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. Llaerrick
    Oct 4, 2014
    8
    As it stands, Shadow of Mordor is a very polished and well put together game. The graphics and artwork is good even on mid-settings. Unfortunately, due to an aging rig, I was not able to play on high/ultra, but despite the age of my rig (which might have been top of the line about 5 years ago), I did not encounter any real performance problems yet. Also only had the one crash/hang so farAs it stands, Shadow of Mordor is a very polished and well put together game. The graphics and artwork is good even on mid-settings. Unfortunately, due to an aging rig, I was not able to play on high/ultra, but despite the age of my rig (which might have been top of the line about 5 years ago), I did not encounter any real performance problems yet. Also only had the one crash/hang so far in game which I suspect was likely more due to windows update than anything else.

    Game-play wise, the combat (of which there is a lot of) plays a lot like Assassin's Creed. Combat is fast and furious and can be pretty fun. The overwhelming number of enemies sometimes make it feel a little like Dynasty Warrior. There is a decent blend of close-combat, stealth and bow/range, although generally, the combat will always be more close-up. The attribute system is really basic and more about supplementing play-styles rather than a build (i.e. more health, more 'arrows', more rune slots). There is no 'loot' in this game. Instead of loot, high level enemies drop 'runes' of degrees and powers which you use to supplement your weapons (sword/bow/dagger). Considering it is a ported game as well, the control scheme is actually pretty decent and intuitive (you can rebind your keys if you want but I didn't really have to). While some have expressed a strong preference for using a controller (which I also have), I didn't really find the need for it and am satisfied with keyboard/mouse.

    The Nemesis system is intriguing and nicely implemented. It gives a certain amount of novelty in game play beyond what is normally scripted. I am hoping there will be improvements and tweaks to this concept which definitely adds to the enjoyment and play time. There is nothing more 'fun' than taking on a mission to take out a Warchief in a warcamp surronded by his bodyguards when two of your 'nemesis' turn up un-invited with their own entourage.

    On the bad side, the whole thing can become a little dreary after a while. The combat is fun but fighting can fall into a basic pattern after a while. While the map is quite large, after a while Mordor looks the same. Content-wise, I was hoping for a little more.

    All-in-all, a good solid game that should keep most happy for quite few hours. Hopefully more content will be forthcoming. A very promising start and one that may hopefully spawn perhaps a new franchise/concept with the Nemesis system/concept.    … Expand
  2. ANTI-
    Oct 3, 2014
    8
    Pros:
    -Combat approaching Perfection
    -Visually Outstanding -Enjoyable Sound -Great Skill Unlocks, the deepest unlocks can make you feel godly in combat -Some excellent character models and armor on the enemies -Decent Story Cons: -Resource whore if you want to turn up graphics settings -a small amount of minor bugs -controls and movement not always as fluid as I'd hope -the    Pros:
    -Combat approaching Perfection
    -Visually Outstanding
    -Enjoyable Sound
    -Great Skill Unlocks, the deepest unlocks can make you feel godly in combat
    -Some excellent character models and armor on the enemies
    -Decent Story

    Cons:
    -Resource whore if you want to turn up graphics settings -a small amount of minor bugs
    -controls and movement not always as fluid as I'd hope
    -the meet and great cinematic when encountering a captain becomes seriously annoying when fighting multiple captains at once
    -lackluster ending
    -the day 1 season pass locking currently available content behind another paywall    … Expand
  3. DwarfChieftain
    Oct 4, 2014
    8
    A captivating and dynamic game with nearly-unlimited strategies and ways to complete your missions. The graphics are one of the best I've seen in PC gaming after Crysis 3/2. Although it is a fun experience, hunting warchiefs and captains can get either boring out of repetitiveness or impossible out of failed fights.

    The Nemesis system is unique and realistic.
  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. eelegendo
    Oct 5, 2014
    1
    Constant crashes. It freezes every 10 minutes, if during a bossfight (my character gets hung in the air) I lose that one, so the boss gets promoted... BTW: if I get killed by a caragor, why an Uruk gets promoted? It happened.

    Needs 6 gb of vram? For what? Is this a NASA project? If I turn everything to ultra, my character's face is still bland and lifeless. So again, why is the 6 gb?    Constant crashes. It freezes every 10 minutes, if during a bossfight (my character gets hung in the air) I lose that one, so the boss gets promoted... BTW: if I get killed by a caragor, why an Uruk gets promoted? It happened.

    Needs 6 gb of vram? For what? Is this a NASA project? If I turn everything to ultra, my character's face is still bland and lifeless. So again, why is the 6 gb? ACIV looks the same and runs better on my machine.

    The main story is really short and the bloatware (bloatgame?), the timed and collect missions are for kids, who have lot of time for doing nothing. Sorry. I've been playing a few ten minutes when I suddenly realized that I'm into the 5th mission of the 20 possible! That is 1/4th of the whole main storyline. Otherwise it is pick this up, collect that, killed 10 in 3 mins... Ridiculous.    … Expand
  6. Rimthalen
    Sep 30, 2014
    10
    In the first 20 minutes of gameplay I felt sadness and rage, I wanted to poke the Hand of Sauron in his face with the sword he used to kill my family, and I kicked an uruk in the butt until he died, He DIED!

    10/10 Would Kick @$$ again.
  7. CartoonHead
    Oct 4, 2014
    9
    This wins my illustrious action title of the year. Just remember it is an action game and not some deep life changing experience . It does what it does well and better than anything else this year.
  8. AngryCustomer
    Nov 4, 2014
    10
    It's easy to criticize this game for all the things it lacks, but I'm just comparing it to other games produced right now and I have to say this game is the only one that got me hooked up for days, the best game of the year so far for me. Yes it could have been better, maybe, but it gave me a fairly epic experience whatsoever. If you decide to play it and enjoy it you won't regret it.
  9. Theguyoo
    Oct 3, 2014
    10
    So much right here. Decent visuals, an excellent PC port and voice acting's superb. The story isn't bad either, more to the credit of the IP than anything else but I think that's perfectly fine. Combat is smooth and varied, but not too easy until the late game... Assassin's Creed take note!

    The greatest feature by far however has got to be the Nemesis system, or whatever it's called.    So much right here. Decent visuals, an excellent PC port and voice acting's superb. The story isn't bad either, more to the credit of the IP than anything else but I think that's perfectly fine. Combat is smooth and varied, but not too easy until the late game... Assassin's Creed take note!

    The greatest feature by far however has got to be the Nemesis system, or whatever it's called. The randomly generated Orcs are so much more interesting than I had hoped, and possessing one and leading it up the ranks behind the scenes is sooo much fun.

    For such a polished and innovative title to come out of what is basically a movie tie in is inspirational.    … Expand
  10. Vixen
    Oct 4, 2014
    10
    15hours, still enjoying it. Great nemesis system, never seen before. Added to the great Arkham combat system it makes a sweet mix that any fan of batman series and lotr could possibly like.
  11. Dragon
    Oct 3, 2014
    10
    This game is simply outstanding. It has many elements of Assassin's Creed, Batman games, Prototype, with an interesting Middle-Earth twist and an interesting boss system. The non-quest activities are also a blast. The game has AAA production values and has been great fun so far.

    Highly recommended!
  12. toddone
    Oct 4, 2014
    10
    Superb PC port. Great game design, graphics and audio. I recommend using a controller. The NEMESIS system is very innovative. I can see future games copying this design.

    Monolith start writing the acceptance speech for "GAME OF THE YEAR"!!!
  13. captainkane
    Oct 6, 2014
    9
    Shadow of Mordor is fantastic. Buy it. Now. It’s the best new title I’ve played all year. Monolith producers said they wanted to deviate from the established Lord of the Rings universe. Instead, they created a fresh game that feels like a world unto itself all the while injecting the fantastic lore of its source material. I’m fond of Monolith because it developed FEAR, one of the bestShadow of Mordor is fantastic. Buy it. Now. It’s the best new title I’ve played all year. Monolith producers said they wanted to deviate from the established Lord of the Rings universe. Instead, they created a fresh game that feels like a world unto itself all the while injecting the fantastic lore of its source material. I’m fond of Monolith because it developed FEAR, one of the best shooters of all time. My fondness for them is now greater as SoM might be one of the best open world fantasy games yet.

    The low review scores are puzzling, such as Destructoid’s 6/10. Really? In fact, Detructoid gave SoM its lowest AAA score this year. How silly. Wolfenstein is a buggy, unoptimized mess with an absurd, stupid story. Watch Dogs had a horrific launch and its driving mechanics are terrible. Titanfall and Destiny lack depth and both have lackluster graphics. Yet, SoM is worse than all these games? Hell no!!

    So why am I enjoying SoM so much? Well, it’s beautiful. Admittedly, SoM doesn’t possess the Witcher 2’s wow factor, which is 3 years older and still one of the best looking games to date. But that’s a high bar to reach. Monolith made wise decisions regarding lighting, color palette, and environment design to create a desolate landscape. The cut scenes and voice acting are superb. Character models are detailed and realistic, and Uruk’s faces convey lifelike fear when grabbed. Enemy behavior is definitely orcish. The game runs silky smooth, and that’s saying a lot since it just launched.

    Even better, there are tons of graphic’s options. PC gamers rejoice! Players can even lock frame rates at 30, 60, or 100. However, most options have barely perceivable impacts visuals, but at least they’re available.

    Combat is excellent. SoM blends together the best elements of Batman and Assassin’s Creed. So the learning curve is slight for anyone who played those games. The mechanics are easy to master and I love running around wrecking stuff. It's not merely a Batman clone as others claim. Swordplay is more intricate and smoother. Takedowns are widely varied in addition to being awesome, gory messes. Combat has an eerie, Sith-like quality about it. Also, the game is less forgiving than Batman. The open world is littered with elite enemies. Running blindly into a group of baddies will get players killed quickly. And enemies form into mobs, so expect to get overwhelmed. A lot.

    The nemesis engine is underrated. By gaining intel, players can discover weaknesses and locations of enemy captains. Players can exploit weaknesses to dispatch those enemies efficiently. The importance of this grows as captains become more powerful. I’ve killed many captains in a single move simply by utilizing the nemesis engine and planning my attack. The system is new, innovative, and well-implemented. Better yet, it incentivizes gaining intel and employing strategy. I applaud the developers for this and hope to see it in the next SoM release.

    The leveling system is deep as it is straightforward. Players can upgrade a variety of passive abilities and unlock new combat moves. Weapon runes add enhancements which can be swapped out for any combat scenario. Leveling is extremely important because enemies get deadlier as the game progresses and mob control is insanely important. Overall, it’s an excellent system that doesn’t overwhelm players with too many options.

    So what’s the bad? The graphics are good, but not good enough to justify massive VRAM usage. Unfortunately, a 3Gb gpu is the minimum players need. Ultra textures cause major problems because SoM is a hog. Turn ultra off to boost performance tremendously. I downgraded textures from ultra to high to medium and was still pleased with the outcome. The game automatically locks fps to 30 frames when enemy mobs form. The drop is immediately apparent. This probably benefits gamers with less powerful rigs by preventing the game from crashing since mobs can get HUGE. The game is also a whopping 40Gb. Sheesh.

    The open world is gorgeous, but it’s a bit small. And the unchanging scenery is SoM's glaring fault. The game is slightly larger than Arkham City, and that’s disappointing. This is next gen! Developers need to create epic, massive worlds for us to play in. Fortunately, there is still plenty to do. Side missions are varied and challenging. Players can even avenge fallen gamers! Definitely more exciting than the ridiculously mundane Riddler challenges from the Batman series.

    SoM is the most fun I’ve had all year. Low scores aren’t justified considering the ample features AND polish. I guess Monolith didn’t send Destructoid a check. Better yet, Monolith catered to PC gamers by delivering a smooth launch and offering tons of graphic options. The outstanding visuals, excellent combat, smooth launch, and innovative nemesis engine push this game above its competitors. And best of all, NO TACKED ON MULTIPLAYER!! All this at $10 less than other triple-A games.    … Expand
  14. samuelmason900
    Oct 1, 2014
    9
    It has been long time Since I played a game like this large openworld,fluid combat,talion is great and Nemesis system the new concept which makes this game unique from any other open world Rpg games and side missions are not boring all are interesting,tons of gameplay hours This Week of mine is going to Sunk with this game
  15. Rahlekk
    Oct 1, 2014
    8
    While it may SEEM like a re-skin of Assassin's Creed with a Batman: Arkham Asylum combat system, Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor soars above and beyond, combining a satisfying combat system with unique enemies within a beautiful world.

    The main word of this review would be NEMESIS. The nemesis system in Shadow of Mordor generates unique and sometimes hilarious enemies that will remember    While it may SEEM like a re-skin of Assassin's Creed with a Batman: Arkham Asylum combat system, Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor soars above and beyond, combining a satisfying combat system with unique enemies within a beautiful world.

    The main word of this review would be NEMESIS. The nemesis system in Shadow of Mordor generates unique and sometimes hilarious enemies that will remember previous encounters, gloat at you, flee from you, and sometimes generate a feeling of vengeance which leads to a thirst for revenge, making killing a previously encountered captain extremely rewarding. Each playthrough is completely unique, featuring different enemies with different strengths and weaknesses that make no encounter ever the same.

    Never has Mordor been as gorgeous. SoM features two zones, Udun, the darker side of mordor, filled with ruins and strongholds, and Nurn, a grassy, valley type area that Sauron will use to feed his armies. I find myself in awe at the areas, watching the beasts slaughter the Uruks from a distance while I smirk with glee.

    For those of you worried about PC performance, be relieved, as the specs released seems to be a bit over-zealous, with most people being able to run the game on High settings (myself included) with only 2GB of Video RAM and not the greatest specs. (Running an i5-4670k processor, and an NVida 750ti, high settings, 50+ FPS, 8GB RAM, and 2GB VRAM)

    While SoM features a great combat system and a fantastic Nemesis system that pulls some serious weight and is the star that continues to shine, it's brought down by a story that doesn't meet expectations and can sometimes be dry, as well as a combat system, that while extremely satisfying, finds itself getting repetitive.    … Expand
  16. nightcritic
    Oct 2, 2014
    10
    This game is fantastic. It combines the best of assassins creed 2 and batman arkham asylum. I am not including any spoilers so I will not say more than that. TRY THIS GAME.
  17. FogCityRoller
    Mar 14, 2015
    6
    Is the game fun? Initially yes. A lot of games can be fun without making any effort to embark on the revolutionary. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is one of those games. The control scheme is derivative, the story is uninspired, but the graphics and sound are immersive. It aimed to profit off the large fanbase of Lord of the Rings and it excelled by a large margin. It's certainly not doingIs the game fun? Initially yes. A lot of games can be fun without making any effort to embark on the revolutionary. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is one of those games. The control scheme is derivative, the story is uninspired, but the graphics and sound are immersive. It aimed to profit off the large fanbase of Lord of the Rings and it excelled by a large margin. It's certainly not doing much to separate itself from the ever-growing pile of "meh LOTR games," though admittedly if the games were stacked top to bottom in quality this would be at the top.… Expand
  18. Stevincent
    Oct 2, 2014
    9
    So I’ve put about 40 hours in the game thus far, it says I am 53% through the game. Now I’m not one for doing a lot of side quests, but this game is just so amazing there is a real incentive to do everything in the game, you find yourself running around collecting artifacts listening to memories and free the slaves. You find yourself going out of your way to save slaves. The enemies haveSo I’ve put about 40 hours in the game thus far, it says I am 53% through the game. Now I’m not one for doing a lot of side quests, but this game is just so amazing there is a real incentive to do everything in the game, you find yourself running around collecting artifacts listening to memories and free the slaves. You find yourself going out of your way to save slaves. The enemies have some real context, they feel real. When you are slain he becomes a captain and can become more powerful. You’ll find yourself scouring the countryside for these captains to get your vengeance, and sometimes he will even kill you again, make that eventual victory even more potent. You’ll find yourself just killing off captains. There is so much to do in this game, and all of it stays fresh from the runes you get and the abilities you unlock really makes this game a fairly unique experience even though its mechanics are shared with the Batman and Assassins Creed series. Unlike those games this game gives you a real reason to do all the content in the games and get completely lost in them.

    Music: Ok, I’ve never felt more epic in a video game. When you are facing captains or are locked in an epic battle, the music starts taking cues from what you are doing on screen. You will punch a captain and the trumpets will start blaring and makes a string of combos feel more cinematic.

    Graphics: I haven’t had a single issue running this game and boy does it look amazing, I am running everything on ultra, it’s nice to see how far the lithtech engine has come from the days of F.E.A.R.. I’ve had a few issues where some U/I would disappear making it hard to complete some missions where I just had to quit and restart the game.

    Controls: This game feels very much like batman with the sword fighting. But I believe it feels much more fluid in this game and as you unlock more moves and finishers in the game the more fluid it becomes. I am playing with an xbox 360 controller and I felt a bit limited. I’d be using the bow and ill be using my right index finger to pull the bow and find myself needing to hit the right bumper to shoot a fire arrow which took some finger acrobatics. NOW I did have some issues with the way the game handled navigating the world, sometimes I wouldn’t jump a wall when I should have been which could get annoying when you are trying to evade enemies. Also sometimes the screen will tell you to push a button to do an action and the game will do a completely action when you press the button, which can really suck when you are trying to jump down but instead you jump on top of someone in the middle of a pack of Uruks. But these minor control issues don’t make the game any less enjoyable.

    Story: Play it, there are a ton of great characters and well-acted dialogue. The word is even enriched by the enemy soldiers when you are sneaking around and you hear them talking about you as your legend grows.

    There isn’t too many bad things about this game. I still haven’t beaten the story, so I will update this review when I have completed it. But for now this is very much worth every penny and I have to recommend it to everyone even if you aren’t a fan of Lord of the Rings, I think this game has something to offer everyone.    … Expand
  19. Tashy497
    Dec 16, 2014
    10
    This game takes cool things from other games and then add the nemesis system which is mind-blowing. Such an addictive experience... things always get personal. If GTA had this nemesis system.... oh my! Fantastic game, original in some respects!
  20. skarr
    Oct 6, 2014
    8
    The gameplay is absolutely fantastic. The PC (port?) version works flawlessly with keyboard and mouse. What else is there to say?...oh yes the graphics are a gem ! A must have game for the Action fans!

    The story is okay, the ending is absolute crap! but don't let that stop you from getting the game, it's quite entertaining to single handedly be able to take on a whole Orcish army. The    The gameplay is absolutely fantastic. The PC (port?) version works flawlessly with keyboard and mouse. What else is there to say?...oh yes the graphics are a gem ! A must have game for the Action fans!

    The story is okay, the ending is absolute crap! but don't let that stop you from getting the game, it's quite entertaining to single handedly be able to take on a whole Orcish army. The nemesis system, or whatever they call it is actually quite good, but needed more development. I would have wished the game had a loot system a-la-diablo instead of just the runes with actual gear to hunt for, that would have increased the game longevity. We can't get everything :(    … Expand
  21. Tosecitas
    Oct 5, 2014
    9
    A fantastic sandbox. I love It so much, Its replayable, exciting, beautiful, addictive all I could expext for a new IP. Just give It a try and watch the videos in youtube, tough you have to be there to feel the anger when a orc leader kills you and goes up in the ranks, even regular orc footmen can kill you and pave their way up its just so compelling. About the gameplay you have AC-likeA fantastic sandbox. I love It so much, Its replayable, exciting, beautiful, addictive all I could expext for a new IP. Just give It a try and watch the videos in youtube, tough you have to be there to feel the anger when a orc leader kills you and goes up in the ranks, even regular orc footmen can kill you and pave their way up its just so compelling. About the gameplay you have AC-like parkour and stealth mechanics, excellent batman arkham combatstyle. The collectibles are great, having to look into fantastic modeled objects to unravel their tales. The only bad thing is that some side quests are a little repetitive but in any case, Its a lot of fun.… Expand
  22. wizilinx
    Dec 19, 2014
    10
    I loved Assassins Creed. I have avoided Unity because of the reviews. Shadow of Mordor is better. There aren't any missions you hate. The game grows as you play. In the beginning you get killed a lot but slowly you gather powers and understanding. Slowly nearly every combination on the gamepad does something amazing and somehow you learn at a steady pace. I have found some great games thisI loved Assassins Creed. I have avoided Unity because of the reviews. Shadow of Mordor is better. There aren't any missions you hate. The game grows as you play. In the beginning you get killed a lot but slowly you gather powers and understanding. Slowly nearly every combination on the gamepad does something amazing and somehow you learn at a steady pace. I have found some great games this year but this is the top one. I don't understand why this has a user rating of 8 - when I have played games closing in on 9 which are not a good..… Expand
  23. BOBdotEXE
    Oct 3, 2014
    8
    BatSassin's cryeed: MordoHood

    batman(combat) +assassin's creed(layout+navigation) +farcry (interaction with environment) +Lotr setting the story's a bit generic, bit it's actied and voiced VERY well. combats quite fun, but a bit limited (batman with less gadgets, and less awesome crazy jumps) the combat feels great, and it may be the best intimation of the free-flow system    BatSassin's cryeed: MordoHood

    batman(combat)
    +assassin's creed(layout+navigation)
    +farcry (interaction with environment)
    +Lotr setting

    the story's a bit generic, bit it's actied and voiced VERY well.
    combats quite fun, but a bit limited
    (batman with less gadgets, and less awesome crazy jumps)

    the combat feels great, and it may be the best intimation of the free-flow system yet!
    but the transitions are not as smooth as the ones in the batman game

    while the story is self is not super interesting, things that happen, and the people that you meet are!

    nemesis system =cool!
    but I bought it for the combat, and exploration (open world roaming)    … Expand
  24. Thilus
    Oct 31, 2014
    8
    Batman meets Assasins' Creed in a mixture that will keep you engaged for at least 20-30 hours. Although the gameplay feels a little repetitive, and the story leaves something to be desired, and overall quality of the game earns it a strong 8 out of 10.
  25. emrahoz
    Dec 22, 2014
    10
    Epic Game!

    But,it can be a Legend with a few additions for the 2nd game, -The developers can add a fellowship to SoM 2,and give the control of all the party members to the player,(like in Dragon Age) -Also bigger areas and longer main story is needed.. For Shadow of Mordor: Pros: One of the best combat system in gaming history adapted in (from Arkham Series), The best combat    Epic Game!

    But,it can be a Legend with a few additions for the 2nd game,

    -The developers can add a fellowship to SoM 2,and give the control of all the party members to the player,(like in Dragon Age)
    -Also bigger areas and longer main story is needed..

    For Shadow of Mordor:

    Pros:
    One of the best combat system in gaming history adapted in (from Arkham Series),
    The best combat animations i have seen to date,
    Nemesis system,
    Polished virtuals,

    Cons:
    Short main story,
    Repettive side quests,
    Small maps,    … Expand
  26. 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
  27. 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
  28. WestLil0
    Apr 22, 2015
    7
    I was bored and didn't know what else to play when I saw this game listed. Even though it wasn't yet on sale, I gave it a try. At first I thought, oh boy, what did I do. The story line is weak, very weak. But slowly, I began to enjoy it more and now I keep going back to the completed game just to kill a few more ugly orcs (Uruks). There's a certain attraction to the game, even though it'sI was bored and didn't know what else to play when I saw this game listed. Even though it wasn't yet on sale, I gave it a try. At first I thought, oh boy, what did I do. The story line is weak, very weak. But slowly, I began to enjoy it more and now I keep going back to the completed game just to kill a few more ugly orcs (Uruks). There's a certain attraction to the game, even though it's repetitive, it does have its charm and eventually as soon as you get the hang of it, I think most players end up enjoying it. I agree with many of the reviewers regarding the combat style - yes, similar to Batman (but IMO not Assassin's Creed). And yes, the fighting does get stale. But whenever this game goes on sale, it would be a worthwhile purchase for those who enjoy semi-challenging battles with seemingly no end. I often laughed when I thought I had beat a captain and suddenly three more show up and each with their unique comment - "Ah you ran away last time wait until you see what I am going to do to you"...the game does have its moments.… Expand
  29. Dcruize
    Dec 23, 2014
    2
    i was so disappointed with this game, it's yet another boring casual-friendly console action game with a combat system involving left/right mouse button spamming. You grind through uruk after uruk without much in the way of variation. Occasionally you die and respawn AC-style to go through the whole process again. Nemesis system is completely over-rated and quite pointless and the map isi was so disappointed with this game, it's yet another boring casual-friendly console action game with a combat system involving left/right mouse button spamming. You grind through uruk after uruk without much in the way of variation. Occasionally you die and respawn AC-style to go through the whole process again. Nemesis system is completely over-rated and quite pointless and the map is tediously small. So glad I didn't purchase it....… Expand
  30. RedFoxDelta
    Nov 6, 2014
    9
    Surprisingly good. Although its combat and handling are nothing especially new (basically just Batman, except killing people instead of crippling them for life) and its story-line is not particularly engaging, however the open world nemesis system is where the game shines. The interesting little surprises, like encountering a chieftain by surprise in a fighting pit and being ambushed inSurprisingly good. Although its combat and handling are nothing especially new (basically just Batman, except killing people instead of crippling them for life) and its story-line is not particularly engaging, however the open world nemesis system is where the game shines. The interesting little surprises, like encountering a chieftain by surprise in a fighting pit and being ambushed in the open world make the game fun, in addition to the fights with the warchiefs themselves- their randomized name being chanted, having to seamlessly switch between the warchief and their follower's respective weaknesses- all make the game feel epic. This likely explains why I killed most of the captains in the first area with having only done about two of the story missions- it's just fun.… Expand
  31. RingK
    Oct 28, 2014
    6
    I can't understand all the hype around this title... Is a button mashing combat system game, one of the best of course, but still feels... not really solid.
  32. 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.
  33. 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
  34. Mullyman987
    Oct 29, 2014
    9
    I don't understand why so many people have their panties up in a bunch about this game. It is as the title suggests a Lord of the Rings game. From an objective standpoint (all fan-boy attitude aside) this game is really fun. Who doesn't like the idea of a lethal ranger getting murdered, in turn becoming more lethal in death as a combination of man and wraith. The fighting style is veryI don't understand why so many people have their panties up in a bunch about this game. It is as the title suggests a Lord of the Rings game. From an objective standpoint (all fan-boy attitude aside) this game is really fun. Who doesn't like the idea of a lethal ranger getting murdered, in turn becoming more lethal in death as a combination of man and wraith. The fighting style is very much a combination of Batman and Assassin's Creed games, but is this a bad thing. Some people would jump on my case instantly, but the flowing style of combat really does make the game run smoother. That doesn't even bring up the concept of how many ways you can cripple and kill enemies. If you are in a bind for arrows you can combat drain, if you need to narrow down the number of orcs attacking you can do executions, and if you are surrounded and need to escape you can do a wraith blast.

    As everyone knows combat style isn't enough, the story and characters play a huge role in the playability of a game. I will be the first one to say I haven't really encountered any character (with the exception of Talion and Celebrimbor) that actually peaked my interest. But the orc captains kept me entertained. All three of my roommates have this game and we have never heard the same line of dialogue or encounter the same captain (excluding the first War Chiefs). The variations in personality from captain to captain had me laughing for days on end.

    In conclusion Middle-Earth Shadow of Mordor isn't a perfect game, but it is pretty damn close. Almost every aspect of the game is fun, and there are limitless ways to solve any given problem. The only real downfall being that the game lacks memorable protagonist characters. This game doesn't deserve a perfect score or the low scores that fanatics gave it, so I give it a solid 9. From the standpoint of a guy who enjoys Lord of the Rings as well as video games, this game is definitely worth playing.    … Expand
  35. Methward
    Oct 27, 2014
    8
    Shadow of Mordor really captures the heart and soul of Middle-Earth and the Lord of the Rings as a whole. The gameplay is a combination of sandbox and AC type-of-gameplay. The storyline is solid and magnificent, the villains and characters are truly well fleshed out, sidequests are fun to play as well and it's well optimized on PC for a 2014 game, if I can say that.
    A must have for the    Shadow of Mordor really captures the heart and soul of Middle-Earth and the Lord of the Rings as a whole. The gameplay is a combination of sandbox and AC type-of-gameplay. The storyline is solid and magnificent, the villains and characters are truly well fleshed out, sidequests are fun to play as well and it's well optimized on PC for a 2014 game, if I can say that.
    A must have for the fans of the franchise and not just for them.    … Expand
  36. Hieraldrich
    Oct 29, 2014
    9
    I always loved the Assassin's Creed series with it's open-worldness, free running/parkour style movement, tonnes of side quests and collectables. And i was also very fond of the Batman Arkham series's free flow combat as well. Adding those two things inside a Lord of the Rings Universe (i'm a big LOTR fanboy) along with the innovative, in depth, surprisingly impressive, and unique NemesisI always loved the Assassin's Creed series with it's open-worldness, free running/parkour style movement, tonnes of side quests and collectables. And i was also very fond of the Batman Arkham series's free flow combat as well. Adding those two things inside a Lord of the Rings Universe (i'm a big LOTR fanboy) along with the innovative, in depth, surprisingly impressive, and unique Nemesis system that gives you literally infinite replayability after finishing the main storyline along with the side quests, weapon legend quests, and gathering all the collectables. The game is extremely polished, i never encountered any game breaking bugs or glitches, just one glitch where i got stuck mid air in an animation but got out of it after a while. The voice acting was very well done, especially with the Uruks. The Graphics are up to par with most games of this generation, but the notable high to me would be the character textures, especially on the uruks when viewed up close on the Nemesis screen, lots of detail on the skin and armor. Now it's time for the cons, but i'm going to say now, what i already praised about the game so far in this review very much outweighs the shortcomings i'm about the explain. The story, something a lot of game lack now a days. They obviously focused on the gameplay/combat and RPG elements of the game the most and just skipped over the story more because there isn't much to it. You play as a Talion, a Ranger of the Black Gate in Mordor (Where the game takes place) His family got murdered by a bunch of Uruks and now he's out for revenge. He also gets killed in the process but gets resurrected by a "Wraith" in which possess his body allowing him to have immortality. The spirits has no idea what his purpose is and who he once was but it is known by the player that his name is Celebrimbor, The Forger of the Rings of Power. Talions whole purpose is to exact revenge on the one who murdered his family, particularly the one who planned it and carried out the orders, the antagonist, the Dark Lord Sauron, the most evil and powerful being on Middle Earth and the leader of the Uruks in which you fight in the game. You must try to rise in power and take control of Sauron's Army (The Nemesis System) to have a chance of getting to the Dark Lord himself and finally end his dark reign and avenge your family's death. So that's the cliche story, nothing original, nothing new. The Boss fights are just not great at all. The final boss fight is basically a series of QTE's, that's it, and it's not even against Sauron, the guy you fight suddenly transforms into Sauron once you defeat him, it's really disappointing but it only takes up a very small part in the game. The real joy and fun comes from the true mini bosses, the Captains and warchiefs of Sauron's Army in which each one has it's own Strengths and weakness and fears, along with their own unique look, voice and name. It's basically a procedurally/randomly generated Orc society system where other Captains fight for spot in rank with others. One big social war for power and rank amongst the Uruks. I can go on for way longer but i think this is good enough. I would highly recommend the game.… Expand
  37. HunterHD
    Nov 15, 2014
    8
    This game was quiet fun to play but it needs something to hold it together, eliminating Sauron's army is fun but after a matter of time i got bored. The story is also good, the gameplay is amazing,the graphics are one of the best in third person category, but the terrain is not that good as it was expected,there are more mountains than civilization, But after all it was fun to play and iThis game was quiet fun to play but it needs something to hold it together, eliminating Sauron's army is fun but after a matter of time i got bored. The story is also good, the gameplay is amazing,the graphics are one of the best in third person category, but the terrain is not that good as it was expected,there are more mountains than civilization, But after all it was fun to play and i really enjoyed it and i hope you guys will too.… Expand
  38. VeteranPlayer
    Nov 18, 2014
    8
    very good game, yeah the story is not ingenious but works.
    Some problems with:
    1)longevity, primary missions are few
    2) when you subdued everyone the game ends definitively
  39. Patxy88
    Sep 30, 2014
    10
    Gran videojuego,mezcla un poco Assasins Creed y la trilogia de Arkham con la genial ambientacion del Señor de los Anillos para darnos una de las grandes sorpresas de este año.Recomendable.
  40. rabaker07
    Oct 1, 2014
    10
    I generally have low expectations for the next big console hit. And this game wasn't even highly anticipated or hyped. Shadow of Mordor has knocked my socks off. Graphics are excellent and will get even better if I buy a GTX 980. And that's without the mod community stepping in. This could get ridiculous. It plays like a console game, but not like a port to PC. Controls are intuitive andI generally have low expectations for the next big console hit. And this game wasn't even highly anticipated or hyped. Shadow of Mordor has knocked my socks off. Graphics are excellent and will get even better if I buy a GTX 980. And that's without the mod community stepping in. This could get ridiculous. It plays like a console game, but not like a port to PC. Controls are intuitive and not overly complex. The story is fun and certainly reminiscent of LOTR, and cut scenes are artfully spread throughout without coming off as boring or contrived. Not in a while have I thought about a game throughout the day while still at work. This is one of those games.… Expand
  41. Graphic
    Oct 1, 2014
    10
    Giving this a 10 to help balance out from the people who don't know how to do reviews. This game is a solid 8.5 and for a first entry by a company all I can say is bravo. This genre is not my thing and yet I have had an amazing time playing this game and have even purchased a season pass as I am excited to see where they take this. Try it for your self and make up your own mind.
  42. Jitomate
    Oct 2, 2014
    10
    Game is like a combination of Batman AC meets Lords of the Rings and it just works very well. The atmosphere and vibe of Mordor is captured perfectly and while not cannon, it still feels very much like LOTR.

    Gameplay mechanics are tight and combat is incredibly satisfying. If you're a fan of LOTR and Batman games, you need to play this game.
  43. Power_Gamer
    Oct 1, 2014
    8
    This is a really good game and a really good port of it.

    If you liked the Batman's combat and Assasin's Creed style of wall/roof-climbing you'll love it.

    Story is so-so, but the gameplay is very good and enjoyable.

    If you want well made ports on your PC, support this game.
  44. DukeMcFishy
    Oct 1, 2014
    9
    Shadow of Mordor takes the best of the Batman and Assassin's Creed 1 to 3 games. Add the Nemesis system, shake it a little and you got a thrilling action packed game.

    At first when I read about and seen some promotional videos I thought that after a few hours you wouldn't care about the Nemesis system anymore, but I was wrong. Every time a "Captain" kills you he gains strength / a power    Shadow of Mordor takes the best of the Batman and Assassin's Creed 1 to 3 games. Add the Nemesis system, shake it a little and you got a thrilling action packed game.

    At first when I read about and seen some promotional videos I thought that after a few hours you wouldn't care about the Nemesis system anymore, but I was wrong. Every time a "Captain" kills you he gains strength / a power level and the humiliation it gives you leaves you a deep feeling of wanting revenge. When you encounter him again he will mock you. This is for me the biggest strength of the game. It isn't a gimmick that wears off fast.
    When you defeat the captain in battle he will remember that, when you flee from battle he will laugh at you and when you got slain he will remind you of your failure last time when you meet him again on the field of battle. End his life by separating his head from his shoulders and he will stay dead. The Nemesis system is great. It will also show the strengths and weaknesses of the Captains and Warchiefs so you can plan on how to defeat them.

    - The combat is as good as the Batman series, so that's a plus.
    - The stealth is serviceable, but nothing great or revolutionary. It works.
    - Parkouring is as fluent as in Assassin's Creed, if not a little bit better. I haven't gotten stuck which happened with AC
    - The Nemesis system is something new that this genre need in my opinion. It seems gimmicky but it isn't.
    - The graphics are good, but nothing revolutionary.
    - The PC controls are good. No mouse acceleration and the correct key prompts will show up on screen.
    - Music and voice acting are top-notch.

    The only downside to Shadow of Mordor is that it is what it is. An action game in an open word, so it does get a little bit repetitive. Luckily the combat is great.

    I would have given this game an 8, but due to the fact that there are almost no bugs and the game is very well optimized for the PC Monolith deserves a point extra.

    Great job Monolith.    … Expand
  45. allencolbeck
    Sep 30, 2014
    10
    This game is awesome. It has amazing graphics, the harpist is fun, the story is pretty good and there is always something to do. There are hundreds of side quest that keep you busy and the orc system is like non I've seen before
  46. kamgeforce
    Oct 2, 2014
    8
    Shadow of Mordor is pretty much only about endless killing of orcs but quite frankly I wasnt bored for a second. The combat is great, the animations are very fluid and combos looks much more naturally because of that then in AC for example. Graphics in general are great, although you ll need some serious piece of hardware to enjoy it on max settings. The nemesis system is very originalShadow of Mordor is pretty much only about endless killing of orcs but quite frankly I wasnt bored for a second. The combat is great, the animations are very fluid and combos looks much more naturally because of that then in AC for example. Graphics in general are great, although you ll need some serious piece of hardware to enjoy it on max settings. The nemesis system is very original mechanic and it makes even your deaths meaningful. I have a few complaints though. If you are a huge LotR fan like me, you ll be prob dissapointed by the story, especially the ending was kind of crap. That leads me to the final "boss battle" which is pretty much just a quick time event. I also expected a little better OST considering how brilliant soundtrack the movies had and most of the weapon runes you can find are kind of boring and dont really do that much. But overall Shadow of Mordor is the first AAA title of 2014 that lived up to its hype.… Expand
  47. SoupDragon63
    Oct 4, 2014
    10
    A great game and my favourite on the xbox one! True, there are some similarities with Assassins Creed, but SoM offers far more in the way of depth and variety. Still working my way through the story, but brilliant so far.
  48. Vornim
    Oct 4, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. So overall, I'll give this game a 9.9/10. One of the best games I've EVER played!

    I'll start with what made this game not a full 10/10 for me. First, disappointments:

    - I was very frustrated with the fact that every time I died, I had to wait about 5-6 minutes waiting and watching all of my enemies become promoted and get even stronger. I kept thinking to myself "Well if I died to this guy before because he was too hard, now it will be impossible to kill him! He got an upgrade!" It was amazing and something I've never seen in any other video game. Very dynamic and calls for some high tactical decisions, which is cool and fun! Although highly frustrating at the same time.

    - It took a while to get used to the controls, and set up controls/settings in the beginning. I have an above average gaming computer, and I hated the look of Medium graphics and High was too much. Had to toy with it myself for a good hour before playing, and disabling VSync improved my performance (with the downside of having some screen tearing). Also spent another half an hour figuring out how to set the key bindings, because I do like to play with controls that I'm used to and familiar to.

    - The final boss fight was meh. I was expecting something bigger! Some incredibly dificult fight that I would die hundreds of times before finally killing him and screaming "YES!!!", making the neighbors think that I have tourettes. It was some disappointing "Press this button. Okay now press this button. Finally press this button. Congrats, you've won!" I mean, really? Come on, at least give me a challenge! I've fought Captains more difficult than the Black Hand of Sauron! Heck, a regular Uruk is more difficult!

    Even though these things made my game experience a little lacking to it's full potential, there are many many things that I really enjoyed about this game!

    + This game is a mix between LOTR/Hobbit story universe, Assassin's Creed roaming and adventure style, and any recent Batman game's combat.

    + There are abilities which change how the game is played completely! The "shadow strike to mount a Caragor/Graug" ability is badass. Super quick too.

    + I love how the Uruks ranks work, and I loved seeing and helping Ratbag (who was completely unworthy to ever be an Uruk to begin with) become Warchief. Branding all of the Captains and Warchiefs is something I haven't done yet, but I think I can do it now.

    + The story itself. I loved how even though I am not Talion, the game sucks me into the story and really feel the hurt that Talion feels when anyone mentions his emotions putting weight into his step, and making his combat sloppy, or when any Black Captain mentions his wife and son. The feels are real.

    + I've been waiting for this game for about a month now, freaking out over any new content made. Usually when I do this to a game, it gets disappointing to play because I know it all. Not this game, it really pulled it together and made me love the game even more!    … Expand
  49. Ireland914
    Oct 4, 2014
    9
    Outstanding game. Borrows heavily from games like Assassin's Creed and The Arkham series but that is not a bad thing. Fighting is very fluid and dynamic, enemy captains are unique and become quite challenging. The story and voice acting are phenomenal. There is also a lot of content and exploring to do. This is easily a contender for game of the year.

    The only negatives I can think    Outstanding game. Borrows heavily from games like Assassin's Creed and The Arkham series but that is not a bad thing. Fighting is very fluid and dynamic, enemy captains are unique and become quite challenging. The story and voice acting are phenomenal. There is also a lot of content and exploring to do. This is easily a contender for game of the year.

    The only negatives I can think of are some very minor issues with camera angles and a slight lack of variety in some of the map areas.    … Expand
  50. b00gjuice
    Oct 9, 2014
    10
    A very pleasant surprise! I rarely write metacritic reviews and only for those games that truly engage me. This is a fun game with a great balance of player challenge. It's great to "own' on some fights; but getting "owned" in other fights is also fun. The story is great and there are also lots of cool side missions to do.

    The graphics are outstanding. I love playing a game that fully    A very pleasant surprise! I rarely write metacritic reviews and only for those games that truly engage me. This is a fun game with a great balance of player challenge. It's great to "own' on some fights; but getting "owned" in other fights is also fun. The story is great and there are also lots of cool side missions to do.

    The graphics are outstanding. I love playing a game that fully utilizes my PC and the Ultra textures keep my Nvidia GTX Titan Black 6GB memory full at all times. The high textures also look great if you can't run the Ultra textures.

    All-in-all, this is one of the best, funnest, addicting games I've played since Skyrim.    … Expand
  51. SirVault
    Oct 9, 2014
    10
    Game of the year so far for me. Absolutely incredible cutscenes, amazing story, great visuals. Recommended for anyone, especially those who like Middle Earth and its setting.
  52. SenshudoTV
    Oct 4, 2014
    8
    To summarize, I would describe Shadow of Mordor as a flawed gem. There are some questionable design choices, such as the decision not to include a compass for navigation in a game entirely about getting from place to place, or the heavy reliance on quick time events. But this type of thing hasn’t been done before and in any experiment there is bound to be a few failures. Shadow of MordorTo summarize, I would describe Shadow of Mordor as a flawed gem. There are some questionable design choices, such as the decision not to include a compass for navigation in a game entirely about getting from place to place, or the heavy reliance on quick time events. But this type of thing hasn’t been done before and in any experiment there is bound to be a few failures. Shadow of Mordor is a genuinely original, thoroughly enjoyable action-adventure game and I would highly recommend you give it a try.… Expand
  53. noirfx
    Oct 15, 2017
    0
    The game is ok, just remove microtransaction and everybody will be happy. Gamers are not stupid, you can't put loot crates into 60$ single player game.
  54. Orhunkk
    Oct 4, 2014
    9
    At the first look,this game seems like Batman's combat system meets Assassin's Creed.But it's much more than that.Uruk captain-warchief system is interesting and well produced.Graphics are amazing.Animations are very smooth.The story starts a little ordinary but it will get more interesting while going to end.Verdict: 8.5/10
  55. masterx1234
    Oct 3, 2014
    9
    OK so before we begin i am in no way a hardcore LOTRO fan at all, im just a casual player, and this is coming from someone who only watched 3 of the LOTRO movies, so lets get on with my review, OK so i decided to get this game on the notion that maybe my 7870 would run the game, and to my surprise i was able t run it on all high settings and maintain a steady 50-60 fps, So this game is inOK so before we begin i am in no way a hardcore LOTRO fan at all, im just a casual player, and this is coming from someone who only watched 3 of the LOTRO movies, so lets get on with my review, OK so i decided to get this game on the notion that maybe my 7870 would run the game, and to my surprise i was able t run it on all high settings and maintain a steady 50-60 fps, So this game is in no way a bad port, in fact it runs fare better than moth other games i try. The game is absolutely stunning on every bit of its amazing looking graphics, OK so aside from its amazing graphics how does the actual gameplay hold out? Well the game starts off showing you how to battle and use the controls and this games combat system is nearly 100% identical to assassin creeds, so if your familiar with that game then you will have no problem picking this game up and playing. The voice acting is top notch and all the characters sound exactly like they should from the films, However with all that said some missions can get extremely difficult, all i can say is be prepared to die....a lot. I find that many of the enemies over power you and you must be sure you gain the proper intel on each enemy before attacking them or else you will just keep getting slaughtered over and over. I found my self playing this game for hours on end not even paying attention to the clock, this game actually made me late for work, that just goes t show you how amazingly immersive the story and gameplay is, This is quite the treat for us PC gamers as most of the games this year have failed to impress me. Is this game worth a buy? Most definitely, you will not regret your purchase! I give this game a 9/10… Expand
  56. CriticonRisueno
    Oct 3, 2014
    9
    After 20 hours I can say this game is a solid 8/9

    There are so many ways to kill orcs, so many cool skills, so many things to do, so many random events, so much blood, so many reasons to stop reading right now and go play this excellent game.
  57. dp77777
    Sep 30, 2014
    10
    It's a hack and slash akin to the batman game, but it is VERY fun. It is just the right amount of challenging to where you have to be focused and smart to win and there are cool creative ways to kill orcs.

    The best part about the game is being in LOTR and feeling like I'm standing against a tide of orcs. The voice acting and story is engaging and excellent. It is a great game if you    It's a hack and slash akin to the batman game, but it is VERY fun. It is just the right amount of challenging to where you have to be focused and smart to win and there are cool creative ways to kill orcs.

    The best part about the game is being in LOTR and feeling like I'm standing against a tide of orcs. The voice acting and story is engaging and excellent. It is a great game if you like action games or LOTRs.    … Expand
  58. onux
    Oct 11, 2014
    10
    So I own AC and Batman, this has something much more over those two games. Yes its borrows from these and a others but brings new elements as well and really stands on its own as a new entry. Also many of the reviewers seem to have played for only a few hours, almost posted as soon as it was released. Its a deep game with many of the unlocks being available after your quite a few missionsSo I own AC and Batman, this has something much more over those two games. Yes its borrows from these and a others but brings new elements as well and really stands on its own as a new entry. Also many of the reviewers seem to have played for only a few hours, almost posted as soon as it was released. Its a deep game with many of the unlocks being available after your quite a few missions in.

    The story I find good, has some nice pieces of lore and the pacing is perfect and works to frame the action and purpose for being in the world.

    The graphics are really excellent, not just the textures, but the whole package. The character models and animation system is spot on, weather effects, day night cycles (playing at night with your branded army is surreal), its has flora and fauna with its own purpose. Combat is the best I've played, visceral.

    Sound design is incredible. Cant say much more, normally I'd turn down the music after a while, but its perfect here.

    So if being a complete badass in the LOTR universe, with procedural emergent gameplay and some of the best AI I've seen is for you, then get it.    … Expand
  59. UnkleBustakap
    Oct 9, 2014
    9
    The game is a lot of run with some randomly generated antagonists that give a unique feel to every play session. This adds to longevity and the graphics engine works quite well.

    Pros: Randomly generated content Interesting story Engaging antagonists Nice RPG elements paired with Assassins creed style gameplay Free roaming aspects are nice Cons: While gameplay takes getting    The game is a lot of run with some randomly generated antagonists that give a unique feel to every play session. This adds to longevity and the graphics engine works quite well.

    Pros:

    Randomly generated content
    Interesting story
    Engaging antagonists
    Nice RPG elements paired with Assassins creed style gameplay
    Free roaming aspects are nice

    Cons:

    While gameplay takes getting used to, it is easy to master and take on 100 enemies at once.
    Open world is used too openly, it's not exactly that
    Itemization is limited to upgrades only

    Overall, a great game, but a bit too easy with the instant counters. All you have to do is button mash attack and counter and the execute keys, and you'll probably kill the horde of orcs running at you.    … Expand
  60. Soujirop
    Oct 5, 2014
    9
    First, I was very eager to play a game of LOTR after the last movie of the Hobbit. And I was very hyped to put my hands in Shadow of Mordor since I saw the first trailers almost a year ago. It met my expectations, and I literaly had to force myself to stop playing through the day, since the fun made too often me lose time perception. The game also had it's flaws: no epic LOTR hugeFirst, I was very eager to play a game of LOTR after the last movie of the Hobbit. And I was very hyped to put my hands in Shadow of Mordor since I saw the first trailers almost a year ago. It met my expectations, and I literaly had to force myself to stop playing through the day, since the fun made too often me lose time perception. The game also had it's flaws: no epic LOTR huge war-battles, little character customization, little diversity of environments, and orcs, uruks and more orcs to battle (I wanted to slash some humans too!). But now to more serious issues:

    The graphics of the game are absolutely amazing, in every single sense. High quality shaders, textures, perfect movement animations that make your combats worthy of an action movie, and great facial expressions that increases the immersion and the feeling that the characters are alive. Because, honestly, these orcs are VERY alive. Be sure to download the 10Gb Ultra Graphics free patch and equip yourself with a good graphic card to experience the whole thing.

    The music is overall good and LOTR style. A few themes are particularly pleasant to listen to, while others go unnoticed, but all do just fine accompanying their respective scenes. The voice acting is just perfect.

    The gameplay is a 10/10. Never felt so good fighting on a PC videogame. The keyboard+mouse is extremely easy to use and ultra responsive. Talion does exactly what you want in the very moment you press the key, without delays. He can jump and climb through almost everything, and the two big countries you visit, while not as big as other open-world games like Skyrim, do fine in giving you this sense of a huge world that will be difficult to fully explore. Moreover, there's tons of things going on in the world: uruks hunting in the forest, orcs drinking and partying on their inmense fortresses, slaves revolting on a campament, and a large list of etc. The best of the gameplay is the nemesis system, this is, to summarize, a system that gives the characters the best artificial intelligence you have ever experienced in a videogame. The uruks have an impressive sense of awareness, they know exactly where they are, what's around them, who's around them, and they will often point all this through their dialogue. They also have very good memory, speaking about things that happened in their past encounters with Talion, or simply things another Uruk did to them in the past and how they want revenge. But it is not only about dialogue, they will act in consequence: how good I felt when I saw an uruk running away from me in the distance while saying "I'm out of here! I don't want him to throw me into the fire as he did with the captain!!", yea, that random captain I burned alive just yesterday... Another one, that was pretty tough, was apparently tired of me escaping from him many times, and the first thing he said when we met again was: cut his legs! He will never run from me again", after that, he pointed out that he would throw me off the bridge in top of we were fighting. It really impressed me how perfectly they recognice even little details on their environment. There's honestly no way to express how good this nemesis thing is, but you will notice early in the game, period.

    The story is pretty cool and in my opinion the developers where quite careful not to break with the official lore, while at the same time create an original story. I agree with some reviews that say it has not a huge amount of drama, but LOTR was never very dramatic imho. At least the game tells a chapter of the story that you have not seen in the movies, and it was interesting enough to keep me exploring the world seeking the bonus artifacts and memories that completed the lore. Unfortunately, the ending was a bit rushed, but at least it gave room for a sequel.

    In summary, the game is not perfect, but probably one of the best games of 2014.    … Expand
  61. The_U
    Oct 3, 2014
    8
    Arkham style combat, AC style parkour, somewhat Skyrim style mission structure and excellent nemesis system make this game a real joy to play. Sadly the game just doesn't hold up though, I managed to complete the game 100% in 24 hours of in-game time and only about 55-60% of that was truly enjoyable. The game at the beginning is INCREDIBLE, if the game didn't get so repetitive and theArkham style combat, AC style parkour, somewhat Skyrim style mission structure and excellent nemesis system make this game a real joy to play. Sadly the game just doesn't hold up though, I managed to complete the game 100% in 24 hours of in-game time and only about 55-60% of that was truly enjoyable. The game at the beginning is INCREDIBLE, if the game didn't get so repetitive and the story was actually decent I'd say this would have been a game of the year type game, but I got the feeling they just said "Screw the ending we'll just release DLC" because the final 25% of the story missions were just so bad and the last two bosses were extremely underwhelming.

    Hopefully the DLC will bring some epic boss fights to this game and some post-game content because it desperately needs it. I feel like it was worth the $60 even with the poor decisions in regards to the story.    … Expand
  62. Nasty
    Oct 1, 2014
    9
    Do you like Batman arkham and Assassins creed series? If you do, this is must have.
    Combat system is like in Batman - simple, fast, smooth and very good locking.
    Story lacks a bit behind, but i didn't particulary cared bcs it's fine and gameplay just blowing your mind so you will not care much too. I dunno what to say more about this game...it's just fun to play and in long time i play    Do you like Batman arkham and Assassins creed series? If you do, this is must have.
    Combat system is like in Batman - simple, fast, smooth and very good locking.
    Story lacks a bit behind, but i didn't particulary cared bcs it's fine and gameplay just blowing your mind so you will not care much too. I dunno what to say more about this game...it's just fun to play and in long time i play game that really don't try hard on everything and is just entertaining.    … Expand
  63. CC11
    Oct 1, 2014
    10
    This game is a mixture of the Batman: Arkham series combat style with the Assassin's Creed platforming/climbing and world style and the (albeit non-canon) LOTR world and lore. One of the better purchases I've made recently. 10/10
  64. Onslaught23
    Oct 2, 2014
    10
    Don't listen to the naysayers. The game is absolutely marvelous. Monolith stood up to our expectations giving us a game that innovates with the Nemesis System and giving us a living beautiful murky world to explore and to fight. The story is great and this comes from a man that he is absolutely freak with the lore of Middle-Earth.

    The visuals and the audio are top notch and immerses you    Don't listen to the naysayers. The game is absolutely marvelous. Monolith stood up to our expectations giving us a game that innovates with the Nemesis System and giving us a living beautiful murky world to explore and to fight. The story is great and this comes from a man that he is absolutely freak with the lore of Middle-Earth.

    The visuals and the audio are top notch and immerses you greatly. No bugs, no glitches (for me at least) as of now so go and spend your money in something that you can invest many hours.

    10/10.    … Expand
  65. Negolash
    Sep 30, 2014
    10
    That's greatest Assassin's Creed game.. Faster, greater, bloodier with gore, interesting mechanics in world you love. Killing generals with different styles are fun.
  66. Ondopher
    Sep 30, 2014
    10
    With some issues aside, which I hope will be patched soon, the game stands to its hype. Extremely fun & promising combat, with awesome visuals and not to mention the much loved world setting of Middle-earth, which I'm sure even non-Tolkien fans will rejoice. This is a RPG that I cannot wait to delve further into
  67. Veska
    Oct 2, 2014
    8
    If i read about this game first time, i dont believe it, that would be good game. But now? I play only 2 hours, but if you love combat system from Batman, mechanics from AC and world of Middle Earth. Get this. Shadows, Orcs and original dabing (Glum and others) and graphic of fallen land Mordor. Finally, it is a worthy representative new AAA game and doesn´t dishonor univerze the Lord ofIf i read about this game first time, i dont believe it, that would be good game. But now? I play only 2 hours, but if you love combat system from Batman, mechanics from AC and world of Middle Earth. Get this. Shadows, Orcs and original dabing (Glum and others) and graphic of fallen land Mordor. Finally, it is a worthy representative new AAA game and doesn´t dishonor univerze the Lord of the Rings.

    Positives
    You have two differences "people", that you can use in fight or traveling.
    Combat system combinate Batman, AC and others and take the best from each.
    Facts of the bleakest land of Middle Earth.
    Others stories about mens and legends, that you read in books.
    Beautiful graphics and once one download free HD textures and turns everything on maximum settings, the game looks amazing.
    Different captains of orcs who have their advantages and weaknesses, and if that person controls, the game offers a completely different dimension than boring killing in AC.
    If you killed by captain, he becomes stronger and can killed other captain to get better position in Sauron´s army.

    Negatives
    I have found nothing so far.

    9/10    … Expand
  68. crowbarPhysicis
    Oct 1, 2014
    9
    Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor, while it may have a similar system to Assassin's Creed, establishes itself as unique with its creative and innovative enemy system, wonderful graphics, and well-designed world. The only issues are combat can get a bit too left-click right-click if you get too tied down without a captain nearby (rarely happens) and the stealth mechanics are a bit lacklusterMiddle Earth: Shadow of Mordor, while it may have a similar system to Assassin's Creed, establishes itself as unique with its creative and innovative enemy system, wonderful graphics, and well-designed world. The only issues are combat can get a bit too left-click right-click if you get too tied down without a captain nearby (rarely happens) and the stealth mechanics are a bit lackluster (Dishonored and Hitman have ruined me). Aside from those two minor things, this game is definitely worth its cost.… Expand
  69. Nordec
    Sep 30, 2014
    10
    This game is incredibly good, fascinating and exciting. It gives you the opportunity to explore Mordor in a unique way with a pretty OP character named Talion. Despite the little time I have played the game, I thought it is amazing! This gane offers on an Open-World concept that works pretty well like the Batman Arkham series and Assassin's Creed series. In truth could Shadows of MordorThis game is incredibly good, fascinating and exciting. It gives you the opportunity to explore Mordor in a unique way with a pretty OP character named Talion. Despite the little time I have played the game, I thought it is amazing! This gane offers on an Open-World concept that works pretty well like the Batman Arkham series and Assassin's Creed series. In truth could Shadows of Mordor managed without The Lord of the universe, but I am thankful it is in Middle-Earth! :D… Expand
  70. ultraviper
    Oct 9, 2014
    10
    This game is amazing. The main story is a little bland but I can't be bothered to care about that because I'm having too much fun with the nemesis system. It really says something about a game when some procedurally-generated orc captain has the potential to become one of the most hated and memorable game enemies for a player. Easily game of the year material. Also the game looks and runsThis game is amazing. The main story is a little bland but I can't be bothered to care about that because I'm having too much fun with the nemesis system. It really says something about a game when some procedurally-generated orc captain has the potential to become one of the most hated and memorable game enemies for a player. Easily game of the year material. Also the game looks and runs great on my midrange system at the default medium/high settings the game chose for me. No slowdowns, no crashes, etc.… Expand
  71. Ozone021
    Sep 30, 2014
    9
    This game feels like everything AC tried to be but couldn't even after 6 or more games. Interesting story, solid controls with combat and parkour elements and most important good OPTIMIZATION.
    I say AC because it feels like and AC game (10x times better) but combined with Batman games. It's that good.
    7790 runs at 40 fps (avg) with everything at high/very high.
    4gb RAM
  72. Axtton
    Oct 11, 2014
    10
    Graphics - 10/10
    Gameplay - 10/10
    Story - 10/10
    - Overall - 10/10

    EPIC!! This is Middle-Earth game that we need!! Combat system is so cool and to play with Wraith Powers is more cool!!!
  73. xTobyMc
    Oct 3, 2014
    8
    This is definitely one of the best games of 2014, and I can safely say the entire experience was enjoyable. As a big Lord of the Rings fan, Shadow of Mordor really hit the nail on the head in terms of storyline, atmosphere and combat.

    Combat was extremely satisfying in this game, and the consistent executions of enemies alongside their death animations really made me want to just keep    This is definitely one of the best games of 2014, and I can safely say the entire experience was enjoyable. As a big Lord of the Rings fan, Shadow of Mordor really hit the nail on the head in terms of storyline, atmosphere and combat.

    Combat was extremely satisfying in this game, and the consistent executions of enemies alongside their death animations really made me want to just keep killing everything, it never got old. The nemesis system also works great, with enemies feeling like they have greater personality as they attempt to move up through their rankings, as well as their own unique (and sometimes funny) personalities. My one gripe with combat and gameplay in general would be the controls on PC. As an example, using the button LCtrl was a major part of the game, and it did take a while to get fully accustomed to its awkwardness. The combat also seemed a bit too easy at times, especially near the end of the game.

    The story was very well adapted to suit the 'Lord of the Rings' type feel. Admittedly when watching trailers for this game I felt it looked nothing like Lord of the Rings, but after completing the game I can definitely assure you it links very well. The in-game music also sounds like the same composer from the films, you won't be disappointed.

    PC performance is top notch too. Using a single GTX 780 I was getting 70-80fps in 1440p, using high settings. I did also try out the optional texture pack with the recommendation of 6GB of VRAM, and despite having a 3GB GPU, I still got 60fps, although with a few frame spikes. My last annoyance with the game on PC would also be the field of view. There is no option to change it, and at the time of writing this review there is no manual way of changing it. The default FoV is horrible, but I managed to get somewhat used to it after a few hours.    … Expand
  74. VittorVinicius
    Oct 3, 2014
    9
    This is a pretty good game. It's a very refreshing game, different from all the other open worlds out there. The stealth aspect could use some refinement, but the nemesis system is impressive and sophisticated!
  75. GeekSquad
    Oct 7, 2014
    10
    This game is beyond perfect. It has the stealth that I want. A tough enemy. Different ways of killing the captain. A good interface map. And a highly optimized game. Job well done.
  76. Canisrah
    Nov 24, 2014
    9
    An innovative and atmospheric romp through a deftly crafted middle earth. This title was a breath of fresh air in a genre that has stagnated somewhat in the past few years.

    An engaging story combines with the brilliant Nemesis system, excellent sound design and sumptuous visuals to create a game-play experience I won't soon forget. Very excited to see how they move forward with this.    An innovative and atmospheric romp through a deftly crafted middle earth. This title was a breath of fresh air in a genre that has stagnated somewhat in the past few years.

    An engaging story combines with the brilliant Nemesis system, excellent sound design and sumptuous visuals to create a game-play experience I won't soon forget.

    Very excited to see how they move forward with this. Would have given it a 10 but for the slight (and minor) complaint that some of the game mechanics become a trifle old in the later stages of the game; something to work on in the sequel.

    Highly recommended.    … Expand
  77. Thombie
    Nov 4, 2014
    8
    Well, pretty much everything has already been said about this game so I'm not going to repeat it. It looks great, it smells great and it feels great.

    One thing I've heard people complain about it is the repetitive aspect. Well, yes it's repetitive, of course it is. It's a game, after all. All games are repetitive, some more than others. This game is probably above average repetitive in    Well, pretty much everything has already been said about this game so I'm not going to repeat it. It looks great, it smells great and it feels great.

    One thing I've heard people complain about it is the repetitive aspect. Well, yes it's repetitive, of course it is. It's a game, after all. All games are repetitive, some more than others. This game is probably above average repetitive in some regard. But repetition isn't bad if the repetitive gameplay is good. I can't emphasize this enough. Repetition has become a bad word when associated with games, but the fact is that the best, most long-lived games in history are probably the most repetitive games we have.

    Pacman, Tetris, Arcanoid, Pinball and so on (in no particular order). I rest my case.

    Verdict: 8    … Expand
  78. King_Scorpion
    Nov 3, 2014
    8
    This game is great. The best game i have ever played based on talkin's books. the game use successful Assassins Creed gameplay formula to create this fantastic open-world rpg.
  79. umairaziz
    Oct 10, 2014
    10
    Enjoyment Level: Variable/Very good on ave
    Game play:9
    Graphics:9.5 Design: 8 It`s a fact SOM has made quite a leap in terms of graphics and has introduced many admirable combat mechanics which are must to enjoy the game yet we could n`t expect them from tiny minds at Ubisoft who are milking the same old cow by dressing it every time with a new costume, & their CG movies are always jaw    Enjoyment Level: Variable/Very good on ave
    Game play:9
    Graphics:9.5
    Design: 8
    It`s a fact SOM has made quite a leap in terms of graphics and has introduced many admirable combat mechanics which are must to enjoy the game yet we could n`t expect them from tiny minds at Ubisoft who are milking the same old cow by dressing it every time with a new costume, & their CG movies are always jaw dropping but they could n`t forge a similar character in-game. And lo! Monolith has done it. The body proportion, looks, everything is so killing except for environment which is almost same throughout. Here`re my mixed thoughts on it.
    PROS: it`s not been long since I started playing this game, So far only have acquired tier 4 skills. Was much curious between the sky-high claims by some and critics by others which made it sound a plain dead game. Could n`t believe anything unless I played myself. Also I was bothered by the claims that it resembles AC in many ways, Since i have also played AC black-F twice, i`d say Assassin C won`t even is a shadow of this Shadows of M.
    Animations: In AC: I was hating the way Edward would kind of act like he is wiping his chin with no innovative body profile animation whatsoever while the game was loading. SOM contains every very mature animation we expect from the AAA game to have and none of them are stupid like in case of AC. Did u notice how unrealistic it looks when Edwards` ship arrives Havana, and how incredible it is to have such next gen environment. I am playing it @1080P with most settings low except for textures and lightning & it still looks way more gorgeous than AC would do at highest. FYI: i am a fan boy to none, i only try to derive the old experience from current gen games, and mostly i find current gen games hollow compared to games i used to play many years ago. As far as copying animations from AC would concern, Not a big deal, Many great games borrowed good values from older and they shined even brighter. i.e Uncharted series took from Tomb raider, Gears of war etc, and was a remarkable game, wasn`t it? So by the fear that soon Shadows of Mordor would attract AC fan boys attention, folks would do such blames but won`t get anything.
    CONS: I don`t know, I am completely into it and not getting bored no matter what.
    However I would do a little complain that while killing Chiefs number of enemies are uncontrollable, I am not dealt with one & three others would attack at the same time while i am doing a finishing move, which is very annoying. It should be like it`s in Darksiders where you won`t be disturbed by others while you are slaying a critical foe. There are number of glitches, control freezes, and other concerns but they are rare and are covered by the great enjoyment value of this game.
    Giving 10 to balance unfair score.    … Expand
  80. CynicalJohnson
    Oct 10, 2014
    8
    Shadow of Mordor is a really good game when you take it for what it is. Sure, it totally butchers Tolkien's work in terms of lore yet most people don't seem to realise that the game is a spin-off and isn't supposed to be considered canon. You wouldn't criticize something like Metal Gear Acid for this, so why SoM? Also, despite the story in SoM being pretty straightforward andShadow of Mordor is a really good game when you take it for what it is. Sure, it totally butchers Tolkien's work in terms of lore yet most people don't seem to realise that the game is a spin-off and isn't supposed to be considered canon. You wouldn't criticize something like Metal Gear Acid for this, so why SoM? Also, despite the story in SoM being pretty straightforward and uninteresting, as well as the main quests being boring and tedious (especially when compared to the side quests which were for the most part very enjoyable) it doesn't cause the game overall to suffer too badly. Does it stop it from being a great game? Yes. Does it make it a bad game? No, certainly not. The combat is fun, free-flowing and satisfying without being too easy (especially when fighting captains and warchiefs) which is something that its supposed parent games, Assassin's Creed and Batman Arkham, are often criticized for. The nemesis system is unique and a great fresh new concept which I hope to see used more in new and diverse ways. One of the things that I love about SoM which I can't stress enough are the captains and warchiefs. The encounters are incredibly tense and exciting, especially when you come across a revenge target. The voice acting and dialogue are topnotch and only add to the tension of the encounters. I was also surprised by the variety of the Uruk/Orc lines that there are in the game. It was very rare that during my 25+ hour playthrough of the game that I heard the same thing twice and I genuinely felt as though I was facing a new captain/warchief for the first time whenever I encountered one, and not just a mashup of random cosmetics and voices. It truly felt as though every Uruk/Orc was unique. Overall, I would definitely recommend the game to anyone looking for a satisfying action game with no strings attached.… Expand
  81. boddhisativa
    Oct 9, 2014
    10
    As a life long Tolkien fan, I get sucked into trying almost every game that comes it set in his..........legendarium. Pretty much always ends in disappointment. To date the only real fun I have found in Middle Earth gaming are the Third Age mods for the Total War series. When I initially started to see press for this game, I was not impressed. The whole Talion/Wraith thing seemed to beAs a life long Tolkien fan, I get sucked into trying almost every game that comes it set in his..........legendarium. Pretty much always ends in disappointment. To date the only real fun I have found in Middle Earth gaming are the Third Age mods for the Total War series. When I initially started to see press for this game, I was not impressed. The whole Talion/Wraith thing seemed to be very un-Tolkien like, and the gameplay reminiscent of other offerings. Then, in what I think was a wise move, Monolith revealed the wraith as Celebrimbor. Now this was really intriguing. Then as more was revealed about the nemesis system, I decided to buy it.

    After finishing the game in 26hrs, at 60% total completion, I can say I am very impressed. The last open world game I played was GTAV ( on XBOX, SoM was played on PC ). I far and away enjoyed my time in Mordor than I did in Los Santos. Now, if you are concerned about story length, heres my take. Some folks have completed it very quickly. 9.5 hours is the fastest I have seen. In those cases the players blew through the main story quests almost exclusively. I am not sure this is a bad thing. If one chooses, it gives them the opportunity to do a quick play through that is story driven. It seems that when this approach is taken, the Nemesis system does not get much of a chance to develop powerful captains and chiefs. Folks who finish fast often complain its an easy game. Most others, who take there time to explore, complete side missions, etc, find it more difficult. In fact I see more complaints that it is too difficult than otherwise. I found out to be a reasonable challenge. One sure way to die quickly is to think this game can be played in the same styles as they games they are often compared to. It is extremely fun, extremely visceral, and addictive.

    Are the specs inflated? To a degree. My rig is a i7 4790, 250g SSD, 16gb ram, 770 2gb. The High texture pack has a recommendation of 3gb vram. I have no problem running high textures, with all high settings, with max frame rates of 80, with very rare dips to the min of 55. I don't even seen those dips. The benchmarks just tell me they apparently happen. When I watch the counter I never see it go below 70. Can I run the Ultra pack? Well yeah. It dips, stutters, and rarely is ever as smooth as it is on high textures. I have seen youtubes of guys with the same card saying "See, it can run it." They get they same kind of performance I do. The High settings are a more enjoyable experience imo. I can run most of the other Ultra settings however, but my min framerates dip to 43 or so. Thing is, I have found what many ( pro ) reviewers have. The Ultra textures do not look a heck of a lot different than the High. I can barely not a difference on my 21" monitor.

    How does it look? Fabulous. Especially the named Uruk. The look, and sound better than any other attempt has made to capture them in any medium, other than the original source of course. The Nemesis system scores big in achieving its goal. During my playthrough there where a couple of notable Uruks for me. Most notable the spear grunt who finished me off when I pressed an attack against a chief to far. That grunt eventually rose the ranks with my blood. Always showing up at the most in opportune times to do me in with his poison spears. In the end I never did kill him. I recruited him instead.

    How egregious was the story when it comes to the professors lore? Well, the best thing I could tell you do is go to youtube and watch the interview the dev. did with the guys fro theonering. net. A lot of effort was made to keep things within the lore. Have some liberties been taken? Some would scream "YES! It's blasphemy." For myself I am glad I gave it the chance. I enjoyed they story that was put forth. I found far less to be critical about with this game than any other Middle Earth offerings before. Certainly truer than the movies.

    So, my score? 9/10. A lot of fun, well executed. I am still playing after finishing, doing the challenges and taking care of lose ends in the campaign. I have some small gripes about things like occasionally getting stopped/stuck in the environment where one would not expect to, but those are rare, and hardly worth mentioning.

    So, why am I rating it 10? +1 to balance those who gave it a zero, but have not played it. Giving a game a 0-1-2-3 is ever rarely justified. More often its just an indication of the adage, "Unhappy people do unhappy things.    … Expand
  82. Smackk
    Sep 30, 2014
    10
    This game is a lot of fun. It is definitely similar to the recent batman games but offers a new twist with the Nemisis system as well as skill trees and weapon runes. Ive only played 2.5 hours so far but it is a lot of fun if you want to play a open world RPG. The graphics are also very good as is SLI scaling. With my SLI 780 I have no problem maintaining 60 FPS @1440p(90 fps average inThis game is a lot of fun. It is definitely similar to the recent batman games but offers a new twist with the Nemisis system as well as skill trees and weapon runes. Ive only played 2.5 hours so far but it is a lot of fun if you want to play a open world RPG. The graphics are also very good as is SLI scaling. With my SLI 780 I have no problem maintaining 60 FPS @1440p(90 fps average in the benchmark) with Max settings except textures which are on high. For 1440p High textures you need at least 3 GB vram ( I checked my cards Vram usage it uses 2.8-3gb) for Ultra Textures @1440p it looks like you need 6gb. The game is very well optimized and runs very smooth with SLI even though a Nvida SLI profile does not exist it is still possible to force SLI through control panel. This is a really good game.… Expand
  83. FWordFizz
    Oct 2, 2014
    9
    It's literally just a better version of Batman: Arkham City. This isn't a bad thing at all though despite what it sounds like. The people who made the game said, Lets make a Lord of the Rings game, but BATMAN it. And it worked. It's a blast to play and never really gets boring. The story is **** but hey it wasn't written by Tolkien. Honestly this game needs more Lord of the Rings aspectsIt's literally just a better version of Batman: Arkham City. This isn't a bad thing at all though despite what it sounds like. The people who made the game said, Lets make a Lord of the Rings game, but BATMAN it. And it worked. It's a blast to play and never really gets boring. The story is **** but hey it wasn't written by Tolkien. Honestly this game needs more Lord of the Rings aspects though. We have an elf ghost... some rings... gollum... really, really generic orcs.... thats it. The orcs are slightly better than usual though because of the Nemesis system that is really cool. It makes me feel like the Illuminati or something. THATS RIGHT KIDDIES YOU CAN BE THE BAD GUY NOW. And it feels damn good.… Expand
  84. Herroprs
    Oct 1, 2014
    10
    Are you looking for a game with a good story after destiny broke your heart? This is the game for you. Not only will this game reveal its plot to you but it wont bait and switch legendaries for blues with you!
  85. Kryptical
    Oct 2, 2014
    10
    My game of the year so far, haven't found anything I hate. Can be a little easy sometimes but then you get an Uruk with Invulnerability to ranged and Combat mastery so you can't do finishers and you just get wrecked over and over and over until you have a personal vendetta against that one uruk. I didn't care about the war-chiefs any more, I set out and made EVERY captain my pawn to takeMy game of the year so far, haven't found anything I hate. Can be a little easy sometimes but then you get an Uruk with Invulnerability to ranged and Combat mastery so you can't do finishers and you just get wrecked over and over and over until you have a personal vendetta against that one uruk. I didn't care about the war-chiefs any more, I set out and made EVERY captain my pawn to take down this one guy that killed me 4 times. It's been the only time I've died and I will have my vengeance.… Expand
  86. rodericrinehart
    Feb 7, 2015
    9
    Yes, it is a mix of Assassin's Creed and Batman Arkham Asylum, and maybe even Tomb Raider,, but it is better than all of those games, AND it adds the Nemesis system, which is definitely going to be copied by many games in the future.

    Shadow of Mordor has excellent parkour, sweet graphics, truly interesting and story-drive collectibles, and really good and varied combat. The combat of    Yes, it is a mix of Assassin's Creed and Batman Arkham Asylum, and maybe even Tomb Raider,, but it is better than all of those games, AND it adds the Nemesis system, which is definitely going to be copied by many games in the future.

    Shadow of Mordor has excellent parkour, sweet graphics, truly interesting and story-drive collectibles, and really good and varied combat. The combat of Assassin's Creed is absolutely horrible in comparison.

    They have a gem on their hands here. I thoroughly enjoyed myself from start to finish and will eagerly pre-order the next game in the franchise!    … Expand
  87. Shaileen
    Oct 5, 2014
    10
    Many people compare this game to Assassin's Creed and the Batman Arkham series, calling it Arkham Creed or so. That's unfair. I've played both series, Batman is my fav among both DC and Marvel characters, and last but not least, i'm in love with LotR since i was a child. All that said, believe me when i say that Shadow of Mordor is a masterpiece. Huge game polish, almost perfect PCMany people compare this game to Assassin's Creed and the Batman Arkham series, calling it Arkham Creed or so. That's unfair. I've played both series, Batman is my fav among both DC and Marvel characters, and last but not least, i'm in love with LotR since i was a child. All that said, believe me when i say that Shadow of Mordor is a masterpiece. Huge game polish, almost perfect PC optimization, awesome graphic, good OST, enjoyable story (if LotR fan, else meh) and most of all: a truly enjoyable game, because of his combat and nemesis system, far better than any other games one can compare this to.… Expand
  88. Exatos
    Oct 14, 2014
    9
    Excelent gameplay, easy combos and almost perfect match, no bugs that hinder game performance, the system joined the monolith that there are good in several games and adapted with much care this game.
  89. DangoFett
    Oct 9, 2014
    8
    Shadow of Mordor is a really good game when you take it for what it is. Sure, it totally butchers Tolkien's work in terms or lore yet most people don't seem to realise that the game is a spin-off and isn't supposed to be considered canon. You wouldn't criticize something like Metal Gear Acid for this, so why SoM? Also, despite the story in SoM being pretty straightforward andShadow of Mordor is a really good game when you take it for what it is. Sure, it totally butchers Tolkien's work in terms or lore yet most people don't seem to realise that the game is a spin-off and isn't supposed to be considered canon. You wouldn't criticize something like Metal Gear Acid for this, so why SoM? Also, despite the story in SoM being pretty straightforward and uninteresting, as well as the main quests being boring and tedious (especially when compared to the side quests which were for the most part very enjoyable) it doesn't cause the game overall to suffer too badly. Does it stop it from being a great game? Yes. Does it make it a bad game? No, certainly not. The combat is fun, free-flowing and satisfying without being too easy (especially when fighting captains and warchiefs) which is something that its supposed parent games, Assassin's Creed and Batman Arkham, are often criticized for. The nemesis system is unique and a great fresh new concept which I hope to see used more in new and diverse ways. One of the things that I love about SoM which I can't stress enough are the captains and warchiefs. The encounters are incredibly tense and exciting, especially when you come across a revenge target. The voice acting and dialogue are topnotch and only add to the tension of the encounters. I was also surprised by the variety of the Uruk/Orc lines that there are in the game. It was very rare that during my 25+ hour playthrough of the game that I heard the same thing twice and I genuinely felt as though I was facing a new captain/warchief for the first time whenever I encountered one, and not just a mashup of random cosmetics and voices. It truly felt as though every Uruk/Orc was unique. Overall, I would definitely recommend the game to anyone looking for a satisfying action game with no strings attached.… Expand
  90. Mind_Killer
    Oct 11, 2014
    9
    Optimization is great !

    Yes this looks like AC & Batman and I like it :)

    Story is short but you can expand your game play time by killing & control orcs.
  91. SAMCR0_
    Oct 7, 2014
    9
    When I first encountered this game on the front page of Steam, I scrolled past it like some of the other generic titles on offer, but returned when I heard from a friend about its unique combination of other games. Since buying the game, I am 10 hours in, and moving at my own pace, completing challenges, laughing at the orcs random conversations and collecting artifacts, and doing the oddWhen I first encountered this game on the front page of Steam, I scrolled past it like some of the other generic titles on offer, but returned when I heard from a friend about its unique combination of other games. Since buying the game, I am 10 hours in, and moving at my own pace, completing challenges, laughing at the orcs random conversations and collecting artifacts, and doing the odd main mission to progress through the game slowly, whilst not neglecting the myriad of side quests on offer.

    The games combat system is solid and free flowing, using the directional-strike-anywhere mechanics from Arkham coupled with the brutal execution moves, really adds a punch to the fights, and adding the shadow strike and spirit capability moves introduces an interesting element to an already accomplished fighting system.

    The climbing and stealth elements we are all used to in Assassins Creed have also been mixed in here, which makes for even more freedom and fun, running across ruins and rooftops whilst orcs throw axes and whatever they can get their hands on to knock you off, whilst shouting obcenities at you, really makes this a different and enjoyable experience. This coupled with the fighting really makes you feel you have more control than ever over the character, which in turn makes the game much more enjoyable and pleasurable to play.

    The third, and probably most noteworthy feature is Saurons army and the Orcs. Each one is created with random parameters, so they all look different, and all have different goals and aims in their lives, as well as varying personalities, strengths, weaknesses and fears, some even come back after you if you don't cut their head off, I've had one wanting revenge for scarring his face when I took him out.

    The graphics and audio score are also top notch, the level design is a little weak, most areas looking the same with ruins and bonfires around, although this does give you the feel of dark Mordor, along with Orcs standing with torch in hand supervising all the slaves working hard to set the scene. All of these things contribute to making you think the world is revolving without you, everything is living and does what it pleases.

    One of the only remarks I have regarding negatives, is the narrow focus on the inhabitants of Middle Earth, only two species seem to have been documented in the game, humans and orcs, more scope with races of people would add yet more life to the game, but doesn't affect your enjoyment if you don't contemplate it.

    By the time the nemesis system gets stale, players will have gotten their money out of the game, and its treasure trove of laughs, gore and violence.

    Finally, I have a question for the 1's and 0's here: Do you actually like any games ? It just seems to me that you're too busy being pedantic about every game, you don't actually enjoy playing them. This game really doesn't warrant "Grinding through hordes of generic orcs" and "medicocre graphics", I don't care what your opinion is, this game offers new and unique features, so I'm sorry, you're wrong, and its plain to see.

    Play it for more than 5 minutes, and stop rating the game because you're rubbish at it, give it the score it deserves.    … Expand
  92. SoxValkar
    Oct 7, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is fantastic. Absolutely. The lore within the game is rich, although it involves a lot of reading. But so be it. Lord of the Rings isn't exactly a childrens novel anyways.
    The "diplomacy" system within the game where you can execute high ranking orcs and have your own mind-controlled orcs take power instead is innovative and fun. I've spent a lot of time trying to advance my orcs in power to take higher ranks.
    The quests are also a lot of fun. A bit too much walking around, but fun nonetheless.
    A really fun feature of the game is that when you die the orc killing you remembers this, and will taunt you the next time you meet him. If you die a few times to the same orc, he will become a real nemesis. Not only within the game, but also in your mind. This game really makes you personally invest in the game.
    I've completed the game in 33 hours according to steam, and I miss only a few collectibles. So there is loads of gameplay for the money spent. I recommend this game.

    However, there is one caveat. And a big one. The final boss is a quicktime event. That is SO disappointing.

    However, the rest of the game is a solid 10/10, and only the final encounter has anything negative.    … Expand
  93. aciphex
    Oct 7, 2014
    9
    Immediately you notice this studios similarities between the games batman and SOM...the combat system is silky smooth albeit almost identical to arkham city...also, runes and weapon upgrades in my experience are almost useless leaving only upgrading skills and a decent story as a carrot to keep you going..however as an overall package ive been playing for 3 days and I'm still lookingImmediately you notice this studios similarities between the games batman and SOM...the combat system is silky smooth albeit almost identical to arkham city...also, runes and weapon upgrades in my experience are almost useless leaving only upgrading skills and a decent story as a carrot to keep you going..however as an overall package ive been playing for 3 days and I'm still looking forward to going back in… Expand
  94. NubyYuby
    Oct 1, 2014
    10
    Absolutely fenomenal !! Benn playing for 10 hours straight - haven't found a thing that would turn me off. Very happy i pre ordered it. After playing it i went straight and bought the Season Pass DLC boundle.

    I play using the Logitech F710 gamepad and i would advise any PC gamer getting this to also play using a gamepad.

    To sum up worth getting - hope they make a franchise out of it !
  95. Seroneth
    Oct 1, 2014
    9
    A great game overall! I spend 7 hours straight playing...which is something I have not done with a game in a long time! It plays a lot like Assassin's Creed with some extra's thrown in. I've really enjoyed the NEMESIS system. I have also enjoyed the upgrade and talent system...it's indepth and you can tell it makes a difference with your play style.

    It can seem a bit easy sometimes, but    A great game overall! I spend 7 hours straight playing...which is something I have not done with a game in a long time! It plays a lot like Assassin's Creed with some extra's thrown in. I've really enjoyed the NEMESIS system. I have also enjoyed the upgrade and talent system...it's indepth and you can tell it makes a difference with your play style.

    It can seem a bit easy sometimes, but then all of a sudden you'll find yourself facing about 30 mobs and a few Captains.... that's when the adrenaline hits ...

    Great game!! Def worth the purchase.    … Expand
  96. loadedzen
    Oct 2, 2014
    9
    This is how you port a game to pc, no shortcuts have been taken with this game and it runs very well on my computer. For the actual game, it's incredibly entertaining, satisfying and implements a very cool nemesis system which isn't half arsed either. Sure it does take elements from assassins creed and the batman games, but this is for the better of the experience and when your combat isThis is how you port a game to pc, no shortcuts have been taken with this game and it runs very well on my computer. For the actual game, it's incredibly entertaining, satisfying and implements a very cool nemesis system which isn't half arsed either. Sure it does take elements from assassins creed and the batman games, but this is for the better of the experience and when your combat is this fluid you won't be disappointed. This was definitely worth the money on steam.… Expand
  97. DrStrange
    Oct 8, 2014
    10
    I went into this game wearing boots and wool socks but the awesomness shot them off my feet and through the wall, which doesn't sound as impressive until you find out i live inside a tree. Its also helped my dating life as women find my score and orc killing abilities sexy.
  98. 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.
  99. scb29
    Oct 3, 2014
    9
    A very beautiful game with epics fighting, nice story, graphics and sounds.
    Enemy system is funny. It's a good mix of RPG, Hack'd slash, action and infiltration.
  100. WillpowerGames
    Oct 6, 2014
    10
    The Nemisis system blows me away, I love it. I hope more games in the future adopt this feature and tweak it further. The game looks great, plays great, and has such a great vibe going for it.

    The story is a good setup, I found it interesting. The weapon upgrade system, and skill system is typical for what you might find in a modern RPG, but I enjoyed it. What is great is you can    The Nemisis system blows me away, I love it. I hope more games in the future adopt this feature and tweak it further. The game looks great, plays great, and has such a great vibe going for it.

    The story is a good setup, I found it interesting. The weapon upgrade system, and skill system is typical for what you might find in a modern RPG, but I enjoyed it. What is great is you can follow the story or write your own with the nemisis system. I find myself just having a blast hunting down captains I took a special hatred for, or who killed me hours earlier and got promoted to legendary status.

    I can't remember a game that made me smile when I failed at something. But I found myself chuckling and smiling over a lone archer that got a lucky shot, some random Uruk that had no name until he sniped me in the back with an arrow, and his promotion to Captain as a result of my death. I go forth to get my own revenge on him later.

    I look forward to the [inevitable] sequels. I really am enjoying this game and it's open world feel.    … 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

All reviews »
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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