Durin’s Folk expansion for Return to Moria arrives next month

GAMING NEWS Fyra Frost - 22-Oct-2025, 1:14 pm

Free Range Games and North Beach Games have announced the first major expansion for their dwarven survival-crafting adventure, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria. Titled "Durin’s Folk", the new content will launch on November 18, 2025, for PC and consoles, introducing a host of features that expand both the story and gameplay depth of this unique Middle-earth experience.

Expanding the dwarven kingdom

Set after the events of the main game, Durin’s Folk continues the saga of the Dwarves as they rebuild their ancient homeland in the Fourth Age. The expansion adds a brand-new story chapter focusing on the descendants of Durin, the legendary founder of Khazad-dûm. Players will encounter new characters, take part in fresh missions, and uncover hidden secrets deep within and beyond the mines.

One of the most notable additions is the introduction of recruitable NPCs. As players explore and restore Moria, they'll be able to rescue and enlist Dwarves to join their settlement. These characters will take on specialized roles such as blacksmiths, guards, miners, and brewmasters, helping to automate key survival tasks and add life to the underground fortress. This system aims to create a richer, more dynamic settlement experience, even for solo players.

Another major feature is the Recruiting Post and its accompanying trading economy. Dwarves from across Middle-earth will arrive at the West Gate, offering trade deals and contracts. Players will manage resources and establish economic relationships that support long-term survival. Complementing this is a new Expedition Map mechanic, which allows adventurers to embark on randomized missions across the expanding world, earning rare materials and blueprints along the way.

According to the developers, Durin’s Folk adds over 20 hours of new content, including repeatable co-op challenges and expanded areas to explore beyond the original caverns. This marks the largest content update for The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria since its initial release and represents the team’s commitment to long-term support for the game and its community.

When The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria first launched, it offered a refreshing take on survival crafting within Tolkien's universe. The game places players in a cooperative struggle to reclaim the mines of Moria from darkness. The upcoming expansion builds on that foundation by enhancing late-game progression, deepening lore, and providing fresh motivations to return to the depths of Khazad-dûm.

Durin’s Folk will be a paid expansion requiring the base game to play. It will be available on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. As launch day approaches, more details are expected regarding how the new story integrates with existing saves. For players who've been waiting for new reasons to delve back into the dark halls of Moria, November's expansion promises a meaningful return to dwarven glory, complete with fresh challenges, stories, and the spirit of Durin's people echoing once more in the depths.

As usual, if you haven't discovered this unique survival adventure set in the world of The Lords of the Rings, you can use our comparator to buy a cheap The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria digital code. The best prices to pre-order the expansion will be available soon.