Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The first hour makes its intentions plain: pick Eradan, Andriel, or Farin, assemble the remaining two as AI allies or co-op partners, and start cutting through Sauron’s northern forces. This is a direct, linear action RPG rather than a sprawling Middle-earth holiday. You move through discrete areas, follow clearly marked goals, and spend most of your time in combat. That focus is welcome when you want an uncomplicated fantasy campaign, though it leaves little room for surprise.

Combat mixes ordinary attacks with special moves, blocks, dodges, and ranged options, so each fight asks for more than blindly swinging a weapon. Every hero can work at range, in melee, or somewhere between, while their individual abilities give the trio distinct flavors. Farin’s capacity to mine gems and smash through walls is the clearest example of character-specific utility. Progression through new abilities gives you a reason to stay invested in your pick, even when the basic loop remains familiar.

Co-op is where War in the North has the most obvious pull. Three friends can each take a canonical hero, while solo players can issue instructions to the two companions. The latter is useful, but it cannot match the fun of a coordinated human party facing a mob together. Central hubs break up the action with rest, trading, shopping, and new quests, but they do not turn the game into an open-world RPG. Go in expecting a guided campaign with frequent battles, not a map to wander freely.

Graphics

The game uses a behind-the-character camera, keeping your chosen ranger, mage, or dwarf in view as you push through the northern parts of Middle-earth. In battle, that close action-oriented view suits the focus on blocking, rolling, ranged attacks, and special moves.

Story

The smart decision here is not trying to replace Frodo’s journey. War in the North runs alongside the events of Tolkien’s books and Peter Jackson’s films, following three new heroes who support the larger quest by confronting Sauron’s General in the north. You are connected to the famous story without being handed control of its central cast.

That framing gives the adventure a pleasant side-story quality. Certain overlaps with the Fellowship’s path provide the connection, while the campaign spends its time in other parts of the Middle-earth map. It is a sensible lane for a licensed game: familiar stakes, familiar enemies, and room for its own party to do the dirty work.

Do not expect the dialogue system to reshape that tale. Conversations offer different responses, but there are no moral consequences attached to them. The story works best as a steady excuse to keep the party moving toward the next confrontation, rather than as a choice-driven role-playing narrative.

Overall Experience

War in the North is most enjoyable when you accept its modest, combat-first ambitions. It has a satisfying fantasy-party setup, a recognizable Lord of the Rings backdrop, and enough character progression to make a chosen role feel like more than a costume. The repeated march from hub to quest to battle can wear thin, however, especially if you hoped for extensive exploration or branching decisions.

If you have two friends ready to join, it is easy to recommend giving this one a look. The three-class party was built for that arrangement, and shared fights give the linear structure momentum. Solo, it remains serviceable thanks to controllable companion instructions, but the narrow loop is harder to overlook.

For another Lord of the Rings game built around warfare rather than this party-based action RPG format, The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring is a relevant companion stop. For game-specific release and background details, see this War in the North overview. This is not essential Lord of the Rings gaming, but its co-op battles make it a worthwhile detour for fans who want to fight through a less celebrated corner of the war.

Retro Replay Score

6.8/10