Games Corner

Lord of the Rings trilogy from the J.R.R. Tolkien novels have emerged again for the version of the video game. Previous games that were adapted from the LOTR trilogy came in various types of games, such as action adventure, real time strategy and MMO. Now has come also the kind of action RPG titled Lord of the Rings: War in the North, where in accordance with my hopes to play in RPG perspective that usually give more freedom in exploring the world of action adventure game than a very limited and very scripted.

​Story This game uses a new storyline and do not follow the novel and film versions, but the story is still connected and quite interesting to follow. Where as ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ journey brought the ring to the east of Middle Earth, a new threat emerged from the North. After hearing the explanation and the advice of Elrond and his friends, the three knights named Eradan, Farin, and Andriel travel north to face the threat of Agandaur, the right hand of Sauron. The core story of this game that is simple enough to save the world from destruction as well. This game will take us across the locations contained in the film, like the Misty Mountains, Mirkwood, where the gathering dark forces of Sauron, and of course we will also meet some of the characters in novels and in films such as Aragorn and Elrohir, until the forces of darkness such as Orcs, Trolls, Goblins, or Saenathra the giant spider.

In this game we are allowed to choose one of three playable characters who have different races and jobs, they are Eradan, Human race with the Ranger job, which is certainly an expert in archery and sword play. Then Farin, race Dwarf warrior with a very tough job in petarungan close range. And lastly, Andriel, from the race of Elf with Mage job, which is capable of removing offensive sorcery and endure. In addition they have a different personality to each other, they also have unique capabilities as well, such as being in the cave, which is a race of Dwarf Farin can see the marks on cave walls to be destroyed and retrieve hidden items in it, while other characters can not. Or Eradan can sneak into the back of the enemy without being detected, and can track enemy footprints.

We control the character in third person perspective, similar to the game Fable and Mass Effect. Each character can be used to launch attacks and more powerful attacks. They can also block enemy attacks and attack back immediately, and can roll to avoid attacks. Our character can also shoot and shoot enemies, such as shoot right on the head will create a head shot. Combat system in this game may be said to be very brutal and ongoing epic. Parts of the body of the enemy can be separated and many featuring splashes of blood. Unfortunately the enemy in this game variation is very small, from initial start up to a few hours the game progresses, we will always meet with an enemy that’s it tends to feel a bit bored, even on a boss battle looks too ordinary and less challenging.

Some of the attacks that we have embarked on an enemy will make them vulnerable and raised signs that allow us to issue a final stance or critical strike a deadly attack, a brutal hit, hit streak, heavy impact, and others. It will make our characters get extra XP, as well as from a number of XP gained when successfully finish off the enemy. The amount of XP that collects in a particular target will increase the level of character accompanied by granting a few points that can be distributed on the attributes of strength, dexterity, stamina, and Will in sharpening the attack near, far attacks, and armor strength in our character. In addition there are also skill points that can be distributed on the skill trees are present sufficiently varied so that we can add a bit of strategy in the fight.

Throughout the game we will always be accompanied by two other characters that will be controlled by computer AI. We can give two simple commands, or survive the attack. Cleverness ​of AI in this game is quite disappointing, they are less rapidly respond to commands given in this game when the fight takes place quickly. We can also switch the character of all three characters fight to get a different experience. To switch characters can not be done in any place and can only be done at the beginning level alone. Leveling point the computer AI controlled characters were disappointing because they run automatically in the set of attributes and skill points. The only way is to switch to a character that was previously controlled by the computer AI to get the opportunity to distribute all the attributes and skill points to build the character we want. This is not the right way, but instead feel inconvenient when switching to another character. For those who only focus on one character alone or play co-operative mode, may not feel bad this system.

Initially this game offers two difficulty levels to choose from: Easy and Normal. But after we managed to finish it, we will open the Heroic difficulty level that can be played with a previous save game data that still retains stock item, the amount of XP, and skill points on the previous character. Furthermore, if we manage to solve it again, then we can open and play the Legendary difficulty level. Aside from the single player mode that can be followed, this game also features co-operative gain which is the dish most interesting and exciting in this game. This mode can be played with friends or relatives through online or in a television screen that is divided vertically.

Feature character customization in this game will change the physical appearance of the characters, but it will also play a role in increasing the strength and character defenses. This game provides up to 12 slots that can be customized, ranging from the head armor, body armor, weapons on the left and right hand, until the armor accessories and shoes. Completion armor and items can be found from the enemy who were killed or from a hidden chest. Because the items are presented in this game quite a lot, then the unused items can be sold in stores and if something is broken can be repaired at the blacksmith. There is also an interactive conversation as well as on the game Mass Effect, which will tell more about the world of Middle Earth, even some dialogue that would link the story of each character in this game.

In terms of visuals in this game looks good with the game environment that looks beautiful, but there are some texture images that appear blurry. The level of detail on characters and lighting effects in this game also looked pretty good, this is seen in the shiny armor and weapons when exposed to light and the effect of sweeteners, such as natural-looking snow. At least they’ve managed to bring the world of Middle Earth well. Not only rely on text as a means of explaining the storyline of this game, but there are a lot of cutscenes is presented with quite subtle. Then from the aspect of sound, voice acting of each character sounded pretty good, so is the background sound and effects, for example when crossing the mountains misty sounds creepy to scream Troll or sword clashing sounds solid.