Middle-earth: Shadow of War

 PlayStation 4
User Score
4.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 1686 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 665 out of 1686
  2. Mixed: 265 out of 1686
  3. Negative: 756 out of 1686
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  1. drlowdon
    Aug 5, 2022
    6
    Continuing from the events of Shadow of Mordor, Talion (who is still infused with the spirit of the elf lord Celebrimbor) travel to Mount Doom to forge a new Ring of Power. The ring soon falls into the wrong hands however…

    Upon release Shadow of War, rightly, received a lot of criticism for the inclusion of loot boxes and micro-transactions that made levelling up your character to the    Continuing from the events of Shadow of Mordor, Talion (who is still infused with the spirit of the elf lord Celebrimbor) travel to Mount Doom to forge a new Ring of Power. The ring soon falls into the wrong hands however…

    Upon release Shadow of War, rightly, received a lot of criticism for the inclusion of loot boxes and micro-transactions that made levelling up your character to the required level a grind unless you paid real money. Thankfully these have now been removed, but this game still remains a bit of a mixed bag. At the core of the game is the excellent ‘nemesis system’, that has enemies remember your actions, and both the stealth and combat are extremely satisfying. The story missions however just aren’t particularly interesting, and are usually less enjoyable than just trying to take out enemy captains. Shadow of War can also feel overwhelming at times with an almost endless list of quests and collectables being constantly thrown at the player, and as a result the game just goes on for far longer than it needs to. The end result is a decent game, but one that is inferior to it’s more focused predecessor.    … Expand
  2. ZaPaAl
    Dec 22, 2020
    4
    They squeezed the theme a bit too much now. And this opinion is not even based on microtransactions.

    It's predecessor was simple but delivered fun and this game now had engaging moments at first and looked like a major enhancement in every way. But later on this grew into a major and repetitive grind with a very senseless story and down right unlikeable characters. I could not gather    They squeezed the theme a bit too much now. And this opinion is not even based on microtransactions.

    It's predecessor was simple but delivered fun and this game now had engaging moments at first and looked like a major enhancement in every way. But later on this grew into a major and repetitive grind with a very senseless story and down right unlikeable characters.

    I could not gather enough interest to grind up for the major siege defending part of the story (Shadow War) so I missed out on the real ending and I really don't care anymore. Quite sad what they did to this.    … Expand
  3. egaqu
    Aug 7, 2019
    5
    This game is okay mechanically and visually. Combat becomes repetitive due to habitually using the same attacks and counters on basically the same enemies over and over and over and over again. All of Act II is a 15+ hour grind that barely proceeds the story and largely serves to prolong the game. Same with the entirety of Shadow Wars. In a nutshell the only meaningful gameplay to thisThis game is okay mechanically and visually. Combat becomes repetitive due to habitually using the same attacks and counters on basically the same enemies over and over and over and over again. All of Act II is a 15+ hour grind that barely proceeds the story and largely serves to prolong the game. Same with the entirety of Shadow Wars. In a nutshell the only meaningful gameplay to this game is siege conquests, something that can be done in an hour but spread over 30-40 hours.… Expand
  4. silencer
    Feb 9, 2018
    7
    Pros: Fun combat mechanics, moderately entertaining Nemesis system, beautiful environments and a diverse skill / inventory system.
    Cons: Nonsensical story, highly repetitive gameplay and bland characters.
    It's a decent game, but the grind at the end of the game is so annoying that I gave up and just watched the ending on youtube. If it had a cohesive story to support the grind, that    Pros: Fun combat mechanics, moderately entertaining Nemesis system, beautiful environments and a diverse skill / inventory system.
    Cons: Nonsensical story, highly repetitive gameplay and bland characters.

    It's a decent game, but the grind at the end of the game is so annoying that I gave up and just watched the ending on youtube. If it had a cohesive story to support the grind, that would probably be more tolerable, but as it is, it's just unbearable. This game is a "wait for sale", imo (I bought this new but with deep discount).    … Expand
  5. Bernaz
    Jan 18, 2021
    2
    One of the most frustrating game I ever played.
    Pit fight are totally stupid, the enemy orc attack and does stuff, mine stand still doing nothing and getting killed.
    The defend missions, at the end game, are stupid as well. You have to defend your castle against orcs lvl 40-50-60 with yours that barely reach lvl 30-40. If you try to find new orcs to recruit, they are always low level.    One of the most frustrating game I ever played.
    Pit fight are totally stupid, the enemy orc attack and does stuff, mine stand still doing nothing and getting killed.
    The defend missions, at the end game, are stupid as well.
    You have to defend your castle against orcs lvl 40-50-60 with yours that barely reach lvl 30-40.
    If you try to find new orcs to recruit, they are always low level.
    The only thing you can do is let one of them kill you and then recruit, but that's doesn't work because 99% of the time one of your orc save you before you die and kill him.
    And of course when you need to be saved, you died.
    When you fight a Captain, there is a high chance that another captain spawned under your feet because yes, there is no sense in this.
    I hate this game.    … Expand
  6. Fra-k
    May 15, 2022
    9
    for a tokienhead, a non-canon dream come true.
    and indeed not more noncanon-ish than the exalted Hobbitses films.

    Freeroam, beautiful acrobatics, interesting combat and...orc. more orcs to command like ugly stinky Pokémon.
    and loot microtransactions? all whining. Soon reduced to a child-friendly gambling minigame.

    enjoy it as I did.
  7. ghoulrot
    Sep 10, 2018
    5
    Pros:

    Combat system
    Graphics

    Cons:

    Flimsy story
    Very, very repetitive. You will be doing the same thing constantly with no variety. I stopped playing after finishing the story as I couldn't face grinding the same thing over and over for the rest of it.
  8. Realisti
    Apr 12, 2022
    7
    I think this game is decent time killer. I just finished all the quests and that's enough about this game for me. I don't know what people are raving about microtransactions and loot boxes because I didn't put a single coin in this. If you are into Middle-Earth lore this not it. It has some resemblance but no, it isn't. Mechanics are a bit crappy and there's still some weird glitches butI think this game is decent time killer. I just finished all the quests and that's enough about this game for me. I don't know what people are raving about microtransactions and loot boxes because I didn't put a single coin in this. If you are into Middle-Earth lore this not it. It has some resemblance but no, it isn't. Mechanics are a bit crappy and there's still some weird glitches but nvm. If you get it free or cheap, play, otherwise don't.… Expand
  9. thryce3
    Nov 9, 2018
    7
    The gameplay is still solid. The story is still secondary to the nemesis system. I really wished they built on that potential and really integrated the two. It's good, it's just more of the same.
  10. Bunterboy
    Jan 13, 2019
    5
    I bought it when then micro-transactions have been removed but honestly it's still kind of boring. There is a lot of repetition and it all feels just a bit less exciting than the first game.

    The main character. So annoying. You start the game thinking that he's all acrobatic but the more you play the more you will realised that actually he's a clumsy oaf who much prefers to continuously    I bought it when then micro-transactions have been removed but honestly it's still kind of boring. There is a lot of repetition and it all feels just a bit less exciting than the first game.

    The main character. So annoying. You start the game thinking that he's all acrobatic but the more you play the more you will realised that actually he's a clumsy oaf who much prefers to continuously roll up against walls than climb them or stubbornly refuse to let go or not climb a wall when you want him too.

    The story. Who cares? Unless you're a direct descendant of JRR Tolkien himself or an actual elf it's not very interesting.

    Yeah, for 13 bucks its tolerable for a period but don't expect to get any long term enjoyment out of this game.    … Expand
  11. v3nomro
    Nov 15, 2020
    1
    Wwhat a sh game omg... I got it for free and it's still sh. Never ending hordes of orcs... This game is like mario, jump and run. Cheating death orcs... What's the point of this game? I got borred after 2 hours... Just do the same sh over and over again.
  12. einarpaz
    Nov 23, 2018
    9
    It was a great game. It had improve almost everything from Shadow of Mordor. The game is not true to the original source (books) but it has a good history eitherway. Visual quality is not the best but it is fair when you see the big battles and the quantity of things and characters in screen to take or defend a fortress.
  13. Empyrea
    Nov 6, 2022
    5
    What to say about this game? Stressful, repetitive and frustrating. I only played this game for 6 hours until I saw that I should do unnecessary things to continue. I also played the first game on my ps3 years ago for a few hours and I had the same feelings although at that time I quitted because it used to crush all the time. I'm not giving it a 4 because graphics are decent and althoughWhat to say about this game? Stressful, repetitive and frustrating. I only played this game for 6 hours until I saw that I should do unnecessary things to continue. I also played the first game on my ps3 years ago for a few hours and I had the same feelings although at that time I quitted because it used to crush all the time. I'm not giving it a 4 because graphics are decent and although you'll only see a few secondary characters of the movies and books you can appreciate the effort to make kind of dialogues and intonation from the movies. I'd only recommend this game to those that like "changeling games" (which for more are just stressful games) and like to grind. The gameplay will remind you the latest Assassin's Creed games.… Expand
  14. The_Follower
    Feb 1, 2021
    1
    I can’t in good conscience give this even a decent rating. The game itself is mostly fine, but the nemesis system is just straight up ungodly annoying, every time you cone across a captain (which is VERY often) he gives a 20-30 second UNSKIPPABLE speech. For the love of **** god, why would the developers do this? I wanted to give the game a fair go, but I’m probably about an hour in andI can’t in good conscience give this even a decent rating. The game itself is mostly fine, but the nemesis system is just straight up ungodly annoying, every time you cone across a captain (which is VERY often) he gives a 20-30 second UNSKIPPABLE speech. For the love of **** god, why would the developers do this? I wanted to give the game a fair go, but I’m probably about an hour in and just can’t take this anymore.… Expand
  15. TatsMcGee
    Sep 8, 2018
    6
    I want to start out by saying that I did not finish this game but I did play a lot of it. I just don’t have it in me to keep going. The game is split into 4 Acts and I’m still in the middle of Act 2. I really ended up getting side tracked with the Nemesis System and ended up spending too much time with that.

    The games 1st Act isn’t that great, its all a tutorial and the game really    I want to start out by saying that I did not finish this game but I did play a lot of it. I just don’t have it in me to keep going. The game is split into 4 Acts and I’m still in the middle of Act 2. I really ended up getting side tracked with the Nemesis System and ended up spending too much time with that.

    The games 1st Act isn’t that great, its all a tutorial and the game really doesn’t begin until Act 2 where you can truly start playing the game. The goal of the game is to recruit and army of orcs and then lead that army to defeat Sauron. You can’t even start recruiting until the 2nd act so the first act is kind of pointless. Its setting up a story but its not an overly engaging story and the game would be stronger if you could skip that entire act.

    The games story and premise is not that great, the best way I can describe it is it’s kind of like bad fan fiction of Tolkien’s world. People were upset over the fact that the game took Shelob and turned her into a “sexy” woman. I didn’t care that much because the story isn’t good enough to care anyways. Not to mention, all of the story missions are not fun and poorly designed. Its definitely the worst part of the game.

    Where the game truly shines is how great of a Sandbox game it is. Its very dynamic and completely random. You can get together with 10 different people and you all would have a different story of the Orcs that you fought along the way. The fact that system just works well and nothing feels overly that scripted is great. It feels like you’re creating your own story.

    The problem that I am happening with the game is the Nemesis System is the only part of the game that I’m having any fun with. The scripted parts of the game are not fun and I’ve done everything I can with the Nemesis System and all I have left are story missions. I’m just kind of done with the game.

    I spent 25-30 hours playing around with the systems that its hit a point where I’m done with the combat as well. I think part of the problem is, in the last year and a half I have played Shadow of Mordor and all 4 Arkham Knight games. So I’m just kind of over that combat system. Not to mention, what makes the Arkham Knight games so much better is, they’re not 50 hours games. They’re 15 hour games so you don’t get sick of the combat.

    There is not much more I can say. This is a fun game that overstays its welcome. This is probably going to go down as my favorite game of the year that I didn’t finish.    … Expand
  16. spesini
    Sep 29, 2021
    6
    There's something that didn't click with me. It's by no means a bad game, I just found it bland and repetitive and liked the first one way more.
  17. ILoveBF1
    Mar 27, 2021
    4
    Pretty average even if you remove the microtransactions. It gets repetitive. Dominate/Kill Captain, Overthrow overlord, repeat. The story is also too weak. The ending was good though. The map is so big yet so small. It has a large area but there is too little to explore. Overall meh.
  18. frederik1478
    Jun 16, 2022
    7
    A beautifully built game an improvement on the first but maybe just a bit too long on the side. The nemesis system and the Orcs have back and better den before even the combat have gotten some tuna to make it more fun and more varied to you can have your own play style. My biggest gripe about the game is there a lot of missions in the middle of the game that you feel like you're not goingA beautifully built game an improvement on the first but maybe just a bit too long on the side. The nemesis system and the Orcs have back and better den before even the combat have gotten some tuna to make it more fun and more varied to you can have your own play style. My biggest gripe about the game is there a lot of missions in the middle of the game that you feel like you're not going anywhere it just feels like the story stops in the middle and it only really picked up in the end again.And my second nepick about the game is the climbing is awful. It really feels like not fully control where you're climbing. i absolute love how they destroy the Lord of the Rings Canon in this game is it just me but I enjoyed when cannons get f***** with.… Expand
  19. OrcBEOR
    May 2, 2021
    0
    Если кто то думает, что без микротранзакций это стало нормальной игрой, то он заблуждается. Это не игра, это фекалии бабуинов, которые возомнили себя разработчиками. Плохо всё. От перемещения, дизайна уровней, до... Неужели после первого высера 2014 года, кто то сказала бабуинам, что идея с "приветствием" капитанов хороша? Бесит. просто бесит.Если кто то думает, что без микротранзакций это стало нормальной игрой, то он заблуждается. Это не игра, это фекалии бабуинов, которые возомнили себя разработчиками. Плохо всё. От перемещения, дизайна уровней, до... Неужели после первого высера 2014 года, кто то сказала бабуинам, что идея с "приветствием" капитанов хороша? Бесит. просто бесит.
  20. LOVEPIZZA
    Sep 2, 2020
    6
    Waited a long time to play this. They patched out some of the more egregious micro transactions and shortened the end game length. Loved the loot system and improved on most other systems form the first game. Maybe a little rushed out, a few rough edges.
  21. Radoslavus
    May 22, 2018
    5
    I have a serious problem with this one. On one hand I am a big fan of the series, but on the other hand those big lore mistakes (I could get along with those), and the horror of all gamers, the dreadfull microtransactions. MICROTRANSACTIONS IN A SINGLEPLAYER GAME.!!!

    Let's face it, this game is a 7,5-8/10. They improved basically every aspect of it: - It runs smoother, - the gampley    I have a serious problem with this one. On one hand I am a big fan of the series, but on the other hand those big lore mistakes (I could get along with those), and the horror of all gamers, the dreadfull microtransactions. MICROTRANSACTIONS IN A SINGLEPLAYER GAME.!!!

    Let's face it, this game is a 7,5-8/10.
    They improved basically every aspect of it:
    - It runs smoother,
    - the gampley is better,
    - world bigger,
    - characters well written,
    - boss battles fun and challenging
    - nemezis system and combat improved
    - and of course the siege battles
    There is no major issue, that you can complain about, except Lord of the Rings lore. But if, you are not a hardcore fan of Tolkien's books, you will not notice them.

    And then comes ACT 4 "The Grind Chapter". Act that made everyone furious:
    - pay to win in a singleplayer game
    - boring repetetive waves just to unlock one short ending scene (scene that everyone can check on Youtube)
    - hours of grind to test the gamer, if he is willing to pay extra money to finish the game significantly faster
    - a part of the game that is so lazy in it's design, that it's an insult, not a real chapter
    - pointless act that has done much more harm than WB and Monolight expected it would.

    Because I am a big enemy of microtransactions (not only pay to win but all of them), and despite the fact that I had a lot of fun playing the game I will give it a 5/10. Unfortunately I am again dissapointed about a game that I was waiting for this year.    … Expand
  22. balding
    Jul 5, 2018
    5
    Entretiene hasta que te das cuenta que estás haciendo lo mismo en un mapa sin cohesión alguna pensado para venderte cajas de botín, prolongando el juego de manera artificial y haciéndolo tedioso. Cierto que el sistema némesis ha mejorado y el resto de elementos se han pulido, pero son demasiadas las asperazas que encuentro. No tan siquiera presenta una historia y personajes a la altura delEntretiene hasta que te das cuenta que estás haciendo lo mismo en un mapa sin cohesión alguna pensado para venderte cajas de botín, prolongando el juego de manera artificial y haciéndolo tedioso. Cierto que el sistema némesis ha mejorado y el resto de elementos se han pulido, pero son demasiadas las asperazas que encuentro. No tan siquiera presenta una historia y personajes a la altura del maravilloso universo de Tolkien.… Expand
  23. Yugveer
    Jan 3, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is the best game i ever played , i dont know why people kept on saying microtransaction , i didnt even a single $ on this game and managed to get platinium trophy this game is epic , unique and no1 ever had this idea of produtcing a game like this if you cant play the game dont badmouth it :D .this is the best game i have ever played, better than any game i have played , warner bros and team hats off! 78 hours gameplay , Just marvelous… Expand
  24. XxAlbertoBuzzxX
    Jun 2, 2020
    7
    MIDDLE-EARTH: SHADOW OF WAR
    ....................................................................
  25. HeavyMetalSloth
    Jul 22, 2020
    7
    This was my first Middle-Earth game that i played. I didn't play Shadow of Mordor because players suggested I would be exhausted by the end of Mordor before jumping into this one and they were right because when this game ended i was just exhausted from playing it. Here are my likes and dislikes about the game:

    Likes: - I like how you can drain health from other enemies, though i wish    This was my first Middle-Earth game that i played. I didn't play Shadow of Mordor because players suggested I would be exhausted by the end of Mordor before jumping into this one and they were right because when this game ended i was just exhausted from playing it. Here are my likes and dislikes about the game:

    Likes:
    - I like how you can drain health from other enemies, though i wish it was executed faster seeing how you will have Orcs swarming you most of the time.
    - This game puts Assassins Creed wall climbing and aerial traverse to shame.
    - The skill tree offers a lot of really cool things for you to do.
    - Fast travel, and boy was it needed.
    - The enemy counter system works really well.
    - How the game gives you a couple of chances to live when your health is depleted as long as you hit a well timed button.
    - The different environments were cool.
    - Bruz and Ratbag are hilarious as well as other Orcs I encountered.
    - Building your own Army was cool too.

    Dislikes:
    - I hated how many Orcs would swarm me every time i was either spotted or battling another Orc. Especially when reinforcements arrive because all i was trying to do was get an artifact or something but it seemed like a grind to just get that.
    - For me the story up until the ending was good. Just when i thought the story ended it in fact did not and turns out you have to do more EXTREME TEDIOUS GRINDING which i did not do because I was already in the mindset that the game was already over. So i guess everything i did in the game was kind of pointless unless i were to take over every fortress in order to get to the true ending which is not worth my time.

    Misc:
    - I was overwhelmed earlier on in the game because i had not played Mordor but slowly caught on.
    - The Orcs are super dumb.
    - The game is a grind.

    I enjoyed this game and was about to give it an 8/10, but considering all of the grinding you have to do in Shadow Wars to get to the true ending it just wasn't worth the effort or time.    … Expand
  26. BlitZeR_95
    May 19, 2019
    7
    I stopped playing this game back when I saw a lot of microtransactions, but once I heard they removed it I came back to it to try it out. This time it isn't as grindy as it once was and it's a better game. The game was already good but it was the major microtransaction in a single-player game is what held the game down from being a good game. I'm glad it's better now but maybe it's tooI stopped playing this game back when I saw a lot of microtransactions, but once I heard they removed it I came back to it to try it out. This time it isn't as grindy as it once was and it's a better game. The game was already good but it was the major microtransaction in a single-player game is what held the game down from being a good game. I'm glad it's better now but maybe it's too late since everyone already see this as a really bad game… Expand
  27. Br_AgSs
    May 5, 2020
    6
    This game is a huge stepdown from Mordor. The combat is not as fun and fluid as Shadow Of Mordor, the nemesis system is bigger, but wasnt enough to keep me entertained like Mordor did, the story is predictable and cliché,(also, Celebrimbor is terribly bad writen in this game, as well as Talion) the graphics are ok, there is something wrong with the lighting in this game, some places areThis game is a huge stepdown from Mordor. The combat is not as fun and fluid as Shadow Of Mordor, the nemesis system is bigger, but wasnt enough to keep me entertained like Mordor did, the story is predictable and cliché,(also, Celebrimbor is terribly bad writen in this game, as well as Talion) the graphics are ok, there is something wrong with the lighting in this game, some places are dark as hell, and some places are bright as hell, Shadow Of Mordor had much better graphics, character models and enviroment, Shadow Of War even removed that BEAUTIFUL rain Mordor had.
    Dont buy Shadow Of War, buy Shadow Of Mordor.    … Expand
  28. Maarten95
    Mar 4, 2019
    8
    This is actually a good game. I really liked the nemenis system and the story was good until the end. The end requires way to much grinding and disturbes the games pacing. Another great thing about this game is its fortress battles which require a lot of planning and preperations. Its very original. Overal I highly recommand this game.
  29. MathiasVoorhees
    Apr 27, 2020
    5
    A general downgrade from the first apart from the graphics and enemy types.
  30. Berik
    Aug 21, 2019
    5
    Where Shadow of Mordor felt like a combination of other genres, but with a new exciting system (The Nemesis System), Shadow of War seems to completely commit to what other high profile games are doing: Collectibles to fill up play time, large open worlds that are barely utilized in the story, and a lackluster poorly written story.

    To start with the story: Monolith has taken liberties    Where Shadow of Mordor felt like a combination of other genres, but with a new exciting system (The Nemesis System), Shadow of War seems to completely commit to what other high profile games are doing: Collectibles to fill up play time, large open worlds that are barely utilized in the story, and a lackluster poorly written story.

    To start with the story: Monolith has taken liberties with the Lord of the Rings lore in the past, but this time they decided to grab it by the hair and smear its face in a pool of mud. Shelob, which is the big spider from Return of the King, is somehow a future telling swimsuit model that has the power to imprison wraiths. If that sounds completely ludicrous to you, than you are spot on mate!

    Apart from that, the story itself seems to be more of a side objective to the main goal: Recruiting, killing and making captains. Talion has become rather dumb in between the previous game and this one, and does everything your gut tells you NOT to do. Want to learn what a cliché, ridiculous and dumb character is like? Play the story of Shadow of War, because all the characters in this game fit the description.

    As for combat, the game unfortunately takes a step back to its predecessor. Where Shadow of Mordor felt hard but ultimately balanced and precise, Shadow of War is a mess. Battles with groups are now even more like mosh pits. The AI seems to completely ignore you when a captain attacks, yet their IQ will raise by 50 points the moment Talion attacks. Grunts will hit you to the point that you will get stabbed in the back all the time if your finger isn't glued to your triangle button. Also, prompts are sometimes in such ridiculous quick succession of each other that it seems to be impossible to evade, counter or survive for that matter. I can say for a fact that it wasn't like this in Shadow of Mordor, as i've played it four weeks ago before i started playing Shadow of War.

    The amount of traits that Orcs can have are greatly increased. There are more than triple the amount of traits Shadow of Mordor had, and Captains will interact with the player much more. Some will betray or ambush you, and others defy death so often that you will wonder if they aren't wraiths themselves. This is a welcome addition, but it fails to make the Orcs more interesting and less of a number. In fact, some traits are so powerful that it will lead to some very cheap deaths. The traits can be so random among captains that it hardly ever leads to a memorable orc.

    Do orcs have more distinction? No, absolutely not. In fact, every orc now looks like they gathered their weapons and armor at a Lost and Found shelter. Their is rarely a coherent theme in their outfit, nor does it suit them. I've seen orcs wearing golden elven armor (stupid), an orc dressed as a bard (totally taking a dumb on J.R.R Tolkien's lore there) and even a few as pirates... The **** Monolith.

    The size of the game is more of a flaw than anything else. Prepare to switch between the game, the map and the army screen hundreds of times as there is no quick button, and you'll constantly be wondering where you will have to go to next. Orcs are mostly far away, especially if you just met them. They will then 'magically' transport all the way to the other side of the map. Great.

    The new Conquest or Siege mode is fun, but after 2 or 3 times you will really have seen all there's to it. Above the Warchief now stands the overlord, which is the boss of a region. After storming the fort, taking checkpoints and dealing with remaining warchiefs you'll be fighting the Overlord, which is usually a high leveled bullet sponge with minions around him. And somehow you have to fight them solo, even though you brought an army with you ...

    The camera in this game is a disaster, and so is directing Talion. You see, the camera is now more zoomed in on Talion and everything North of him. I say this because, unlike the previous game, the camera will not move with your direction and will even push back against you if you try to turn it! Also, Talion doesn't do actions in the direction you point him to, but rather tries to connect with highlighted targets and ledges. This leads to 80% of your playtime feeling frustrating as Talion pretty much doesn't obey your controller. This pissed me off so much that i considered to stop playing this game.

    Unfortunately the game as a whole has been disappointing and frustrating to me, especially because i really liked Shadow of Mordor. This game is too overstuffed, too incoherent, a mess in combat and a joke to the lore of Middle Earth. It's an average game, which i can only recommend if you like to be frustrated and punished for seeking more Shadow of Mordor fun. I give it a 5/10.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Best PS4 Game of 2017
12
#12 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2017
13
#13 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 69 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 69
  3. 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. Cubed3
    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.
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  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]
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