- Lord of the Rings War in the North release date: The action RPG launched on November 1, 2011 in North America.
- Playable heroes: Choose from Eradan the Ranger, Farin the Dwarf, or Andriel the Elf.
- Co-op focus: Designed specifically for 3-player online co-op with distinct class synergies.
- Canonical story: Runs parallel to the Fellowship's journey, focusing on Sauron's lieutenant Agandaur.
- Voice talent: Features Nolan North, Troy Baker, and Tom Kane in prominent roles.
Lord of the Rings War in the North Release Date & Platforms
The Lord of the Rings War in the North release date marked a significant moment for fans of Tolkien's universe, bringing a mature, combat-heavy experience to consoles and PC. Developed by Snowblind Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, the game arrived in late 2011.
Video Highlights:
- Three-player co-op campaign walkthrough showcasing the Bree intro
- Gameplay featuring Farin, Andriel, and Eradan fighting through Fornost
- Riddle side quests and hidden loot exploration in Bree
- Combat mechanics including heavy attacks, dodging, and character abilities
The game launched across multiple platforms simultaneously, giving players various ways to experience the northern campaign.
| Region | Release Date | Platform Availability |
|---|---|---|
| North America | November 1, 2011 | PS3, Xbox 360, PC |
| Europe | November 4, 2011 | PS3, Xbox 360, PC |
| Australia | November 3, 2011 | PS3, Xbox 360, PC |
| Digital PC | November 1, 2011 | Steam, WB Shop |
As of 2026, the game remains playable on PC via Steam and on modern Xbox consoles through backward compatibility. PlayStation 3 copies also function on PS3 hardware, though no PS4/PS5 backward compatibility patch has been officially released.
Playable Characters and Combat Roles
Lord of the Rings War in the North features three distinct heroes, each representing a different race of Middle-earth. The game's design encourages players to coordinate their abilities, especially when tackling higher difficulty levels.
Eradan (Ranger)
- Race: Dúnedain (Man)
- Combat style: Dual-wielding melee, bows
- Special: Stealth, tracking, hidden cache detection
- Best for: Agile, versatile players
Farin (Champion)
- Race: Dwarf of Erebor
- Combat style: Two-handed weapons, crossbows
- Special: Explosive crossbow, mining, wall-breaking
- Best for: Tanky, high-damage frontline
Andriel (Loremaster)
- Race: Elf of Rivendell
- Combat style: Staff combat, ranged magic
- Special: Healing spells, shield magic, potion crafting
- Best for: Support and area control
Each character features a unique skill tree that allows for further specialization. Players can invest points into strength, stamina, dexterity, or intellect depending on their preferred build.
Weapons degrade through combat and will eventually break, reducing their damage output significantly. Repairs can only be performed at blacksmiths found in hub areas like Bree, Rivendell, and Nordinbad — not in the field. Always carry backup weapons.
| Character | Primary Attribute | Ranged Weapon | Unique Exploration Skill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eradan | Dexterity/Stamina | Bow | Track footprints, find hidden stashes |
| Farin | Strength | Crossbow | Mine ore, break cracked walls |
| Andriel | Intellect | Magic staff | Sense hidden openings, craft potions |
Story Campaign Walkthrough
The campaign follows the trio's mission to stop Agandaur, a servant of Sauron, from conquering the northern regions of Middle-earth. The story unfolds parallel to the events of the main Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Bree and Fornost
The adventure begins in Bree, where the heroes meet Aragorn and learn of Agandaur's forces gathering at the ruins of Fornost. Players explore the town, take on side quests like riddle games and weapon trading, then venture into Fornost to battle goblins, orcs, and a fearsome troll. The great eagle Beleram is rescued here, becoming a recurring ally.
Sarn Ford and the Barrow-downs
After Fornost, the group reports to the Rangers at Sarn Ford. A side quest sends players into the haunted Barrow-downs to find missing Rangers and collect Athelas (kingsfoil) to heal a wounded soldier. Players face wights and a powerful Barrow-wight boss.
Rivendell and the Ettenmoors
In Rivendell, Gandalf and Elrond reveal the existence of the One Ring. The heroes are then dispatched to the Ettenmoors to investigate Agandaur's movements. Here, players confront the corrupted stone giant Bargrisar alongside Beleram and the eagles.
Mount Gundabad and Mirkwood
The trail leads to the orc stronghold of Mount Gundabad, where players help dwarves trigger an ancient defense mechanism to collapse the caverns. The journey then shifts to Mirkwood to find the wizard Radagast, battling giant spiders and orcs along the way.
Nordinbad, Urgost the Dragon, and Carn Dûm
Players defend the dwarf stronghold of Nordinbad from a siege, then negotiate with the dragon Urgost for neutrality. The final chapter takes the heroes to Carn Dûm, Agandaur's fortress, for the ultimate confrontation.
The story is designed to fit within Tolkien's legendarium without contradicting the main narrative. Events occur simultaneously with Frodo's journey south, explaining why these northern battles remain "untold tales" in the primary lore.
Combat Tips and Difficulty Strategies
Combat in Lord of the Rings War in the North blends hack-and-slash action with RPG mechanics. Friendly fire is a real concern in co-op, making positioning and awareness critical.
| Combat Mechanic | Description | Best Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Attacks | Slow, high-damage strikes | Use on staggered or isolated enemies |
| Dodge Rolling | Evade enemy attacks | Essential against trolls and bosses |
| War Cry | Buff/heal allies (Farin) | Activate before major engagements |
| Healing Sphere | Area healing (Andriel) | Stand inside during ranged fire |
| Eagle Strike | Call Beleram for aerial attack | Save for elite enemy clusters |
Coordinate your party composition before engaging bosses. Have Farin draw aggro with War Cry while Andriel maintains the healing sphere. Eradan should focus on flanking and picking off archers. Avoid clustering together when enemies use explosive attacks or fire-based abilities.
The bonus wave survival levels are known to crash consistently around wave 20, particularly on PC. Avoid investing significant time in these optional challenges if you are playing on older hardware or unpatched versions of the game.
Side Quests and Progression Checklist
Beyond the main storyline, the game offers numerous side activities that reward unique gear, experience points, and lore. Completing these is essential for tackling Legendary difficulty.
Essential Campaign Milestones:
- Complete all Bree side quests (riddles, weapon trading, Athelas)
- Rescue Beleram the Eagle at Fornost
- Find all Dúnedain relics for unique weapon crafting
- Collect gemstones for Angmir's smithing quest in Rivendell
- Negotiate with the dragon Urgost successfully
- Defeat Agandaur at Carn Dûm
Collecting ancient relics found in ruins like Fornost allows blacksmiths to forge unique weapons. The outcome differs depending on whether an elf smith or dwarf smith completes the work — dwarven smiths tend to produce higher-tier gear at later levels.
| Side Quest | Location | Key Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Ted Nimble's Riddles | Bree (Prancing Pony) | Gold coins (double or nothing) |
| Weapon Supply for Bree | Bree (Blacksmith) | Shop access, community defense |
| Athelas Healing | Sarn Ford / Barrow-downs | Numenorean weapon from healed soldier |
| Gemstone Collection | Rivendell (Angmir) | Elf stones and crafted gear |
| Black Pearl | Nordinbad (Dwarf Smith) | Premium crafted armor piece |
FAQ
Q: What is the Lord of the Rings War in the North release date?
The game was released on November 1, 2011 in North America, November 3 in Australia, and November 4 in Europe. It launched simultaneously on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.
Q: Can I play Lord of the Rings War in the North solo?
Yes, the game is fully playable solo. The two characters you do not control are managed by AI. However, the experience is designed around 3-player co-op, and coordination with real players makes combat significantly easier, especially on higher difficulties.
Q: Is Lord of the Rings War in the North available on modern platforms?
The PC version remains available on Steam. On Xbox, the title is playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S via backward compatibility. There is no native PS4 or PS5 version, though PS3 discs work on PS3 consoles.
Q: How long is the Lord of the Rings War in the North campaign?
A standard playthrough of the main story takes approximately 12 to 15 hours. Completing all side quests, finding hidden loot, and playing on Legendary difficulty can extend playtime to 20 to 25 hours.