The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria, the survival-crafting title set in Tolkien’s universe, is getting a brand-new expansion calledDurin’s Folk. Announced during theMiddle-earth: The Adventure Aheadpanel at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, developersFree Range GamesandNorth Beach Gamesconfirmed that the content is slated forQ4 2025.
Although full details are still under wraps, the expansion promises to extend the endgame narrative, introduce new mechanics, and add plenty of secrets yet to be uncovered. A short teaser shown at the event revealed a massive dwarven gate opening, as multiple voices echoed iconic lines from Tolkien lore—like“Khazad-dûm is the home of Durin’s Folk”—hinting at a deeper dive into the mythos of Moria.
Durin’s Folk May Arrive with the Game’s Second Anniversary
While an exact release date hasn’t been confirmed, it’s likely thatDurin’s Folkwill launch aroundReturn to Moria’ssecond anniversary onOctober 24. Originally launched inOctober 2023for PC and later arriving onPS5 in DecemberandXbox Series in August 2024, the game has seen steady improvement. Fullcrossplaysupport is now active across platforms.
The game had a rocky start, debuting with aMetacritic score of 59, but has since turned things around. On Steam, it currently holds aVery Positiverating, with over82% positive reviewsfrom players.
Dedicated Servers and Crossplay Revive the Community
In recent months,Return to Moriahas received several significant updates. One of the most notable is the addition ofdedicated servers, which can either be rented or self-hosted—giving players full control over settings like difficulty, enemy aggression, and raid frequency.
Combined with the newly addedcross-platform multiplayer, these features have breathed new life into the game’s player base, making it a far more enjoyable and customizable experience for long-time fans and newcomers alike.
