The game presents a compact third-person and overhead-style adventure across locations from Middle-earth. Players guide a party through story stages, fight enemies, collect studs, and solve obstacles by switching between characters with different abilities.

Story progression follows the three-film narrative, while replay and exploration focus on finding collectibles and accessing areas that were previously blocked. The DS version also uses touch-screen interactions for selected activities and puzzle elements. Combat is simple and character abilities are central to progression rather than complex skill development.

Explore each area before leaving, since studs and collectibles are often placed away from the main route.

When an obstacle blocks progress, switch through the available characters rather than repeatedly attacking it. Revisit completed stages with a broader roster to reach objects and paths that were inaccessible during the first story run.

Keep a strong melee character and a ranged or special-ability character available. Collecting studs consistently is more useful than rushing through encounters, especially when replaying stages for completion.