Common Sense Media Review
By Chad Sapieha
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Simple fantasy RPG with frequent and bloody melee combat.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 14 kid reviews
Kids say this is an engaging video game that offers thrilling combat and a unique story, but it is highly graphic and violent, featuring decapitations and dismemberments of fantasy creatures. While some users appreciate the option to turn off the gore for a less intense experience, many emphasize that it's best suited for players aged 14 and older due to its graphic content.
- graphic violence
- age recommendations
- gore filter option
- enjoyable gameplay
- engaging story
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
Set concurrently but away from the more famous events featured in The Lord of the Rings films, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: WAR IN THE NORTH begins with Aragorn counseling a ranger, an elf, and a dwarf on how to fight Sauron's growing forces in the northern lands. Players take control of one of these three characters in this action-laden role-playing game, growing their skills and upgrading their armor as they undertake dangerous, Orc-filled missions through ruined cities and scenic country. They can also chat with civilians to undertake small side missions, like helping to arm a small village worried that they may be attacked by dark forces, and hook up with other players to adventure cooperatively, either in the same room or online.
Is It Any Good?
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North is a moderately fun adventure that explores events assumed to be taking place in the background of Peter Jackson's films' narrative. It offers several side missions as well as a conversation system reminiscent of those found in more complicated role-playing games, but maintains a linear narrative and level design. This may disappoint fans looking for a deeper RPG, but it keeps the experience straightforward and accessible for casual players.
The bloody, visceral combat is fairly simple as well, and should have most players feeling like battlefield champions midway through their first quest. Longer fighting sequences can begin to feel repetitive, but the animations and character choreography remains, for the most part, interesting. It's not the sort of epic, nearly endless fantasy RPG experience found in, say, an Elder Scrolls game, but casual gamers who count themselves fans of the Lord of the Rings franchise will have some fun.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in games. What markers do you look for to determine whether a game is too violent for your kids? Do your kids understand why violent games may be inappropriate for their age?
Families can also discuss online safety. What should you watch out for when playing online? What would you do if you encountered someone who was rude or, worse, seemed potentially dangerous?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 3 , Windows , Xbox 360
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Warner Bros. Games
- Release date : November 1, 2011
- Genre : Role-Playing
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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