The Lord of the Rings: War in the North

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 33
  3. Negative: 4 out of 33
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  1. Official PlayStation Magazine Benelux
    Jan 2, 2012
    76
    A heartwarming story is what we miss the most. You get the feeling you are doing the dirty work for the real Fellowship. While they are making history in the south of Middle-earth, you need to cause some diversion in the north. [December 2011, p.93]
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  2. PSFocus
    Nov 22, 2011
    78
    Fans of the Lord of the Rings won't mind the slightly disappointing graphics, the confusing story and the many small flaws in gameplay. They'll be happy to fight their way through Middle-Earth once more, using more than decent combat mechanics alone or with up to two friends.
  3. GRYOnline.pl
    Nov 18, 2011
    75
    It's the best game using Middle-earth's franchise that has beed developed in the last 10 years, but you have to remember that other Tolkien based games are not a thing to be very proud of. It's a well made game that deserves a chance. It has some budget implied simplifications, but a Middleearth fan should experience one of more satisfying journeys.
  5. Gaming Age
    Nov 15, 2011
    83
    I found it to be a pretty rewarding experience. It's definitely best if played with friends, but the single player side works well enough.
  6. Everyeye.it
    Nov 9, 2011
    75
    The Lord of the Rings: War in the North is a good game. Unable to achieve excellence because of limits of the gameplay, it is still a title recommended to fans of the genre and of The Lord of the Rings.
  7. Gamer.no
    Nov 7, 2011
    90
    This game hits the mark on all fronts. Through the beautiful visual presentation comes a bloody and engaging world filled with myriad battles and a relentless chase for skills and loot that sucks you in and makes you stay.
  8. Multiplayer.it
    Nov 7, 2011
    77
    A repetitive yet addictive hack'n'slash game which offers an engaging loot system and a good co-op mode. Fanservice is brilliant and fans of Tolkien's works will have a good time reading through tons of dialogues and meeting a few beloved characters. You will not keep playing it for long but it will be fun until it lasts.
  9. Worth Playing
    Nov 6, 2011
    75
    The Lord of the Rings: War in the North is a fun but flawed experience.
  10. PlayStation Universe
    Nov 2, 2011
    75
    An enjoyable action-RPG with solid Middle Earth inspiration, Lord of the Rings: War in the North is best played with others and its flaws aren't enough to ruin the experience.
  11. GamingXP
    Nov 2, 2011
    75
    The game stands for lots of action, a story besides the One Ring and cooperative gameplay at its best. With two friends by your side, this game shows what it's really worth.
  12. XGN
    Nov 2, 2011
    75
    War in the North is a solid game that has some challenging battles despite of the bad AI. The game can't stand up towards other big releases during this time of the year, but the three player co-op will keep fans of the franchise and the genre busy for many hours.
  13. 1UP
    Nov 1, 2011
    75
    What keeps me coming back to War in the North is the fact that the game does a remarkable job of divvying out loot. Enemy drops, breakable items, and eager shopkeepers are all there to make sure that you always have a consistent IV drip of high-fantasy swag at your disposal.

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2011
41
#41 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 130 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 130
  2. Mixed: 49 out of 130
  3. Negative: 17 out of 130
  1. GrumpyReviewer
    Nov 11, 2011
    8
    For some reviewers, this game is worse than "Conquest". C'mon. By the end of the day, this is one of the best LOTR games I've ever played (andFor some reviewers, this game is worse than "Conquest". C'mon. By the end of the day, this is one of the best LOTR games I've ever played (and I've played many of them). The graphics are not the best in this generation - but by all means are they bad - the gameplay is fun, the side-story is interesting and the game becomes quickly quite addictive. I just could not put it down. Playing solo is nice, couch-co-op is great and there's also tons of fun to be had online. I think some people expect the same magic of every release. Not all games will be like Uncharted, God of War, Gears of War, Batman Arkham, Red Ded Redepemtion and so on. Those are examples of the finest pieces of gaming this industry is capable of. We should not give up on the smaller releases. This is a stupid mistake. We need to widen our minds and learn that games - like any type of art - must be appreciated in different ways and levels.… Full Review »
  2. LonliZombi
    Nov 2, 2011
    8
    Solid. That's exactly what lotr: war in the north is. It does nothing extraordinary, but what it does is solid, and a blast. Smacking an orcSolid. That's exactly what lotr: war in the north is. It does nothing extraordinary, but what it does is solid, and a blast. Smacking an orc in the face with a battleaxe should never get old, and while this may not be a masterpiece as far as story goes, its a dam good time.… Full Review »
  3. BaronMonaco
    Jan 20, 2016
    7
    The Lord of The Rings is THE universe of medieval fantasy of reference and yet it still lacks a true RPG of reference to make it count as muchThe Lord of The Rings is THE universe of medieval fantasy of reference and yet it still lacks a true RPG of reference to make it count as much as in the books and movies universe. With War In The North we've got a new attempt to that goal.

    First let me say that contrary to what the marketing division said, this is not really a true RPG, but more an hack'n slash with some customization, but there's almost no side quests and the few that are there are simply not interesting. Every chapter are simple corridors and the battle system limits itself to smashing two buttons and roll away fighting hordes of enemies. This is not a true surprise when you know that the same studio made Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance but that's still deceiving as Warner as always talked about it as a true RPG.
    Now concerning the specifics the game is very easy and you really shouldn't die a lot considering that even if you lose your life your teammates can save you. Unfortunately I didn't have the chance to try the coop mode that could have add some fun, some sequence were clearly made for two players, but know than you can play it with a friend. The game offers some nice boss fight, unfortunately the rest of the game is very repetitive and at the end of chapter 1 you already have seen everything the game has to offer.

    Concerning the Lord of The Rings universe is well transcript and fans of the original material should find a lot to like here with a story that occurs in parallel with the movies, it's clearly my favorite part of the game, but once again don't expect a RPG length, it will take you about 12 hours to finish the game ("side quests" included) and yet there's already one filler (chapter 2) in the game.

    The graphics are average and the environments could use more details, the game, as I played it, had no bug and a steady framerate, you're clearly not amazed by the graphics but at least your eyes won't bleed.

    All in all War In the North is another failed attempt to make a game worthy of the movies/books but it is clearly not broken and you can enjoy the 12 hours in this fantastic universe if you're not looking for a challenging and thoughtful experience and still is one of the best Lord of The Rings game. If you're a fan you may buy it, if not it's worth a try for the hack'n slash lovers, but know there are better games in the market.    … Full Review »
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