Middle-earth: Shadow of War

 PC
User Score
4.6

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 1110 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 401 out of 1110
  2. Mixed: 180 out of 1110
  3. Negative: 529 out of 1110

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  1. The_Steep
    Oct 10, 2017
    10
    Hello! Played a couple of hours and I want to say that the feeling is like that of Knight Arkham. Mechanics, gameplay, design and pumping are brought to the ideal. As a bunch of cool-put videos, ktt sensibly reveal the plot, many characters, in the game you feel the scale. Graphics at the level of the first part, which is not very pleasing, but on the ultra-
    settings The war is    Hello! Played a couple of hours and I want to say that the feeling is like that of Knight Arkham. Mechanics, gameplay, design and pumping are brought to the ideal. As a bunch of cool-put videos, ktt sensibly reveal the plot, many characters, in the game you feel the scale. Graphics at the level of the first part, which is not very pleasing, but on the ultra-
    settings The war is consistently showing 60 or more frames, which for such a-la slasher, very handy. If you thought about taking it or not, then boldly press the "buy" button and go to Mordor on the last trip of Taleon (I hope that this ring is enough to milk already).    … Expand
  2. DreamDays
    Jun 14, 2022
    10
    Instead of reading all of non-sense reviews just play the game, i enjoyed it a lot. especially the recruiting your own captains, orcs, and raiding castles etc.
  3. sihs
    Oct 14, 2017
    8
    --UPDATE--
    Ok, I can't note this game with a 0. It is **** great. I love the gameplay, the mechanics, the art directions, the animations, the free-running, it feels, sounds and tastes like Shadow of Mordor, but with enhanced graphics,map and story. As I didn't buy the game I have no access to online and microtransactions so I don't give a **** about it and I just have fun with it. The    --UPDATE--
    Ok, I can't note this game with a 0. It is **** great. I love the gameplay, the mechanics, the art directions, the animations, the free-running, it feels, sounds and tastes like Shadow of Mordor, but with enhanced graphics,map and story. As I didn't buy the game I have no access to online and microtransactions so I don't give a **** about it and I just have fun with it. The only bad point I found so long was that it is as easy as SoM even in Nemesis difficuly (only two hours of playtime for now, but I don't think it will change much).
    I'll keep the old review just so you can read it, but here's what I really think:
    1) This would be GOTY for everyone if no there were no microtransactions and people whining about it.
    2) It is sad that WB scums kept microtransactions in-game though.
    3) Play the game like me, don't care about microtransactions, I'm pretty sure I won't need it if I play this like Shadow of Mordor (aka 100%-in the game)

    I will probably get the score up once I played and finished the game, but well, I won't buy it because of microtransactions. Seriously, no one wanted it, it has been added because of **** pressure, and it will probably kill the Middle-Earth franchise, and Monolith.
    What did you think; making a $100 version of the game and forcing players to pay additional money to see the true ending was NOT a good idea. It will NEVER be a good idea. No one likes this.

    So to sum up the upcoming consequences of this catastrophic failure, WB, you scums:

    1) This will kill Monolith which will probably go bankrupt because of the conjonction of the economic system AND the day1 crack
    2) It will also kill the Middle-Earth franchise, we won't ever see another episode of Talion's journey
    3 ) It ruins the game, I still don't know to this day if it's worth playing, as this section turned me down
    4 ) It's NOT a **** mobile game, and no PC game should ever be like this.

    Sincerely, GO **** YOURSELF WITH A SPOON, WB.    … Expand
  4. mrseannathan
    Mar 11, 2018
    8
    Despite all the negative comments, I would still make a case for this game and tell you it's a great game to play. Whether it's worth paying full price for, that's up to you. It's very similar to the first (think of it as going from one Assassin's Creed title to another, there's very little difference but some stuff have been added and/or changed).

    Think of this game like an Assassin's    Despite all the negative comments, I would still make a case for this game and tell you it's a great game to play. Whether it's worth paying full price for, that's up to you. It's very similar to the first (think of it as going from one Assassin's Creed title to another, there's very little difference but some stuff have been added and/or changed).

    Think of this game like an Assassin's Creed (size of map, NPC's walking around, repetitive objectives) mixed with Batman combat (multistreak, skill tree, counter and strike) all in a LOTR setting. Some parts feel like a hack and slash, similar to For Honored but combat is still a lot like Batman.

    For those who are not die hard fans of the game, or LOTR in general, it's hard to really find a way to convince you to pay full price for it. I would recommend waiting for a sale but still taking the time to finish it. Despite getting the Gold Edition, I don't know if I see myself playing this when I've completed the game. Right now I'm trying to 100% the game but I am also growing impatient and may just finish the story and be done with it.

    One thing I would really change: The mini-cutscene you encouter when facing off against a captian..

    EDIT: I have now completed ACT 3.. I've 100%'d everything except the siege missions which are all part of this endgame (ACT 4). My strong recommendation.. all your collectables, but don't waste your time after you've hit ACT 4. It's the same stuff over and over again and everyone is saying just go on youtube and watch the ending (BUT ONLY DO THIS ONCE YOU'VE HIT ACT 4 aka SHADOW WARS).

    Despite that, absolutely powerful story! Love it and I'm almost compelled to play though it again.    … Expand
  5. kalas5119
    Feb 19, 2019
    8
    Juego muy completo. Se nota que es la misma desarrolladora que la serie Batman Arkham Asylum, ya que hereda el mismo sistema de exploración y combate. Historia larga y entretenida, me sorprendió gratamente, incluso el final está muy bien. Tiene un sistema de formar tu ejercito que es de lo mejor del juego, la pega es que tarda en llegar. Flaquea en el aspecto de exploración, ya que soloJuego muy completo. Se nota que es la misma desarrolladora que la serie Batman Arkham Asylum, ya que hereda el mismo sistema de exploración y combate. Historia larga y entretenida, me sorprendió gratamente, incluso el final está muy bien. Tiene un sistema de formar tu ejercito que es de lo mejor del juego, la pega es que tarda en llegar. Flaquea en el aspecto de exploración, ya que solo tiene 5 mapas y no son muy grandes. 8/10… Expand
  6. spzHades
    Mar 15, 2022
    10
    Tried it years ago and i know there was this frenzy with microtransactions and didn't buy the game and abandoned the thought of playing it.
    Now in 2022 i bought it , cheap and i am enjoying it sooo much.
    I remember how much fun i had with shadow of mordor.. this is better in every aspect. Love the game.. i hope they make another. PS. I know they did a d**k move with the    Tried it years ago and i know there was this frenzy with microtransactions and didn't buy the game and abandoned the thought of playing it.
    Now in 2022 i bought it , cheap and i am enjoying it sooo much.
    I remember how much fun i had with shadow of mordor.. this is better in every aspect.
    Love the game.. i hope they make another.

    PS. I know they did a d**k move with the microtransactions, it's good the community reacted.    … Expand
  7. Hell_d
    Oct 12, 2017
    8
    Game is true sequel to Shadow of Mordor, and this is a cool thing! Action picks up exactly from first game's finale (STILL first game wasn't huge cliffhanger).

    - Story - very strong, even overwhelming, at first feels like a bit messy but you'll get into it. - Characters/Acting - SUPERB - Gameplay - very solid non-stop slaughtering of Orcs, and after each kill you want more :) -    Game is true sequel to Shadow of Mordor, and this is a cool thing! Action picks up exactly from first game's finale (STILL first game wasn't huge cliffhanger).

    - Story - very strong, even overwhelming, at first feels like a bit messy but you'll get into it.
    - Characters/Acting - SUPERB
    - Gameplay - very solid non-stop slaughtering of Orcs, and after each kill you want more :)
    - Graphics - face animations are very cool BUT overall visuals are "meh"... game took a hit on graphics to keep the scale - and scale of game world here is HUGE!
    - Sound - Very solid.
    - Microtransactions? NOT A PROBLEM. DO NOT read those kids giving game 0 score. They just can't buy the game or simply spoiled and just moving with the hate train of mainstream gaming journals.

    I highly recommend this game to any player who is interested in strong, character-centric, story driven, long hours fun!
    Also, if you skipped first game - go pick it up, you'll not regret it!    … Expand
  8. yoker666
    Oct 22, 2017
    9
    Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ is a good action game. If you enjoyed the first game, you will probably enjoy this too.

    Best thing about this game is it's gameplay. The game doesn't look amazing, but it doesn't bother you when you play. I cannot say a lot about the story, since I haven't finished it yet, but so far it's been better than in the first one. The game seems longer too, than    Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ is a good action game. If you enjoyed the first game, you will probably enjoy this too.

    Best thing about this game is it's gameplay. The game doesn't look amazing, but it doesn't bother you when you play. I cannot say a lot about the story, since I haven't finished it yet, but so far it's been better than in the first one.

    The game seems longer too, than it's predecessor. There are more areas and the story has more depth and different quest lines. Overall there is lot to do, so you won't be bored very easily in this game. The orcs, captains, warchiefs and overlords have really many different traits and features which makes the gameplay more interesting.

    Shadow of War (the name could be less generic though) is one of the best games in 2017. The fact that it's based on Lord of the Rings lore makes it even more great.    … Expand
  9. DrGiulianaDave
    Nov 1, 2017
    10
    Reading reviews for this games is probably the best way to loose IQ...
    This game is amazing, and even better than Shadow of Mordor. The loot-system works well, same with the skill-system. The nemesis system is still awesome, perhaps even a little improved.
    Regarding the loot crates, i haven't bought a single one and i'm smashing through it no problem. If you take your time and enjoy    Reading reviews for this games is probably the best way to loose IQ...
    This game is amazing, and even better than Shadow of Mordor. The loot-system works well, same with the skill-system. The nemesis system is still awesome, perhaps even a little improved.

    Regarding the loot crates, i haven't bought a single one and i'm smashing through it no problem. If you take your time and enjoy the game, you have no need for the whatsoever.    … Expand
  10. phreaman
    Oct 13, 2017
    9
    Come on. I spent 10 hours in a game and not even once looked into micro-transactions ... I think it's even better that there is such option in a game. For me it's always an additional way to support developers, if you like the game and want to do that. It's nothing obtrusive for me. But i'm a guy who very rarely buys additional content for a game and doesn't care about loot boxes withCome on. I spent 10 hours in a game and not even once looked into micro-transactions ... I think it's even better that there is such option in a game. For me it's always an additional way to support developers, if you like the game and want to do that. It's nothing obtrusive for me. But i'm a guy who very rarely buys additional content for a game and doesn't care about loot boxes with different skins or whatever ... The game is much bigger than the first one and improved in many aspects. But still it's only a game so it will frustrate you sometimes. Somehow you need to understand that the world of Shadow of Mordor is a very dynamic system and nothing is set in stone, everything can change. Overall i'm satisfied with a package and can recommend it for every fan of Shadow of Mordor. For everyone else, it depends on your attitude toward some of game mechanics. For me, a mix of Assassins Creed, Batman Arkam City with a dynamic open world, great graphics and good story is all i want for long autumn evenings. I gave 9 out of 10 because as in Shadow of Mordor sometimes fighting orcs can be really tiresome.… Expand
  11. rodericrinehart
    Jan 2, 2018
    9
    SCORE: 9/10

    First off, the game is an improvement in every way from Shadow of Mordor - better combat, more varied environments, better graphics, better world building, better use of your followers, and no QTEs. It is a derivative game - combining the parkour of Assassin's Creed, the towers of Far Cry and Assassin's Creed, with the melee combat of Batman and the bow combat of Tomb Raider    SCORE: 9/10

    First off, the game is an improvement in every way from Shadow of Mordor - better combat, more varied environments, better graphics, better world building, better use of your followers, and no QTEs. It is a derivative game - combining the parkour of Assassin's Creed, the towers of Far Cry and Assassin's Creed, with the melee combat of Batman and the bow combat of Tomb Raider or Horizon Zero Dawn, There are times with investigations - similar to The Witcher 3 and Batman. It combines all these aspects into the lore and world of Tolkien. It isn't canon by any means, but it is an enjoyable story and only the most die-hard fans would have a problem with it. My favorite book and movie ever is The Lord of the Rings, and I'm fine with the liberties this game takes.

    As for the microtransactions and loot boxes that people have complained about, it is far overblown. You absolutely do not need a single thing, and I have seen multiple gaming publications repeat that same things. When I read Metacritic and some forums, I would swear that the people complaining have never actually played the game. That said, I wish they weren't there because I don't like them in general and don't like where the games industry is headed with them.

    The game is super fun, looks to have 40-60 hours of extended gameplay for just one play-through, and offers ultrawidescreen gaming that performs very well at 3440x1440p on ultra everything with a 1080ti.    … Expand
  12. Eradicate
    Oct 14, 2017
    10
    Learn how to play this game before you knock it, dear god. You gamer's now of days don't know good games anymore. This game is amazing, just learn how to play it. You don't need those micro transactions to play or beat this game. The combat is awesome, story is not bad, graphics are okay but to have a rating this low just mean you're trolling or you have no idea how to play this game. ILearn how to play this game before you knock it, dear god. You gamer's now of days don't know good games anymore. This game is amazing, just learn how to play it. You don't need those micro transactions to play or beat this game. The combat is awesome, story is not bad, graphics are okay but to have a rating this low just mean you're trolling or you have no idea how to play this game. I have 2 castles full with powerful orcs I took into my army. The game is not a 10 but putting that to offset these troll reviews. Don't get my wrong I think micro transactions are killing the industry but you don't have to say the game is terrible for it.… Expand
  13. Maiser
    Oct 14, 2017
    10
    Fair score 8.5/10, but i will put a 10 to compensate the rage. I understand going against micro transactions in a fully paid game, but after almost finishing the game i can say that they are totally optional. Yes, you can use them if you want to skip half of the game content (captain capturing) to conquering fortresses with no effort, but for me, you are paying for a 'cheat', not the 'mustFair score 8.5/10, but i will put a 10 to compensate the rage. I understand going against micro transactions in a fully paid game, but after almost finishing the game i can say that they are totally optional. Yes, you can use them if you want to skip half of the game content (captain capturing) to conquering fortresses with no effort, but for me, you are paying for a 'cheat', not the 'must have content you need in order not to spend hundred of hours grinding' which i am constantly reading and which i can completely tell is false (moreover, loot booxes items are not necesarily better than ingame items).… Expand
  14. batmattman
    Oct 11, 2017
    9
    Game is being review bombed by people who've never played and are mad about loot boxes, so I felt the need to add my 2 cents as someone who's actually got at least 10 hours in it (and intend to put many, MANY more into it.)

    Its bloody good fun and if you enjoyed Shadow of Mordor then you'll love it. Ignore the haters, yes there are loot boxes but no you don't need to buy them. I'm    Game is being review bombed by people who've never played and are mad about loot boxes, so I felt the need to add my 2 cents as someone who's actually got at least 10 hours in it (and intend to put many, MANY more into it.)

    Its bloody good fun and if you enjoyed Shadow of Mordor then you'll love it. Ignore the haters, yes there are loot boxes but no you don't need to buy them. I'm drowning in the ingame currency and even then I haven't got any loot boxes apart from the ones I unlocked by playing the game. You get a gold loot box for doing online vendetta mission and the get rewarded with premium currency for doing certain objectives.

    The orcs are the real heroes of this game and the interactions with them are brilliant. My fav so far was called "the Bard" his weapon was a lute/club and he sang me a song before attacking and then sang throughout the fight. Another one was "Krackhorn the Inscrutable" who was extremely fast talking with an Irish brogue (if you've ever seen Snatch, he was basically a pikey ork)

    Lorewise you might be a bit irritated if you're a hardcore Tolkien fan but it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

    Final thoughts: Ignore the children who have sticks in their butts about something completely ignorable. This is a good game and shouldn't be getting the hate that it is. It's a shame they've manages to tank the user score here but hopefully it will come back up when more people who actually own the game get around to reviewing it (they're all too busy at the moment having fun slaughtering orcs)    … Expand
  15. Stzero
    Oct 18, 2017
    8
    This is a serious review without paying attention to the DLCs and Microtransactions Problem!

    This Game is a true successor. It makes some things even better then the first game. True Action Combat, badass Enemies and a lot of things to do makes me love this game. Even the exciting Story makes Sense for me (specially for LotR Fans). Some choices in character development and equipment    This is a serious review without paying attention to the DLCs and Microtransactions Problem!

    This Game is a true successor. It makes some things even better then the first game. True Action Combat, badass Enemies and a lot of things to do makes me love this game. Even the exciting Story makes Sense for me (specially for LotR Fans). Some choices in character development and equipment stuff makes you feel a little bit of RPG.

    Graphics: 8/10
    Sound: 7/10 (Im missing some music there)
    Gamedesign: 9/10 (A lot of things to do; Amazing Combatsystem; well designed Missions)
    Balance: 8.5/10 (Some skills/legendary equipments are slightly overpowered)
    Story: 9/10 (+1 for me because of the franchise and setting)
    Scope: 9/10 (As i said... there are countless things to do; took 60 Hours for me inclusive a lot
    of Killing and grinding with pleasure)

    MY RATING : 84 /100 >>Very Good    … Expand
  16. Zardas
    Oct 13, 2017
    10
    I haven't even played the game yet, just adding a 10 to counter all these butthurt idiots who cry about the game having microtransactions. Newsflash: you don't have to buy any of that stuff. And people are actually buying them, or else the practice would've died out years ago. Think about that, gaming justice warriors :)
  17. Destroyer67
    Oct 14, 2017
    9
    True meaning of a proper sequel. Kept the awesome things from the first and put it into the second. The new RPG elements in the game are great. Cut scenes are still amazing as they were in the first, great voice acting done by Troy Baker and Alastair Duncan. Overall amazing game. Haven't had the need or want to use the micro transaction's. Honestly, micro transactions in a single playerTrue meaning of a proper sequel. Kept the awesome things from the first and put it into the second. The new RPG elements in the game are great. Cut scenes are still amazing as they were in the first, great voice acting done by Troy Baker and Alastair Duncan. Overall amazing game. Haven't had the need or want to use the micro transaction's. Honestly, micro transactions in a single player game is better than ones in a multiplayer game where the payer gets the advantage, so no need to complain.… Expand
  18. Caruat
    Oct 20, 2017
    10
    Do not read the negative reviews of users. They are devoid of arousal and are thrown against a play masterpiece only for unnecessary and completely optional microtransmissions! But do you realize that by doing so, you just do not mind a great single player game? This is a masterpiece game and a possible candidate at GOTY 2017. 10 full and praise.
  19. Tathamet
    Oct 12, 2017
    10
    All the people writing 0 score reviews are idiots. If they would have actually played the game, they would know the loot boxes are completely unnecessary. Should they have added them? No, not in my opinion. Does it hurt the gameplay? Not at all.

    How a review site doesn't require people to have actually played the game is beyond me. To me, this game is shadow of mordor but just plain    All the people writing 0 score reviews are idiots. If they would have actually played the game, they would know the loot boxes are completely unnecessary. Should they have added them? No, not in my opinion. Does it hurt the gameplay? Not at all.

    How a review site doesn't require people to have actually played the game is beyond me.

    To me, this game is shadow of mordor but just plain better. Better movement, better orcs, bigger fights.

    To any of you losers "boycotting" the game, go boycott something that's actually worth doing that to. This is a singleplayer game, if people want to spend extra money to get more orcs, let them. It's not a pay2win mechanic. It's not a paywall. nothing in the boxes is exclusive.

    Of all the games you could have done this to, this is not the one.    … Expand
  20. sasaipalicai
    Oct 15, 2017
    10
    **** this stupid ppls!

    This is awesome game! This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is    **** this stupid ppls!

    This is awesome game! This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!This is awesome game!    … Expand
  21. daupoh
    Oct 15, 2017
    10
    Не поставил бы этой игре 10, ибо ее оценка по моим ощущения находится на пару баллов ниже. Но скажем спасибо дегенератам, ставящим 0 из-за наличия в игре микротранзакций. Они конечно не работают, возраст или интеллект на уровне 15 летних, за них, скорее всего, думает любимый школоло-блогер. Очень трезво, очень объективно, очень по взрослому.

    Игра абсолютно правильный сиквел: все что    Не поставил бы этой игре 10, ибо ее оценка по моим ощущения находится на пару баллов ниже. Но скажем спасибо дегенератам, ставящим 0 из-за наличия в игре микротранзакций. Они конечно не работают, возраст или интеллект на уровне 15 летних, за них, скорее всего, думает любимый школоло-блогер. Очень трезво, очень объективно, очень по взрослому.

    Игра абсолютно правильный сиквел: все что хорошо работало в первой части - улучшено.
    Все, что было лишним - убрано.
    Слабые места подтянулись (правда не так хорошо, как хотелось бы).
    Если любили первую часть, серию Batman, не являетесь идолопоклонником Профессора, а просто любите сеттинг Властелина колец, любите хорошие боевые системы и вообще красочные схватки - обязательно приобретайте.
    Дайте индустрии понять, что система "немезис" востребована.

    Что до микротранзакций: нет никакого смысла заносить в игру реальные деньги.
    Кроме внутриигровой валюты, которая сыпется вам за любую активность в огромных количествах, учавствуя в охоте за орками-убийцами других игроков вы будете получать те же самые золотые сундуки, за которые в теории могли бы заплатить.
    Нужны ли они вам? Нет, если вам нравится то, что я перечислил выше. Если же вас интересует исключительно история, а схватки утомляют, то в таком случае конечно могут пригодиться. Но, как мне кажется, если кор геймплей не удовлетворяет ваших потребностей, то лучше вовсе не покупать игру.    … Expand
  22. acardo
    Oct 22, 2017
    9
    I have completed the game in 40h (without chapter IV) so I will give my honest opinion.

    Pros: + Nemesis system + RPG system (items, gems etc.) + Main plot + Nice plot connection to the LOTR Lore + World + Orcs + Only 1 crash during whole 40h of playing the game + Basically no bugs and glitches Neutral: * graphic (it is only ok) * loot boxes (I have only bought couple for    I have completed the game in 40h (without chapter IV) so I will give my honest opinion.

    Pros:
    + Nemesis system
    + RPG system (items, gems etc.)
    + Main plot
    + Nice plot connection to the LOTR Lore
    + World
    + Orcs
    + Only 1 crash during whole 40h of playing the game
    + Basically no bugs and glitches

    Neutral:
    * graphic (it is only ok)
    * loot boxes (I have only bought couple for the in game Mirian, I have never felt the need to buy the ones for real money)

    Cons:
    - Chapter IV is just a big grind for nothing really- Taking castles can feel a bit repetitive    … Expand
  23. Hoegaardener70
    Oct 19, 2017
    10
    I just finished this game, and I spent 60 hours with it. I did not use any paid loot boxes, and I had a blast. it is your personal decision. Although I do not approve of the practice of microstransactions, at least here it’s not necessary to finish the game. Amd besides that, the story is great, the game mechanics are intuitive and complex at the same time, and you will have a blast.
  24. Mrm77
    Nov 5, 2017
    10
    I completed the game yesterday and i liked the game shadow of war is much better than mordor and i recomend this game to all who love tolkin's world and action adventure games.
    But unfortunately reviewer didn't give a real score that is comfortable for this game but shadow of war is one of five best games in 2017 and i think the real suitable meta score for this game could be about 90
  25. cottandy
    Oct 20, 2017
    8
    A good game, recommended to every Action RPG and rogue killing fans.
    Beautiful start, great/good middle of the game, long, boring, sometimes even horrible and badly done ending - especially sieges. MASSIVE FIGHTS AND SIEGES ARE TRASH.
    Combat system and control feedback are bad, esperially in said above massive fights and sieges. But also the skill set for rogue play and how you can you    A good game, recommended to every Action RPG and rogue killing fans.
    Beautiful start, great/good middle of the game, long, boring, sometimes even horrible and badly done ending - especially sieges. MASSIVE FIGHTS AND SIEGES ARE TRASH.

    Combat system and control feedback are bad, esperially in said above massive fights and sieges. But also the skill set for rogue play and how you can you use it is beautiful.

    Until the 4th act it's a great action RPG with an interesting storytelling. Like any action it can become repetitive, but it's not pure hack and slash, because half of the game you can be a rogue, which is the best part of gameplay. Also the creators did nice job in making your enemies more lively for you not to get tired of killing them again and again. Until some point of course when you have already killed hundreds of them.

    P.S. About mini-transactions: They don't really effect the gameplay if you don't use them until the 4th act. Yes, there is a lot of grime in the end, but the worst part about it are not mini-transactions, but horrible siege gameplay and too badly done massive fights, also it all becomes too similar and repetitive, besides being badly done.

    A lot of people give this game 0 rating because of it, which is dumb. Yes, the game became much worse because of the 4th act, but until that point everything was great.

    Multiplayer is also not worth even trying, because it's siege.    … Expand
  26. AbalS2000
    Oct 17, 2017
    8
    Hasta el segundo acto la historia merece la pena y aunque se tome ciertas licencias con el lore, mantiene un ritmo interesante, 9 horas hasta el segundo acto y empiezas la gestión de ejercito y tema "táctico" y de gestión:
    Bastante mejor que el Shadow of Mordor.
    Translation: Until the second act, the story is worth it and even if you take certain licenses with the lore, keep an    Hasta el segundo acto la historia merece la pena y aunque se tome ciertas licencias con el lore, mantiene un ritmo interesante, 9 horas hasta el segundo acto y empiezas la gestión de ejercito y tema "táctico" y de gestión:
    Bastante mejor que el Shadow of Mordor.
    Translation:
    Until the second act, the story is worth it and even if you take certain licenses with the lore, keep an interesting pace, 9 hours until the second act and start the army management and "tactical" and management theme:
    Better than the Shadow of Mordor    … Expand
  27. Lobstrman
    Oct 17, 2017
    9
    Ignore the review bombing. 90% of the 0-2 scores haven't actually played the game, but merely raging about it because of a rushed, and dishonest review by Polygon. You do not need to buy anything with real money, and you can even get quite a nice amount of the premium currency by playing the asynchronous online game. Or you can buy lootboxes with ingame currency which the game showers youIgnore the review bombing. 90% of the 0-2 scores haven't actually played the game, but merely raging about it because of a rushed, and dishonest review by Polygon. You do not need to buy anything with real money, and you can even get quite a nice amount of the premium currency by playing the asynchronous online game. Or you can buy lootboxes with ingame currency which the game showers you in. If you don't rush it, and just explore and play around with the nemesis system which is better than ever, then you will have no problem in the late game.
    That out of the way, the game is good. It's just more of the same thing as Shadow of Mordor, but with expanded gameplay, a much better nemesis system, smooth gameplay that will open up 4-5 hours into the game in a drastic manner. The first hours are not the best, but after you acquire the ability to turn orcs to your side, it's a different experience, and one of the best around. Killing orcs is fun, taking ones you like over is better, and then making them do all sorts of crazy stuff is the best. Combat has improved over the first game. It's still the same basics, with a lot of unlockable skills, and modifiers to those skills, and orc captains who will actually learn your patterns, and defend against them, which will make the crazy fights from the first game even more crazier. And it's fun to lose too, which a lot of games can't do well.
    As to negatives, the freerunning is still not as smooth as i would have liked, you can get stuck on things, run up things you don't want, not being able to ascend. It's serviceable but not the best. The story and voice acting is ranging from mediocre to bad most of the time, but there are a couple of good characters, and the ending of act 3 is quite spectacular. Did not expect it, it's quite fitting, and it makes you rethink things which is good. Also it busts Tolkien's lore all over the place, but if you are okay with sometimes fanfiction levels of plot, it serves the game. Still skipped a lot of it, and i really hated all of the gondorians. Also the orcs talk a bit too much sometimes, and it's unskippable.
    All in all, even if it's not GOTY, or my favorite game ever, it's a really good game, worth playing, and worth replaying. And don't worry about the userscore here. It reflects the views of people who never played the game. People who actually bought it, and reviewed it over on Steam, show a much better picture with over 80% recommendations.    … Expand
  28. KarmicCannon
    Oct 17, 2017
    10
    Loved the first game. Love this game. Do not listen to microtransaction review bombers. I play on Nemesis difficulty and have completed the storyline; I am continuing to play to reach 100% completion and have never felt like I needed to use the microtransactions. The crates are completely optional and not necessary. Anyone who says otherwise most likely has not played the game.

    The    Loved the first game. Love this game. Do not listen to microtransaction review bombers. I play on Nemesis difficulty and have completed the storyline; I am continuing to play to reach 100% completion and have never felt like I needed to use the microtransactions. The crates are completely optional and not necessary. Anyone who says otherwise most likely has not played the game.

    The "Nemesis" system does not fail to infuriate (in the best way) and impress. There is something so satisfying about one of your warchiefs betraying you, so you shame him. He then tries to ambush you, so you shame him again. Out of spite you hunt him down and shame him until he is level 1. You then burn him to death for good measure. A while later you are ambushed and it turns out he has cheated death and has become a level 40, he is deranged from all the shaming, and is wearing bandages from being burned. At that point I branded him again and made him overlord of a fort. This is just one amazing experience I have had so far with the nemesis system and there have been countless others.

    Besides the Nemesis system I love the new item and gem systems. Both of these combined with all the skill options allows you a lot of customization to suit your playstyle or adapt to the needs of a situation.

    This is so far one of the most entertaining games I have played this year. It is beautiful in 4K and it is everything the developer promised it to be. Bigger and better than the first game. I can’t wait for DLC to this and hopefully a 3rd game in this series. Well done Monolith!    … Expand
  29. SwissCheeese
    Nov 6, 2017
    8
    Game is fun, well executed, bigger. It takes the good things from the first one and improve them. Micro transactions is NOT an issue ; got money to spend ? Go ahead. Don’t want to ? No problem, earn your perks in game. I am near my play trough, at around 60 hours of fun (with vendetta and online fortress). Money well spend.
  30. Soujirop
    Dec 18, 2017
    8
    Shadow of War is everything Shadow of Mordor wanted to be, but sometimes it feels more like a big DLC rather than a new game.

    The graphical aspect didn't improve much, the combat is still really enjoyable as long as you play in the highest difficulty. There is more variety in the animations and the skills have been organized in a more RPG fashion, which is good. There is also a loot    Shadow of War is everything Shadow of Mordor wanted to be, but sometimes it feels more like a big DLC rather than a new game.

    The graphical aspect didn't improve much, the combat is still really enjoyable as long as you play in the highest difficulty. There is more variety in the animations and the skills have been organized in a more RPG fashion, which is good. There is also a loot system now with a variety of gear that give interesting bonuses. The nemesis system has aged well, with a wider spectrum of orcs that now you will actualy get to see waging war against each other, with big fortresses as rewards. The story has been greatly improved both in length and dramatism, but it is clearly more concerned about mimicking an action movie than about being consistent with LORT lore. The weakest point of the game is likely its 4th and final act, in which you will spend hours of repeating the same actions over and over again, everything to get an abrupt, not very satisfying, ending. The variety and size in the world are welcomed, but they don't really get to break monotony as you will do mostly the same things in every province.

    About the loot boxes, not sure what to think about them. I can only say I've never used them and didn't feel the need at all.

    Overall a good game that will benefit as it keeps turning in a more RPG experience, maybe for the 3rd title?    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Most Discussed PC Game of 2017
69
#69 Most Shared PC Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 16, 2018
    60
    A huge game that, despite of the quality of the fight and the delight of the Orb, offers paradoxically very small. It's not a failure, but we were expecting more. [Issue#279]
  2. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Dec 30, 2017
    76
    Nemesis is a one-hit wonder of a mechanic. Everything else in Middle-earth is mediocre at best, but Nemesis makes it all worthwhile, since every playthrough is truly unique – a feature none of its triple-A competitors can offer. [Issue#225, p.38]
  3. Riot Pixels
    Dec 23, 2017
    63
    A lot of people were upset to find out that Shadow of War has loot boxes, and they are kind of annoying. Unfortunately, loot boxes is the least of its problems.
    Read full review
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