Aspyr Media, a subsidiary of Embracer Group, has launched a re-release of the 2011 co-op action-RPG, The Lord of the Rings: War in the North. The game, originally developed by Snowblind Studios, was previously delisted but is now available on modern platforms with updates intended to improve its compatibility and player experience.
This re-release, titled the Legacy Edition, is not a full remaster but rather an updated version of the original game. It includes enhanced graphics options and several quality-of-life additions. Players can expect more save slots, a lock-on feature for combat, improved UI information, and new methods for character upgrades during gameplay. The title is currently available for purchase on Steam, where it has garnered a positive reception with 95 percent of user reviews marked as positive.
The original release of War in the North was developed by Snowblind Studios, known for Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance and Justice League Heroes. The game received middling reviews at the time of its original release, often scoring around 6 out of 10, and was considered a commercial failure. However, Aspyr Media's new version appears to be finding a more favorable audience.
In an accompanying press release, Aspyr stated that this marks the first Lord of the Rings title released by the company and indicated that fans can anticipate additional classic releases from the franchise in the future. This suggests that Aspyr has secured a deal with Warner Bros. to access and re-release other titles from their catalog of Tolkien-licensed games. Despite the game's age and its initial reception, the re-release is priced at $20, which some observers feel is steep for a 15-year-old title, though it is expected to see significant discounts during future Steam sales. A point of contention for some players is the listing of Aspyr Media as both the developer and publisher, an attribution that omits the original development credit given to Snowblind Studios.