Before getting started, I'd like to extend my thanks to Dan from Sandbox Strategies for kindly providing a game key for this review.

Following the releases of the excellent Tomb Raider I-III Remastered and Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered, I was naturally curious to see what the studio's latest remaster project had to offer. The timing couldn't have been better, with Aspyr having just released a new update for the first Tomb Raider remasters the day before I started writing this review.

I've enjoyed The Lord of the Rings universe through Peter Jackson's film trilogy and several video game adaptations over the years, but I had never actually played The Lord of the Rings: War in the North when it was originally released in 2011. This Legacy Edition therefore gave me the perfect opportunity to finally discover a game I had somehow missed the first time around.

War in the North tells a parallel story taking place in the northern regions of Middle-earth. At the beginning of the game, you can choose to play as one of three heroes: Eradan the Ranger, Farin the Dwarf, or Andriel the Elf, each bringing their own abilities and combat style to the adventure. You can then switch between the three characters at any time during the game, allowing you to try out their different abilities and playstyles whenever you want.

One of the first things that impressed me was how accessible the gameplay is. Whether playing solo or teaming up with friends in co-operative mode, the controls are easy to learn. Combat is satisfying from the very beginning, combining melee attacks, ranged attacks, special abilities and character progression in a way that remains engaging throughout the adventure. Each character offers a distinct playstyle, giving players a good reason to experiment and find the hero that best suits them.

Visually, Aspyr has done an excellent job with this remaster. The improved textures give the environments a clean and detailed look. From dark forests and ancient ruins to large-scale battles against Orcs and other creatures, the game looks great and does a good job of bringing Middle-earth to life.

One small thing I did miss, however, was a Photo Mode. With the beautiful environments and the atmosphere of Middle-earth, I think it would have been a great addition to the Legacy Edition and would have given players an easy way to capture and share some of the game's most memorable moments.

What surprised me most is how enjoyable the game remains today. Some titles from the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 era can feel dated when revisited, but War in the North continues to offer entertaining combat, enjoyable co-operative gameplay and a compelling setting. Aspyr's work ensures that a new generation of players can experience this often-overlooked chapter of Middle-earth gaming history.

If you're a Lord of the Rings fan who somehow missed War in the North the first time around, this Legacy Edition is easy to recommend. Likewise, players who enjoyed Aspyr's recent remaster projects will find another quality release that successfully preserves and modernises a classic title. For me, it was a pleasant surprise and a fantastic introduction to a game I had somehow overlooked for all these years.

Highly recommended.

About The Lord of the Rings™: War in the North™ - Legacy Edition
Step into a darker, grittier Middle-earth where war rages beyond the Fellowship’s path. The Lord of the Rings: War in the North™ – Legacy Edition expands Tolkien’s epic legendarium with the brutal, untold story of Agandaûr, a Black Númenórean and servant of Sauron who has rallied an immense force in the ruins of Fornost. Build your own Fellowship of three heroes and confront the growing threat in the North, making your mark on Middle-earth in a grand adventure with visceral, satisfying combat and rich character progression.

Let this be the hour when we draw swords together!

Key Features

Choose Your Orc-Bane: Seamlessly swap between three uniquely skilled characters with Eradan, the stealthy Dúnadan Ranger, Andriel, the magical Elven Loremaster, and Farin, the tank-like Dwarven Champion.

Build a Fellowship in Co-Op: Play in a group of up to three players online or two players in local split-screen, working together with your friends as you fight for the survival of your fellowship and all of Middle-earth!

Deep RPG Progression: Customize your hero and party members with unique skills, abilities, and gear to complement your playstyle. Collect powerful weapons and armor, and even command the mighty Great Eagle Beleram to strike from the sky and turn the tide of battle.

Iconic Cameos & Locations: Encounter familiar faces like Aragorn, Gandalf, and Elrond as you journey through lore-rich locations such as the Elven sanctuaries of Rivendell and Lórien and the foggy paths of Mirkwood.

A Darker Middle-earth Full of Peril: Experience a mature story featuring brutal warfare and blood-soaked battlefields in a world gnawed by ruthless Orcs, deadly Wargs, spectral Barrow-wights, and the dark sorcery of Agandaûr’s forces.

Character Hot-Swapping: New in this edition, swap between characters on-the-fly, adding the ability to fully assign equipment, skills, and abilities for computer-controlled allies for the first time.

Additions & Enhancements for Modern Consoles: Enjoy modernizations like 60 FPS support, Triggering Secrets (see other characters' secrets, like hidden supply caches, no matter who you’re playing as), the ability to lock-on enemies, and UI/UX optimizations such as visible Health, Mana and EXP bars, autosaves and additional save slots, and gyro/motion sensor support on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, along with bug fixes.