The Lord of the Rings: War in the North
Release Date: November 1, 2011
RPG, TPP, fantasy, books, The Lord Of The Rings, co-op, action RPG, splitscreen, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
Steam
A multiplayer-focused action role-playing game, taking place in the famous Lord of the Rings universe. The game was developed by Snowblind, creators of e.g. the console edition of the legendary Baldur's Gate. You play as a man, an elf or a dwarf, fighting the forces of Sauron and participating in the events in the norther part of Middle-Earth, happening concurrently to the main story of the Lord of the Rings novel.
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North is an action/RPG title, designed primarily for multiplayer gameplay. The game was based on famous novel The Lord of the Rings by English writer and philologist, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. Behind the game stands Snowblind Studios, known for their work on console hack'n'slash games, such as Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance and Champions of Norrath.
The story in War in the North is parallel to the events from the novel, only that players take different roles in the fight against the forces of darkness. The game features co-op gameplay for up to three players forming a team who faces Sauron's forces in the northern regions of the Middle-Earth. Players can completely modify not only the appearance of characters, but also their skills and special abilities, along with a wide variety of upgradable weapons.
You can play as elf, human, or dwarf (the races differ in special abilities) who respectively represent three professions: mage, scout, and warrior. For example, dwarves can use extra skills in dungeons – e.g. they can see magic runes that mark secret passages. Mages, in turn, have large firepower. In addition to offensive spells (also based on ice magic), they can activate a protective shield and heal their companions. Scouts can become invisible and use stealth attacks, while warriors focus enemy attention on themselves, thus protecting their allies. At the heart of the game lies combat based on use of skills, which you progressively learn along with character development.
During the game, you also collect various items and talk with independent characters. The dialogue system was inspired on the one from Mass Effect series, and is based on choosing the most suitable answers. Your decisions affect gameplay, open access to side quests, and provide information about the extensive world of the Middle-Earth. Despite the wealth of the universe, the game features a lot of characters whom you could never find in the pages of Tolkien’s books. It is also noteworthy that Saul Zaentz (the producer of The Lord of the Rings films) helped to recapture the atmosphere of Tolkien’s world.
The most interesting aspect of War in the North is multiplayer. The game can be completed solo, with the support of two team members controlled by AI, as well as in online mode, with real players. The experience is aided by character level scaling system and trading items.
Last updated on August 14, 2015
Last Update: December 15, 2011
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Game Guide
The guide to Lord of the Rings: War in the North contains a detailed and richly illustrated description of how to complete both the main plot playthrough and all side quests.
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Videos and Screens
[1:05] The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Launch Trailer
[1:54] The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Human
The main pros of the game
- Graphics: Many users praised the game's graphics as being respectable and well-maintained despite its age.
- Story: The narrative is highlighted as a strong point, with users finding it engaging and well-integrated into the lore of "The Lord of the Rings."
- Combat: The combat system is described as fun and well-executed, providing a satisfying gameplay experience.
- Co-op Play: The ability to play cooperatively with up to three players is frequently mentioned as enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.
- Character Variety: Players appreciate the different character classes, each with unique abilities, which adds depth to gameplay.
- Crafting and Looting: Users enjoyed the crafting system (albeit limited) and the variety of weapons and armor available.
- Replayability: Many reviews noted the game's replay value, especially when played with friends and experimenting with different character builds.
The main cons of the game
- Inventory System: Users criticized the inventory management, noting that it only allows one type of transaction at a time (buying or selling).
- Skill Tree Clarity: The skill trees for characters lack detailed explanations of how points affect abilities, leading to confusion.
- Bugs and Performance Issues: Several users reported bugs, including crashes and connectivity issues in multiplayer mode, which detracted from the experience.
- Limited Single-Player Experience: While the game is enjoyable solo, some players felt that it is best experienced with others, and playing alone can be tedious.
- Linear Gameplay: The game?s progression is often described as linear, with limited exploration options between locations.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- More Detailed Skill Descriptions: Users expressed a desire for clearer explanations of how skill upgrades impact gameplay.
- Improved Multiplayer Functionality: Many reviews pointed out issues with the multiplayer experience, suggesting a need for better stability and connection options.
- Expanded Content: Some players noted the lack of additional content or expansions, feeling that the game could benefit from more side quests or post-game activities.
- Manual Save Options: The absence of a manual save feature was mentioned as a significant oversight, especially in a game with challenging gameplay.
- Customization Options: Users expressed a desire for more in-depth character customization and crafting options.
Summary
- Overall, "Lord of the Rings: War in the North" is well-regarded for its engaging story, cooperative gameplay, and enjoyable combat, but it suffers from some technical issues and limitations in inventory management and multiplayer functionality.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 2731 votes. 1970 players anticipated the game.
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
Developer: Snowblind Studios
Publisher: Warner Bros. Games
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz, 2 GB RAM (4 GB RAM - Vista/7), graphic card 256 MB (GeForce 8600 or better), 10 GB HDD, Windows XP/Vista/7, Internet connection