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. 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).
  2. 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
  3. 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 :)
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. chaos7
    Jul 16, 2018
    10
    A fantastic game without a doubt. Improves everything from the first game severalfold. The combat, the skill system, the bosses, the story etc. The combat has been further refined, the skills are now more in number and have variations attached to them, there are several actual boss battles in this one unlike the first game where the only real boss fight was the Hammer, and finally theA fantastic game without a doubt. Improves everything from the first game severalfold. The combat, the skill system, the bosses, the story etc. The combat has been further refined, the skills are now more in number and have variations attached to them, there are several actual boss battles in this one unlike the first game where the only real boss fight was the Hammer, and finally the story. While the game doesn't care much for the lore, it tends to stay true to the movie canon. The story, ignoring lore discrepancies, is a good one IMO. It touches upon some really interesting themes and takes quite the interesting twists near the end. The new gear system is amazing and a ton of fun, adding a lot to build variety and such. The open world of Mordor is a joy to play through and experience. Then, of course, there's the Nemesis System. It has seen so much improvement from the first game, it's amazing. More interactions, more types of orcs, more varied and improved trait system, followers are no longer brainless zombies, among many other things. One will have to play it to grasp the full scope of it. It's truly incredible.

    From seeing how positive both user reviews on Steam and critical reviews are, it should be obvious to anyone on this page looking for an honest review that the idiots rating it 1-2/10 have never played the game and have tried to review bomb this game over the lootbox controversy. The lootboxes were always useless in this game. Anyone who has played it will tell you that. The orcs you obtain are literally inferior 90% of the time in comparison to orcs you can snag from the open world by just playing the game. There's the Shadow Wars, hailed frequently as being "grindy" and encouraging lootboxes. Nothing could be further than the truth. People call the Shadow Wars (Act IV) grindy because it involves doing a sequence of things (defending/retaking forts) 20 or so times, over and over again. Using lootboxes do not help you here because a) Getting orcs isn't even the issue with Act IV, it's the repetitiveness (which some people like, myself included, since it's the only thing to do once the game's main story is over at the end of Act III) and b) The best orcs in the game assault you during these fort stages (therefore you have quite the endless supply of powerful orcs, making the already useless lootboxes even more useless). The notion that this Act encouraged lootboxes came from an idiotic review by Polygon and another review site, which was furthered by idiotic YouTubers like YongYea and Jim Sterling who never played the game personally to verify the truth of those reviews.

    However, all of that matters little now anyway because there's an update coming today (or tomorrow, for some other people), that completely removes the option to purchase lootboxes from the Market (the ability to get them with real money was already removed in May, now the option to get them even with free Gold obtained in-game will be removed along with the entirety of the Market). It's a big update that changes Act IV to be much more streamlined (and adds dialogue and narrative elements), and adds a lot of new things like new gear, new skins etc. The developer, Monolith, has been very good terms of support and as always,. has succeeded once again in making a fantastic game that will have an enduring fanbase. So, my final score for this game would be a definite 10/10, A truly fantastic and enjoyable experience.    … Expand
  7. Keicraig
    Nov 20, 2017
    10
    This game is everything I loved about the previous title and so much more! I spent most of release day playing. It contains gorgeous open maps, fantastic orcs and new types of enemies, many missions, endless action, deep gameplay, long story mode. I'm getting more than my money's worth! Players get loot by playing missions, so the micro transaction controversy isn't effecting me becauseThis game is everything I loved about the previous title and so much more! I spent most of release day playing. It contains gorgeous open maps, fantastic orcs and new types of enemies, many missions, endless action, deep gameplay, long story mode. I'm getting more than my money's worth! Players get loot by playing missions, so the micro transaction controversy isn't effecting me because I want to spend hours playing the game.… Expand
  8. Kelembribor21
    Mar 30, 2019
    10
    Great game, though it has repetitive mechanic of fighting orcs it is really addicting, story is great , with artistic freedom but keeping in spirit of Tolkien's work more than PJ's Hobbit. Though micro transactions are bad, the game deserves much better score. My score would be 8,5 but it deserves some boost ,since most negatives are about forced micro-transactions.
  9. Lokidos
    Jul 16, 2021
    10
    It's not bad at all. I've started it in 2021 so there weren't any microtransactions. The gameplay is fun, graphics are not out dated and the grinding - rpg style makes it even more interesting.
  10. 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.
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. Androzol
    Oct 11, 2017
    10
    I think the game is epic, very positive and fun.
    And lootboxes, well it doesn't bother me at all.
    I can play with it and can play without it, they just present in the game but the game not about getting loot from it.

    i hope you understand.
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  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. 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
  20. schtickytape
    Jun 22, 2018
    10
    This game is fantastic. It is rated so low as a reaction to loot box hysteria brought on largely by Star Wars Battlefront. Having played through this game without having purchased one lootbox I can say they were completely irrelevent. The game is loads of fun. This and its predecessor are the only games that have the fantastic Nemesis system.
    They have removed pay-lootboxes from the    This game is fantastic. It is rated so low as a reaction to loot box hysteria brought on largely by Star Wars Battlefront. Having played through this game without having purchased one lootbox I can say they were completely irrelevent. The game is loads of fun. This and its predecessor are the only games that have the fantastic Nemesis system.
    They have removed pay-lootboxes from the game in response to fan criticism. You can get the game on sale for half its launch price. Give it a try!    … Expand
  21. Aigorkish
    Jan 10, 2019
    10
    This game is simply AMAZING. Don't look at older reviews - developers updated it, this game is now not p2w. 40 hours of story,, good graphics, great gameplay.
  22. Maxmaximum
    Feb 19, 2019
    10
    This game is a masterpiece, people are mad because of microtransactions, I understand, but to the programmers this is a masterpiece. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN GAME OF THE YEAR 2017. The improvements on Shadow of Mordor are exponential. I am simply blown away by the beauty of this game. It is perfect for Wild Hunt withdrawal.
  23. ioanawesome
    Nov 7, 2019
    10
    I absolutely loved this game. Fully immersive. Yes there are micro transactions however you do not need them.
    Don;t listen to the negatives. It is an amazing game.
    A mix of Batman Arkham City and Assassins Creed style. With cool powers and in the Middle Earth series. Absolutely fantastic story with Gripping levels.
    YOU EVEN FIGHT A BALROG!!!!!
  24. 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.
  25. Tomicsavo
    Jul 9, 2021
    10
    Very good combat system, well written dialogs, good story. Similar to shadow of mordor, it is a turbocharged version that continues to lead the story. The nemesis system includes several options, new siege system came in, which is very enjoyable. Fantastic game
  26. Kujin
    Jan 28, 2021
    10
    Shadow of War is, quite literally, everything Shadow of Mordor was, exept better, bigger and more in every way possible. The game, like it's predecessor, is a relatively slow burn, which is made worse by the fact that the overall loop is so enjoyable and addictive. I spent, no joke, somewhere around 10 **** hours just running around Minas Ithil - the first location - killing orks, levelingShadow of War is, quite literally, everything Shadow of Mordor was, exept better, bigger and more in every way possible. The game, like it's predecessor, is a relatively slow burn, which is made worse by the fact that the overall loop is so enjoyable and addictive. I spent, no joke, somewhere around 10 **** hours just running around Minas Ithil - the first location - killing orks, leveling up and disabling outposts. And as a result I was kind of blown away by the sieges, the new beast riding, new nemesis options and the nemesis system in general. It's even more impressive here, with so much enemy virety - both gameplay and aesthetic - that you will be having consistent fun and drama with it throughout your playthrough. Thanks to it, the fairly gripping story and loot collecting, time just flies. It wouldn't be long before you find your routine, and the game is appropriately long so that you won't get bored with it. The endgame is fairly decent too, basically being just a bit more of Shadow of War for those who loved it. Shadow of War was an unfortunate event in almost every way possible, pissing everyone off at release and cementing Warner Bros. as a truly awful entity. But for what it's worth, Shadow of War is an amazing game, well worth the time and effort the team has poured into it, and it is worth your time as well.… Expand
  27. VOIIIXI
    Jan 9, 2023
    10
    One of the greatest games ever made! I have never been this addicted to playing a game in a long time. The Nemesis is honestly the greatest innovation in any video game ever, to this day. The complexity and thought put into the system are truly commendable and needs to be implemented into games more. I know the game is very known and popular, but it is still underrated in my opinion. It isOne of the greatest games ever made! I have never been this addicted to playing a game in a long time. The Nemesis is honestly the greatest innovation in any video game ever, to this day. The complexity and thought put into the system are truly commendable and needs to be implemented into games more. I know the game is very known and popular, but it is still underrated in my opinion. It is one of the smartest and most fun games I've ever played, and I have the upmost respect for the devs. deserves an 11/10. I almost never write reviews for games, but I said for this one I need to do it. This game needs to be appreciated more. It should've been game of the year and in the top 10 games of all time just because of how intelligent of a game it is.… Expand
  28. SlavaKuzmin
    Jun 22, 2020
    10
    Лучшая игра по лицензии,лучший рогалик,экшнрпг,битэмап, игра не имеющая аналогов,настоящий брилиант
  29. CreepyLemur
    Jun 28, 2020
    10
    First things first, no more micro transactions. They took them out around five to six months after the release of the game. Second, huge improvements to the nemesis system, making fighting against and with orcs more enjoyable. They have a really great difficulty setting in settings that you can change depending on the person. I would actually give this game a 8 out of ten because the storyFirst things first, no more micro transactions. They took them out around five to six months after the release of the game. Second, huge improvements to the nemesis system, making fighting against and with orcs more enjoyable. They have a really great difficulty setting in settings that you can change depending on the person. I would actually give this game a 8 out of ten because the story was lacking a lot more than the first game. However, my rating is a ten to offset the old negative ratings about the micro transactions that aren't even in the game any more.… Expand
  30. gwynbleidd27
    Feb 18, 2022
    10
    Love this game, I really love how they enhanced the prequel in every possible way, the combat is hands down the best combat in any medieval game ever made, the executions were a joy to my eyes. A really good story where you really love Talion along the way. My only complaint is some missions were really **** boring especially with that elven assassin Eltariel.
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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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