Returning to War in the North
There’s something incredibly comforting about returning to an older Lord of the Rings game.
War in the North is now 15 years old, and while it certainly shows its age in places, I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed revisiting it.
This isn’t trying to be some grand, sweeping Tolkien epic. It’s a straightforward action RPG built around combat, exploration and that unmistakable Middle-earth atmosphere.
And honestly? Sometimes that’s exactly what I want.
Combat Still Holds Up
The combat is simple, but it works.
You’ve got light and heavy attacks, ranged weapons, blocking and dodging, alongside upgrades, hit-streak bonuses and brutal executions. There’s nothing revolutionary here, but smashing through enemies feels satisfying, particularly when everything starts flowing together.
Managing the three playable characters also adds some welcome variety. Each has their own abilities and playstyle, so switching between them gives the campaign a light tactical layer.
And then there’s Beleram.
Beleram is still the absolute best companion.
I will not be taking questions at this time.
Beleram and the Fellowship Feeling
One of the biggest strengths of War in the North is how well it captures that feeling of travelling through Middle-earth with a group of companions.
You get to interact with plenty of familiar Lord of the Rings characters, and while the story itself isn’t particularly memorable, those moments are enjoyable simply because you’re spending time in this world.
Rivendell remains absolutely beautiful, too.
And then there’s the Barrow-downs.
Holy shit.
That area still has one of the best atmospheres in the entire game. It leans heavily into horror, with an oppressive atmosphere that feels completely different from the warmer locations elsewhere in the adventure.
It’s still one of my favourite areas.
A Remaster That Looks Better Than Expected
The technical improvements are noticeable.
Higher resolutions, improved textures, better frame-rate support and upgraded animation help bring the game back to life, and some of the real-time cutscenes look considerably better than I expected from a game this old.
The voice cast also deserves credit.
Tom Kane as Gandalf was a standout for me, as was John Patrick Lowrie. Their performances help elevate some of the weaker writing and make the world feel more authentic.
The Story Is Definitely the Weak Link
This is where War in the North struggles.
The story is functional, but it isn’t particularly compelling.
It feels like a side story designed to exist alongside the events of the main Lord of the Rings trilogy rather than something that needs to be told. There are some enjoyable moments, but the characters don’t leave much of an impression beyond the performances bringing them to life.
You aren’t playing this for some deep Tolkien narrative.
You’re here for the Middle-earth vibes, the combat and the chance to beat the absolute hell out of some Orcs.
And that’s perfectly fine.
Short, Focused and Surprisingly Fun
One thing I appreciate enormously is the game’s length.
The main adventure is roughly 16 hours, which feels like a breath of fresh air compared with modern RPGs that seem terrified of ending.
My own playthrough took around 30 hours because I completed the side quests and spent time exploring, but even then, it never felt like the game was deliberately padding itself out.
It’s just a straightforward adventure.
Get the quest. Go somewhere. Kill things. Explore. Upgrade your character. Repeat.
Sometimes simple is good.
Technical Problems Hold It Back
Unfortunately, the remaster isn’t without issues.
I experienced some pretty severe frame-rate drops and stuttering, particularly in Nordinbad and Bree. These were easily the worst offenders during my playthrough.
There were also some launch-day problems with achievements not appearing and multiplayer functionality not working properly on Xbox. Thankfully, those issues were patched by the following morning.
The three-player co-op is still a major part of the game’s appeal, although I played the entire campaign solo this time around.
Final Verdict
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North isn’t a masterpiece, but it doesn’t need to be.
It’s a simple, satisfying action RPG that understands exactly what makes Middle-earth fun to explore. The combat remains enjoyable, the three characters provide some variety, Beleram remains an absolute legend, and certain locations—especially the Barrow-downs—still have fantastic atmosphere.
The story is forgettable, and the technical issues are frustrating, but there’s something genuinely charming about this old-school adventure.
After 15 years, War in the North still has some fight left in it.
7.5/10
