The Lord of the Rings: War in the North

About The Lord of the Rings: War in the North

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North is a co-op action RPG where you team up with up to three friends to fight orcs, Uruk-hai, and other threats in Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Snowblind Studios crafted it as a standalone story set during the War of the Ring, focusing on the northern front rather than the One Ring’s journey. Released in 2011, it’s available on PS3, PC, Xbox 360, and Mac. You play as one of four warriors, Arnor, Dunland, Gondor, or Rohan, defending villages, recovering relics, and fending off waves of enemies. It’s a messy but ambitious spin on the IP, blending third-person combat with basic RPG leveling and co-op mechanics. Perfect if you want to hack through enemies in a familiar setting but don’t care about deep lore.

Gameplay

You’ll spend most sessions fighting in third-person cover-based combat, swapping between swords, bows, and shields. Each character has unique weapons and skills, but progression is linear, upgrade your gear, unlock better attacks, and manage stamina carefully. Co-op shines here: coordinating with others to hold positions or push through enemy lines feels rewarding, but solo play is clunky and repetitive. Missions range from defending settlements to stealthy raids. The strategy layer is thin, think more about positioning than tactics. Combat feels decent, with responsive melee and satisfying but shallow magic. The game’s biggest flaw? A lack of variety, most quests boil down to “kill all enemies” or “protect this target.”

What Players Think

PlayPile data shows average playtime of 15.5 hours, with 17.3% completing the game. Community moods lean negative: 63% stress, 37% frustration. IGDB scores it 68.5/100, with critics calling it “mediocre” (Giant Bomb) and “stagnant” (GameSpot). Fans praise the co-op and Middle-earth setting but complain about shallow systems and repetitive missions. One user wrote, “Fun with friends but soulless alone.” Achievement stats reflect this, only 28% earn all 115 trophies, mostly for grinding. The game’s $20, $30 price tag feels steep for its depth, especially compared to other Tolkien games. It’s a niche pick: decent for co-op sessions, but not a must-play.

PlayPile's Take

War in the North is a middle-of-the-road Tolkien experience. It’s worth trying if you’re a co-op enthusiast or want to see Middle-earth in action, but don’t expect rich storytelling or deep mechanics. At $20, it’s a low-risk purchase, but the 15-hour average playtime means you’ll likely burn through it quickly. The 17.3% completion rate suggests many quit midway, likely due to grindy upgrades and samey missions. Skip it if you crave strategy or narrative depth. For casual co-op players who love the setting, it’s a decent distraction, but not a landmark title.

Storyline

While much attention and focus has been placed on the journey of the One Ring, the assault on Middle-earth hits all corners of the map. War in the North turns our attention towards an integral part of the storyline that is grounded in details within the books and various appendices. This is not someone else’s fight. This is your own effort to forage a way through the dark, dangerous, and unknown landscape, defending all that is yours. This is your war.