Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

 PC
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2369 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,686 out of 2369
  2. Mixed: 489 out of 2369
  3. Negative: 194 out of 2369
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  1. PurpleSpartan
    Oct 26, 2014
    10
    Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is wildly fun for the duration of the campaign (about 25 hours for me), and still manages to pack in about 4 hours on top of that. This is mostly due to the very fun stealth system, however glitchy sometimes it still really makes the game fun almost wherever you are. Planning out your different strategies with warchiefs and slaying them is definitely theMiddle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is wildly fun for the duration of the campaign (about 25 hours for me), and still manages to pack in about 4 hours on top of that. This is mostly due to the very fun stealth system, however glitchy sometimes it still really makes the game fun almost wherever you are. Planning out your different strategies with warchiefs and slaying them is definitely the strongest point of the game. It gives you possible ways to deal with them, and you make them happen. absolutely brilliant… Expand
  2. Vixremento
    Oct 25, 2014
    10
    I enjoyed this quite a bit. I got frustrated, I died (which is why I got frustrated), I smiled and I just had a pretty good time playing through Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor.

    Does it have similarities to Assassin's Creed and the Batman Arkham games? Sure it does. Does this make it a bad thing? Not in my opinion. The combat, while familiar, was more challenging than in the Assassin's    I enjoyed this quite a bit. I got frustrated, I died (which is why I got frustrated), I smiled and I just had a pretty good time playing through Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor.

    Does it have similarities to Assassin's Creed and the Batman Arkham games? Sure it does. Does this make it a bad thing? Not in my opinion. The combat, while familiar, was more challenging than in the Assassin's Creed games. You gain runes, you gain points and power that allow you to gain and upgrade various abilities that make it more fun to keep playing on all while getting that same enjoyable feeling of kicking Orc butt along the way. The story missions were varied enough to keep me playing through together with a few side bits that allowed my Ranger to get stronger and for me to test my skills while doing so between the main story missions.

    Overall I was impressed and I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys a bit of fun however I also know that not everyone will enjoy the combat system like many of us do (just as we may not enjoy some of the things that make your favourite games fun to play) so make sure it's your cup of tea and if it is you're most likely going to have the same fun playing through this as I did.    … Expand
  3. Bizzovitz
    Oct 25, 2014
    10
    This is a really good game! I like everything about it! Its a combination the batman and assassins creed games. PLUS; Its a game based on the LotR and The Hobbit universe!
  4. Jaleel54
    Oct 25, 2014
    8
    The Shadow of Mordor is a very solid title, encompassing a decent story coupled with some great gameplay.
    My only gripe with this game is that there weren't any Anti-Aliasing options for the PC as well as there wasn't an FOV slider (which these are pretty much basic barebones pc options that should be found in any pc title)
    after applying an FOV fix with cheatengine the game became much    The Shadow of Mordor is a very solid title, encompassing a decent story coupled with some great gameplay.
    My only gripe with this game is that there weren't any Anti-Aliasing options for the PC as well as there wasn't an FOV slider (which these are pretty much basic barebones pc options that should be found in any pc title)
    after applying an FOV fix with cheatengine the game became much more enjoyable.

    I'm really looking forward to the next title of this game. I mean the story is nothing to write home about, but this game at it's core is solid, just with the next title they need to build on the solid foundations they have already.

    Graphics are top notch, if you have a decent PC, gameplay is stellar, story is kinda meh it's nothing too great, very big open world I mean i could keep rambling but if you have an extra $30 (thats how much i got my copy for) or can get this game on some type of sale buy it, it's about 22-24hrs of solid gaming will entail and you'll likely enjoy it.    … Expand
  5. mpelley92
    Oct 24, 2014
    2
    Terribly linear, hack and slash, boring gameplay. If you want to have even more pleasure (and spend the same amount of time) go to an amusement park. Avoid this game. The story is very very short. They want you to shell out your money for "DLCs" which should have been included in the game in the first place. Total game cost? $100. For 20 hours of measly, boring, run-of-the-mill gameplay.Terribly linear, hack and slash, boring gameplay. If you want to have even more pleasure (and spend the same amount of time) go to an amusement park. Avoid this game. The story is very very short. They want you to shell out your money for "DLCs" which should have been included in the game in the first place. Total game cost? $100. For 20 hours of measly, boring, run-of-the-mill gameplay. Only plus about this game? It actually has decent graphics and special effects. Played it only for that.… Expand
  6. Bulten
    Oct 24, 2014
    7
    I know other reviews have said the same thing, but i'll say it again. I't reminds you a lot of assassins creed, (i can't say if it resembles Arkham city cause i haven't played it). Not the story, but the combat system. The story itself is outstanding. I loved every minute of this game. And by every minute, i'm talking about 3 hours. Cause that's how long it took me to finish the story.I know other reviews have said the same thing, but i'll say it again. I't reminds you a lot of assassins creed, (i can't say if it resembles Arkham city cause i haven't played it). Not the story, but the combat system. The story itself is outstanding. I loved every minute of this game. And by every minute, i'm talking about 3 hours. Cause that's how long it took me to finish the story. (I've got 25 hours game time expect that, so i've played it a bit). It feels like you just are getting starting to get a connection to your character and then, ops, it's over. And it ends.. awful. It ends as an opening for an sequel. Which makes me feel like. "Oh, that some worth spend money.." (Notice the irony)
    The game finishes half finished, and just offers you a bunch of side missions, and no real side stories. And all the missions are the same. Stab and slash. New mission, kill some uruks! New mission, Kill a Warchief.
    It gets boring after a while. And because that the story is so short, you don't really get bored with it before it's finished.

    But, is it worth buying? Yes. If it's on sale.    … Expand
  7. GamesOverMind
    Oct 24, 2014
    5
    Definitely a decent gaming experience. Not all its cracked up to be though; honestly if i found as many problems within a Ubisoft game as I found in this, it would be unacceptable. With a big PR machine like WB you have to expect over compensation with just about everything but in this case they had to have rushed their testers on the release dates. Amazing story but lacking in all theDefinitely a decent gaming experience. Not all its cracked up to be though; honestly if i found as many problems within a Ubisoft game as I found in this, it would be unacceptable. With a big PR machine like WB you have to expect over compensation with just about everything but in this case they had to have rushed their testers on the release dates. Amazing story but lacking in all the areas that it counts. Personally I would never pay for this game. Bitter sweet disaster till the end.… Expand
  8. Klewer
    Oct 23, 2014
    8
    The action mechanics are very good and the fighting is highly enjoyable. For me the real mastery of this game is the "Sauron's Army" component fighting Orc Captains and War chiefs, personally I spent more time doing this than I did the Story Missions.

    Sadly the story missions is what stops this game from being truly great, the story is ok but most of the missions feel like filler and    The action mechanics are very good and the fighting is highly enjoyable. For me the real mastery of this game is the "Sauron's Army" component fighting Orc Captains and War chiefs, personally I spent more time doing this than I did the Story Missions.

    Sadly the story missions is what stops this game from being truly great, the story is ok but most of the missions feel like filler and could of been much better.

    However for fans of the LOTR will get a kick and the actual game is still quite fantastic.    … Expand
  9. MattBarker
    Oct 23, 2014
    9
    Well as the beginning You have a great game
    where everything is wonderful Except the story
    the Gameplay Is Fun A LOT OF Fun
    But The story it was Not that great
    And Final battles were disappointing
    But Still one Of the Best Game Of 2014
  10. steddye
    Oct 22, 2014
    5
    The game became boring very soon, no sense of adventure at all, the system to start a quest by clicking a button when you a reach a specific location goes against the spirit of RPG's. Please developers make a step forward ,less cutscene ,less graphic and less hand holding but a game that is not petitive and adventurous.

    to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new    The game became boring very soon, no sense of adventure at all, the system to start a quest by clicking a button when you a reach a specific location goes against the spirit of RPG's. Please developers make a step forward ,less cutscene ,less graphic and less hand holding but a game that is not petitive and adventurous.

    to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.

    Thats the spirit    … Expand
  11. rxgamer
    Oct 22, 2014
    10
    Haven't seen a game feel this polished, complete, and well-designed since Tomb Raider. Incredible graphics and level design. Clever missions. Challenging for the right reasons and not frustration. Sometimes overwhelming when taking on too many captains...
  12. sisho
    Oct 21, 2014
    7
    Shadow of Mordor is a good game. An example of a truly well made port.
    While the game does not deliver the sense of epicness the Lord of The rings has to offer, the Nemesis system allied to a fast paced gameplay makes playing it a very enjoyable experience.
  13. gannicus
    Oct 21, 2014
    6
    Game is ok... nothing special... graphics reqs are way to high... story is ok but seems to contradict Tolkiens writing.. Combat was very good.. only strength of the game... Nemesis system was fine i guess give them points for innovation but execution was bad eg any time you die other orcs get promoted and theres a never ending list of orcs who will become captains and warchiefs etc..Game is ok... nothing special... graphics reqs are way to high... story is ok but seems to contradict Tolkiens writing.. Combat was very good.. only strength of the game... Nemesis system was fine i guess give them points for innovation but execution was bad eg any time you die other orcs get promoted and theres a never ending list of orcs who will become captains and warchiefs etc.. finally somehow the game doesnt seem to come together at the end... However the game wasnt a total waste , worth a play if you have a lot of excess time....… Expand
  14. lucasmx
    Oct 21, 2014
    10
    It has been a long time since i do not get so addicted to a game. This game has a true open world, very nice features. Worths every penny. You should try it
  15. TitaniumDragon
    Oct 21, 2014
    5
    Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor is a game with a great idea and very little else to it. A combination of watered-down Assassin’s Creed style stealth combined with watered-down Batman: Arkham Asylum style combat, the gameplay itself is very mediocre, with a large sandbox to play in but very few toys, with less than a dozen types of enemies despite a fantasy setting, poor, uninteresting bossMiddle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor is a game with a great idea and very little else to it. A combination of watered-down Assassin’s Creed style stealth combined with watered-down Batman: Arkham Asylum style combat, the gameplay itself is very mediocre, with a large sandbox to play in but very few toys, with less than a dozen types of enemies despite a fantasy setting, poor, uninteresting boss fights, and highly repetitive gameplay. The highlight of the game is the nemesis system, a system by which randomly generated orcs gain names, attributes, and try and fight back against you, but it is crippled by the fact that by halfway through the game you will be cutting through them as so much wheat and all opposition effectively falls by the wayside.

    On the whole, the game is very mediocre. The levels are uninspired, the boss fights are more of the same or outright anticlimactic, the combat rapidly becomes rote, and all the side missions are extremely repetitive – even while the main missions present little variety. The game’s plot is lackluster, lacking interesting, engaging characters, and is very likely to be confusing to anyone who is not familiar with The Lord of the Rings. Even the nemesis system, the game’s great selling point, quickly becomes pointless as you gain the ability to rapidly kill enemies the first time you face them, completely removing any possibility of generating a nemesis.

    Some other game might be able to make great use of the nemesis system – or a nemesis-like system – in the future, but it did not work here.    … Expand
  16. saurabh631
    Oct 21, 2014
    9
    wow! i loved the game...best game of the year till now...superb game play amazing story ,one must play it one of the best role playing games of all time...also with great graphical environment.
  17. captainthrall
    Oct 20, 2014
    9
    So I bought this game. It's pretty fun. I've played about 20 hours already and am only 33% of the way through the campaign portion of the game. I know the yellow quests are campaign quests, and I should focus on trying to complete them but...... I can't stop mutilating the orc bosses.

    I love it when some super badass leader shows up and all of the orcs start chanting "GORDOK GORDOK    So I bought this game. It's pretty fun. I've played about 20 hours already and am only 33% of the way through the campaign portion of the game. I know the yellow quests are campaign quests, and I should focus on trying to complete them but...... I can't stop mutilating the orc bosses.

    I love it when some super badass leader shows up and all of the orcs start chanting "GORDOK GORDOK GORDOK GORDOK" and he walks in with that muscled-up orc swagger surrounded by a dozen bodyguards with huge shields and lances and swords. "Back again? I thoguht I killed you already?" Yeah, rub it in you piece of S&@%. I know it's about to get ugly. We're talking 15 minutes of straight button-smashing, mouse-clicking, spacepar tapping, shuckin, jivin, running, divin, green skinned executin, epic lootin, war on the shore in Mordor!

    10 minutes into the carnage sweat is dripping off of my brow, my girlfriend is texting pictures of her new hello-kitty bra and panties. I quickly scan the attached message: "My parents aren't home, wanna come over?" But I can't be bothered, I've got a scar-faced, drooling green-skinned Gordok to deal with. My mom's yelling, "Billy I thought I told you to mow the lawn." It's the third time and she's about to go postal, but I continue to ignore her. I'm too busy fighting for my life, surrounded by 900 spear chuckin green skin bastards. "BILLY NOW!" "MOM THIS **** KILLED ME TWICE AND HE'S BEEN MOCKING ME, IF I LEAVE NOW HE'LL LEVEL UP AGAIN AND I'LL NEVER KILL HIM." I'm yelling at my mom, clicking, slashing. Block, leap, dodge, execute, circle, stun, slash, right-click, spacebar, right-click, E-key, left-click. RAWWWRRRRRR! YESSSS I got him down! My health is draining, but so is his. "BILLY TURN IT OFF AND MOW THE LAWN." Gordok's energy is in the red-zone. After a 15 minute battle-royal I almost have him down! My enraged mom steps in front of me. The execute circle-click challenge appears on the screen, but I can't see. I hit spacebar instead of right-clicking and miss. "MOM, MOVE YOU STUPID B@%&*" I hear my dad yelling from the kitchen "BILLY WATCH YOUR MOUTH!" Oh god damnit. Out of one corner of my eye I see My dad charging through the door like a rhinocerous on amphetimines. Out of the other corner of my eye I see Gordok the Ruthless smashing my face. In one last-ditch desperate attempt I shove my mom to the side and attempt to end the carnage. It's too late. I see Gordok's blood stained meat-cleaver smashing into the side of my face. It's over. All is lost.

    THAT SON OF A **** GORDOK LEVELED UP FROM KILLING ME, AND IS A LEVEL 20 WARLORD NOW. GOD DAMNIT.

    My parents are both chewing me out and all I can see is that green son of a **** cheering and gloating. He's laughing. His stupid minions are all leveling up too. God damnit. Gordok's head is cocked back, his shoulders are sloped, and he's just laughing his green head off as he circles my corpse. I did what I had to do... I smashed the computer monitor against the wall right in front of both of my parents. Naturally, they grounded me. I lost my car, phone, tv, and computer "privledges." I'm writing this message from the free internet connections at the public library down the street. I tell my parents I come here to study and research stuff for school... yeah right. There is a bum sitting next to me browsing animal porn. On the other side there is a parolee signing up on multiple dating websites. I secretly installed Shadow of Mordor on the computers here, but there are limited computers and they're in high demand. Each user has a 20 minute time limit, and there's always a line of hobos waiting to take our places. By the time I login, fire-up steam, and get into the game, I'm down to 5 minutes. That's certainly not enough time to challenge Warchief Gordok, but at least I can get in a few side-quests. Sometimes I can buy additional time with chocolate milk, but when the librarians catch me gaming they throw me out. It's fine for Cyrus to browse animal porn, but if I get caught playing LOTR games I get kicked out. I tried to bribe the librarians, but they don't take chocolate milk like the hobos. I'm going to start stealing jewelry from my mom to pay them off.    … Expand
  18. HardwarePal
    Oct 20, 2014
    9
    We don't see innovation easily anymore in games and SOM seems to have found a great combination between a great combat system (better than the likes of Batman and AC) with the unique Nemesis system. Its repetitive sometimes but the Nemesis system draws you back to continue your quest. The ultra pack looks good but is uncompressed giving the game a very jerky effect at higher resolution.We don't see innovation easily anymore in games and SOM seems to have found a great combination between a great combat system (better than the likes of Batman and AC) with the unique Nemesis system. Its repetitive sometimes but the Nemesis system draws you back to continue your quest. The ultra pack looks good but is uncompressed giving the game a very jerky effect at higher resolution. All in all the game looks nice and plays well, its a must buy imo.… Expand
  19. Squeezit
    Oct 19, 2014
    8
    Posted my review on the wrong page:
    Admittedly a perfect score is something I would probably never give any game because I can always find something that needs improvement. Shadow of Mordor is no exception to that rule. However Shadows of Mordor, while it had a slow start for me, was a fantastic game.
    Story 7/10 Graphics 9/10 gameplay 8/10 Overall, I absolutely loved the game and    Posted my review on the wrong page:
    Admittedly a perfect score is something I would probably never give any game because I can always find something that needs improvement. Shadow of Mordor is no exception to that rule. However Shadows of Mordor, while it had a slow start for me, was a fantastic game.
    Story 7/10
    Graphics 9/10
    gameplay 8/10

    Overall, I absolutely loved the game and really hope for a sequel.

    I'm not sure I understand why people are calling it an Assassins creed clone, unless they also call the batman games assassin creed clones. The only similarity I find between this and Assassins creed is the climbing, which personally I find a bit better in Shadow of Mordor (in some area's you can get stuck from time to time though).
    I have experienced no bugs/glitches aside from the current one where killed enemies come back to life. But that one wasn't really a big deal to me, since Orcs would take their place anyways.
    All in all, this is a Batman Arkham clone. And that is perfectly ok, because Batman clone with a LOTR setup was surprisingly fantastic. I was skeptical at first, but I'd say it was money well spent. Good job WB, please make me another one.

    Or how about doing a similar game with the Game of Thrones world? ;)    … Expand
  20. Marsonra
    Oct 19, 2014
    10
    Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor. Unlike Borderlands 2, I actually managed to finish this game's story before I reviewed it. This game has a much shorter story than Borderlands 2, and was therefore much easier to finish. Anyways, ever since this game was announced I was crazy excited to play it. I am a gigantic Lord of the Rings fan, and the movie franchise is my favorite movie trilogyMiddle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor. Unlike Borderlands 2, I actually managed to finish this game's story before I reviewed it. This game has a much shorter story than Borderlands 2, and was therefore much easier to finish. Anyways, ever since this game was announced I was crazy excited to play it. I am a gigantic Lord of the Rings fan, and the movie franchise is my favorite movie trilogy of all time. So when this game was announced, I jumped out of my seat in excitement. Now that I finally got my hands on the final product, I can finally review it. So, is this game the definitive Lord of the Rings game that the fans have been waiting for, or is this the kind of game that they would want to cast into the fire along with the one ring to rule them all? Let's find out. All I can say about this game's gameplay is this: it is insanely fun and addictive. You can approach this game in three different ways: you can be stealthy, using your dagger to pick off enemies without anyone noticing, you can attack from long range with your bow and arrow, or you can go up close and personal, and just attack everything with your sword. I heard this game was greatly influenced by the Assassin's Creed series, which made me nervous, as I reviewed two Assassin's Creed games a while back, and I thought that they were the most overrated games I have ever played. However, my concerns were put to rest when I finally played the game and I realized the game also had influence from another game series: Batman Arkham. I love the Arkham games (except for Arkham Origins), and I was very happy to see that this game had Arkham's fast and furious free-flowing combat was put into this game instead of Assassin's Creed's clunky and boring combat, which made me feel right at home with it. This made the game that much more fun than it already was. However, what really makes this game fun is its nemesis system. The nemesis system is a very complex A.I. system implemented into this game, that creates a living breathing Uruk (Orc) society in the game. It also gives the orcs you fight different personalities. Here's how it works: every time an Uruk does something great, they are promoted higher up in the ranks of the Orc society, becoming a captain. Captains are essentially more powerful versions of normal Uruks. These captains have their own unique personalities, as well as strengths and weaknesses. For example, a coward might retreat to fight another day, and a loyal captain might defend their master to the death. It gets even better late in the game when the game's main character gains the ability to mind-control Orcs, allowing him to have his own Orc armies. This system allows the player to create their own unique villains and stories. This is what makes the gameplay so addictive and fun. Along with this, there are also story missions, as well as weapon legend and free the slave missions. All of these missions are every bit as fun as the Orc society missions, and they only make the gameplay better than it already is. Overall, this game's gameplay is fantastic, and should be played for this reason alone. As for the graphics, they are every bit as fantastic as the gameplay. Everything in this game is rich with detail and beautiful to look at, from the vast open expanses of Mordor, to the different Orc strongholds you can raid, to the deep dark caves you can explore. The graphics of this game are fantastic, no matter which way you look at them. As for the story, it is also fantastic, but not quite as good as the gameplay and graphics. It is set after the Hobbit but before Lord of the Rings. You play as a ranger named Talion (a ranger is basically what Aragorn is in the films), who is killed by agents of Sauron, but is cheated from death by a wraith of an elf named Celebrimbor, who is the one who created the rings of power. The only familiar Lord of the Rings character you will come across throughout this game is Gollum. The rest are either mentioned, or not in the game at all. Despite this however, the plot is still very good, and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. Overall, this is a fantastic game that should not be overlooked, not just by Lord of the Rings fans, but by anyone. It is insanely fun, has beautiful graphics, and a gripping story. Also, I love this game's nemesis system, and I would love to see other games utilize it in the future. This is a game everyone should play. I recommend that if you have Steam, just buy it now!
    Gameplay: 10/10
    Graphics: 10/10
    Story: 9/10
    Overall: 10/10    … Expand
  21. AcidCasualty
    Oct 19, 2014
    9
    Repost of my Steam review:

    I absolutely love this game. A mashup of the best parts of the Assassin's Creed and Arkham games, it's one of the most exciting and engaging titles I've experienced in years. Believe me, I haven't done all-night play sessions in a very long time, and SoM has kept me up late multiple nights in a row. Aside from the awe-inspiring graphics, the smooth and    Repost of my Steam review:

    I absolutely love this game. A mashup of the best parts of the Assassin's Creed and Arkham games, it's one of the most exciting and engaging titles I've experienced in years. Believe me, I haven't done all-night play sessions in a very long time, and SoM has kept me up late multiple nights in a row. Aside from the awe-inspiring graphics, the smooth and intuitive combat system, and yes, the technical issues, it has that one, intangible factor that all games strive to offer but few actually do: Playability. And boy, SoM has it in heaps. Excuse me while I fire it up yet again. There are uruks that need killing.    … Expand
  22. Celtish
    Oct 18, 2014
    7
    I've only played for a few hours and I can already tell this game could be slightly repetitive.
    Having said that, the combat is fun, and gets better as you progress (By this I mean you gain more abilities, making combat more interesting), and the way the storyline is integrated with the questing is great.
    Graphically, this game is quite demanding, and I had to turn down a few settings    I've only played for a few hours and I can already tell this game could be slightly repetitive.
    Having said that, the combat is fun, and gets better as you progress (By this I mean you gain more abilities, making combat more interesting), and the way the storyline is integrated with the questing is great.
    Graphically, this game is quite demanding, and I had to turn down a few settings for my rig to cope but it's still quite good looking.
    A few other reviewers have mentioned that the combat is incredibly similar to Assassin's creed and Batman: Arkham asylum, and they are correct. However in this case, I feel it works because how else would you tear through hundreds of orcs?
    It's incredibly difficult to make combat feel fresh all the time when the entire game is based on cleaving through hordes of enemies.    … Expand
  23. CR4CK
    Oct 17, 2014
    10
    its my G O T Y

    Looks Good , Plays Fine, Feels Nice, Combat system is nice.
    if you like Assassins Creed you will like this too. Story is OK. The Music is really Great .
  24. Perigorn
    Oct 17, 2014
    3
    This game is highly overated. The controls are horrible and you are forced to play on a gamepad to get any kind of accuracy. The storyline is boring and has nothing to do with Middle earth really. It's a grind of a game. And did I really need to see his kid and wife getting their throats cut in the intro, I mean really?
  25. Jetpil0t
    Oct 16, 2014
    9
    This game borrow features and mechanics from your favorite games, however it manages to improve on then mix these features together so well, it doesn't matter that you have seen it before, becuase you have never seen it done this good.

    The game doesn't simply rely on familiar features, it introduces the Nemisis subsystem that not only sets the game apart from its source material, it is    This game borrow features and mechanics from your favorite games, however it manages to improve on then mix these features together so well, it doesn't matter that you have seen it before, becuase you have never seen it done this good.

    The game doesn't simply rely on familiar features, it introduces the Nemisis subsystem that not only sets the game apart from its source material, it is a genuinely innovate approach to open world encounter design.

    The license seems like an unnecessary side dish, however it is integrated well into the rest of the game and doesn't assume LOTR knowledge or interest in order to be effective.

    The game is excellent, this is a master class in how to iterate and innovate and the same time.    … Expand
  26. Erazor
    Oct 16, 2014
    9
    What's not to like? Batman, good. Assassin's Creed, good. Lord of the Rings, Guuuuud.

    Good use of side missions & collectables, as in they actually have a purpose, still a little tad grindy, (the artifacts & wall symbols were still somewhat boring and tedious to do) Controls were good but a lot of combos left me mixing up some keys and doing hilarious things, like throwing    What's not to like? Batman, good. Assassin's Creed, good. Lord of the Rings, Guuuuud.

    Good use of side missions & collectables, as in they actually have a purpose, still a little tad grindy, (the artifacts & wall symbols were still somewhat boring and tedious to do)

    Controls were good but a lot of combos left me mixing up some keys and doing hilarious things, like throwing information orcs off the edge of a building... opssss

    9/10    … Expand
  27. slinge
    Oct 16, 2014
    4
    I dont get the hype about this game. Sure it is fun to slay some orchs but that is about it. Rpg elements is zero, you don't get any new weapons only new abilitys like more arrows.. I can't even finish the story because of a bug with no warcheif available to brand. No story at all. Fun game if you wanna hack and slash though
  28. Xillia
    Oct 15, 2014
    7
    The game is good overall but gets repetitive after hack/slashing through waves of uruks and the stealth is basically Assasins Creed but the skills and ability are fun and interesting and the nemesis system is pretty fun and intresting but some time the enemies and cheating douches with like 10 range uruks sniping you with a giant horde slashing at u makes it near impossible to dodge and IThe game is good overall but gets repetitive after hack/slashing through waves of uruks and the stealth is basically Assasins Creed but the skills and ability are fun and interesting and the nemesis system is pretty fun and intresting but some time the enemies and cheating douches with like 10 range uruks sniping you with a giant horde slashing at u makes it near impossible to dodge and I have encountered some graphical issues like when I do a flurry attack and than the head explodes the textures seem to glitch out and flail everywhere and get stretched and makes it impossible to see anything and when during a captain/warcheif better nearby objects sometimes suffer the same glitch and makes me impossible to fight because I cant see anything. The graphics are ok I guess not really astounding though seems to not look great compared to other next gen or pc titles and considering ultra settings is near impossible to use due to its huge system requirements the lower textures seems disappointing than what I expected. The story I am not sure how to judge but all it is but I think only half to 60% percent of the story fits in to the LOTR lore.… Expand
  29. scoobers
    Oct 15, 2014
    10
    Killing orcs never felt better. This game is like a better version of assassins creed. I look forward to actually spending a lot more time on this title especially if they do more story DLC.
  30. Terminal-Rex
    Oct 15, 2014
    8
    I found this game thoroughly enjoyable, don't get me wrong if you are looking for something that stays fresh and doesn't become repetitive you are barking up the wrong tree, however I can't help feeling that the combat system mixed with the graphics keep this game entertaining throughout. It's a relaxing game, not something I would play for months non-stop but when I want to have a causalI found this game thoroughly enjoyable, don't get me wrong if you are looking for something that stays fresh and doesn't become repetitive you are barking up the wrong tree, however I can't help feeling that the combat system mixed with the graphics keep this game entertaining throughout. It's a relaxing game, not something I would play for months non-stop but when I want to have a causal session for a couple of hours, this is a great hack and slash that looks beautiful.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best PC Game of 2014
11
#11 Most Discussed PC Game of 2014
10
#10 Most Shared PC Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. PC PowerPlay
    Nov 1, 2014
    90
    Solid action wrapped in a fascinating simulated Orc society. [Nov 2014, p.52]
  2. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Oct 25, 2014
    72
    After you get used to the world of Shadow of Mordor understanding comes: there is nothing to do in it. Chieftains – pretty serious opponents at first – in the end due to the lame balance become the whipping boys. Storyline is buried under muddy reasoning about rings, elves and dark lord. As a result you like the Shadow of Mordor gameplay but you do not want to go to the finish. [Nov 2014, p.64]
  3. Riot Pixels
    Oct 19, 2014
    70
    Only thanks to the Nemesis system stinky orcs from Peter Jackson’s movies rise above being cannon fodder and turn into actual characters. If this cool system weren’t here, no one would have looked twice at this hybrid clone of Batman: Arkham City and Assassin’s Creed.
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