Culture

Developer: Snowblind Studios
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3

As video game adaptations of movies go, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and Lord of Rings: The Return of the King are among the best. It may have been a while ago, but nothing beats the feeling as you watch the “perfect kills” tick over to the backdrop of Lord of the Rings’s epic soundtrack. The Lord of Rings: War in the North is a spin-off that acts as a successor to such games, building on the original hack-and-slash theme by adding RPG elements such as levels and stat points, active skills and customisable gear. The game focuses on events in the north, happening alongside the quest to destroy the Ring. Tolkien buffs will recognise locations such as the Ettenmoors and Mount Gundabad and other characters from Lord of the Rings will pop up here and there to give quests or just have a yarn. However, as we will find out, strange things are afoot in the North …

You are the unsung heroes of Middle Earth, Farin the Dwarf champion/warrior, Eradan the Dunadaean ranger/rogue and Andriel, the Elven lore-master/mage representing the three classes available, each with its own unique set of active abilities and professions as well as a unique way of discovering “secrets”. For example “secrets” manifest as giant glowing cracks in the wall for Farin, and Andriel can gather herbs to utilise in a very simplistic craft system.

Combat in War in the North is not dissimilar to The Return of the King: Quick attacks provide the highest damage per second but blocking enemies must be overpowered by strong attacks. Building up damage on enemies eventually allows for critical strikes and upon landing a strong attack, one is rewarded with high damage and/or slow motion of the orc’s demise, be it beheading or the severing of limbs. Initially combat is slick and responsive; landing numerous consecutive hits result in increasingly powerful and fluid attacks. But with a limited number of active skills and no combos, combat quickly dissolves into dry and repetitive button-mashing.

The levels are suitably long and entire quest lines can take can up to two hours to complete. However, textures look flat and dull and areas that feel like they should be accessible are walled off by large, unwieldy, invisible barriers. Tired of slaying orcs? Take your axe to the countless destructibles waiting to be culled for their plentiful bounty (Fuck yeah! Four coins). Boss fights at the end of each level are uninspired; one fight with a stone giant had me hacking endlessly at its feet, bringing its arms to the ground so that they too could be subjected to a flurry of button-mashing.

Despite its shortcomings, the merits of this game lies in the robust coop system and in the split-screen option, refreshing in an age where multiplayer is often only possible through the internet. With another human at the reins, the game ramps up the difficulty and boss fights change from dodging scripted attacks and button-mashing to careful use of potions and skills in order to survive harder-hitting mobs.

I don’t know if War of the North can be called a worthy successor to the Return of the King or The Two Towers; while the changes are predictable, it took the best bits of its older brothers and expanded on them, adding RPG elements that probably did not fit on the humble PS2 DVD. Snowblind Studios have made a decent game into which many hours can still be poured. Just make sure to bring a friend.

Markus Ho