At the beginning of the adventure, players can create their own hero. They can choose to belong to the race of Men, Elves, Dwarves, or Hobbits and which class they want to play.

In HDRO, there are a total of 10 classes, which cannot be represented by every race – for example, Hobbits cannot become Lore-masters (Mages) or Captains, but they can play Burglar. In addition to seven free classes, there are also two classes that can only be unlocked with real money.

Once a character is created, players find themselves in one of the four starting areas of Middle-earth and receive a little tutorial to learn about movement, combat, and interacting with other players and NPCs.

After that, players can embark on a journey through Middle-earth and experience the story of The Lord of the Rings from the perspective of their respective race through quests. Along the way, they will encounter various characters from the novels like Strider, Boromir, or Legolas, who can assist them with advice or sword.

For those seeking to battle against other players, there is the so-called Monster Play. This is a separate area where the forces of Good and the armies of Mordor clash in an endless duel. Players can decide for themselves before the start whether they want to fight on the bright side or as a creature for Sauron. By successfully defeating enemies, players can earn special equipment and weapons.

The Lord of the Rings Online is a free-to-play MMORPG that is funded through an online shop where players can purchase special equipment, the two special classes, or limited-time bonuses such as buffs. However, to play the game, only a free account and the installed game client are required.