![]() ![]() ![]() Areas are broken up by the occasional mini-boss and the not so occasional "Hold this position for X amount of time" goals which become wearying towards the endgame as the circumstances surrounding them become increasingly improbable. Holding off an entire siege on a Dwarven stronghold with just three people? Come on. Online or off, progression through the adventure starts flat and stays there: choose a destination on an overworld map and spend the next half an hour or so hacking and slashing through enemies to get from Point A to Point B. There are other examples, but in fact the AI just doesn't cut it. While she's smart enough to use her healing shield when I'm low on health, the instant I took a step outside the shield she would dispel it, even if I hadn't finished healing. The AI also appears to be incapable of using manned ballista during the frequent "Defend X Point" or "Defend X Character" missions that would pop up, which left me scrambling to do all the work myself. The game is best online with human players to control the other two members of the party because the AI is dumb-especially for Andriel the healer. Whichever character isn't chosen by the player is controlled by either the AI or in co-op with up to two other friends. I turned my Eredan into a dual-wielding swordsman that could pop in and out of stealth, but I could have just as easily specialized in ranged combat and been as good with a bow as the film version of Legolas. The characters play similar to their Lord of the Rings Online counterparts: Farin acts as a stout tank-type, soaking up the most damage Andriel heals and buffs, and Eredan slaughters everything.Įxperience gained allows for leveling, and each level awards a point for players to allot to skill trees. War in the North's players get to choose between one of three characters: Eredan, the Human Ranger that rubs elbows with Aragorn, Farin the Dwarf Champion, and Andriel the Elven Loremaster. Now, if only that story didn't play out like a Lord of the Rings fanfic… I think they deserve at least a pat on the back for not rehashing the narrative of the movies or novels, but instead trying to write a parallel story. I do have some sympathy for Snowblind Studios, as it's not easy coming up with an original story for a universe as detailed as Lord of the Rings. The online is busted in fundamental ways.įive hours into the game, I was so bored that I wanted to quit outright but I persevered to the end, and truth be told, I didn't wait for the credits to roll before I ejected the disc and sought something else to do. The story is ridiculous, and the AI companions are pitiful. Snowblind Studios has done the "action-role-playing game (RPG) based off of an MMORPG" before with Champions of Norrath, but War in the North can't match up. Playing The Lord of the Rings: War in the North is a disappointing experience. Maybe Aragorn should have taken them with the Fellowship instead. WTF Three people defeat an entire siege by themselves. LOW "Defend this point for X amount of time" wears out its welcome fast and early. HIGH The environments and weapon/armor models look great. ![]()
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