Forgotten Lord Of The Rings Video Game Appears Poised for a Comeback
Fans have uncovered compelling evidence hinting at a potential remaster for an obscure Lord Of The Rings video game that originally launched on the Xbox 360. The Lord Of The Rings franchise has historically been a rich source of quality video games, spanning from the hack-and-slash movie tie-ins of the early 2000s to the acclaimed 2014 title Shadow Of Mordor.
Other notable entries include strategy games like 2006's The Battle Of Middle-earth 2 and turn-based role-playing adventures such as The Third Age. However, in recent years, games based on J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic fantasy world have become increasingly rare, and when they do emerge, they often disappoint, as seen with the poorly received 2023 release The Lord Of The Rings: Gollum.
Steam Metadata Changes Spark Speculation
According to findings by Reddit user JudgmentKazz, the Steam metadata for the 2011 game The Lord Of The Rings: War In The North has been altered, with its name changed to 'Slinky'. While the reason for this modification remains unclear, it has led to widespread speculation that this could be a codename for a new project related to the game.
Further investigation on SteamDB reveals a folder under the 'Cloud saves' tab containing the name 'Aspyr'. Aspyr is a developer renowned for its work on remasters, having recently contributed to projects like the Legacy Of Kain collection and Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered.
An Unlikely Candidate for Revival
The Lord Of The Rings: War In The North was initially developed by Snowblind Studios, the creators of Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, who later merged with Monolith Soft, the studio behind Shadow Of Mordor. The game was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and Aspyr has never been previously linked to it.
If a remaster is indeed in the works, War In The North represents an unusual selection. It is an action game featuring three playable characters—a Ranger, a Dwarf, and an Elf—none of whom are recognizable figures from Peter Jackson's film adaptations. Its primary appeal was the ability for three players to collaborate online.
Licensing and Commercial Considerations
This lack of recognizable movie characters might actually be a strategic advantage, as it avoids potential licensing conflicts over the use of actor likenesses. Additionally, War In The North was among the first Lord Of The Rings games developed under Warner Bros. Games, which secured the rights to produce games based on the movies and books from Electronic Arts and Vivendi in 2009.
Despite these factors, War In The North remains a puzzling choice for a remaster. Upon its original release, the game received mixed reviews and was a commercial failure, leaving few with nostalgic memories of its existence.
Potential Challenges and Developer Reputation
If Aspyr is indeed leading the remaster, expectations should be tempered regarding significant graphical enhancements or stability improvements. The studio has faced criticism for its online support, notably during the buggy launch of the Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection.
As the gaming community awaits official confirmation, the prospect of a War In The North remaster highlights the enduring appeal of the Lord Of The Rings universe, even for its lesser-known entries.
