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. Gamingking007
    Oct 17, 2017
    10
    So I take it that everyone complaining are extremely lazy gamers or bad gamers! The micro transactions are only for people who want to finish the game very quickly! If you play the game By completing all the side quests. Then you will have no need for micro transactions. The forts is in the single player game is extremely simple to take over. The only reason I would ever need to buy theSo I take it that everyone complaining are extremely lazy gamers or bad gamers! The micro transactions are only for people who want to finish the game very quickly! If you play the game By completing all the side quests. Then you will have no need for micro transactions. The forts is in the single player game is extremely simple to take over. The only reason I would ever need to buy the micro transactions is if you want all your orcs to say legendary on their name tags but other than that no need I got my army to level 326 and took down the fort easily which was like level 150 and this was in a more difficult region. So everyone complaining about the Micro transactions are either very lazy they’re not very good games. I understand that micro transactions can be frustrating if it hinders you from playing the game the way it was intended to be pLayed but there is no reason to complain about this game about that. If micro transactions Hinder you then I agree that it is totally corrupt especially if you’re buying a new game but that is not true with this game!This game is honestly not difficult ! This is one of the most amazing games ever created especially if you’re a massive Tolkien fan! Easily at this moment the greatest rpg of the year.… Expand
  2. medv4380
    Oct 20, 2017
    10
    This is a Pay-to-Cheat game. Not unusual if you remember the 80's gaming 1-900 hint lines. This is not a Pay-to-Win but depending on how you play may have that appearance. Once I unlocked the primary areas and could control an Army I started clearing out all the little collectible and side quests. While I did this it did seems like maybe there would be an intense grind in a few areas thatThis is a Pay-to-Cheat game. Not unusual if you remember the 80's gaming 1-900 hint lines. This is not a Pay-to-Win but depending on how you play may have that appearance. Once I unlocked the primary areas and could control an Army I started clearing out all the little collectible and side quests. While I did this it did seems like maybe there would be an intense grind in a few areas that seemed like I just wasn't strong enough. However, once I got back onto the primary quest line it leads me back into the area that I hadn't concerned that was more level appropriate and not grindy at all. If you are too aggressive and Kill the captains on the quests instead of recruiting you could easily turn it into a nasty grind. For those who only want to kill captains and not play the game as intended this could be seen as a Pay-to-Win, but you just need to use the Free in game currency to repopulate the dead captains. Even the Legendary Loot boxes are possible if you complete the Online Revenge quests to get the higher tier currency for FREE. You could also allow yourself to be killed to quickly repopulate if you find yourself low on currency, but I've not had this problem.

    Because of my play style the games very enjoyable, and won't require any additional purchases past the original game purchase. Though I'll probably consider future DLC expansions.    … Expand
  3. nicden70
    Oct 16, 2017
    10
    The game is amazing. Haven't touched a loot box. Have like 9000 mirian saved up. Not necessary to use. Like the first game but with cleaner gameplay. The story is fantastic. Lord of the Rings fan dream come true.
  4. Ryhelia
    Oct 21, 2017
    10
    My god...3.4 user score? 100+ people giving a 0 because of microtransactions? UGH. I wish metacritic could keep user reviews somewhat legit. I mean, one idiot wrote a whole paragraph talking about how great and addictibe the game is.....then said "but it has micro transactions so i give it a 0".

    This game is fan tastic, addictive, and by far the best game in the Tolkein universe.    My god...3.4 user score? 100+ people giving a 0 because of microtransactions? UGH. I wish metacritic could keep user reviews somewhat legit. I mean, one idiot wrote a whole paragraph talking about how great and addictibe the game is.....then said "but it has micro transactions so i give it a 0".

    This game is fan tastic, addictive, and by far the best game in the Tolkein universe. Building armies is spectacular fun. Hunting orcs is wonderful. Even the "grind" aspect is fun.

    If you don't like microtransactions transactions DONT BUY LOOT BOXES. They are unnecessary. They are for people who want to quickly breeze through the game without working for it.    … Expand
  5. ps4lover
    Oct 10, 2017
    10
    WTF Man, all people are absolutely stupid who whining and complaining about Microtransaction on games if they love games and enjoying games so far.. just ignore it and don't bother pay Microtransactions if they don't like pay for anything that interesting them. SMH. this game is hell fantastic game ever i playing on my PS4 Pro.. graphic look great but not better than AC Origins. gameplayWTF Man, all people are absolutely stupid who whining and complaining about Microtransaction on games if they love games and enjoying games so far.. just ignore it and don't bother pay Microtransactions if they don't like pay for anything that interesting them. SMH. this game is hell fantastic game ever i playing on my PS4 Pro.. graphic look great but not better than AC Origins. gameplay is great. Story is very interesting. i having alot fun playing this for 4 hours now.… Expand
  6. easterfields
    Oct 14, 2017
    10
    Anything less than a 9 for this masterpiece is a crime against gaming! This whole package is a masterpiece. People whining and wetting themselves over the loot feature havent even played the fantastic story mode. Buy this game and appreciate it for what it is, one of the most fun adventures (and best looking) around. Warning though! The AI, aka Nemesis System, is scary good.
  7. work_hard
    Oct 18, 2017
    10
    sim o jogo é bom, pessoal está hateando o jogo pelo fato de microtransações, vale a pena a compra, principalmente se você gostou do primeiro e este é uma continuação perfeita, pois está tudo melhorado, o sistema nemesis , muito mais horas de jogo, a história melhorou na minha opinião, quem gosta do universo do senhor dos anéis vai amar, alguns pontos pode não gostar se for um fã muitosim o jogo é bom, pessoal está hateando o jogo pelo fato de microtransações, vale a pena a compra, principalmente se você gostou do primeiro e este é uma continuação perfeita, pois está tudo melhorado, o sistema nemesis , muito mais horas de jogo, a história melhorou na minha opinião, quem gosta do universo do senhor dos anéis vai amar, alguns pontos pode não gostar se for um fã muito exigente , mas sim sombras da guerra é um excelente jogo e espero mais jogos dessa franquia.… Expand
  8. Steve4500
    Oct 13, 2017
    10
    For anyone with a genuine interest in this game it is worth noting straight away that you do NOT need to buy micro transactions in this game. For people who play the game how its supposed to be played (not powering through it and trying to complete in 15 hours) then your character and orc army will be more than capable to get through the final few acts.
  9. knightwhosaysni
    Oct 10, 2017
    10
    Ok let me just say one thing here: If you don't want to have the end be so grindy and **** like people are **** about, then don't power through the game. And for **** sake, would you all just shut up about the **** microtransactions. I don't like them either, which is why I AM NOT BUYING ANY **** LOOTBOXES, Besides everything I have read about them says that if you actually invest timeOk let me just say one thing here: If you don't want to have the end be so grindy and **** like people are **** about, then don't power through the game. And for **** sake, would you all just shut up about the **** microtransactions. I don't like them either, which is why I AM NOT BUYING ANY **** LOOTBOXES, Besides everything I have read about them says that if you actually invest time into the game then the lootboxes are completely unnecessary.

    Now that that is out of the way: I **** love this game already. I've defeated a **** ton of captains already and each and every one was unique and fun to fight against, required different tactics, and had different personalities.

    The combat is pretty much the same as the first game, but that's a very good thing here. The first game had amazing combat and this is no different. Its very similar to games like Assassins Creed or Batman: Arkham Asylum. One thing I love that Monolith has added to the game is dismembering enemies. It happens at random but man does it look cool when it happens.

    I like all the RPG elements that were added also. Captains, and warchiefs now drop loot that you can add to Talion to customize him as you see fit. They are also able to be broken down into Mirian, the games in game currency to buy things like gem slots for your gear.

    I haven't made it out of the first area yet, but that's because it is just jam packed with things to do and also because i want to level up my character so he isn't underpowered later on in the game. One of such things is clearing out all of the captains from the army screen. I like to think of it as sowing chaos among the ranks of Orcs, because whats an army without its captains?

    All in all, I am having a fantastic time with this game. I'll be giving an update later in the game though to see if my feelings changed.    … Expand
  10. bcdserra
    Oct 10, 2017
    10
    I'm having a lot of fun with this game, MT's or not. Gameplay, locations, atmosphere, graphics, I'm having a blast ! There have been more games with hard grinds to get endgame stuff this year, this one just gives you the choice to pay for it or not. I won't. I've grinded out Nier's true ending and +8 chips, I've grinded out Zelda's lvl 4 armors, I've grinded out Nioh's max level divineI'm having a lot of fun with this game, MT's or not. Gameplay, locations, atmosphere, graphics, I'm having a blast ! There have been more games with hard grinds to get endgame stuff this year, this one just gives you the choice to pay for it or not. I won't. I've grinded out Nier's true ending and +8 chips, I've grinded out Zelda's lvl 4 armors, I've grinded out Nioh's max level divine weapons. None of those gave me the option to pay for them. I do it because I like it. The option being there does not bother me one bit. I'll just work hard to get the best gear and max lvl orcs and if someone else wants to pay to have that it's their problem.… Expand
  11. devry12
    Dec 26, 2017
    10
    Game is amazing. Micro transations are no issue, just dont buy them at all, simple as that. I promise yoh wont care, dont lisfen to the people sayunb igs an issue, they clewrlh dont own this game lol.
  12. alijarchiie
    Oct 13, 2017
    10
    Guys i got this game 2 days ago and i found it great in every aspect so why zero everything improved i love the story . I love to be like a commander as commander Shepherd in mass effect and guide my army it feels good . maybe some fighting mechanic in the first chapter was better but it is great as a final
  13. mrichardsg
    Apr 2, 2018
    10
    I had a blast playing this game! It was so much fun, and it seems endless. I'm coming off a pretty solid bender. I love the setting more than anything. It is pretty elaborate map that you can get lost in.
  14. Nycore
    Nov 21, 2017
    10
    This is the best Lord of the Ring game you do not need to buy any loot boxes to obtain stuff more quickley. **** the haterssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  15. JoeJoeMcTwist
    Oct 13, 2017
    10
    Awesome game. I've put in about 10 hours of gameplay so far and this game is absolutely amazing. The combat has been built upon and refined in every aspect since ME:SOM. It feels as fluid as ever, with new and more brutal finishers.

    The story is ok so far but the nemesis system is where this game really shines. I haven't gotten too deep into the game yet but, I'm really enjoying the    Awesome game. I've put in about 10 hours of gameplay so far and this game is absolutely amazing. The combat has been built upon and refined in every aspect since ME:SOM. It feels as fluid as ever, with new and more brutal finishers.

    The story is ok so far but the nemesis system is where this game really shines. I haven't gotten too deep into the game yet but, I'm really enjoying the challenge of the hardest difficulty.

    Graphics look amazing. If you loved the first one, you will absolutely love this game. Don't listen to all the hate about MT, they're completely optional and they don't subtract from the experience at all.    … Expand
  16. 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
  17. Reed618
    Nov 10, 2017
    10
    This is really more of an 8/10 because of the unskippable orc intros (so annoying at times), some of the poor questlines (carnan in particular) and the fighting pits (occasionally very entertaining but often a massive pain... I hate it when my orc just stands around doing nothing until it dies)
    However I can't agree with a 3.6 so i'm trying to upvote it. There's tons to love about this    This is really more of an 8/10 because of the unskippable orc intros (so annoying at times), some of the poor questlines (carnan in particular) and the fighting pits (occasionally very entertaining but often a massive pain... I hate it when my orc just stands around doing nothing until it dies)
    However I can't agree with a 3.6 so i'm trying to upvote it. There's tons to love about this game. Huge areas to explore with lots of missions and sidequests. There's not that much narrative drive throughout but the gameplay is really fun and i like some of the twists and turns even if it did kind of crap all over the lore.
    I've finished the first 4 stages of the shadow wars end game (there are ten stages in total) and it's surprisingly fun. it's just siege missions (either defence or attack) which can be repetitive but at the same time the sieges are one of the best parts of the game so i'm spacing this part out and taking my time with it.
    All in all I can see why people are disappointed but this isn't andromeda, it's still a really good game which is a lot of fun. It's just also quite flawed in areas. I'd say pick it up on sale and give it a go. You'll probably enjoy it but don't buy loot boxes because they really aren't necessary. You can just recruit orcs during the siege missions of shadow wars, there's no need to buy them.    … Expand
  18. TheNpV
    Oct 11, 2017
    10
    Dont even read guys who write about, loot-case and microtransaction system, u can play even without this stuff, u need it ONLY if u wanna finish game faster possible, no more. Microtransaction system is Unobtrusive, u can finish game easily without even opening "shop" window. I do rly respect the creators of this game, couse they fixed all problems from previous game, even some littleDont even read guys who write about, loot-case and microtransaction system, u can play even without this stuff, u need it ONLY if u wanna finish game faster possible, no more. Microtransaction system is Unobtrusive, u can finish game easily without even opening "shop" window. I do rly respect the creators of this game, couse they fixed all problems from previous game, even some little moments like parkour mechanics. You dont even need to grind much to finish game, like some one said previously. This game is damn great, even more then just great, its perfect, if u played Shadow of Mordor, and thinking to buy this part - u must do it!
    Sorry for my bad English.
    If u play this game, u will enjoy it, only guys who didnt played, saying something about microtransaction.    … Expand
  19. starceph
    Oct 16, 2017
    10
    Mira, sabéis que? que como le dais 0 para bajar la media pues yo le doy el 10 para subirla. Segid llorando con vuestras pamplinas y vuestros "oh vamos a quejarnos de un juego que ni siquiera tenemos" que yo me lo estoy pasando bomba con el juego
  20. MG05
    Oct 11, 2017
    10
    I am not in habbit of writting long reviews but I just mention few points below.
    - The game is worth playing at least this year's best game and surely proved that as well in terms of all aspects, graphics ,story and gameplay.
    - For lootboxes which has became apple of discord for masses without any major reason as it does not effected the gameplay from any prespective as you can play    I am not in habbit of writting long reviews but I just mention few points below.
    - The game is worth playing at least this year's best game and surely proved that as well in terms of all aspects, graphics ,story and gameplay.
    - For lootboxes which has became apple of discord for masses without any major reason as it does not effected the gameplay from any prespective as you can play offline.
    - In the end go ahead dont just unllike the game beacuse of loot box thing.    … Expand
  21. scox
    Oct 12, 2017
    10
    Game is great, you don't have to use the microtransactions if you don't want to. I fully agree that having them in is total crap, but to review bomb this game over them is a bit harsh.
  22. Gouldfish44
    Oct 12, 2017
    10
    LOL my review was deleted because I called out all the ass hats giving this a 0.

    Behold! My 10/10 score has been restored! The game is better than the first, the microtransactions are in the background and not forced at you, and you certainly do not need them to beat the game. People are just following the crowd. Play it for yourself before posting a 0 just for the sake of it.
  23. PULKEMONTHE
    Oct 11, 2017
    10
    the good: big game a very open world very interesting story great gameplay and unforgettable game mechanics
    the bad: microtransactions that ruin the expreriencia for those who acquire it and bitter those who can afford it
  24. Bjaxe7
    Oct 15, 2017
    10
    This game is an absolute joy to play it has an amazing story and the game-play and especially the Nemesis System is Incredibly great those writing awful reviews clearly have no idea what this game is and have not played it , i personally haven't been able to put the game down since release day and i'm still enjoying the game after completing it. 10/10
  25. Polifius
    Oct 10, 2017
    10
    The Game is Awesome! Just fantastic. Criticisms of microtransactions are not understood because they do not influence the main game.In both playable and graphic, history, duration, everything is perfect. One of the best games I've played in years, I'm in love with the nemesis system
  26. Reagon
    Oct 10, 2017
    10
    Shadow of war shines in all its aspects. Microtransactions do not affect the playable experience at all, much less expansions are needed because the game is very complete and offers a lot of hours of fun. The nemesis system is one of the revelations of the century
  27. PsychoNinja69
    Oct 10, 2017
    10
    This game is amazing. People spamming 0 and 1 star reviews are just mad because they aren't good enough at the game to enjoy it. If you enjoyed the first game or The Witcher 3 than you will love this game.
  28. FewFew
    Oct 10, 2017
    10
    Shadow of Mordor on steroids.

    Great game; these review bombing people haven't even touched the game which shows how immature the gaming community truly has become.

    Get it, worth a buy at full price. Don't buy the MTX's if you don't want to as they are NOT needed.
  29. LRDeez
    Oct 12, 2017
    10
    Micro transactions have nothing to do with completing the game. Quit with all the whining. You are not giving a fair review and no one wins when we do this.
  30. Ashur
    Oct 10, 2017
    10
    This is Shadow of Mordor on steroids. An amazingly fun game. Just ignore all the cry-babies crying about the microtransactions. I have been playing for quite a while and barely ever came across the menu for the lootboxes or anything. Unless you are some money spending addict, you won't notice or care about them.
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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

All reviews »
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.
    Read full review
  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]
See all critic reviews »