Forgotten Lord Of The Rings video game looks like it’s making a comeback
Forgotten Lord Of The Rings video game looks like it’s making a comeback
Gamers have uncovered hints that an overlooked Lord Of The Rings title could be set for a revitalization. The game in question, The Lord Of The Rings: War In The North, originally launched on the Xbox 360 in 2011.
A Legacy of Tolkien Adaptations
The Lord Of The Rings franchise has produced numerous games over the years, spanning genres from action-adventure to strategy. Early 2000s titles like the hack ‘n’ slash adaptations and 2014’s Shadow Of Mordor were notable examples. Other entries include strategy games such as The Battle Of Middle-earth 2 (2006) and turn-based RPGs like The Third Age, but recent years have seen fewer releases or ones that struggled to impress, such as The Lord Of The Rings: Gollum (2023).
Unveiling the Remaster?
A Reddit user named JudgmentKazz noticed an unusual change on Steam metadata. The name of War In The North has been updated to ‘Slinky’, sparking speculation about a new project. Meanwhile, a folder labeled ‘Aspyr’ under the ‘Cloud saves’ tab on SteamDB has raised eyebrows. Aspyr, known for remastered versions like the Legacy Of Kain collection and Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered, may be involved in this potential revival.
The original War In The North was developed by Snowblind Studios, who also created Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance. The studio later merged with Monolith Soft, the developer behind Shadow Of Mordor. This game was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and Aspyr has no prior connection to it.
The Game in Question
While the remaster idea is intriguing, War In The North appears an odd pick. It featured three customizable characters—a Ranger, a Dwarf, and an Elf—but none were based on Peter Jackson’s movie versions. The main attraction was its multiplayer co-op mode, allowing three players to team up online. This might explain the remaster push, as it avoids using movie actor likenesses, sidestepping licensing hurdles.
War In The North was one of the first Lord Of The Rings titles under Warner Bros. Games. The publisher acquired the rights to create games based on Tolkien’s works from Electronic Arts and Vivendi in 2009. Despite this, the game received mixed reviews and underperformed commercially, leaving many fans with lukewarm memories.
Licensing and Challenges
If Aspyr is indeed leading this remaster, expect minimal graphical upgrades or stability fixes. The studio has faced criticism for unreliable online features, as seen with the problematic launch of Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection. This could raise concerns about the quality of the revival, especially given the game’s past struggles.
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