torn? Add a third game, or let the quiz decide from how you actually play.