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. chunjurrinchhen
    Oct 11, 2017
    9
    1500 silvers for lootbox containing atleast an epic orc is easy to grind. grinding is easy and fun too. u can learn about the items in modor and also solve poems and riddles which adds depth to the game. it took me like 9 hours to earn enough silver to purchase an orc army of 10 epics and 8 legendaries and 5 commons. Also dont buy gears coz u can find them from strong orcs after u beat1500 silvers for lootbox containing atleast an epic orc is easy to grind. grinding is easy and fun too. u can learn about the items in modor and also solve poems and riddles which adds depth to the game. it took me like 9 hours to earn enough silver to purchase an orc army of 10 epics and 8 legendaries and 5 commons. Also dont buy gears coz u can find them from strong orcs after u beat them. I absolutely love every small aspect of the game. Yes the story is not as perfect but its still got great moments. Voice acting is awesome by almost everyone. Some orcs sound hilariously funny and some sound like an a%^&hole. Love the nemesis system for replaying value. Overall very pleased except for the act IV of story and the fact that this could have been earn silver to play game rather than pay to get gold game. but it doesnt make the game bad in my experience… Expand
  2. Kaioh
    Oct 10, 2017
    8
    This game is a god tier. If you liked ME:SoM - you will like this even more.
    Pls ignore buttblasted kiddies who fell for transactions meme. They're trying to ruin games score just like they did it with Deus Ex Mankind Divided.
    Ignore little kids. Buy the game and form your own opinion. You don't need p2w in this game.
  3. Warmuro
    Oct 23, 2017
    8
    Heavily critized game. You don't need to buy any loot boxes etc. If you completed the first game, Shadow of Mordor, you'll be a champion in Shadow of War.
    Game feels a bit harder than the first one, defeating orc captains or other bosses sometimes make you feel like you're playing Dark Souls simulator because of the dodge moves you make. But mostly, game is very fun to play. They say it's    Heavily critized game. You don't need to buy any loot boxes etc. If you completed the first game, Shadow of Mordor, you'll be a champion in Shadow of War.
    Game feels a bit harder than the first one, defeating orc captains or other bosses sometimes make you feel like you're playing Dark Souls simulator because of the dodge moves you make. But mostly, game is very fun to play. They say it's grindy, well, at least it's not as grindy as GTA V. In Shadow of War, you forget you're grinding because of the nemessis system, a lot of random orc captain encounters and item drops from them are another things which you're already grinding without realizing and having fun.
    Main character looks far worse than in the Mordor game, but Celebrimbor looks far better. My only complaint is i wish main character looked more badass, and graphics are better. However, in some maps, environment details look top notch, in some others, look terrible. Also game characters (orcs, humans etc.) have almost no lightning on them, which makes them look flat. And, while game looks worse than Mordor, it also performs worse than Mordor. I, personally, locked the FPS to 30 and set almost everything to max graphics to enjoy it. It looks more cinematic and if you have terrible fps drops, 30fps lock helps you.
    And another thing, Shadow of Mordor is more brutal. (blood effects, more frequent decapitations in SoM) SoM Players will find out what i'm trying to say.
    I've completed the game, saw the ending. One of the most memorable game endings ever, and no, you don't have to pay anything to see that ending(s). There's one ending which you can see after main quests, and other one is... Well after doing more quests (i don't want to give spoilers).
    Instead of boycoting a game without playing it, first play it. If there are issues which heavily affect your gaming experience, then you're free to give all those 0-1-2-3-4 points. No **** crashes, no game breaking bugs, nothing. At least i didn't encounter any serious bug.    … Expand
  4. Canisrah
    Oct 30, 2017
    5
    If there was any way to give this game a 10 I would try to do it because I really enjoyed the first one and I love the Tolkien universe dearly.
    Hopes were high for Shadow of War and I even took time off from work on release to sit down and really devote some time to it. The game is pretty much a copy of the first in terms of game-play but with more stuff thrown in on every element plus    If there was any way to give this game a 10 I would try to do it because I really enjoyed the first one and I love the Tolkien universe dearly.
    Hopes were high for Shadow of War and I even took time off from work on release to sit down and really devote some time to it. The game is pretty much a copy of the first in terms of game-play but with more stuff thrown in on every element plus the addition of fortress attack and defense.
    Visuals are good, mood is still good and the story is engaging for the most part aside from the addition of a couple of non canon characters who are a mixed bag (Carnan is beyond irritating).
    But the problem with this sequel is that it seems to drain the magic out of the experience by turning into a chaotic mess that quickly becomes a by-the-numbers open world game livened up only by the excellent nemesis system.
    I could point to other weak social justice propaganda inclusions like a female Gondorian soldier and a black Gondorian (though the game tries to justify this by saying he's one of the Haradrim who joined Gondor and it almost works). Problem with social justice crusading in games is that unless you give some meaning to your social engineering within the context of the game world everyone knows its just a 'diversity' hire which cheapens the whole experience and shows no respect for the source material. That said, its not that bad and the characters seem passable if you can forgive the snub to the lore.
    But the cardinal sin committed here is the introduction of loot boxes in a single player game - absolutely unforgivable.
    Overall... bit of a disappointment really.    … Expand
  5. Loosestool
    Nov 9, 2017
    9
    I hesitated to buy this based on all the negative reviews. I assumed it would be a non-stop barrage of commercials for the microtransactions. But I really enjoyed the original, so I took a chance. Now I'm 20+ hours into playing on medium difficulty, and have not been harassed to buy anything even once. Nor have I been seriously tempted to look into it. I know there are boosts and gear II hesitated to buy this based on all the negative reviews. I assumed it would be a non-stop barrage of commercials for the microtransactions. But I really enjoyed the original, so I took a chance. Now I'm 20+ hours into playing on medium difficulty, and have not been harassed to buy anything even once. Nor have I been seriously tempted to look into it. I know there are boosts and gear I can buy, but I'm progressing at a satisfying pace without them. Maybe I'll get to the end and be frustrated by some pay wall or whatever, but even if so, I don't think it will be that big of a deal for me in light of the numerous hours I've enjoyed already. I would probably ignore the paywall and move on to the next game, per my usual.

    So putting aside the nothing burger (for me anyway) that is all the negative hype about the microtransactions, I am really impressed with the game and I'm enjoying it. The graphics and gameplay are great and I've had no issues with bugs. If you liked the original, you'll love this one. Just ignore the haters and don't buy anything extra if you don't want. Simple.    … Expand
  6. boddhisativa
    Oct 18, 2017
    9
    This is probably my favourite game to date, and my first computer was a Vic20. I have finished the game and can confirm that the ending is NOT behind a paywall. In fact, The Nemesis system shines again, and the recruiting and leveling up orcs is addictive. Runs very well on my machine which is a few years old with a 770. I was actually surprised at how well my system handled it.
  7. SuperKev
    Dec 3, 2017
    9
    Most of these reviews are nothing to do with the game. Is it fun - yep. Is it a lot of fun - yep. Speeding up your progress via the microtransactions is totally optional. The gameplay itself is certainly AAA, graphics, acting, smoothness all top notch stuff. The story is also engaging. It's funny the bad reviews revolve around a) they hate microtransactions even if they are totallyMost of these reviews are nothing to do with the game. Is it fun - yep. Is it a lot of fun - yep. Speeding up your progress via the microtransactions is totally optional. The gameplay itself is certainly AAA, graphics, acting, smoothness all top notch stuff. The story is also engaging. It's funny the bad reviews revolve around a) they hate microtransactions even if they are totally optional and b) they weaved a story around LOTR that isn't part of the canon - thing is neither of those are anything to do with if it is a great game or not. So bottom line if you are a regular person this game is great but if you are a LOTR zealot or if you interpret any transactions in a game as some sort of mortal sin then avoid it. I think the game is a blast.… Expand
  8. Knux57
    Nov 29, 2017
    10
    If you let the bad press about the completely skippable loot boxes turn you away from this game, you'll be missing out on a very good and unique experience that isn't likely to be featured in another game until, perhaps, a sequel to this one is made. (Actual score is more like a 9, but to combat the collective "REEEE" people have corrupted the user score with, I'll make it a 10).
  9. Mahdiar
    Nov 19, 2017
    9
    Gameplay : 9
    Graphics : 9
    Story : 7
    Sound : 8
    **********************************************************************************
    Overall : 9
  10. SchindlersFist
    Nov 20, 2017
    8
    The game is a lot of fun, the upgrades from the original are nice, the game is bigger, has a great endgame, the sieges are fun, the orcs are fun and interesting, and I had zero microtransactions and beat the game just fine.
  11. Misteriolalista
    Oct 10, 2017
    8
    Awesome Game to Act 4 ^^
    Act 4 suck but not more than Dragon Age Inqusition (no sense waste hours)
    but Shadow of War is good as Shadow of Mordor
    Love! Good Graphic , Hack and Slash and kill 500000000000000 monsters
  12. Mandulum
    Dec 11, 2017
    6
    Five Word Review: Engaging game, ignore some parts.
    Favorite Thing: I still love the combat, it's very responsive and engaging. There are also a lot of rather enjoyable quests.
    Least Favorite Thing: Act 4 feels like it was created to steer you toward purchasing loot boxes. It's a HUGE grind and not very fun. Date Completed: 2017-12-10 Playtime: ~ 30h (did all side quests, skipped the    Five Word Review: Engaging game, ignore some parts.
    Favorite Thing: I still love the combat, it's very responsive and engaging. There are also a lot of rather enjoyable quests.
    Least Favorite Thing: Act 4 feels like it was created to steer you toward purchasing loot boxes. It's a HUGE grind and not very fun.

    Date Completed: 2017-12-10
    Playtime: ~ 30h (did all side quests, skipped the Shadow Wars)
    Enjoyment: 6/10 (-2 points of Shadow Wars)
    Recommendation: I quite enjoyed the game until Shadow Wars. If you're okay with technically not finishing it then it's worth your time.    … Expand
  13. Sunykamey
    Apr 2, 2018
    5
    I am a big fan of LotR and the universe but this game is just tedious and not fun. The bad reputation is well deserved and has as to my experience nothing to do with loot boxes. Just play for more than one hour and you will experience one of the most frustrating single player games (when considering AAA games) ever. It may be by design but the enemies just won't get any less independentlyI am a big fan of LotR and the universe but this game is just tedious and not fun. The bad reputation is well deserved and has as to my experience nothing to do with loot boxes. Just play for more than one hour and you will experience one of the most frustrating single player games (when considering AAA games) ever. It may be by design but the enemies just won't get any less independently on how many of them (also captains) you slay. Look I like a challenge but this game is like an endless horde mode on some different maps sold as a full price game. And on top of that the enemies literally just SPAWN IN ON TOP OF YOU all the times when battling captains.

    I'm really disappointed about those things in a game that could be lore rich (I don't even touch this subject because it has been covered before) and engaging but somehow I lose interest on the rest some hours in.    … Expand
  14. Robobob
    Jan 28, 2018
    8
    Man this game is fun but brutal. I've only played about 10 hours so after further play I might change my review. There are tons of enemies, skills and gear. The unique bosses are fun with a wide variety of weaknesses, strengths and attacks. Controlling enemies to add to your army is a brilliant addition though I've only dabbled in this. The graphics are pretty good but just a hairMan this game is fun but brutal. I've only played about 10 hours so after further play I might change my review. There are tons of enemies, skills and gear. The unique bosses are fun with a wide variety of weaknesses, strengths and attacks. Controlling enemies to add to your army is a brilliant addition though I've only dabbled in this. The graphics are pretty good but just a hair under some recent new games that I've played. You can tell that this is just an upgrade of the previous game and engine.
    Sometimes the controls can be frustrating. I'm trying to climb a wall in a hurry and my character is doing flips at its base. I'm trying to climb to the top of the building and my character stalls because I forget I need to press A to vault up. Pressing too hard on the right stick centers the camera. When mashing dodge keys the camera pops up accidentally. Stuff like this adds up and makes me think the control layout could have been done better, A recent game with similar game-play Assassin's Creed Origins finally got the control down perfect, they should take note.
    Though stealth is done well and it's my go to play style in a game like this, getting into combat is a major chore. There are always a TON of enemies around. And, initially, each enemy take 5-6 hits to kill so fights are needlessly long. You will always be taking on a minimum of a half dozen at a time and chances are more will join in. This makes it impossible to chase down intel orcs or if, god-forbid, your target boss retreats. There's no way you can catch him so you'll have to fight him all over again. Sometimes I scout the area and attack when suddenly a new unforeseen orc-boss pops out of nowhere and I'm f**** if I don't run. I don't get that.
    Death is so brutal in that the orc that kills you will level up a couple times, some other orcs may level and vacant spots will be filled with new captain recruits. Major buzz kills like this abound.
    Aside from those negatives there are plenty of cool surprises in this game and I'll leave you with two. I'm fighting a boss above my level and I nearly have him beaten when he knocks me down for the third time. Usually you get 2 quick-time attempts to save your life and get back into the fight well I failed the one. Just as the axe came down in slow motion, a random soldier of Gondor jumped in and saved my life... killing the low HP boss for me.. THAT WAS JUST AMAZING AND I WENT WILD!! He rattle off some quip about chatty orcs being their demise and ran off into the fight. So cool.
    Another equally cool event: another orc had beaten me but refuse to let me die without a real fight so my HP were healed and we fought again, but I beat him the second time. Moments like this give the game so much heart and personality like anything else I've seen.
    It's the closest thing to being in a movie.    … Expand
  15. Bloodish
    Nov 12, 2017
    5
    The gameplay in Shadow of War is superb. The nemesis system returns stronger than ever, and you truly feel like an awesome power-house when taking on a bunch of enemies as Talion.

    The reason for my mid-to-low score is the overall story and pacing of the game. It's as if the writers just made a a checklist for some stuff to happen and then extremely quickly glazed over those plot points    The gameplay in Shadow of War is superb. The nemesis system returns stronger than ever, and you truly feel like an awesome power-house when taking on a bunch of enemies as Talion.

    The reason for my mid-to-low score is the overall story and pacing of the game. It's as if the writers just made a a checklist for some stuff to happen and then extremely quickly glazed over those plot points in some cutscenes that are far apart in the story. And when the story actually starts to get interesting, the game is suddenly over. (Well, for me the game is over once the shadow wars start, since then it's just a ~10 hour grind to get a final cutscene which I just found on youtube).

    I had hoped this game would be better, and I'm surprised that what left a bad taste in my mouth wasn't the microtransactions (which I barely noticed was in the game. I never felt a need for it, even on the Nemesis Diffuculty), but instead it was the story and pacing that made it all fall flat. It's a shame, since the overall gameplay mechanics are really fleshed out and a lot of fun.    … Expand
  16. AloneUA
    Oct 21, 2017
    6
    The microtransactions are cancer, but the game itself is actually pretty boring as well.
    The first hours felt great and it looked like a game should be really fun, but after appriximately 12 hours and in the middle of the second act I just. Got. Bored.
    The battle system is ripped of from Arkham Knight and sometimes can be really cool, but it quickly becomes tedious. Most of the time orcs    The microtransactions are cancer, but the game itself is actually pretty boring as well.
    The first hours felt great and it looked like a game should be really fun, but after appriximately 12 hours and in the middle of the second act I just. Got. Bored.
    The battle system is ripped of from Arkham Knight and sometimes can be really cool, but it quickly becomes tedious. Most of the time orcs overwhelm you and you can do nothing about it. All that is left is to permablock their attacks or run away. Also there will always be some archers breaking your combo chain or some random orc will hit you from behind where you couldnt even see him. The combat is 50/50 fun and frustrating. But the further you get, the more frustrating it becomes.
    And that is so even if you spend a lot of time to grind and collect all the stupid stuff devs left on the map. You kinda have to do those boring challenges and fetch quests, cause you get skill points from them which are pretty important.
    Nemesis system is pretty interesting, but pointless as it never stops generating new orcs. You can kill a ton of them, but still they will be replaced with another ones, making your efforts kinda pointless. Truth be said I quit the game just before sieging the first fortress, but I doubt anything will change after that.
    Besides, if I get bored preparing for the first siege, how boring it will get doing the same 4 more times?
    The art and map design is mediocre at best. The Minas Ithil is good, but then you start to notice that every location has almost the same buldings and towers (even cave locations, jeez), which is disappointing.
    All in all, I deleted the game, cause I have better use for my time than to pointlesly run around and slaughter endless orcs. You can try it, but right now I will honestly recommend to get South Park or new Wolfenstein.
    And yes, microtransactions suck. This games deserve no more than 6/10 IMHO    … Expand
  17. CaptainPuGDoG
    Nov 16, 2017
    7
    Loot boxes,Loot boxes,Loot boxes,Loot boxes,Loot boxes,Loot boxes,or Grinding Grinding Grinding Grinding Grinding Grinding
    But this game have interesting story 8,and beautiful animation 8,and this fight animation only one,because of this, it is time to spend on Grinding
    World 5 all game design so primitive and unremarkable
  18. MNCCritic
    Oct 20, 2017
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. it's ... OK. Would give it a C+ , maybe a B-, but never an A. There is no way that it is an A.

    I wanted to like this title. I gave it a good run through, several restarts, but quit before I finished the storyline ... out of sheer boredom. A lot of effort went into this product. I give them that. A lot more was needed.

    The result is interesting and sometimes fun, but not always. The game is a lot of work though, and it feels like work. Hard drudgery at times.

    There are also problems in concept, design, and commercial strategy. Here are just four issues to give you an idea:
    1. NEW RING
    The 'new ring' gives you less utility than the old dominate power in the previous title (a power which you possessed just for being a wraith....in Shadow of War you need a ring). Fact is, Orc champions can often resist the domination power and they seem to be able to overcome the effects at will (Random betrayals, iron will). What a lousy gadget. Celimbrimbor definitely seems to have lost his artisan's touch.
    2. FORTS
    The process of taking and owning a fort is a huge letdown. It isn't interesting, at all, but it could have been. Wasn't this the major selling point of the game? It looked great in the preview.
    3. SILLY STORY
    As an example: Idril, the scrawny fifteen year old girl, is a champion orc slayer....killing hordes of Uruks, which are bred for war! Oh come on! Is this Orwellian doublethink?
    4. HAND IN YOUR WALLET
    Expensive product ... and they start trying to sop up more cash right out of the gate!
    I support capitalism, but I think in their quest for shareholder value Warner allowed monetization considerations to be a factor early in the design process. I find that this approach kills the creativity and the 'magical' elements that come together to make a triple A title.

    Warner had two great sleeper titles (Shadow of Mordor and Mad Max) that made me optimistic for the future of this publisher. I hope they learn from this lackluster release and improve for next time.    … Expand
  19. josei1985
    Nov 3, 2017
    7
    Este análisis lo hago tras acabar el acto tercero. Me niego a perder el tiempo y hacer lo mismo que las anteriores 50 horas.

    Este juego es clavado al 1 con la diferencia que lo mejora en todo, siendo un juego de notable pero que como aquél se hace repetitivo y añade contenido secundario tan poco inspirado como en los juegos de la competencia. Recomiendo el juego YA para aquellos    Este análisis lo hago tras acabar el acto tercero. Me niego a perder el tiempo y hacer lo mismo que las anteriores 50 horas.

    Este juego es clavado al 1 con la diferencia que lo mejora en todo, siendo un juego de notable pero que como aquél se hace repetitivo y añade contenido secundario tan poco inspirado como en los juegos de la competencia.

    Recomiendo el juego YA para aquellos fanáticos del mundo de Tolkien y del Sombras de Mordor, no les va a defraudar. Para el resto, aconsejo esperar a que esté a 20-25€ o ed. goty.

    Pros
    - ambientación
    - buenos gráficos pero no punteros
    - Salvo al final en una misión, ningún fallo o bugs. Ni tirones ni nada raro.
    - Sistema nemésis mejorado aunque en cada región te toca un orco que no te lo quitas ni con agua caliente y resucita siempre.
    - Sistema de combate igual al anterior que recuerda al Batman. Funciona bien aunque a veces tienes que mantener el botón para saltar y mientras tanto te meten de leches. Ha fallado ocasionalmente a la hora de ascender paredes.

    Contra
    - Continuista. Una hipotética tercera entrega pide a gritos una renovación integral en los siguientes puntos.
    - Repetitivo: parece tener una plantilla y las misiones se reducen a hacer las 4 o 5 cosas una y otra vez. En cada región como vayas a saco a hacer tu ejercito y tomar la fortaleza sin alternar con misiones se te va a hacer un poco pesado de jugar
    - Contenido secundario: lo mismo que en el uno. Poca imaginación.
    - Orcos parlanchines. Se hace pesado tragarte la retahila de tonterias que te sueltan antes de luchar con ellos sin poder pasarlo.
    - Arbol de habilidades. Raro, desaprovechado. En nivel 25 ya no sabes en qué gastar los puntos.
    - Acto cuarto. Inexplicable decisión. Como muchos he optado por acabar el juego al término del tercero, que ya me ha dado más de 50 horas con todo al 100% completado. Peor aún que las cajitas.    … Expand
  20. Blunter
    Oct 25, 2017
    7
    Game is great until the Shadow Wars and then it starts getting annoying unless you like grinding. If you don't like grinding then watch the ending on youtube.

    Buy the game if you loved Shadow of Mordor and want an expanded version of it with a better story. If you don't like the microtransactions then you don't have to buy any.
  21. Archound
    Nov 7, 2017
    9
    I did not even notice paid content. The game has really cool combat system, all skills combined together makes you an unstoppable killing machine. I felt like speedrunning and the game mechanics helped me in this, which is a big plus. Shadow of War deserves high mark for gameplay value. Story could be better, especially side missions. Also, nemesis system worked better in previousI did not even notice paid content. The game has really cool combat system, all skills combined together makes you an unstoppable killing machine. I felt like speedrunning and the game mechanics helped me in this, which is a big plus. Shadow of War deserves high mark for gameplay value. Story could be better, especially side missions. Also, nemesis system worked better in previous installment, as now there are simply too many orcs, and their speeches are boring and way too often. Fewer orcs and more memorable - this is better.… Expand
  22. Shoxik
    Nov 4, 2017
    9
    Lord of the Rings. How many games lately have appeared on the subject of the lord of the rings? Lord of the Rings. Lord of the Rings. Lord of the Rings!!!
  23. Bastillon
    Nov 24, 2017
    9
    If you liked Shadow of Mordor, you will like this one 10 times more. It does everything better, including its Nemesis System which provides endless fun.
  24. ChiefsHammer
    Nov 27, 2017
    8
    Excellent game, very much like the first with a bunch of new features. Yes it has loot boxes, but NO you are not required to buy them, all content is accessible. Game has PVP where loot boxes may give one player a few stronger orcs a bit quicker than someone who's grinding for them, but that doesn't make it P2W. Some of the battles can get intense, especially when one orc keepsExcellent game, very much like the first with a bunch of new features. Yes it has loot boxes, but NO you are not required to buy them, all content is accessible. Game has PVP where loot boxes may give one player a few stronger orcs a bit quicker than someone who's grinding for them, but that doesn't make it P2W. Some of the battles can get intense, especially when one orc keeps ambushing you over and over, it starts to feel really personal!

    Seriously guys, get over the fact it has microtransactions and enjoy the game for what it is. Putting them in a full price game, sure pretty sketchy, but judge the game on it's content, not the devs greed.    … Expand
  25. dacgames
    Dec 7, 2017
    7
    I think that general criticisms are very much mediated by micro-transactions. The game is an acceptable evolution of Shadow of Mordor with a combat system and more balanced difficulty and, therefore, more interesting. The separation of the game spaces in 5 differentiated regions turned out to be a "half-way" success that gives a variety of scenarios, but it is not used because it does notI think that general criticisms are very much mediated by micro-transactions. The game is an acceptable evolution of Shadow of Mordor with a combat system and more balanced difficulty and, therefore, more interesting. The separation of the game spaces in 5 differentiated regions turned out to be a "half-way" success that gives a variety of scenarios, but it is not used because it does not grant unique environmental elements that complement the mechanics of gameplay.

    Likewise, the progression of the character feels extremely comfortable, up to level 40 at least. Then the remaining skill points acquired even though they serve to complete the skill tree become relatively complex to acquire. Especially for granting some of them through the progression of missions or collectibles.

    I see the most serious flaw in the narrative level, where you do not feel identification or intrigue to explore the story that counts. Added to that practically the game does not take shape until well into chapter II with the most established mechanics. It does not feel organic or fluid in the first instance. It almost seems insipid and irrelevant.

    The graphic level seems average, not sublime because it has a nice finish to look at. But it feels "past", almost old in comparison to the titles offered in this same temporality of release.

    The real attraction is in the nemesis system, much better complemented by new possibilities and combinations that manage to generate identification with the war chief and captains that you face or dominate. The jewel of the game is here in all its glory.

    The management and interface is quite intuitive, it is not annoying and allows you to easily deploy through the selection menus. With the map it is a bit more rudimentary but just as functional.

    The Achilles heel falls into a built-in micro-payment system. Although it has no "real" implications for the basic online mode it has, it feels almost a steal for the ridiculously high profits you can acquire in such a short time, which completely breaks the balance of the game and its development during levels and zones. in which the player unfolds. The game is not really bad, but it turned out to be a kick to the consumer's cheek by proposing this semi-pay to win system that completely eliminates the attraction it has to show.

    In short: as a sequel is fairly well achieved with points to improve to innovate in narrative and exploitation of a single system in which no one has thought to venture even (the nemesis system). But the micro transactions completely damage the positive that may have and even transgress the player / consumer itself that acquires the title either in pre-sale or on the date of release.    … Expand
  26. morpheus_7081
    Mar 19, 2018
    8
    Ignore the haters that are marking every positive review of this game as unhelpful. In my opinion, micro-transactions aside, this is a fun game. Not as good as Shadow of Mordor but still pretty fun if you ask me. It does suck that the developers let greed get the best of them but we are living in the age of micro-transactions unfortunately.

    If you are a fan of Tolkien mythology and the    Ignore the haters that are marking every positive review of this game as unhelpful. In my opinion, micro-transactions aside, this is a fun game. Not as good as Shadow of Mordor but still pretty fun if you ask me. It does suck that the developers let greed get the best of them but we are living in the age of micro-transactions unfortunately.

    If you are a fan of Tolkien mythology and the first game, then I suggest you check this out for yourself. Ignore the game's abysmal user score. It really doesn't deserve it. Check the game out for yourself.    … Expand
  27. NikeSh
    Sep 13, 2018
    7
    В данной рецензии не буду затрагивать тему лутбоксов, т.к. они уже убрали их на момент когда я проходил игру. Игра весьма неплоха, сюжет интригует и будет интересен фанам LotR, но его мало, приготовьтесь к тому что всё будет завязано исключительно на геймплее, с одной катсценой в пару часов. Ну так будет у тех кто как и я проходил сайдквесты. Геймплей затягивает, гринда много по этому - наВ данной рецензии не буду затрагивать тему лутбоксов, т.к. они уже убрали их на момент когда я проходил игру. Игра весьма неплоха, сюжет интригует и будет интересен фанам LotR, но его мало, приготовьтесь к тому что всё будет завязано исключительно на геймплее, с одной катсценой в пару часов. Ну так будет у тех кто как и я проходил сайдквесты. Геймплей затягивает, гринда много по этому - на любителя. Графика хороша, не заметил чтоб от первой части сильно улучшилась, но всё таки иногда видишь что постарались. Управление на клаве очень - не очень, так что совет - играйте на контроллере. DLC сюжетные к игре хороши в сюжетном плане. На прохождение сюжетки с большей частью сайдквестов ушло чуть больше 40 часов.… Expand
  28. greenisgood
    Dec 27, 2019
    3
    TL;DR
    Will the game companies ever get the news that we do not like micro transac/loot boxes in our full priced games??? Even though they have been removed now at the time i played this game, It still is a horribly imbalanced mess with a few good things going for it.
    The Good Nemesis System - One of the best Game mechanics to come out of the gaming industry. Decent Combat Mechanics -    TL;DR
    Will the game companies ever get the news that we do not like micro transac/loot boxes in our full priced games??? Even though they have been removed now at the time i played this game, It still is a horribly imbalanced mess with a few good things going for it.

    The Good
    Nemesis System - One of the best Game mechanics to come out of the gaming industry.
    Decent Combat Mechanics - Talions Skill tree makes for a fluid play style.
    Some Canon Bending story - a positive for me since I am a Tolkien Noob.
    Look and Feel - The world is Breath taking though often same feeling at times, nevertheless easy to get sucked into the story.

    The Bad - Oh My... here we Go
    The Camera - Often had an Unresponsive camera during battle and traversing which respectively makes getting stuck in the world and off screen attacks very prominent, the camera would routinely not respond to my input of a camera pan.
    The Pit Fights - OMG this is the biggest offender in my opinion as all of the ferocity that you face while fighting the Enemy seem to disappear in the pit, they just poke, prod and make noises at each other compared to the fights you have with the captains. This along with a stupidly imbalanced RNG that can have your dominated characters die to low level scrubs, this is just a stupid waste of time especially since you will spend a lot of time in the pit fights.
    The Controls - It feels like the controls are fighting back at you almost all the time, Talion will often face and attack, move or preform an action in the direction opposite to where you are facing. The highly slick Arkham series of Combat scheme that made us love the first Shadow of Mordor is downright unfinished and unpolished here.
    Excessively Grindy - This game really gave me my money's worth with side-quest busy work... But most of it is meaningless busy work since the EXP for the main missions and kills seems severely throttled as u cross level 25. No doubt designed to force players to buy the nasty loot boxes and exp boosts.. which got even worse once the said loot boxes were removed since the grind was already inbuilt into the game.
    Act 4 GrindWall - Of course. But since Enough has been said about this considering the 3.5 user score I am not gonna elaborate. It just feels like a giant disappointment to not finish the game considering all the noted cons you have to deal with just for the True ending. Just Youtube it.

    All in all Sadly this highly anticipated game turned out to be very underwhelming for me since Shadow of Mordor was a refreshing firestorm and scratched the itch of more Batman Arkham feels.    … Expand
  29. MoonCanLight
    Feb 11, 2019
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What have you done with this nice and addictive story?! Why you gave up on alternate Middle-Earth history? Why gameplay is so boring? And why main hero, after conquering almost all lands of Mordor doesn't have a chance to fight against Sauron and lost by default? It makes no sense. And you turned him to be a bad guy?! Really?! What terribly ending was this?!… Expand
  30. PauloF
    Apr 1, 2020
    10
    Rated this a 10 to offset the many ridiculous 0 ratings. This is a very good game, with interesting game, a ton of content, heaps of lore, and funny moments. Yes, microtransactions suck, but you aren't forced to use them. Honestly, it's an 8.5/10 from me, worth a buy.
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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.
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