The Lord of the Rings: War in the North

 PC
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 362 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 201 out of 362
  2. Mixed: 106 out of 362
  3. Negative: 55 out of 362
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. SpectralAnubis
    Nov 1, 2011
    8
    Snowblind studios built it's name on console action RPG's. They haven't wandered from that path. They've left their mark on the gaming industry. Kudos to you Snowblind, this really is a nice gem. War in the North brings a 3 person co-op style of gameplay. The players have a choice between three different characters. Each with three skill trees and a multiple number of abilities. All threeSnowblind studios built it's name on console action RPG's. They haven't wandered from that path. They've left their mark on the gaming industry. Kudos to you Snowblind, this really is a nice gem. War in the North brings a 3 person co-op style of gameplay. The players have a choice between three different characters. Each with three skill trees and a multiple number of abilities. All three characters can either go melee or ranged during combat. Primarily there's two basic defensive moves, block and dodge. There's other abilities that can further defense. The games merits rely on the charming Tolkien lore which only enhances a unique and plausible storyline. Warner Brother's has really done a excellent job with expanding Tolkien's universe in various media outlets. Artwork is amazing, the plain fluid motion of the camera is flawless. Middle-Earth is painted with a darker brush, there's a gritty and grainy feel to the game. My only peeve with the game is that the two hardest difficulty settings aren't unlocked until completion of a play-through.

    Snowblind studios delivered easily a worthy pickup both on consoles and PC. 8/10    … Expand
  2. Dutchboy
    Jan 27, 2013
    8
    This game deserves imo a higher rating. It is a beautiful game, with a great story (it differs from the Lord of the rings movies, in story and characters), so you don't feel like you're just playing out the movies.

    It is somewhat lineair: you can't leave the paths set for you, so okay it isn't as free as Skyrim, but it just doesn't feel restrictive. The path feels natural, not forced.    This game deserves imo a higher rating. It is a beautiful game, with a great story (it differs from the Lord of the rings movies, in story and characters), so you don't feel like you're just playing out the movies.

    It is somewhat lineair: you can't leave the paths set for you, so okay it isn't as free as Skyrim, but it just doesn't feel restrictive. The path feels natural, not forced.

    One negative I've read about, are the zombie like facial movements (or lack thereof) of some of the characters you meet in Rivendell, I have to agree with this, and it bothered me a little. Strangly I only felt like the facial animations lacked in Rivendell, in the rest of the world they were fine.

    I loved the amount of gear you could find, and that you really had a choice in equiping it: it differed enough to make it an interesting trade off, between for example damage and magical effects (of the item).

    I loved it, and will probably do another play through as a mage.    … Expand
  3. killsimon
    Jan 12, 2013
    9
    The story is short and worthless, and there are very few levels. But the gameplay, fighting and all the other stuff is just amazing. They finally managed to make a lord of the rings game with some gore in it(you can chop off heads, arms, legs and there is lots of blood).
  4. Galather
    Sep 4, 2013
    10
    Fantastic hack & slash game with great graphics & good storyline. If you are looking for a game with intense combat with an over arching LOTR theme then this game is for you.
  5. Matiben
    Jun 26, 2013
    9
    Lord of the Rings: War in the North is an excellent hack & slash game, themed with tales of the Middle-Earth. Snowblind Studios did an excellent work with the story, not using the classic "Take the ring to Mordor". Instead creating a new story in the cold north, filled with references to the lore of Lord of the Rings and also the Hobbit. Also with great voice actors, cutscenes, talentLord of the Rings: War in the North is an excellent hack & slash game, themed with tales of the Middle-Earth. Snowblind Studios did an excellent work with the story, not using the classic "Take the ring to Mordor". Instead creating a new story in the cold north, filled with references to the lore of Lord of the Rings and also the Hobbit. Also with great voice actors, cutscenes, talent trees combined with 3-player breathtaking combat and action. Slaughtering of the Armies of Sauron has never been more fun!
    But on the other hand, you should grab friends with you, because the AI companions aren't always the smartest or most useful. Overall: This is a great hack & slash with great story.    … Expand
  6. EdStephen
    Sep 6, 2013
    9
    I bought this game not expecting much due to the many mediocre reviews. From the start, I was pleasantly surprised. This is one of the best hack and slash RPGs I've found, and is definitely worth a play. If you enjoy RPGs where you can level up, or are a fan of the Lord of the Rings series, I would definitely recommend this game to you. The combat is complex and varied, the graphics areI bought this game not expecting much due to the many mediocre reviews. From the start, I was pleasantly surprised. This is one of the best hack and slash RPGs I've found, and is definitely worth a play. If you enjoy RPGs where you can level up, or are a fan of the Lord of the Rings series, I would definitely recommend this game to you. The combat is complex and varied, the graphics are great and the story line is very engaging.… Expand
  7. falmavar
    Feb 27, 2018
    10
    Very good game. It strongly recomended to the Tolkien fans. There is a big part of Middle-Earth story that was not opened if film. Nature and characters looks awesome.
  8. rpm
    Apr 16, 2012
    9
    I have to say that I don't think some of these reviewers even played this game. To say that the graphics suck or that they look like PS2 or they are 5 years old?...that is ridiculous. I am about half way through this game and while there are aspects I am not crazy about I am having a very enjoyable time.

    1. Graphics - These are fantastic! In between battles I find myself just looking    I have to say that I don't think some of these reviewers even played this game. To say that the graphics suck or that they look like PS2 or they are 5 years old?...that is ridiculous. I am about half way through this game and while there are aspects I am not crazy about I am having a very enjoyable time.

    1. Graphics - These are fantastic! In between battles I find myself just looking around at the beautiful elven gardens, snowy crags of mountaintops, creepy forest tangles, or the many other gorgeous environments in this game. My wife is playing the new Star Wars online and her game looks like a cartoon compared to this game. 9/10

    2. Story - I find it very enjoyable to have the story and characters from LotR existing alongside and at times intertwining with this game's story. I don't really care to replay the books or the movies, so playing this "side story" is perfect. I feel like I am contributing in a major way to the fight against Sauron, but not replaying a known story. This gives it some gravity and some mystery at the same time. 8/10

    3. Gameplay/RPG Elements - While not as complex and thorough as many RPGs I've played, there is enough to do when leveling up to customize your player character. You add to the usual stats and then get to select between 3 skill areas. You also get to customize wearables with gems, and there is plenty of loot so you will frequently be upgrading your armor and weapons. 6/10

    4. Interface/Controls - This is perhaps where I'd make the most changes. Basically, you select one of the three main playable characters for a section of the game, then as you progress through the game there are points at which you can choose to remain as the same character or switch to one of the other two. At first I did not like this approach, but after a while I grew to enjoy playing three different character styles. It creates more varied play and encourages those of us who typically play RPGs as one character type to try new types. One thing I would add to the interface screen is a progress bar to the next "switch" site so I would know how close I am to being able to change characters. Also, I became aware that you must play as a character to level them up and swap wearables. 6/10

    5. Miscellaneous - Music, sound effects, and voice acting are superb. Art design is perfect for the story...a great mix of realism and fantasy. The game has gotten quite challenging here about half-way through, though I'd say the "boss" fights are (oddly) somewhat easier than the rest. One "glitch" I have found is that the two characters you are not controlling actually use more advanced skills than when you are playing as that character. For example, when playing as the ranger I noticed the dwarf shooting exploding bolts. When next I plated as the dwarf I saw that this was an advanced skill I had not been able to select yet.

    Summary - This game was a huge surprise, and a very enjoyable one. I actually prefer more detail and micro-managing in my RPGs, but this game is great for what it is. It is a bit linear and lacks the depth of some other traditional RPGs, but makes up for it with fantastic artwork, great story, and challenging battles.

    Overall Rating - 7.5    … Expand
  9. axman151
    Nov 4, 2011
    10
    Everything an avid RPG fan would want in a game. With highly advanced co-op play, and an amazing combat system, mixed with decent, upgrade able characters and a good story-line, this game is a MUST play!
  10. Koo
    Nov 11, 2011
    8
    A great game that plays well on many PC configurations, I am pleasantly surprised by LOTR: WITN. As others have commented, the graphics are excellent and the gameplay is engaging. My one complaint is that the multiplayer is simply the singleplayer campaign with online play. No new maps or co-operative gameplay styles, as I was hoping. Also, the difficulty levels above Normal must beA great game that plays well on many PC configurations, I am pleasantly surprised by LOTR: WITN. As others have commented, the graphics are excellent and the gameplay is engaging. My one complaint is that the multiplayer is simply the singleplayer campaign with online play. No new maps or co-operative gameplay styles, as I was hoping. Also, the difficulty levels above Normal must be unlocked one at a time, but this disadvantage is also an advantage, in that it gives you a tangible reason to replay the game's single and multi-player adventures. All told, War in the North is a great game. It's light years ahead of most movie-based games, and is great fun to play. The only thing that would make it better in my books, is a more varied multiplayer experience. 8/10… Expand
  11. crimson40
    Nov 11, 2011
    8
    I am honestly enjoying it quite a bit. Co-op with my son is good fun. Maybe my expectations are too low, but I think it's well worth a playthrough. It doesn't have enough replayability for more than a playthrough or two.
  12. AragornTheGreat
    Nov 15, 2011
    10
    War in the North gives very enjoyable Co-Op good graphics and its yes LOTR.

    Co-Op is much more enjoyable then playing singeplayer as mostly is
  13. exlibris
    Feb 13, 2012
    10
    Overall, a fun game to play - great graphics, great hack and slash battles, and a s somewhat interesting story if you are at all a Tolkien fan. And it was great seeing another person's view on Tolkien - that is another reason why I recommend this game: I think it is a very interesting and beautiful interpretation. So, if you get a kick out of ol' hack and slashes, with some RPG elementsOverall, a fun game to play - great graphics, great hack and slash battles, and a s somewhat interesting story if you are at all a Tolkien fan. And it was great seeing another person's view on Tolkien - that is another reason why I recommend this game: I think it is a very interesting and beautiful interpretation. So, if you get a kick out of ol' hack and slashes, with some RPG elements thrown in, I highly recommend this game. There's enough of an RPG element to keep things going, and I must say I am hooked. So much for homework...… Expand
  14. Dcy
    Apr 9, 2012
    9
    This is a really good game, i had a very good time when i played this game with 2 more people, the spells and abilities could be better, but the story is very good and you can enjoy playing with other people and exchanging items, etc
  15. Bronnen
    Nov 1, 2011
    8
    This game, while it is an Action RPG, focuses a lot more on the action aspect than the RPG. Sure there are RPG elements, cool weapons, cool armour, you can level up, sidequests and all those fun things, but at its core War in the North is an action game.

    The combat is smooth and simple, and while it is a little repetitive to start off, soon you unlock special attacks and moves that break    This game, while it is an Action RPG, focuses a lot more on the action aspect than the RPG. Sure there are RPG elements, cool weapons, cool armour, you can level up, sidequests and all those fun things, but at its core War in the North is an action game.

    The combat is smooth and simple, and while it is a little repetitive to start off, soon you unlock special attacks and moves that break up the simple button bashing.

    The graphics, while not incredibly, are pretty enough that you won't feel the need to criticize them.

    By biggest problem with this game is the AI.

    The AI does a decent job of working with you if you choose to play offline, but more often than not I found them off in the distance, ignoring the group of enemies wailing on me and beating one single enemy into submission.

    Thankfully the game has very few bugs and runs very smoothly on my middle-end pc. I highly recommend this game to Action fans and LOTR fans.    … Expand
  16. Madeline
    Nov 9, 2011
    9
    I didn't like that Snowblind showed a teaser way back when they announced this game, and the elf used the bow, yet when you get the final product - the elf is not using the bow. The community didn't like that either, and Snowblind didn't listen to the community or bother to read their own forums. Thus the Elf is the Loremaster. Still, to be honest, the most disappointing aspect of thisI didn't like that Snowblind showed a teaser way back when they announced this game, and the elf used the bow, yet when you get the final product - the elf is not using the bow. The community didn't like that either, and Snowblind didn't listen to the community or bother to read their own forums. Thus the Elf is the Loremaster. Still, to be honest, the most disappointing aspect of this game is that there is no character creator/deep customization at all, which would have really made the game go over well with the fans, even if the critics don't know what they are talking about. One can hope they do add some other player models or customization options with DLC, but with the lay-offs at Warner Brothers, thanks to horrible reviews this site compiles, from critics who only played up until they got to Rivendell, any hope of DLC is slim.

    You see, if you play the game past Rivendell, watch the characters grow in levels and abilities, it's one of the best games you'll play in a long time. Like Batman Arkham Asylum/City is the best game of the Batman franchise, so is War in The North for Lord of The Rings. Now compare it to Batman and it's not quite as good, but for a LoTR game, it's the best one you can play. Forget the LoTRO MMO, since the developers make huge group content, yet not many people actually play their game, so you can't get anything done. This game is how LoTR multiplayer should be, in terms of a 3 person fellowship. The gameplay at a glance can be repetitive but once you unlock skills and new abilities for your class/character, you will see a whole new game appear. The characters also are not flat at all, as some amateur critics have said at IGN. They all have personality, though I must say Andriel seems to have the most, voiced by the same lady that did BloodRayne, E'Lara in Hunted and other games, she really comes across as a great character, as do most all the NPCs you will encounter. I also like the conversations you can have with the NPCS, because you get to ask the obvious questions people had of the novels/movies, such as "why didn't the eagles just fly Frodo to Mordor?"

    I also have to say this game is alot better than the Dragon Age games, or anything Bioware does. I will never understand how they got acclaim, when their maps are just plugged in sections of other areas you've seen before. In War in The North, every section is new and detailed. You won't see the same looking areas all over your playthrough like Bioware games. Graphics, sound and story are amazing in this game. Gameplay is fast and precise. There are no invisible walls or hitbox issues like some critics has claimed. Maybe they were reviewing the inferior console versions, but the PC version does not suffer from any of these issues. Both this game and Hunted: The Demon's Forge were excellent games. I think the critics just don't play them deep enough to understand. While I will be buying Skyrim, I am sure that game won't have an epic tale that LOTR does or the same caliber of voice actors this game does, if it has any at all. It doesn't even have multiplayer, which in this game works flawless.    … Expand
  17. jkapp
    Nov 3, 2011
    9
    An unexpected gem in the array of very much anticipated games coming out this year. Buying this game will mean immersing yourself in one of the most imaginative, fantastical, majestic and magnificent realms of fantasy ever created. With full license to all of Tolkien's books, from The Silmarillion to The Lord of the Rings novel-turned-trilogy, as well as the movies, Snowblind Studios doesAn unexpected gem in the array of very much anticipated games coming out this year. Buying this game will mean immersing yourself in one of the most imaginative, fantastical, majestic and magnificent realms of fantasy ever created. With full license to all of Tolkien's books, from The Silmarillion to The Lord of the Rings novel-turned-trilogy, as well as the movies, Snowblind Studios does an excellent job of providing you with a deep narrative that runs simultaneous to Frodo's near impossible quest. In the process of doing so, the people at Snowblind also enrich your experience with Tolkien's world by providing deep lore and believable characters that the player may interact with (favorite among them for me is Radagast the Brown). Combat itself, the meat of any action game, is well done and provides enough entertainment that you will be more than happy to do multiple playthroughs (as I am doing now). While they could have added more variety in attack animations, such as left click (LC), LC, right click (RC) or LC, RC, RC, LC, the ways of customizing your characters from being a staff wielder or staff + sword wielder (Lore-master), 2-hander, duel wielder and/or bow + arrow shooter (Ranger) and 2-hander or sword + board and crossbowman (Champion), along with the loot system/reward system for quests, all provide enough interest to prevent the monotony that occurs with common action games. Indeed, the idea of integrating action with that RPG looting system is ingenious. But that is not the only RPG elements you may expect in this action-RPG. Character development is also a key component, and every class has different talent paths, assuring no one will be the same. For instance, on my first playthrough, I played the Elf Lore-master, a sort of semi-mage and/or support character. Generally I would have been expected to take the support route, but since at first I was soloing it, I instead chose to transform this "glass cannon" into a melee heavy, spell heavy killing machine. The result is that, while I could have had a skinny Elf throwing up "bubbles" to shield from ranged attacks and healing, or a puny Elf who flashes bolts of energy (?) from behind the roars of a Dwarf Champion, I instead became a knight-like Gandalf rolling and blasting her way into combat whilst hacking and smashing and severing limbs off with my sword and staff. The result in multiplayer was that my damage could compete with that of a Dwarf or Ranger.

    Of course, despite all the great things, a game can always be better. For War in the North, improvements could be in the looting system, where more magical items are more common. One disappointment is that even after spending five minutes fighting those massive trolls, the rewards were often mediocre and non-magical on normal difficulty. Instead, most of your equipment is white and has little effects on them. Additionally, in single player, the game is a one-person show, as the A.I. is useless outside of annoying the enemy and reviving you. As mentioned, more animations and variety could have been put into the melee, because the constant use of skills without drowning yourself in power potions does not open up until much later--and then only for those who have invested in the Will stat. But don't let these minor nuisances take away from this otherwise brilliant game. Instead, I recommend you find a buddy or two, each buy the game, and go have some great fun in arguably the greatest fantasy products of the imagination to exist.    … Expand
  18. Garnog
    Nov 5, 2011
    9
    I am going to amend my previous review and up it a point, due to some misunderstanding on my part. Concerning your AI teammates in single player, the AI takes care of its own so you don't need to micromanage them (though you CAN manually distribute level up points if you wish). The more I play this game the more I love it, though I must admit the first hour or two didn't impress me. ItI am going to amend my previous review and up it a point, due to some misunderstanding on my part. Concerning your AI teammates in single player, the AI takes care of its own so you don't need to micromanage them (though you CAN manually distribute level up points if you wish). The more I play this game the more I love it, though I must admit the first hour or two didn't impress me. It does get much better and Snowblind deserves better than some of the negative/mixed reviews I've seen. Keep in mind that this game is more oriented to action than classic RPG, though you can adjust stats and skills to customize your character. I can see now after having played for many hours that it would be so much more fun with human teammates rather than bots. Gonna try multiplayer in a week or so just to give the rest of the world a chance to catch up. For Tolkien fans , this is a must have.… Expand
  19. mattycakes13
    Nov 2, 2011
    8
    I've given this game a solid and unyielding score of 8/10 on one condition: you must have two friends to play with. The cooperative play of this game is undoubtedly what makes it worth playing and to pick this hoping for an engaging single player experience would be at best, a terrible idea. What drives a worthwhile single player rpg is a focused, well-developed narrative and a feelingI've given this game a solid and unyielding score of 8/10 on one condition: you must have two friends to play with. The cooperative play of this game is undoubtedly what makes it worth playing and to pick this hoping for an engaging single player experience would be at best, a terrible idea. What drives a worthwhile single player rpg is a focused, well-developed narrative and a feeling that your actions and decisions leave a discernible mark on the game's world - both are thing this games is lacking entirely.

    The cooperative play however allows you to abandon any pretense of narrative or impact and allows for some good old fashioned hack'n'slash goodness. The combat system, although sometimes repetitive, is continually freshened up with an abundance of weapons, decent leveling system, and an above-par fighting engine that rewards timing and delivers visceral battles complete with decapitations and plenty of blood. The three characters are extremely well balanced and you'll find that your trio will never feel as though one player has the advantage in battle. Teamwork is often essential to survival, especially in the later stages of the game as well as in the challenge levels. Needless to say, the combat is the game's driving impetus and coupled with a few friends makes for an exhilarating time.

    The level design is extremely linear but in a game where you and your friends will simply be itching to hit the next battle, the lack of exploration works to your advantage. The environments are well-realized and expand on the aesthetics realized by the films. Each location has a unique feel, offers plenty of loot and presents the player with new and exciting opponents. The game is marred, as mentioned, by a repetitiveness caused in part by a lack of customization and character abilities. It would be nice to see a broader range of upgrades, abilities and special moves in a game that focuses so much on combat. Other things that dampened my experience were the occasional glitch and troublesome always-on voice chat that could use a push-to talk option at the very least. All in all, I would definitely recommend War in the North to anyone looking for a solid, well realized and genuinely fun co-op experience to blast through before Skyrim hits next week.    … Expand
  20. Happymonk
    Jul 11, 2012
    8
    I don't understand the negative reviews this has got. It's better than Mass Effect! (but this might just be my fanboyism towards the Lord of the Rings). The Co-op isn't anything special, but it's a fun, good-looking game with a very good story that immersed me fully. The presentation in the game is superb, it really feels like you're taking part in the Lord of the Rings. But why haven't II don't understand the negative reviews this has got. It's better than Mass Effect! (but this might just be my fanboyism towards the Lord of the Rings). The Co-op isn't anything special, but it's a fun, good-looking game with a very good story that immersed me fully. The presentation in the game is superb, it really feels like you're taking part in the Lord of the Rings. But why haven't I given it a nine? it doesn't deserve it. It is buggy, repetitive and the finale is a bit of a letdown/ anticlimax. I really wish they make a sequel to improve on the first game, and I hope that it would end up on the Wii U!… Expand
  21. kilroycpu
    Jan 5, 2012
    9
    Combat is awesome, very fun with friends. Do not expect an MMO with this game, it is a basic 3rd Person hack and slash with an rpg front. It rocks, graphics are beautiful, and combat is very fast and a blast. Quite Frankly I have no clue why others dont like this game.
  22. Cpt_Crusader
    Apr 7, 2012
    10
    I am very happy with this game and the game play. The story line is good the game play is challenging. It's a multi player RPG. You need to work together in Co-Op mode to get through the game. Single player can get tough at times and may seem that it takes to much time to defeat the enemy, but thats what makes this game fun to play, if you are up for the fight. The weapon system withI am very happy with this game and the game play. The story line is good the game play is challenging. It's a multi player RPG. You need to work together in Co-Op mode to get through the game. Single player can get tough at times and may seem that it takes to much time to defeat the enemy, but thats what makes this game fun to play, if you are up for the fight. The weapon system with swords needing repair is kinda annoying. But that is my only complaint… Expand
  23. Nikolaskelset
    Sep 8, 2013
    9
    Probably one of the best action RPG so far I have ever played in 20 years of gaming.
    Never experienced connection issues. The combat system is very solid, satisfying to play and fun.
    The story is well written, co-op doesn't affect gameplay at all, actually it improves the overall experience. If you are looking for a good 3rd person hack and slash you should absolutely consider buying    Probably one of the best action RPG so far I have ever played in 20 years of gaming.
    Never experienced connection issues. The combat system is very solid, satisfying to play and fun.
    The story is well written, co-op doesn't affect gameplay at all, actually it improves the overall experience.
    If you are looking for a good 3rd person hack and slash you should absolutely consider buying this.
    It's like an old school golden axe experience, in Tolkien's world.

    It has flaws, but you'll pass over them after 1 hour of playing since they don't ruin the experience at all.    … Expand
  24. JPoppaWUSC
    Dec 16, 2013
    9
    I ignored War in the North for over 2 years before picking it up on a Steam sale, and while the game is not without its faults, it has slowly risen to become one of my all-time favorite action-RPGs. First off, the game NEEDS to be played on a decent PC with a controller, as its console counterparts suffer from some ugly technical hiccups that ruin the experience, while the mouse andI ignored War in the North for over 2 years before picking it up on a Steam sale, and while the game is not without its faults, it has slowly risen to become one of my all-time favorite action-RPGs. First off, the game NEEDS to be played on a decent PC with a controller, as its console counterparts suffer from some ugly technical hiccups that ruin the experience, while the mouse and keyboard controls just aren't right for the third-person real-time combat. Also, it's very easy to dismiss the game in its first 3-4 hours, since you don't start to see the depth of its streamlined RPG design until you've leveled a bit. And lastly, the Lord of the Rings setting and characters are honestly just brand recognition and window dressing for what would have been a fine action-RPG under any other name. It's not like the concept of a male human, a female elf, and a male dwarf cutting down orcs and trolls is all that original in fantasy these days... and it doesn't need to be. Snowblind's games have always been this way; Dark Alliance and Champions of Norrath never really benefitted from or had a great impact on their respective D&D and EverQuest IPs, but they were good games nonetheless. In other words, don't play War in the North because it's Lord of the Rings. Play it if you like dark fantasy action-RPGs, as it handles its violent combat-driven mechanics very well. There are a few extras to be explored, from the occasional side quest and replayable areas laid out on a proper RPG map, to challenge quests and even Dragon Age-esque branching dialogue (though you're never really faced with consequences for those choices). The real fun is in unlocking skills that have a sizeable impact on your fighting style, and each of the three characters offer a fair amount of visual and stat-based customization. The only weirdness in customization is how your selected character reflects changes, while the other two auto-level and stick to preset builds when controlled by the AI. While they retain changes you've made whenever you actually play as them, they revert to the auto-builds whenever you switch. They don't lose your changes upon switching; they just don't use those changes when AI-controlled. That may seem confusing and odd to solo players, but it's obviously a design choice due to WitN's focus on co-op. It means that other players can easily drop in or out without messing with your saved builds, and it also means that you can sell any unusable equipment without having to hold onto it for another character. In the end, most solo players will stick to a single favored character anyway, so it doesn't matter that much. And on the flip-side of that point, WitN does offer an excellent cooperative experience for up to three players, if you've got friends willing to play it. The game also presents a fairly wide variety of locations and enemy types, drawing inspiration from Tolkien's lore even outside of the original novels or film adaptations. It's lengthy, too, as the game generally takes 20 hours or more for a story run (as long as you're not skipping the dialogue) and could easily eat up 60+ unlocking everything. And despite its length, the combat doesn't get old. In fact, it gets better the further you press on, and due to its moderately high challenge, it becomes quite rewarding. The ability to call on a great eagle for occasional air strikes or form a protective/restorative dome using the Sanctuary skill are particularly cool, and you'll often be left with a smile on your face after downing a massive wave of orcs. In the end, I have been pleasantly surprised by War in the North, and even if it shouldn't be placed in the same basket as Skyrim or Dark Souls, it serves as an enjoyable [and usually cheap] option for anyone looking for a solid action-RPG.… Expand
  25. Atech66
    Nov 9, 2013
    10
    This is a great coop game.. they made it more interesting by NOT following the main story and by showing us the struggles that took place behind what we saw.. and the other hero's that helped save middle earth.
    Game play is simple and that's a good thing.. when your mobbed with enemies and have 3 people fighting off everything from armored orcs to orcs with explosives strapped to their    This is a great coop game.. they made it more interesting by NOT following the main story and by showing us the struggles that took place behind what we saw.. and the other hero's that helped save middle earth.
    Game play is simple and that's a good thing.. when your mobbed with enemies and have 3 people fighting off everything from armored orcs to orcs with explosives strapped to their back and have to swap weapons quickly it doesn't need to be complicated. Graphics are beautiful and the story and side missions are interesting and all have the Tolken "feel" well worth playing. controls are very easy and many games have the same control set.. people are stupid. No customization? you might want to look around.. in the Prancing pony you can change face, hair, facial hair, eye color etc. your lack of intelligence doesn't mean something isn't there it means your too stupid to find it.    … Expand
  26. rev
    Apr 13, 2014
    8
    Pretty good action RPG ported from consoles. The story is nothing special but blends well into Tolkien't lore.

    + Good graphics, playable on puny AMD E-350 + Several hours of quality voice acting - Controls could be better, some actions require 3 keys to be pressed in order, it doesn't work in the heat of battle - Inventory management is somewhat clunky - Character swap is    Pretty good action RPG ported from consoles. The story is nothing special but blends well into Tolkien't lore.

    + Good graphics, playable on puny AMD E-350
    + Several hours of quality voice acting

    - Controls could be better, some actions require 3 keys to be pressed in order, it doesn't work in the heat of battle
    - Inventory management is somewhat clunky
    - Character swap is implausible due to inability to manage companions' inventories
    - Graphics glitches in chapter 8 part 4 lead to system crash on AMD systems    … Expand
  27. terbas
    Apr 5, 2013
    9
    In short, the low score given to this game is a shame. This game is so much fun with many upgrades and a lot of loot to be collected and used. The fighting system is nice and reminds me of Demon's Souls (block, attack, block and so on). But above all, this game immersed me quickly and I have difficulty in putting aside the controller once I start to play it. To hell with the graphics... IfIn short, the low score given to this game is a shame. This game is so much fun with many upgrades and a lot of loot to be collected and used. The fighting system is nice and reminds me of Demon's Souls (block, attack, block and so on). But above all, this game immersed me quickly and I have difficulty in putting aside the controller once I start to play it. To hell with the graphics... If it reminds people of PS2, so be it. I used to love that machine. This game deserves a solid 8 in my book. But I'll give it a 9 because of the people cursing at it. In the meantime I played the game with some randoms and saw that they didn't have an idea about what to do. And I think people giving low scores are "mostly" of that kind (I mean, noobs...)… Expand
  28. Dazaras
    Nov 24, 2013
    8
    Got this with some friends with the last Humble Bundle, and I played it for 3 hours today with a friend. I don't really see why this game has such low reviews. It's graphics are decent and I quite like the level design. It's storyline is simplistic, and mostly seems like an excuse to slaughter waves of goblins, but is in no way outright bad. It's music is actually pretty good. TheGot this with some friends with the last Humble Bundle, and I played it for 3 hours today with a friend. I don't really see why this game has such low reviews. It's graphics are decent and I quite like the level design. It's storyline is simplistic, and mostly seems like an excuse to slaughter waves of goblins, but is in no way outright bad. It's music is actually pretty good. The game mechanics seem pretty good, and I had a lot of fun trying different weapons and fighting styles while smacking goblins around with my sword or bow. My friend had a blast playing the elf mage, so I suspect the mechanical abilities are solid for all three characters.… Expand
  29. Timeraider
    Sep 4, 2013
    9
    No clue what these guys are playing. The graphics are nice (not crysis 3, but still), the hack-and-slash is fun, the storyline is avarage and i havent found a single bug or problem so....
  30. dougal83
    Mar 20, 2014
    10
    As enjoyable as KOTOR but in Lord of the rings universe. Very enjoyable to play COOP with up to 3 players. I would almost say it's like a 50 hour MMO without any boring grind. Hero mode oddly feels very heroic.

    10/10 Because there are terrible games out there and this is not one of them!
  31. Widgetmibob
    Apr 17, 2013
    10
    My wife and I really enjoyed playing this game, the combat is fun, the graphics look great, the skill trees are rewarding, and I am really enjoying the story. The combat feels like a blend of the best of Skyrim and Warcraft. The only legitimate thing that could be said against it are the inventory system could be a bit more polished, the story could be longer and there could be more scopeMy wife and I really enjoyed playing this game, the combat is fun, the graphics look great, the skill trees are rewarding, and I am really enjoying the story. The combat feels like a blend of the best of Skyrim and Warcraft. The only legitimate thing that could be said against it are the inventory system could be a bit more polished, the story could be longer and there could be more scope for exploration. These things are easily forgotten as you play through the game hacking the heads off orcs, eagerly awaiting your next level. I have had no connection issues. I thoroughly recommend the game as one of the finest co-op action rpgs out there..… Expand
  32. Beldarak
    Feb 5, 2014
    8
    One of my favourite coop games. the gameplay is fun and solid, the ambiance is gorgeous and their's a lot of RPG elements in it.

    It doesn't try to do too much and succeed in everything it does.

    Don't hesitate.
  33. Estus
    Apr 22, 2013
    10
    The game has nice graphics and a setting rich in detail, but the fighting mechanics and physics of the player characters are unconvincing. Has a reasonable backstory, but at least consistent with Tolkien's world, with important characters (such as Elrond and Bilbo) making appearances on every corner. It's a fun game, but that was not to be overestimated.
  34. temp24202
    Aug 11, 2013
    8
    It was a good game overall. Had some clipping issues, sometimes a monster would get stuck and had to kill with the eagles. Character development was on the short side, but still interesting. Liked the setting and the missions. Was pretty short but worth the time and with a lot of action. Beat the first time in about 17 hours. Now I may attempt multiplayer or heroic mode in theIt was a good game overall. Had some clipping issues, sometimes a monster would get stuck and had to kill with the eagles. Character development was on the short side, but still interesting. Liked the setting and the missions. Was pretty short but worth the time and with a lot of action. Beat the first time in about 17 hours. Now I may attempt multiplayer or heroic mode in the future.. has a little replay value.… Expand
  35. mossa1251
    Nov 17, 2013
    10
    Really enjoyable, entertaining storyline, good gameplay. A great buy. The graphics are really good, and it gives you some background knowledge on the series. Good co-op and single player.
  36. gfcastronovo
    Dec 3, 2013
    10
    I'm giving this game a 10 just because of those people giving 0 just because they think for some reason the graphics are horrible. In fact the graphics looks pretty goof even now in 2013 and if you've a decent hardware the frame rate is realy fluid even with everything at max. This guy "drachehexe" says "You'll spend more time being revived by your allies than damaging your enemies." ifI'm giving this game a 10 just because of those people giving 0 just because they think for some reason the graphics are horrible. In fact the graphics looks pretty goof even now in 2013 and if you've a decent hardware the frame rate is realy fluid even with everything at max. This guy "drachehexe" says "You'll spend more time being revived by your allies than damaging your enemies." if you don't know how to play then probably yes but according to Steam I was playing 6 hours until now and I was revived one time only. He also says "your allies really do their best to block you path as you can't run through them, so you'll find yourself blocked." that's not 100% true, I mean yes they will block you sometimes and you can't run through them but the issue is so simple as hit the "space" key and you will do a roll that it will go through them so it's not really a problem.

    The game is not perfect of course (and I would agree that LOTR deserves a better game in the line of Skyrim), if you want an rpg in TES style this is not what you should look for but still it's an enjoyable game.    … Expand
  37. Jason312
    Feb 23, 2014
    10
    I think this game will appeal to fans of the hack and slash genre. More so if you have a passion for the works of Professor Tolkien. The game focuses on events in the Northern part of MIddle Earth and the gameplay is set at the same time as Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring are travelling south towards Mordor and Mount Doom.
  38. MR_TRILBY
    Jan 5, 2014
    8
    For any avid Tolkein fan this game is defiantly one to play, in terms of experiencing more of Tolkeins world, Warner Bros have certainly delivered. Players venture far to the north, fighting the dark forces of Sauron that don't featured in Peter Jacksons feature films or many other adaptations but for any true LOTR fans these are figures you should and will recognise. From the aspect thatFor any avid Tolkein fan this game is defiantly one to play, in terms of experiencing more of Tolkeins world, Warner Bros have certainly delivered. Players venture far to the north, fighting the dark forces of Sauron that don't featured in Peter Jacksons feature films or many other adaptations but for any true LOTR fans these are figures you should and will recognise. From the aspect that The War In The North adds to the brilliant depth and detail of Middle Earth, I beg any fan to play it!

    Now, in terms of game play, theres nothing special here. It isn't ground breaking. But then again, whilst playing I felt a humble sense of nostalgia for the level based game's of my child hood. In this day and age games get slated unless they are breath taking and ground breaking which personally, I don't think is right. You should play games for your love of them, and, as a Lord Of The Rings fan, I love this game... so will you.    … Expand
  39. Johannes
    Jul 9, 2014
    8
    So , I started playing without expecting too much as the studio is relatively unknown and small. I was really pleasantly surprised though as this turned out to be quite a gem. The in-game menus and GUI elements aren't great and look really outdated but the core functionality of them is excellent , incredibly simple and handy inventory , stats , skills system which I loved. The movement andSo , I started playing without expecting too much as the studio is relatively unknown and small. I was really pleasantly surprised though as this turned out to be quite a gem. The in-game menus and GUI elements aren't great and look really outdated but the core functionality of them is excellent , incredibly simple and handy inventory , stats , skills system which I loved. The movement and general feel is decent but can sometimes feel a bit bulky. Decent though. The real pleasure in the experience is in the combat , it feels sturdy and swinging a frosty two handed broadsword has never felt better. Chopping of limbs of orcs and goblins is incredibly satisfying. The co-op dynamics is really well conceived aswell and the player to player system feels great. Graphically my opinion varies. The modeling is extremely well done and the displacement and normal mapping is great with large textures, yet runs really well. However , some things like nature and lighting feels unfinished and rushed. At times there are 2D trees randomly looming in the background and the skyboxes are really awful - minor things. If your in the market for an RPG that feels like Dragon age and plays like Skyrim you cant go wrong here. Enough said.… Expand
  40. navin257999
    Sep 5, 2014
    10
    it is a very good game one of the best rpg games. the story is good, the characters the graphics game play the interactivity are good finished the game in both pc and ps3
  41. reconplayer9037
    Oct 9, 2014
    8
    I would give this game a 10 for it's fun gameplay,story and graphics. (Not to mention the loot system!)
    However, this game is buggy. From messing up your saves to freeze ups, glitches can ruin your game.
    I would've given it a 10, but dat glitches though....
    8
  42. alanmacd
    Nov 19, 2014
    8
    First things first. This is not a role playing game in the traditional sense of the word. Your choices matter naught - the game goes to the same place regardless and is rigidly scripted. Also, on higher levels, there is little challenge to the battles once your character has completely leveled up. Some of the abilities are ludicrously over powered - exploding crossbow shot anyone?

    BUT,    First things first. This is not a role playing game in the traditional sense of the word. Your choices matter naught - the game goes to the same place regardless and is rigidly scripted. Also, on higher levels, there is little challenge to the battles once your character has completely leveled up. Some of the abilities are ludicrously over powered - exploding crossbow shot anyone?

    BUT, it is, without a doubt, some of the finest co-op game play I have ever experienced. Battles feel wonderfully fun and realistic. Graphics are sensational. The music and voice work is top-notch. And you FEEL like you are in Middle Earth. For all it's flaws, the game is a hell of a lot of fun.    … Expand
  43. Taram
    Dec 20, 2014
    8
    Nice story.... the game really delivers on the feel of Middle Earth... doing a great job at pulling details from both the books and the movies. I was originally concerned with the plot line as they are basically adding new content to Middle Earth but it was very well done and felt very much in the spirit of Tolkien's work. The game is fun and enjoyable while staying fairly simple toNice story.... the game really delivers on the feel of Middle Earth... doing a great job at pulling details from both the books and the movies. I was originally concerned with the plot line as they are basically adding new content to Middle Earth but it was very well done and felt very much in the spirit of Tolkien's work. The game is fun and enjoyable while staying fairly simple to play. Even my two sons (10 and 12) enjoyed it greatly.

    About the only "flaw" I found was that we were able to burn through the story relatively quickly..... I think there are about 10-12 hours of play for one full run through. After that it's just rinse-repeat with no real difference in the content.    … Expand
  44. Armitas
    Sep 30, 2017
    8
    DO NOT buy if you have AMD!!! It will crash and freeze at 60fps. There are no fixes for this even in 2017. No Joke the fixes online tell you to run windows 95 compatibility and lower your driver version to before you card was even manufactured. None of it works. This game is permabroken for AMD and Warner Brothers doesn't care to fix it. Buy it on Xbox or Playstation if you have an AMD.DO NOT buy if you have AMD!!! It will crash and freeze at 60fps. There are no fixes for this even in 2017. No Joke the fixes online tell you to run windows 95 compatibility and lower your driver version to before you card was even manufactured. None of it works. This game is permabroken for AMD and Warner Brothers doesn't care to fix it. Buy it on Xbox or Playstation if you have an AMD.

    I could only play to chapter 2 because of the game breaking AMD bugs. However what I did get to play was a lot of fun. There are towns where you can pick up quests, but there are only a few people in each town so you never feel overwhelmed with tasks and dialogue when what you really want to do is get back to the action. There is a lot of loot and it drops plentifully but gives you the option to sell it remotely. There are set items you can combine and augmentation slots. There were not a lot of skills in totality, 4-5 I think, but there are 27 places to put skill points. Combat was fun and fluid (minus the stuttering from AMD). I played by myself but if I had a friend or brother to play with I'd probably give it a 8.5. For what I did play they nailed the feel of middle earth.    … Expand
  45. FlippinSnip3r
    Nov 13, 2019
    10
    So many great memories i had with this game , the gameplay was so satisfying,i don't know if it's just because of nostalgia but i grew so fond of this game
  46. mndk9881
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    به نظر من یکی از بهترین بازی های است که از روی سرزمین میانه درست کردن و کم لطفی هم خیلی به این بازی شده
  47. Frocyn
    Oct 8, 2020
    8
    In my opinion a very underrated game. It's fun and addictive. I hope someday it will get a remaster.
  48. Coachatomique
    Jun 27, 2021
    10
    Love this game, just getting back to it in 2021 for the 5th time and i'm excited. Storyline and gameplay and progression are satisfaying
  49. JaxMan322
    Sep 5, 2022
    10
    This game is the sole reason I still have a PS3 in my closet. If you are looking for a highly immersive, story-driven RPG set in Middle Earth, then this is the game for you. War in the North is honestly the best LOTR game ever made, even better than Shadow of War. This is a true story-driven adventure game set during the events of The Fellowship of the Ring. You’re journey will take youThis game is the sole reason I still have a PS3 in my closet. If you are looking for a highly immersive, story-driven RPG set in Middle Earth, then this is the game for you. War in the North is honestly the best LOTR game ever made, even better than Shadow of War. This is a true story-driven adventure game set during the events of The Fellowship of the Ring. You’re journey will take you across Middle Earth to locations straight out of Tolkien’s lore from the Barrow Downs to Mirkwood, Gundabad, and even Angmar. You will encounter plenty of familiar faces along the way, and the game even introduces some Tolkien characters who were later featured in The Hobbit films. It’s worth mentioning that the enemy variety is also excellent in this game, and the main antagonist feels like something straight out of Tolkien literature. Gameplay can either be single-player or co-op, where you journey as one of three companions (human, elf, & dwarf) who come with their own unique skills & abilities. You can either play as the same character for your entire playthrough or you can alternate between characters at each save point. You can also equip and upgrade armor & weapons for each of them. The game has some great RPG mechanics as well, such as consequential dialogue options, armor upgrading, & a skill tree. There are multiple points throughout the adventure where your choices affect how things play out. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve played this game over the years. If you prefer more combat-focused games, then Shadow of War might be more enjoyable option for you. But if you’re a fan of RPGs like the Dragon Age series or Greedfall, then War in the North is one adventure you don’t want to miss!… Expand
  50. Beansbig
    Oct 24, 2022
    10
    Good game has 2 player split screen also has 3 player online very good game lots of wepons some quests
  51. Giero
    Jan 4, 2023
    8
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  52. Achilles997
    Aug 17, 2023
    8
    The perfect Lord of the rings couch coming op that isn't return of the king. OK story, respects the lore and has good but repetitive combat

Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011
14
#14 Most Shared PC Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. Computer Games Online RO
    Jan 30, 2012
    68
    War in the North is a hack and slash with some RPG elements and co-op, all assembled around one of the most beloved media licenses today, but with all this going for it, it simply doesn't manage to stand out. Sadly, it's just another product that tries to blend some popular elements, but with no true support or personal identity.
    Read full review
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 19, 2012
    70
    Attractive world of Tolkien's imagination brings "forgotten" adventure of three heroes aside from the main story – the true magic of the game is hidden in the 3-people cooperative play. [Christmas 2011]
  3. Games Master UK
    Jan 12, 2012
    70
    Not without issues, but as The Lord of the Rings games go this is much better than most. [Feb 2012, p.84]
See all critic reviews »