User Score
4.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 1686 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. Oct 16, 2017
    9
    The game is awesome! Brutal and addictive. More of the same but better and bigger. If you don't like the micro transactions then don't buy the damn loot boxes. They're quite useless anyway.
  2. Oct 14, 2017
    9
    The game is fun but most of the people that give it a negative review never even played the game which is BS. Play the game before you judge it for something that's not affecting gameplay unless you use them. You can even get them for free if you care.
  3. Oct 18, 2017
    9
    I consider that metacritic should take urgent action against people who put zero (0) to a game causing great damage, many will be haters and other terrorist companies, a game is a play and however bad it may be may lead a 4 or 5 of note, but zero ?, I hope metacritic take this orientation pages as 3d games and are taking with the people hater, this game is a good game, in history,I consider that metacritic should take urgent action against people who put zero (0) to a game causing great damage, many will be haters and other terrorist companies, a game is a play and however bad it may be may lead a 4 or 5 of note, but zero ?, I hope metacritic take this orientation pages as 3d games and are taking with the people hater, this game is a good game, in history, playability and fulfills its mission Expand
  4. Nov 16, 2018
    9
    I got the game for 20$ expecting it to be horrible but it was quite enjoyable. It's a massive improvement on the first due to the added complexity. However, it's exactly the same game at it's core so if you were bored from the first one, you will DEFINATELY feel like you are playing the same game.

    The fun comes from upgrading your character. If you enjoy watching your kick butt and get
    I got the game for 20$ expecting it to be horrible but it was quite enjoyable. It's a massive improvement on the first due to the added complexity. However, it's exactly the same game at it's core so if you were bored from the first one, you will DEFINATELY feel like you are playing the same game.

    The fun comes from upgrading your character. If you enjoy watching your kick butt and get excited over what you are able to accomplish during fights...then you will enjoy this game.

    No way this game deserves a 4/10. Clearly a smear campaign due to loot boxes(which is understandable) but now that they removed it. It deserves much higher rating. I'd say AT LEAST 6-7/10.
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  5. Oct 11, 2017
    9
    Don't listen to the people giving this a 1-5 or around that. I guarantee they they didn't even play the game. The game is a lot of fun especially if you liked the first one. The end game is not locked behind a paywall and the loot boxes you can get just by actually playing the game. The game doesn't even pressure you into buying any. Need gear? Kill some captains or do some vendetta andDon't listen to the people giving this a 1-5 or around that. I guarantee they they didn't even play the game. The game is a lot of fun especially if you liked the first one. The end game is not locked behind a paywall and the loot boxes you can get just by actually playing the game. The game doesn't even pressure you into buying any. Need gear? Kill some captains or do some vendetta and capture fortresses. The microtransactions don't even make a difference in the game. Expand
  6. Mar 15, 2018
    9
    Долгое время не покупал игру так как был смущен ее низкими оценками среди игроков, но когда приобрел ее по скидке просто офигел насколько это недооцененная игра. Прошёл ее на одном дыхании, немезида принесла немало крутых моментов с орками командирами. Отличная графика, бодрая боёвка у кучей приемов и разнообразие командиров дает не хилое разнообразие геимплея. Я прошёл всю сюжетку неДолгое время не покупал игру так как был смущен ее низкими оценками среди игроков, но когда приобрел ее по скидке просто офигел насколько это недооцененная игра. Прошёл ее на одном дыхании, немезида принесла немало крутых моментов с орками командирами. Отличная графика, бодрая боёвка у кучей приемов и разнообразие командиров дает не хилое разнообразие геимплея. Я прошёл всю сюжетку не открыв ни одного лутбокса так что все этот крик вокруг доната простой шум людей которые даже не играли в игру. Да в игре есть недостатки, однообразные сайд квесты, немного кривое управление особенно в толпе врагов сложно выбрать нужную тебе цель для атаки, но плюсы игры перекрывают ее минусы, для меня это одна из самых недооцененных игр последних лет. Expand
  7. Oct 17, 2017
    9
    Firstly, yes there are loot boxes, and yes, you can use real money to pay for them. You can also use in-game currency to buy the low end loot boxes. I played this game for a week which equates to about 40 hours of game play and got to level 60. I did the daily quests and earned enough online currency to buy the two starter loot boxes (Act 1 and Act 2) about 1300 coins. I received over 20Firstly, yes there are loot boxes, and yes, you can use real money to pay for them. You can also use in-game currency to buy the low end loot boxes. I played this game for a week which equates to about 40 hours of game play and got to level 60. I did the daily quests and earned enough online currency to buy the two starter loot boxes (Act 1 and Act 2) about 1300 coins. I received over 20 orcs, 8 xp boosts, and a handful of in game currency boosts. I used my XP boosts while I was playing the numerous main and side quests. Doing this I was able to skyrocket to level 60 and never feel like I was grinding, sometimes gaining two or three levels at once. Be careful though because they only last for two hours of real time, so make sure you use that time wisely. The only "grind" part was getting my orcs at a higher for the Stage Defenses of my Fortresses. This did take me about 5 hours to get all my fortresses leveled to my level. But, since then I haven't purposefully leveled a single orc, at worst during my siege defenses, I capture more powerful orcs and put them in place of the weaker ones. With all that said, the facial graphics during game play is the reason I gave this a 9. As for all the complaints about the loot boxes, I did not pay for a single one and am still having a great time. Expand
  8. May 2, 2018
    9
    Overall I would say this game is a real gem. If you liked the original you should play this game. If you like Lord of the Rings you should play this game. If you like Assassin's Creed or Arkham Asylum you should play this game. Basically, you should play this game.
  9. Oct 29, 2017
    9
    This game takes what was great from the first game and maintains that greatness and in some areas even improves upon it greatly. The graphics are great (especially with the 4k add on) and the world is both extensive and interesting. Admittedly it can get repetitive at times just like the first game did, but it's still enjoyable. I encountered no bugs, load times were acceptable andThis game takes what was great from the first game and maintains that greatness and in some areas even improves upon it greatly. The graphics are great (especially with the 4k add on) and the world is both extensive and interesting. Admittedly it can get repetitive at times just like the first game did, but it's still enjoyable. I encountered no bugs, load times were acceptable and limited. The concern over micro transactions should be limited to just the fact that they're present at all, but there is literally no need to use them and extremely little benefit if you did. You'll quickly level past items and obtain new and better replacements just by playing the game. All in all if you enjoyed the first game this is a must buy. If you never played the first one you'll be fine jumping straight into this one. Highly recommended. Expand
  10. Oct 13, 2017
    9
    To all people giving this game 0/10 because of the microtransactions.

    Shut up and play the game before you give it a **** review. The microtransactions only helps you finnish the game earlier. You say that the critics says that evrything is great because they get paid to do it. But what if you took the time to actually analyze the games mechanics, gameplay and story. Then maybe
    To all people giving this game 0/10 because of the microtransactions.

    Shut up and play the game before you give it a **** review.

    The microtransactions only helps you finnish the game earlier.

    You say that the critics says that evrything is great because they get paid to do it.
    But what if you took the time to actually analyze the games mechanics, gameplay and story. Then maybe you would pay them extra because the game is great with the nemesis system and the diffrent open-worlds you can explore.

    For you hating on the story for changing some of the lore to fit the story: THE GAMES AND THE STORYS ARE NOT CANON!!!!!!!!!!
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  11. Oct 11, 2017
    9
    TL;DR, unless you want to read an honest review. High five at the end.

    For everyone going through looking at reviews, please ignore these Metacritic user reviews giving the game a 0 score. All of them are people complaining about microtransactions, without even playing the actual game and reviewing it based on what it's worth. ($60, same as every other game out there) Having played
    TL;DR, unless you want to read an honest review. High five at the end.

    For everyone going through looking at reviews, please ignore these Metacritic user reviews giving the game a 0 score. All of them are people complaining about microtransactions, without even playing the actual game and reviewing it based on what it's worth. ($60, same as every other game out there)

    Having played nearly 15 hours of the game already, I've been having a blast. I was a big fan of the original, and this game was an on-the-fence buy for me due to time, but honestly, do not regret buying it at all. More than enough content and nowhere near the end still, also I've only explored two regions to this point, imagine all that I have left to do and explore.

    Microtransactions play such a small part in the game; you can probably get 60 hours of game time without even considering or looking at them, according to most people that have put in that amount of time since getting their early copies. The only benefit you get from them is getting higher ranked orcs, which you can do in the game yourself, better-ranked gear, which you can get in the game, and some XP/loot bonuses, which you can't get in the game, but don't make it that game breaking.

    The gameplay has been thoughtfully tweaked from the first game, based on player feedback over the past years, making the combat system more fluid and diverse. You can have different combat styles now, ranging from assassin to warrior to archer to a mix of all three and more. (personal favorite is Mount Rider, love my Caragors) All skills benefit from so many new additions or tweaks that it plays like the previous iteration while bringing in a whole new truckload of options. (i.e., Poisoning Grog Barrels from afar, then shooting them to cause an explosion, resulting in a poison-proof captain cheating death and hunting me down)

    The story is going to be either a hit or miss for some people, it is genuinely exciting and brings new lore to LoTR, people saying there is no lore or story are incredibly wrong and probably lazy enough to skip all the conversations and lore items found throughout the world. I have barely done some of the story missions and have found myself immersed in the game's story and it drives me to continue. Obviously, there are going to be sure things that don't make sense at first *cough* Shelob *cough* but give them time to explain it in the story, and it falls in place making it all the more entertaining.

    Graphics are a step up from the first game, some of the reviews on here have said they are awful and the reduced resolution. I have played both the PS4, PS4 Pro and Xbox One versions (PS4 being my main copy) and on all three consoles, it looked great, with some apparent advantages on PS4 Pro for textures and the overall fps rate. Someone on here went as far as to say the original games graphics were better, which is entirely crazy. Apparently, this user had both games playing side by side to make this comparison, because from what I've seen they are a definite improvement over the original.

    Grinding is another big thing people are complaining on. Most of these players don't care for having to grind; they are just using it to bolster further their hate of microtransactions, which once again are not necessary and you can ignore entirely. If you are playing a game in this day and age without some grinding, then I'd like to know what it is because most games (good ones at that) have grinding implemented in some way. (i.e., Borderlands, MGSV, Diablo, Overwatch, Dark Souls, Witcher, Nioh and much more) For most of the people complaining about grinding, please do understand that RPG/ARPG video games that have endgame content or open worlds aren't going to give you a never-ending story unless you plan to pay them. ("DLC! Oh no I have to spend money for more! Unthinkable!" -Most of the Negative Reviewers) Now, this is where the loot and nemesis systems and oodles of side missions come in, to give players a goal to get better loot and keep coming back to take on stronger enemies. If you don't like those systems, then you shouldn't be playing games built mainly for looting or open-world adventure, which is done exceptionally well in this game.

    See I haven't gotten to the end quite yet, but friends and professional reviewers I know have gotten to the end have not complained about a single thing, other than a lack of a stellar ending. So people complaining about all these issues are either nitpicky gamers expecting $60 to be a lifetimes worth of gaming in 2017 or plain crazy.

    Make your own opinions, buy the game and play it, because it honestly is a great game. Most people complaining about microtransactions are merely doing so because they feel compelled to buy these to compete with other players, who do this as well.

    Will be playing this for the next couple of weeks or months.

    Thanks for reading, hope it helps, here is your high five ( O.O)/
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  12. Oct 16, 2017
    9
    The last time I played the game as religiously as this one was...the last Shadow of Mordor. I want to go back. I had the same feeling with Skyrim. I have only been playing for 3 days but I can already note that:

    a) The game is fun, the nemesis system has been improved. b) The graphics are amazing. Ok I am using HDR mode on LG Oled but on basic PS4. When I switched from game mode to
    The last time I played the game as religiously as this one was...the last Shadow of Mordor. I want to go back. I had the same feeling with Skyrim. I have only been playing for 3 days but I can already note that:

    a) The game is fun, the nemesis system has been improved.
    b) The graphics are amazing. Ok I am using HDR mode on LG Oled but on basic PS4. When I switched from game mode to HDR, I was blown away. It looks good.
    c) The inventory menu is ok. Too small and unnecessarily complicated.
    d) Control system should be better. Sometimes I want to jump off and end up grabbing every wall in town while being hit by Tark hating scum. I mean come on.
    e) The story is solid and as an avid reader of all Tolkien books, I can do not mind them branching out. Tolkien is no Jesus. Calm down. It is all for fun and doesn't affect canon.
    f) Cannot make any comment yet on MTS as I have about 7000 Miriam and I still haven't bought any loot boxes. People say it is a grind in the end. Hell, I still haven't stormed first fortress and it is already a grind and I love it. Enjoy every boring mission.

    I have waited for so long for this game and I am not disappointed at all. I almost got put off by bad reviews but then I decided to make my own mind up and let's be honest, I was gonna buy it anyway. Who am I kidding? Buy and enjoy.
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  13. Oct 29, 2017
    9
    Even though I had a bad feeling after reading the reviews especially about microtransactions, after playing the game for about a week or more i can tell that the game is wonderful, and there is no need to worry about the microtransactions if you are willing to play the game for enjoyment and not for finishing it as early as possible. I would like to give it a score of 9
  14. Oct 18, 2017
    9
    While I agree the loot boxes are annoying, you can easily earn Mirian in game by destroying old weapons that you will no longer use. THIS IS NOT an excuse, but the silver loot boxes can be bought this way alleviating the grind.

    THIS ASIDE, the game is good, the game is actually great! The story may branch off the LOTR lore and story, but the story is fun! I liked it as much flak as it
    While I agree the loot boxes are annoying, you can easily earn Mirian in game by destroying old weapons that you will no longer use. THIS IS NOT an excuse, but the silver loot boxes can be bought this way alleviating the grind.

    THIS ASIDE, the game is good, the game is actually great! The story may branch off the LOTR lore and story, but the story is fun! I liked it as much flak as it gets for being cheesy. The new nemesis system is awesome and feels scripted with how specific and detailed the dialogue can be, that is a good thing! Overlords are cool and very difficult but the fortress sieges can be a little easy to rush through. You literally just walk into a point and hit down on the d pad.
    That aside though the game does a good job in making you feel powerful but also challenged. The regions are appropriately sized and add flavor to the selection. The clear focus here is game play and mechanics, so if you like games that are very video gamey you should enjoy this.
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  15. Oct 14, 2017
    9
    I just finished the game and won the platinum trophy in less than 40 hours, the box system is useless and pushed to the force do not understand the complaints and criticism, I do not support it but this system is not intrusive, this is the best game in the universe of Tolkien.
  16. Oct 14, 2017
    9
    para mi este juego no merece tan odio por las micro transacciones por que no afecta la campaña en vez de eso debería quejar se cosas mas importantes los se quejan no saben jugar es el equipo sino
    el jugador
  17. Oct 16, 2017
    9
    The is a great game!! There are microtansactions in Destiny 2(another great game),why isnt it getting slated too. Buy the game, play the game, enjoy the game. If you dont want to pay for the extras then dont bother.
  18. Oct 16, 2017
    9
    Everyone whining in the reviews are either complaining without playing the game first, or are trash at the game. I played throughout the game only buying one chest (tutorial). I found the game to be really fun and nearly none of my orcs die. If you are complaining about the micro transactions (which are there to HELP you, not hinder you) then just get a trainer to assist you. I don'tEveryone whining in the reviews are either complaining without playing the game first, or are trash at the game. I played throughout the game only buying one chest (tutorial). I found the game to be really fun and nearly none of my orcs die. If you are complaining about the micro transactions (which are there to HELP you, not hinder you) then just get a trainer to assist you. I don't promote cheating but its better than giving a great game terrible reviews. The only reason i give it a 9/10 is because after beating the game there is not much to do, if anything. i think that additions to the multiplayer would greatly help out. Expand
  19. Oct 17, 2017
    9
    To be honest I have no idea what game these people with negative reviews are playing. I'm about 608 hours in and I have yet to even visit the micro transaction marketplace. ALSO, I have yet to hit a single grind wall where i can't level.

    Even if I play for an hour or so I usually go up at least one level and receive 3-5 pieces of good loot. Micro transactions in this game are like a
    To be honest I have no idea what game these people with negative reviews are playing. I'm about 608 hours in and I have yet to even visit the micro transaction marketplace. ALSO, I have yet to hit a single grind wall where i can't level.

    Even if I play for an hour or so I usually go up at least one level and receive 3-5 pieces of good loot. Micro transactions in this game are like a bottle of ketchup on the table of a steakhouse; its really there to be considerate, no one actually expects you to use it.

    If you are re-considering playing this game I IMPLORE you to drown out the negative user reviews. I've been both a gamer and LOTR fan for 10+ years and I absolutely love this game. 10/10 would recommend, 10/10 will be playing for dozens of hours in the coming weeks. (only gave 9/10 because I don't believe in perfection)
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  20. Nov 30, 2017
    9
    Its been a little less than 2 months after release, and I've been enjoying the game so far. Pretty much every review is about how garbage micro transactions are and how they ruined the game. 1) They are bad because they can speed up the process of getting good followers or gear, but THEY ONLY SPEED UP . I spent $0 dollars on the game after initial purchase and i beat the game just fine. 2)Its been a little less than 2 months after release, and I've been enjoying the game so far. Pretty much every review is about how garbage micro transactions are and how they ruined the game. 1) They are bad because they can speed up the process of getting good followers or gear, but THEY ONLY SPEED UP . I spent $0 dollars on the game after initial purchase and i beat the game just fine. 2) You can buy the loot chest things with money OR in game currency, yes its not easy to get your hands on this currency, as you must complete difficult-ish quest to attain said currency. But the game is a great experience. The Fortresses are fun. And there are plenty of times where it broke the seriousness of the atmosphere. And one of my favorite characters from the last game makes a return. Expand
  21. Dec 28, 2017
    9
    From what I've played so far of Shadow Of War (about 15 hours) I've been loving it, I was told not to buy it because of the horrible forcing of loot boxes on people and I honestly don't see it. Yes loot boxes are a thing in this game but contrast to what all the salty reviewers looking to give this game a bad name for being greedy say, the loot boxes are a big issue, and aren't needed toFrom what I've played so far of Shadow Of War (about 15 hours) I've been loving it, I was told not to buy it because of the horrible forcing of loot boxes on people and I honestly don't see it. Yes loot boxes are a thing in this game but contrast to what all the salty reviewers looking to give this game a bad name for being greedy say, the loot boxes are a big issue, and aren't needed to experience the game as a whole. Onto the gameplay: the gameplay in Shadow Of War is rather rewarding to play, and defeating orcs has been refined since the first title. it may become a little repetitive after awhile, however for someone who is looking to enjoy the game (and not trying to savagely gut it for being a micro transaction game) it is easy to overlook. As a fan of the Middle Earth universe, the most offensive thing about the game is the story. it breaks the lore in every which way and has no respect for how rings function in this world. I won't go into more detail, lest I spoil anything. Finally, I'd like to briefly talk about the graphics. The graphics of shadow of war are stunning and are a massive improvement over the first title. Even if the occasional orcs body glitches, the graphics are still amazing and the glitches are minor.

    Overall a very enjoyable experience thus far. If i had one recommendation to you it would be to ignore the salty reviewers who are only here to tear apart the game for having micro transactions and see what fun and beauty the game has to offer.
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  22. Sep 8, 2020
    9
    This is what I call a good sequel.
    WB Games did a good job with this game. The graphics are not as good as other 2017 games but I liked it anyway. The game is so much longer then the first one but it's funnier and has a lot of side stories as well. Easy platinum in my collection :)
  23. May 25, 2018
    9
    DONT LISTEN TO THE HATERS,THIS IS WHAT U GET WHEN U ALWAYS LISTEN TO THE MEDIA NOT YOUR OPINION OF THE DAMN THING.THE CRITICS ARE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT MICROTRANSACTIONS IN THIS GAME,I COMPLETED 100% OF THE GAME AND PLATNIUMED IT AND ENJOYED EVERY BIT OF IT,AMAZING GAME,I COMPLETED IT WITHOUT PAYING ANY REAL WORLD MONEY.THE ONLY NEGATIVE OF THIS GAME IS THAT IT CAN GET A LITTLE BITDONT LISTEN TO THE HATERS,THIS IS WHAT U GET WHEN U ALWAYS LISTEN TO THE MEDIA NOT YOUR OPINION OF THE DAMN THING.THE CRITICS ARE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT MICROTRANSACTIONS IN THIS GAME,I COMPLETED 100% OF THE GAME AND PLATNIUMED IT AND ENJOYED EVERY BIT OF IT,AMAZING GAME,I COMPLETED IT WITHOUT PAYING ANY REAL WORLD MONEY.THE ONLY NEGATIVE OF THIS GAME IS THAT IT CAN GET A LITTLE BIT REPETITVE IN THE SHADOW WARS END GAME Expand
  24. Jul 6, 2020
    9
    For me it is a great game. The nemesis mechanic seems so good to me that I would like it to appear in other games as well. Its history and gameplay is very good.
  25. Nov 9, 2019
    9
    El mejor combate con espada de la historia de los videojuegos. Me encanta....
  26. Mar 2, 2020
    9
    Perfect game, all these fortnite players are lagging, they r gae, and play fortnut all dae
  27. Apr 23, 2021
    9
    Buen juego, entretenido, una historia interesante para los amantes del mundo de tolkien que reimagina aquellas tierras de mordor que solo conocemos de nombre. Personajes carismáticos, llegué a simpatizar con los orcos.
  28. ysp
    Dec 21, 2021
    9
    Лично мне очень понравилась. Там и сюжет интересный, интересные и даже смешные орки. Проработанные персонажи, Шелоб, восхитительна. Четкая, продуманная система прокачки. История, отношения, что есть в реалиях мира, например, как - жажда власти, утрата, жажда мести, отчаяние, поиск и т. п., очень хорошо и тонко показаны. Геймплей, и что главное охота на орков, этим можно заняться и послеЛично мне очень понравилась. Там и сюжет интересный, интересные и даже смешные орки. Проработанные персонажи, Шелоб, восхитительна. Четкая, продуманная система прокачки. История, отношения, что есть в реалиях мира, например, как - жажда власти, утрата, жажда мести, отчаяние, поиск и т. п., очень хорошо и тонко показаны. Геймплей, и что главное охота на орков, этим можно заняться и после прохождения сюжетной линии, чем я и занят. Вообще хотелось бы продолжения, если это возможно, так как считаю, что сетевая составляющая могла быть более продуманной и обширной. Expand
  29. Aug 26, 2020
    9
    Big fan of this game it must play on my opinion it has new things no other games has
  30. Dec 9, 2022
    9
    Great follow up to a fantastic series. Gameplay is smooth and the characters are intriguing.
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 69 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 69
  2. Negative: 0 out of 69
  1. CD-Action
    Dec 19, 2017
    80
    I was annoyed by various flaws (both technical and design-related) and tedious, dragged out final stages of the campaign, but overall I enjoyed the ride. It looks like the developers wanted to stuff the game with all the best elements Middle-earth has to offer. Shadow of War’s atmosphere is terrific and watching Talion rise in power is surprisingly addictive. [12/2017, p.62]
  2. Nov 26, 2017
    70
    A handful of issues, some much more annoying than others, do not negate how solid of an action RPG Middle-earth: Shadow of War is. A tremendous achievement for the team at Monolith Productions, this is an exciting, if not sometimes slow, and too often unfair, title that manages to be as impressively fun as it is big.
  3. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Nov 20, 2017
    60
    Big, brutal, and - alas - bloated, Shadow of War is a disappointing follow-up, conjuring battles of grand scale and then deadening their impact through grinding repetition. [December 2017, p.79]