Middle-earth: Shadow of War
Middle-earth: Shadow of War is an action role-playing game set in an open world environment and played from a third-person perspective, following from its predecessor. The player controls the game's protagonist Talion, who has several natural athletic and combat abilities as a ranger of Gondor, but also has unique abilities provided by the spirit of the elf lord Celebrimbor, with whom he shares his body. The player uses their combined abilities to complete various missions, typically aimed to disrupt the armies of Sauron. The game includes main quests that drive the game's narrative, and numerous optional quests that can help the player boost Talion's abilities and Followers via the game's "Nemesis System". In contrast to the previous game, which was more of a hack and slash, the game has an action role-playing approach, creating a more personalized experience for each player
Game Discussion
Steam User 130
Best solo mechanic a game could have. Too bad WB patented it and we will never see it again. Rip monolith, loved these 2 games
Steam User 158
Great game, shame it took for me so long to play it, but yet again a wizard is never late. Nor is he early. He plays it precisely when he means to.
Steam User 55
I know it may seem like Assassins Creed with orcs, but the (UNFORTUNATELY PATENTED AND NEVER USED AGAIN) nemesis system makes this game truly unique. You don't just love and hate these orcs, it gets damn personal.
When your best friend orc betrays you for killing a dude you had NO clue he cared about, when you've been through COUNTLESS battles together, it BURNS your SOUL.
Some people are vengeful. Some people want to reconnect. There are times for both, but often, you'll do it right after they've dug a dagger in your back.
It takes everything the first did and enhances it. Another orc type (Olog-hai, big troll ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥), more wild animals (alpha carrigors, drakes), more abilities and more ways to ♥♥♥♥ then the hell up, and of course, more jank. What's not to love?
The movement feels more fluent and enjoyable than the first game with an added ability to do a mid-air jump being unlockable. But everything you once loved about the first is here.
All in all, I can't recommend this game enough. Please play this, it's a lot of fun.
Steam User 39
One of the Greatest games over made. Unfortunately WB locked the nemesis engine behind copy right laws until 2036. WB is the epitome of not letting others have nice things.
Steam User 43
It's Challenging, Rewarding, and you have tons of wiggle room to play in the maps they have set up, lot's of ways to engage your enemies and win in a situation. All of that to say it's quite fun. I just wish they didn't patent the Nemesis system, it's because of that, I say buy this game on sale, and give them as little money as possible. No one ever should be allowed to patent game mechanics, systems, or code. The Internet should be Free For All.
Steam User 40
An interesting game series with great reviews was abandoned. It’s been 8 years since Shadow of War was released.
Steam User 84
Overall this game is great, but it is also very annoying.
Cons
- No respect for your time (run to the same places hundreds of times, no skipping dialogue ).
- Menus and management are designed poorly and very time consuming.
- Game is buggy.
- Gathering collectables is boring and very time consuming.
- Gear and skills suck( no respec skills, skills have sub skills to unlock but only 1 can be active at a time,
gear is cool but you will get 1,000 pieces and maybe look at 100 and use 20 ).
- Combat is too chaotic, it is more luck than skill. Enemies off screen out of view hitting you and resetting
your combat resource bar. Inputs not registering or attacks going wildly in the wrong direction.
- The bosses are not fun.
- About 100 GB size.
Pros
- Sequel to a great game, a lot of familiar mechanics.
- Enemies look super cool and unique ( I did notice names are reused a lot ).
- The nemesis system is great, there are many more interaction types.
- Many new situations to customize and command allies.
- The characters ( orcs included ) and story are great.
- There is an online component so you can really grind at that if you enjoy the siege and defend system.
- The elf dlc is a good experience with new abilities. They cut back on a lot of the things I would consider
annoying.
- The mercenary dlc is amazing, it was a refreshing change from the main game and removed most of what
I considered annoying.
I have to say that this is a great game which is why I chose a positive review. Many of my complaints are likely due to the age of the game and the amount of refinement that went into it. The DLCs clearly improved on many things, so I think attention was paid to some complaints. I am glad I played it, but man did it frustrate me at times.
Buy it on sale and don't be a completionist, just enjoy the orc on orc violence.