Aspyr released The Lord of the Rings: War in the North – Legacy Edition on August 11, 2026, for PC (Steam, Epic, GOG), PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2 platforms [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The remaster updates the 2011 game with 60 FPS support, character hot swapping, split-screen multiplayer (except on Switch 1), improved UI/UX, autosave, gyro controls, enemy target locking, bug fixes, and various quality-of-life improvements [1, 2, 4, 5].
Originally developed by Snowblind Studios and published by Warner Bros., the game launched in November 2011 on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC [1, 2, 5]. War in the North was notable for its three-player cooperative play alongside a parallel story featuring Sauron's servant Agandaûr in Middle-earth locations like Mirkwood and Rivendell [1, 2, 4]. While it received mixed to mediocre reviews at launch, scoring between 4/10 and 7/10, it failed commercially and was delisted from platforms around 2018-2019 due to licensing issues [1, 2, 4, 5].
The Legacy Edition is priced at $19.99 (£19) but is currently available at a $17.99 launch discount until August 25 [1, 2, 4, 5]. Although the remaster greatly polishes the original, it is not a full overhaul but focuses on improved performance and user experience [5]. Aspyr is listed as both developer and publisher for the remaster, which drew some criticism since the original developer was Snowblind Studios [5].
Aspyr and Warner Bros. have announced the Legacy Edition as the first in a planned series of classic Lord of the Rings game re-releases. "Fans can look forward to even more classic releases by Aspyr from the beloved franchise in the future!" Aspyr said in a press release [1]. Aspyr’s parent company, Embracer Group, owns Middle-earth Enterprises, easing rights management for future remasters [4]. However, whether earlier LOTR games published by EA in the 2000s will be included remains unclear due to potential rights complications [3].
The original War in the North scored lower among some critics, with a Eurogamer contributor rating it 4/10 and calling it a "soulless cash-in," while IGN gave it a more moderate 7/10, describing it as bland but not a failure [1, 2].
The Legacy Edition has received a strong reception from players so far, with a 95% positive rating on Steam [5]. The launch discount will end on August 25, after which the price will rise to $19.99. The arrival of this remaster marks the reopening of the LOTR game catalogue for modern audiences, with further releases expected from Aspyr soon [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
