Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

 Xbox One
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 805 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 644 out of 805
  2. Mixed: 83 out of 805
  3. Negative: 78 out of 805
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  1. RTCWFAN
    May 7, 2023
    9
    One of the best Lord of the Rings games with great gameplay and really good ideas. Even if you're not a fan of the franchise, it's a funny game from start to finish. Overall rating: 8.9.
  2. ZackH25
    May 4, 2023
    10
    Genuinely a near masterpiece. Nemesis system is one of the best parts of a game I have ever experienced. So good that Warner Bros even got a patent for it. Story was good and personal. Bosses/Warchiefs were great as well, final boss fight was a let down but that is the only proper flaw of the game. Combat is also very good as well. Took the best parts of batman and assassins creed and madeGenuinely a near masterpiece. Nemesis system is one of the best parts of a game I have ever experienced. So good that Warner Bros even got a patent for it. Story was good and personal. Bosses/Warchiefs were great as well, final boss fight was a let down but that is the only proper flaw of the game. Combat is also very good as well. Took the best parts of batman and assassins creed and made it better.… Expand
  3. Alex_Pilgrim008
    Mar 2, 2023
    8
    "Shadow of Mordor" is an open-world action title that borrows much from the "Assassin's Creed" and "Batman: Arkham" games. Based on the Middle-Earth film adaptions by Peter Jackson, it takes place between the "Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" trilogies. In the prologue, the Ranger Talion and his family are ritualistically murdered by The Black Hand of Sauron. Shortly after, he is"Shadow of Mordor" is an open-world action title that borrows much from the "Assassin's Creed" and "Batman: Arkham" games. Based on the Middle-Earth film adaptions by Peter Jackson, it takes place between the "Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" trilogies. In the prologue, the Ranger Talion and his family are ritualistically murdered by The Black Hand of Sauron. Shortly after, he is resurrected and his soul is merged with a Wraith named Celebrimbor. As a result, Talion gains the Wraith's supernatural abilities and goes on a quest to avenge the death of his loved ones.

    The game's innovative feature is the Nemesis system which affects the Orc armies in several different ways. So if you kill a Captain, power upheavals occur; other Orcs rise in rank and fight for promotions. But if the Captain survives your attacks, they’ll increase in power and change in appearance (to reflect their wounds). The Nemesis system leads to all sorts of unpredictable scenarios and that's what makes it unique. The game's progression system is more conventional. It is represented by a “tree branch” chart with different abilities you can unlock and upgrade. As you progress through the story, you'll also discover side-missions, weapon challenges, hidden artifacts and puzzle pieces.

    Surprisingly, "Shadow" is a major gorefest. You’ll decapitate countless of Orcs as you advance in the game. Another surprise is the lack of lag during encounters with numerous on-screen enemies. The framerate never falters during these intense moments of battle. Overall, “Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor” is a fun action romp. A compelling story, fluid combat, the Nemesis system and impressive production values really make it shine. It’s one of the best video game adaptions of an existing property. I would rate it with an 8.6 out of 10.    … Expand
  4. ZXSth
    Feb 25, 2023
    9
    An outstanding action-adventure game. Excellent performances from its voice cast perfectly complement how well Tolkien's world has been brought to life - these, in tandem with some of the best combat and stealth mechanics I've ever seen in a video game, made for a shockingly good experience that defies what one could ever expect from what could arguably be considered a licensed video game.An outstanding action-adventure game. Excellent performances from its voice cast perfectly complement how well Tolkien's world has been brought to life - these, in tandem with some of the best combat and stealth mechanics I've ever seen in a video game, made for a shockingly good experience that defies what one could ever expect from what could arguably be considered a licensed video game. It is only held back somewhat by a slight lack of replay value, but even that does not manage to mar what I found was an excellent experience.… Expand
  5. Art2020
    Mar 7, 2022
    8
    Good game, good combat. I really enjoyed it but I'm not likely returning to it very soon
  6. DoctorMojica
    Jan 6, 2022
    8
    Shadow of Mordor is a great adventure RPG game that feels like the perfect blend of Assassins Creed gameplay and The Lord of The Rings world. Relative short game but very enjoyable. A MUST play for Tolkien and Assasins Creed fans.
  7. simotron
    Dec 25, 2021
    9
    Although at first glance it looks like a underwhelming, repetitive Arkham clone, a really fun and unique experience is underneath. One that makes me want to explore every inch of the interesting and twisted world.
  8. Amir7scorpioN
    Dec 11, 2021
    8
    as a Fan of Lord of the Rings i loved this game... maybe i am crazy but loved it as much as the movies... this game is good
  9. Rhinochimera
    Aug 6, 2021
    8
    Shadow of Mordor is an fantastic game, the best about this game is the gameplay which is similar of the batman arkham series. The story starts strong which then become just avarage over time. There are many side missions to do and thanks to the nemesis every enemy doesnt look the same and is different variety is guaranteed.
  10. Malachi7
    Jun 3, 2021
    10
    Massive LOTR/Hobbit fan here. I love this game so much. Its the prime example of how you adapt movies into a video game. The combat system is so well made and addictive. I absolutely love the large range of abilities you can unlock. Its so, so fun. I would highly recommend this game.
  11. BilalG
    May 26, 2021
    9
    I love gameplay system specifically the new Nemesis system and the fantasy world it's beautiful and gorgeous everything in the game I love it but the story it's not that's good
  12. Sarian263
    Mar 15, 2021
    8
    I am not someone who is HUGELY invested in the LOTR lore. I know little bits here and there but not enough to call myself a die hard fan. That being said, this game is incredible and is so great at what it does.

    The best way I can describe this game, it is a mix of Assassins Creed with the parkour/climbing and stealth, Batman Arkham with its combat, and Mortal Kombat with its brutal    I am not someone who is HUGELY invested in the LOTR lore. I know little bits here and there but not enough to call myself a die hard fan. That being said, this game is incredible and is so great at what it does.

    The best way I can describe this game, it is a mix of Assassins Creed with the parkour/climbing and stealth, Batman Arkham with its combat, and Mortal Kombat with its brutal executions you can pull off. It has a great story that even someone like me could get into and understand, Somewhat open world as well and of course I HAVE to mention the Nemesis system.

    In a nutshell, the orcs have leaders who you have to take down (Mini bosses if you will) and by killing them, you can get stronger...HOWEVER, if they kill you for whatever reason or you cannot kill them and they run away, they will remember you and the next time the fight ensures, it gives you more of a incentive to get your revenge. Even the dialogue changes.

    Overall, fantastic game even coming from a LOTR noob like me!    … Expand
  13. Anatoliy_DeVile
    Feb 15, 2021
    10
    Второе моё пришествие в Мордор и, кажется, не последнее. Однозначно не последнее, потому как игра затягивает с головой. Великолепный мрачный игровой мир Мордора, кишащий толпами орков и прочей зловещей живностью, которая не даст вам покоя ни на минуту. Очень интересная история игры с наличием весьма знакомых персонажей. Прокачка скилов героя радует глаз, и вот прямо хочется усилить его поВторое моё пришествие в Мордор и, кажется, не последнее. Однозначно не последнее, потому как игра затягивает с головой. Великолепный мрачный игровой мир Мордора, кишащий толпами орков и прочей зловещей живностью, которая не даст вам покоя ни на минуту. Очень интересная история игры с наличием весьма знакомых персонажей. Прокачка скилов героя радует глаз, и вот прямо хочется усилить его по максимуму, потому как открываются для нашего Талиона бесконечные возможности уничтожения орочьего отродья: различные приемы ведения боя, тактические заморочки, бонусные усиления оружия. Потому прохождение допов видится чем-то неотвратимым. Допы, к слову, здесь весьма любопытные. Помимо стандартных дополнительных миссий, которые можно найти на карте, также очень интересно отжимать капитанов армии Саурона. Претензий к игре у меня практически нет, разве что чутка кривое управление, но это так мелочи.… Expand
  14. Tbrown5
    Dec 20, 2020
    10
    ok for me, this game is one of my GOATs, for big fan of lord of the rings, this game is everything i have ever wanted from lord of the rings/Assassins creed hack and slash single player, the story is great with memorable and awesome characters, gameplay is addictive as hell, and the nemesis system is tuned to perfection, this game is incredible, my only 2 complaints are that the stealthok for me, this game is one of my GOATs, for big fan of lord of the rings, this game is everything i have ever wanted from lord of the rings/Assassins creed hack and slash single player, the story is great with memorable and awesome characters, gameplay is addictive as hell, and the nemesis system is tuned to perfection, this game is incredible, my only 2 complaints are that the stealth movement for climbing on walls is jaincky but it can be mastered and the main story was incredible then it ended at hour 18 for me, it felt to short and was bumped when it ended, however I've always wished for a game like this, go out and buy this frickin masterpiece… Expand
  15. Dertravia
    Jul 19, 2020
    10
    anything less than a 9 is ridiculous. This game has done something never before seen in an action rpg. I named this game of the year the moment I made my first execution. If you haven't played it pick it up, its easy to pick up and get into it which is great for parents or people with busy lives and can't get involved in in depth story lines. The nemesis system is next generation.
  16. SWFan523
    Jun 21, 2020
    8
    Excellent story of revenge with a LOTR backdrop. Nemesis system is a fantastic achievement that keeps me coming back.
  17. DzmitryBoston
    Jun 11, 2020
    10
    A must own game. What a breakthrough in the game making was this game. Enjoyed every minute of the experience. Please buy and play if you have missed the game,
  18. Godcomplex1999
    Mar 12, 2020
    9
    One of the most underrated games of all time. If you like dark fantasy games this one is for you
  19. SkinnySkittles
    Nov 10, 2018
    10
    Simple yet really fun game. Very similar to an Arkham game if you have played one of them, but with LOTR lore and characters.
  20. iddqd4
    Aug 4, 2018
    8
    Взял по большой скидке 4 года спустя, совершенно не ожидая классной игры, спасибо нашему игрожуру, и был приятно удивлен. Боевка в игре получилась очень зрелищной и эпичной, рубить головы не надоедает до конца, очень жестоко и вместе с этим весело. Плюс совершенно чудесный сеттинг, отлично смоделированные, злобные орки, мрачное окружение, и вплетенное в лор ВК интересное повествование.Взял по большой скидке 4 года спустя, совершенно не ожидая классной игры, спасибо нашему игрожуру, и был приятно удивлен. Боевка в игре получилась очень зрелищной и эпичной, рубить головы не надоедает до конца, очень жестоко и вместе с этим весело. Плюс совершенно чудесный сеттинг, отлично смоделированные, злобные орки, мрачное окружение, и вплетенное в лор ВК интересное повествование. Провел в игре 30+ часов, и совершенно не разочарован. Отличная игра.… Expand
  21. Fobmcrafi6
    Jul 1, 2018
    10
    10.4 out of 10. Extra points for having so much content, even in the post-play and having it be continuously challenging and exciting. This is a perfect side-story of the LotR lore that we didn't even need which makes this game a gem. Fun vengeance on those who killed your friends online. The gameplay felt smooth yet compelling to master.
  22. kaiserkiwi
    Jun 19, 2018
    8
    Pretty good game. Even after 4 years it looks not really old or bad. Still fun.
  23. Dalray3s
    Jun 6, 2018
    8
    Me parece un juego realmente de nueva generación, pero quizás algo mas de las 20 misiones y un final mas sorprendente hace que no sea la obra de arte que puede ser.el sistema de combate como el de Batman es un gran acierto que hace las delicias del jugador, también algo escaso el sistema de mejora de habilidades y podría tener algún modo de personalizar al igual que tu apariencia.Me parece un juego realmente de nueva generación, pero quizás algo mas de las 20 misiones y un final mas sorprendente hace que no sea la obra de arte que puede ser.el sistema de combate como el de Batman es un gran acierto que hace las delicias del jugador, también algo escaso el sistema de mejora de habilidades y podría tener algún modo de personalizar al igual que tu apariencia.

    Espero y deseo una segunda parte.    … Expand
  24. Iky009
    Apr 19, 2018
    8
    The early opening hours are exciting, but plot dispersal is a problem that often makes the game monotonous and cloying, even with a plot that carries, and an incredibly fun and even ground-breaking battle system, Shadow of Mordor is far from be a masterpiece of the genre, but it's still a great RPG
  25. Azog95
    Feb 1, 2018
    8
    the game is really good, but the single player's story is so short guys, i hope in next mordor will be a long story mode.
  26. Jakius_Emrys
    Dec 30, 2017
    9
    Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor is both a combination of great story-telling, delicately crafted and interesting characters (my favourite being Ratbag the Coward), some of the best game art I've ever seen and impressive, complex (but still easy-to-use) game mechanics. And the unique Nemesis system only adds to the complexity of the game, allowing players to have a unique & differentMiddle Earth: Shadow of Mordor is both a combination of great story-telling, delicately crafted and interesting characters (my favourite being Ratbag the Coward), some of the best game art I've ever seen and impressive, complex (but still easy-to-use) game mechanics. And the unique Nemesis system only adds to the complexity of the game, allowing players to have a unique & different experience every single time, with every Uruk Captain (except for key Uruks (e.g. Gimub the Slaver, Ratbag the Coward, Brogg the Twin and Mogg the Other Twin)) being different each time the game is played. A great experience, and with interesting side-missions (if repetitive after a while). The only negative things I could say about the game is that occasionally there are Uruks with similar titles, the personalities of a lot of Uruks aren't the best, and over time, their opening lines becomes a little repetitive, but overall, a great game to buy as it is well worth the money… Expand
  27. eli_fjr
    Dec 20, 2017
    9
    Sneaky great game. No idea i was into these type of games (hack n slash) until I 100 percent completed this game.
  28. aljirik1992
    Oct 29, 2017
    8
    У вселенной Толкиена есть всё: богатый и насыщенный лор, колоритные герои и витееватые злодеи, отличный мультфильм и серия «щикарных» кинолент! Однако с играми (на мой вкус) у LotR не задавалось со времён «Возвращения Короля». Многие проекты были сделаны далеко не на коленке, однако зачастую оставались без «лица». Каких только игровых механик не перелопатили рядовые геймеры и труфанатыУ вселенной Толкиена есть всё: богатый и насыщенный лор, колоритные герои и витееватые злодеи, отличный мультфильм и серия «щикарных» кинолент! Однако с играми (на мой вкус) у LotR не задавалось со времён «Возвращения Короля». Многие проекты были сделаны далеко не на коленке, однако зачастую оставались без «лица». Каких только игровых механик не перелопатили рядовые геймеры и труфанаты вселенной «Властелина колец» и за какими только сюжетными перипетиями не наблюдали в играх по мотивам, что глядя на презентации проекта от MONOLITH, можно было в голос говорить ПЛАГИАТ. И дейсвительно от С:ТМ за версту несёт вышками «юбиков» и тумаками «человека в латексе с ушками», вот только в столь банальном амбре прослеживаются куда более завораживающие нотки в виде изысканной системы nemesis, которая тесно переплетается со способностями главных героев и хорошей сюжетной затравкой с намёком на продолжение! Но чтобы оценить весь спектр ароматов придётся довольно долго «внюхиваться», поэтому–то и 4*… Expand
  29. Locke_Cole
    Oct 16, 2017
    8
    Shadow of Mordor es un juego recomendable pues realiza dos cuestiones extrañas de ver en un mismo videojuego, por un lado depura y por el otro innova. Lo primero está relacionado a su sistema de juego, es un Assassins Creed en cuanto a mecánicas de infiltración y movilidad y lo hace mucho mejor que los AC. En el sistema de combate es muy similar a los juegos de la saga Batman Arkham,Shadow of Mordor es un juego recomendable pues realiza dos cuestiones extrañas de ver en un mismo videojuego, por un lado depura y por el otro innova. Lo primero está relacionado a su sistema de juego, es un Assassins Creed en cuanto a mecánicas de infiltración y movilidad y lo hace mucho mejor que los AC. En el sistema de combate es muy similar a los juegos de la saga Batman Arkham, mantiene la base pero agrega ciertas particularidades asociadas a la lucha con espadas y armas de corte medieval.

    Sin embargo lo que para mi lo hace recomendable es la implementación del sistema némesis, el cual consiste en la forja de una relación entre tu y un enemigo cualquier del juego la cual se va viendo condicionada por las veces que te mate y como eso va generando que vaya ascendiendo dentro del ejercito de Sauron. Esto genera que no hayan dos experiencias de juego iguales.

    Como mundo abierto es genérico, tiene coleccionables random y que aportan poco. El mapa no está especialmente inspirado y la música es poco memorable. Técnicamente estaba bien en su época, pero se nota que está amarrado a la anterior generación por tener una versión en esas consolas. Su mayor error es que siendo un juego basado en un mundo literario tan rico y profundo tiene una historia y unos personajes horribles. A mi al menos no me importó ninguno, no tuvieron desarrollo, no pasó nada interesante en la historia y el motivo por el cual estamos en guerra con los orcos es lo de menos. Juego recomendado por sus mecánicas y por el sistema némesis. No vengas acá esperando una historia interesante por estar basado en la Tierra Media.    … Expand
  30. SuperkenGaming
    Aug 6, 2017
    8
    Middle Earth Shadow of Mordor
    When Batman meets Assassins Creed
    Middle Earth Shadow of Mordor is an action adventure game where you play as Talion, going after the black hand after he does something in the beginning of the game that I wont spoil… But part of that something is killing you.. That’s right.. youre dead… sort of… Youre stuck in limbo and seeking revenge.. but you soon find    Middle Earth Shadow of Mordor
    When Batman meets Assassins Creed
    Middle Earth Shadow of Mordor is an action adventure game where you play as Talion, going after the black hand after he does something in the beginning of the game that I wont spoil…
    But part of that something is killing you..
    That’s right.. youre dead… sort of…
    Youre stuck in limbo and seeking revenge.. but you soon find out youre attached to Elf Lord Celebrimbor who is also after the black hand… and with his power you turn into an assassins creed fans dream…
    You can hop from these towers and really any location without taking damage leap of faith style..
    The game is set in an open world takes place on 2 maps
    and you can unlock fast travel points on the maps by climbing towers like assassins creed..
    Climbing in this game is automatic, done by just holding down a button which can make for some frustrating getaway moments during combat as expected..
    not as smoth as the later installments of assassins creed has become..
    but these maps are crawling with side missions power struggles and collectables…
    And there is actual incentive to star aside from the main story thanks to the different skill trees and leveling system in this game..
    You of course aqquire skills by leveling up from killing orcs and completing quests… this lets you unlock new skilsl in your skill tree..
    But to unlock more tiers in your skill tree you need more power..
    power is acquired by taking out orcs in saurans army..
    The first half of the game is all about climbing your way through the orc ranks and taking out the 5 warchiefs..
    you do this by grabbing orcs, enetering their brains,, and getting intel on your target..
    this intel will tell you their location, their strengths, power and their weaknesses…
    And once you feel youre prepared to take them down you can go into a power struggle to eliminate them..
    But you have to be sure youre ready because of the games nemesis system…
    the combat here is fairly simple and plays like the batman arkham games and the ps3 assassins creed games…
    you can stealth kill enemies from bushes, ledges, behind, or from above.. use your bow to head shot or zip through thin air for a devastating blow.. ride in on the back of an animal or monster you’ve taimed in the wild..
    or you can go in batman style countering attacks and going for annoying finishers that take 20 years to pull off and are nearly impossible to pull off outside of a main mission…
    This is my biggest complaint with the entire game…
    These missions to dethrone orcs are extremely frustrating because the game expects you to be able to take on 30 at a time while in the story they only ask you to deal with like 5 or 6 at a time..
    The variety here is a lot like the arkham games where you eventually have to stun enemies or jump over their shields just to make things more frustrating…
    but every time you go to do a ground finisher itss get broken up because it takes so long to pull off, thankfully you are eventually able to pull of moves like executions once you get a hit streak going of 8 and later 5, but this doesn’t help these encounters from feeling cheap…
    if you do get knocked down,. You will.. a lot.. you have the opportunity to do a quick time event to get up again 2 or 3 times.. but eventually you will just die or if you mess up youll just die,,
    And dying makes things even worse as the orc that kills you will remember you, they get promoted in the ranks, and their power ioncreases making them even harder to take care of the next time…
    And then there are the collectibles and sidemissions that increase your attribvutes like health as well as open rune slots for your sword, bow, and dagger, these runes are picked up off of warchiefs and captains…
    Who also act as bodyguards…
    so its important to take out a targets bodyguards before you attack them to make your encounter easier…
    during the 2nd half of this 12 hours game.. you have to go through the same system..
    this time however youre tasked with making your own army out of these orcs so you can challenge the black hand.. and you do this by your new ability to brand them..
    Your goal is to now find a target and get them on your side..
    you can either go right to a bodybuard or help your newly owed orc captain prove himself and become a bodybuard..    … Expand
  31. Jason2k20
    Apr 17, 2017
    8
    This game can be a challenge. You have to plan strategically your battles or you will get owned in battle . Once you pick your battles you become a hardened warrior. Thats the brilliance of this game! Cant wait for shadow of war.
  32. NexusTsunami
    Jan 22, 2017
    8
    Wuchtiges und spektakuläres Kampfsystem mit der Prise Massenschlacht... oder eher einer gegen alle :-). Mordors Schatten bietet ein Freeflow Kampfsystem der Extraklasse mit dem gewissen Anteil an Assassins Creed sowie einem Hauch RPG Element - alles fein serviert in der Welt Tolkien´s.

    Das Nemesis System ist einzigartig und würde dem Spiel das Sahnehäupchen aufsetzen. Wäre da nicht die    Wuchtiges und spektakuläres Kampfsystem mit der Prise Massenschlacht... oder eher einer gegen alle :-). Mordors Schatten bietet ein Freeflow Kampfsystem der Extraklasse mit dem gewissen Anteil an Assassins Creed sowie einem Hauch RPG Element - alles fein serviert in der Welt Tolkien´s.

    Das Nemesis System ist einzigartig und würde dem Spiel das Sahnehäupchen aufsetzen. Wäre da nicht die magere Story und die geringe Spielzeit. Außerdem fehlen mir persönlich Charaktere in der Spielewelt, die Tolkien´s Werke so ausgemacht haben. Interaktion mit NPC´s ist kaum gegeben... liegt aber vermutlich auch etwas an der Umgebung in der man sich bewegt. Na zumindest spricht ab und an mein Erz(ork)feind zu mir... :-)    … Expand
  33. YanMetal
    Oct 13, 2016
    9
    It's a cool game. After a while some quests are through repetitive, but that when the game is already finished. the only fault it is that the final boss is ridiculous hardly believe it. But overall this is a pretty cool game played around 20h.
  34. Alex_Pilgrim
    Sep 23, 2016
    9
    In a way, “Shadow of Mordor” is a quality title nearly as good as “Batman: Arkham Asylum” and “Assassin’s Creed II”. While the game borrows aspects from both, it also stands apart with its own innovative feature, the Nemesis system. Based on the Middle Earth film adoptions by Peter Jackson, “Shadow of Mordor” acts as a bridge between “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. ItIn a way, “Shadow of Mordor” is a quality title nearly as good as “Batman: Arkham Asylum” and “Assassin’s Creed II”. While the game borrows aspects from both, it also stands apart with its own innovative feature, the Nemesis system. Based on the Middle Earth film adoptions by Peter Jackson, “Shadow of Mordor” acts as a bridge between “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. It also introduces a new protagonist, a ranger named Talion. During the prologue, Talion and his family are ritualistically killed by The Black Hand of Sauron. However, Talion is merged with the wraith of an Elf Lord named Celebrimbor and gains wraith-like abilities. Shortly after, they embark on a quest to avenge the deaths of their loved ones. If it sounds a little like a Middle Earth version of “The Crow”, it really isn’t. 

    This is an open-world action game very similar to Ubi Soft’s “Assassin’s Creed” and “Far Cry 3” in terms of structure. It also features the intuitive combat system introduced in “Batman: Arkham Asylum”. What it brings to the table is the Nemesis system which affects the Orc armies in several different ways. For instance, if you kill a Captain, power shifts as the other Orcs rise in rank and fight for promotions. If a Captain survives your attacks, they’ll increase in power and change in appearance (to reflect their wounds). As you progress, you’ll eventually gain the ability to pit Orcs against each other. It’s a brilliant innovative feature that brings a sense of unpredictability to the battlefield.  

    The core gameplay of SOM is a hack n’ slash affair with plenty of side-missions and objects scattered throughout the map. The progression system is similar to the one featured in “Far Cry 3”. There is a “tree branch” chart that represents the different groups of abilities you can earn and upgrade. And just like in the 2013 reboot of “Tomb Raider”, you can discover hidden objects that reveal information about the past. Rated ‘M’ for bloody violence, this game is a major gorefest. You’ll decapitate countless of Orcs as you progress through the game. In fact, one of the most impressive features of SOM is the lack of lag during encounters with numerous enemies on-screen. The framerate never falters during these intense moments. 

    Overall, “Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor” is a near masterpiece of the hack n’ slash genre. The Nemesis system, a solid story, smooth combat mechanics and impressive production values really make it shine. It’s an example of how to make a really good action game based on an existing property. I’d rank it with a 9 out of 10.      
         … Expand
  35. cort
    May 4, 2016
    8
    Good game. Good gameplay and amazing kill sequences. I also love the cutscenes when you first encounter an Orc warlord or boss. Combat is addictive but combat is not as good as Batman Arkham knight.
  36. McNutt
    Mar 1, 2016
    10
    The game is really fun. You'll enjoy this game even if you don't like Lord of The Rings. Combat is great., beautiful graphics, good character development, and a unique game play system that has you take down an ever changing orc hierarchy from within.
  37. gameguardian21
    Feb 22, 2016
    8
    This is the lord of the rings game we all have been waiting for. While things could have been improved, I still enjoyed the game. First, I enjoyed the combat alot. It feels like the batman arkham games, but with a sword. You can also decapitate enemys, which is better to do than to watch. The graphics are great, detailing middle earth like never before. The missions in this game can beThis is the lord of the rings game we all have been waiting for. While things could have been improved, I still enjoyed the game. First, I enjoyed the combat alot. It feels like the batman arkham games, but with a sword. You can also decapitate enemys, which is better to do than to watch. The graphics are great, detailing middle earth like never before. The missions in this game can be difficult, but fun to play. The only thing I dont like about this game is the story. I liked the begining, but as it kept going, I got bored and uninterested. At least the story is acted good. Besides that, I liked everything else.… Expand
  38. DanielwWhite
    Dec 18, 2015
    9
    Shadow of Mordor is a really good game. It has a good story with great game play and challenges. The story is not totally accurate with the LOTR storyline.
  39. ScottishGamer91
    Nov 26, 2015
    9
    No game this generation has so far surprised me as much as Shadow of Mordor. Gameplay and graphics are stunning. The story is great, but the ending is lacking a tad. Always great to see Nolan North and Troy Baker in a game together.
  40. Krakoos
    Nov 15, 2015
    8
    I enjoyed this game. Perfect mixture of Batman and AC in LOTR universe. However some new ideas make this game outstanding. Bloody and violent with some dose of humour. Best fun starts with combat. Only first half on the game is challenging. Later on after many upgrades our character is to powerful. I expected more from last boss, but overall the game is enjoyable
  41. michivarela
    Nov 9, 2015
    9
    A real surprise. The way you use orcs to fight against each other is genius, and there's a real sense of development in the game. I felt like the story could have been more captivating, and the ending felt a bit weak to me. But the amount of fun I've spent slaughtering orcs make it a must-play for me.
  42. Bulfinch
    Oct 20, 2015
    9
    I finish the game and really enjoyed it. How often do you say that these days? For me not frequently enough, but with SoM I can say it was a good story, with good game mechanics, with just the right amount of difficulty and nothing too tedious. Play it.
  43. Amirhossein96
    Sep 15, 2015
    9
    one of the best game that adopted from tolkien books. Middle Earth is one of the best game of 2014. only problem is that there is really lack of side mission.
  44. alex007
    Aug 24, 2015
    8
    Monolith's "Shadow of Mordor" combines the open-world adventure of "Assassin's Creed" with the combat system of the "Batman: Arkham" games. It even borrows a little from "Far Cry 3" in terms of the wildlife. But the feature that makes "Shadow" a classic is the Nemesis system which will probably be copied for many years to come. The game places you in the footsteps of Ranger named Talion,Monolith's "Shadow of Mordor" combines the open-world adventure of "Assassin's Creed" with the combat system of the "Batman: Arkham" games. It even borrows a little from "Far Cry 3" in terms of the wildlife. But the feature that makes "Shadow" a classic is the Nemesis system which will probably be copied for many years to come. The game places you in the footsteps of Ranger named Talion, whose family is ritually sacrificed by The Black Hand of Sauron. Talion seeks revenge gaining Wraith-like abilities from an Elf Lord of the past. While on his mission, he crosses path with Gollum who is seeking one of the Power Rings made by the elves. This prequel of LOTR packs in lots of bloody action with some stealth segments, and while it can get a tad bit repetitive, it's still a lot of fun. Along with the usual side-quests, optional challenges and scattered icons, "Mordor" also includes the Nemesis System which can be used to distribute power through the ranks of the Orc armies by strategically engaging enemies or interrupting their duels. You'll also constantly run into Orc Captains who you'll either kill or be killed by. Every time you die, their power increases making the game increasingly difficult. Like in plenty of other modern action titles, you'll gain different combat abilities as you progress which helps keep the action fresh. The engaging cutscenes, solid graphics and strong voice acting add to the cinematic flair. Overall, "Shadow of Mordor" is a solid actioner and will certainly please fans of the franchise. 8.4 out of 10.… Expand
  45. TheSquirrel
    Aug 22, 2015
    10
    A must play open world stealth combat masterpiece. Good graphics, excellent story, excellent score, great pace and feel, this game blew away all expectations I had for it. The nemesis system works, the combat flows beautifully, and the variety of approaches available to the player ensure that you do things the way you want to.
    I will caution that the game can be very difficult and you    A must play open world stealth combat masterpiece. Good graphics, excellent story, excellent score, great pace and feel, this game blew away all expectations I had for it. The nemesis system works, the combat flows beautifully, and the variety of approaches available to the player ensure that you do things the way you want to.
    I will caution that the game can be very difficult and you will die, but even here death is an integral part of the game and plays a part in the ever evolving world.
    That may be this games greatest achievement, the feeling that you are in a world with a life of it's own, and yet everything you do effects that world and how it grows.    … Expand
  46. Hulsee47
    Aug 18, 2015
    8
    Solid 8.

    MAIN GOOD.
    Boss cut scenes and ranking system +3
    Combat along with death animations +2
    Long and tough main storyline +3

    MAIN BAD
    Not a wide variety of NEW bosses -1
    Some repetitive missions -1
  47. PoorManStanding
    Jul 2, 2015
    9
    I personally don't know why I bought this, I do not remember but man I enjoyed it to the fullest. The story is kinda weak but it manages with the nemesis system.

    The nemesis system is the core to the whole game. How the nemesis system make this game awesome is unbelievable. The nemesis system is an awesome system that makes enemies strength, memory and fighting style completely random    I personally don't know why I bought this, I do not remember but man I enjoyed it to the fullest. The story is kinda weak but it manages with the nemesis system.

    The nemesis system is the core to the whole game. How the nemesis system make this game awesome is unbelievable. The nemesis system is an awesome system that makes enemies strength, memory and fighting style completely random and a joy to test out. How your enemies remember your last encounter with them is just awesome and makes it even more exciting to fight them again.

    The fights may or may not be rewarding considering everything is random. Loot and enemy in general are random. This is also a reason why the nemesis system can be a little bit stupid sometimes. If you die, your enemies gets stronger and may be awarded with captain status or worse at the beginning of the game which may also cause heavy frustration and hours of playing in one certain area because you can't kill the enemy that killed you before. Warning: TRY TO AVOID DEATH AT ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

    The graphics are incredible and even better with rain. Cannot understand why some people say it's last gen graphics.

    The side quest are useful to do, but damn it is boring sometimes and that made me avoid any of those until the end of the game.

    I strongly recommend this game because of my experience with the game and also it got GOTY award. (Game of the Year)    … Expand
  48. AlpaChino800
    Jun 28, 2015
    8
    Great game, but main game play is not new concepts. Parkour from Assassins Creed, combat from Batman Arkham series. It still just works as an entertaining game.
  49. rcandini
    Jun 26, 2015
    9
    Good graphics, nice gameplay, very nice story and missions. I didn't like the way it ends, but this is my personal opinion and doesn't matter to my score whatsoever. The game mixes everything good of the Batman's arkham series and Assassins Creed without getting boring. Some missions can be repetitive some times but slaying orcs is priceless. Fan of LOTR? So it is a must have. And a pieceGood graphics, nice gameplay, very nice story and missions. I didn't like the way it ends, but this is my personal opinion and doesn't matter to my score whatsoever. The game mixes everything good of the Batman's arkham series and Assassins Creed without getting boring. Some missions can be repetitive some times but slaying orcs is priceless. Fan of LOTR? So it is a must have. And a piece of advice: although it might be thrilling to jump in head on a army of orcs, a little bit of strategy is required. Every time you die the game gets a little harder, and that's why it don't get a 10 score for me.… Expand
  50. Jammiemann
    Jun 7, 2015
    8
    Ok every one raged about this game saying its amazing and how perfect it is, its not perfect but its good. The world is big, the story is well done, but it feel very very batman arkham insert which you liked best like. The combat is smooth but allot of it is quick time events press y now to parry it feels like its holding your hand and it gets annoying. it does start to get a little dullOk every one raged about this game saying its amazing and how perfect it is, its not perfect but its good. The world is big, the story is well done, but it feel very very batman arkham insert which you liked best like. The combat is smooth but allot of it is quick time events press y now to parry it feels like its holding your hand and it gets annoying. it does start to get a little dull once you realize you are better of just stealth killing everything which is fun but in such a big world the sneak kill sneak hide gets very very tiresome.… Expand
  51. WrathOfTheFin
    May 18, 2015
    10
    What could I say about this game. I could speak for hours about its sheer brilliance e but instead I will say a few words to make you get this game: living open world, intriguing story, pitch-perfect real time and Slo-Mo combat, ambitious and perfect nemesis system, amount of content and moneys worth. A masterpiece!

    As you can see. I love this game!!!!!!!!!
  52. Grantith
    May 10, 2015
    9
    Very fun to play, combat system is fantastic may seem a bit repetitive in the beginning but that goes away as you progress through the rest of the game.
  53. tomenigma
    Apr 28, 2015
    10
    Having just finished this game I must say it is my favourite game of 2015 so far. The combat is awesome and final brutal kills are very satisfying (in the gaming sense of course). Nemesis system randomizes everything for you so no two players will have the same gameplay. Your dead empowers your opponents and you can make some enemies encounters very difficult if you do not plan yourHaving just finished this game I must say it is my favourite game of 2015 so far. The combat is awesome and final brutal kills are very satisfying (in the gaming sense of course). Nemesis system randomizes everything for you so no two players will have the same gameplay. Your dead empowers your opponents and you can make some enemies encounters very difficult if you do not plan your mission well. The stealth is very important and personal threats of your opponents are adding more layers to the game. If you like Assassin's Creed this game is for you. It is not as forgiving or easy as AC but this game will sink you in and in time you will master your combat skills making game much more enjoyable. My only beef with this game is that final two bosses fights were ridiculously easy to the point that I was surprised that the same devs who developed the 95% of game simply overlooked the final 5% of it to make the ending epic. There few bugs with camera but this game overall was great fun and worth every penny. I only could wish that Assassin's Creed could take Nemesis system and incorporate it there. I also hope for Shadow of Morder 2 to continue Tallion's adventurous fight against army of Sauron. Awesome job Monolith!… Expand
  54. xbeefsupreme27x
    Mar 23, 2015
    9
    A combination of the traversal/stealth of Assassin's Creed with the combat mechanics of the Arkham series brings us one of the best AAA titles of 2014. I'd even recommend this title to people who are not fans of the Middle Earth lore. Fans of stealth/ action games should not pass this one up.
  55. Armygamer91
    Mar 20, 2015
    8
    A great game! It blends things from open world classics like infamous and Assassins Creed with Arkham series like combat. The nemesis system is great. Some of the enemies really rank up into beasts that are tough to take down so you better be tactical and smart about going at them.
  56. Virok
    Mar 19, 2015
    10
    I am really enjoying and addicted by this game.
    They way you get involved with The hierarchy of Orcs, the side quests and the main quest it self.
    The "Batman" fighting style is also very good.

    For a long time I haven't been addicted by any game, and this one just broke the streak :)
    I do recommend this game.
  57. FanboyA
    Mar 3, 2015
    8
    Everything is great! Well most things were. Combat is fun and fluid. The brutal execution moves are always a joy. Although hard the game is still fair.... Usually. The control scheme and camera can be terrible sometimes. But other than that it's a decent game. It's proof that not all movie titles are bad.
  58. dfelesina
    Mar 2, 2015
    9
    Deserves to be game of the year. The gameplay is incredibly fun; borrowing (not stealing) from Assassin's Creed and the Arkham games to create a fun world to play in. The nemesis system keeps each gamer's gameplay experience unique. The story is short and to the point, and wraps itself up well. The only problem is with the games final two bosses. Not much skill is required as it mostlyDeserves to be game of the year. The gameplay is incredibly fun; borrowing (not stealing) from Assassin's Creed and the Arkham games to create a fun world to play in. The nemesis system keeps each gamer's gameplay experience unique. The story is short and to the point, and wraps itself up well. The only problem is with the games final two bosses. Not much skill is required as it mostly devolves into quicktime events. However, it is a very fun game.… Expand
  59. nightblade00
    Feb 24, 2015
    8
    A solid 52 hours worth of Uruk killing fun. Came away very impressed with the nemesis system and pretty interesting way they made the forging of the rings of power come to life on the screen. This was not the AAA game I was expecting to be playing this year, but I loved the surprise and hope the company stays in this genre and moves on to bigger and better things in the future.
  60. JHM00
    Feb 22, 2015
    9
    This game is incredibly fun. The combat is amazing, the map is beautiful, and some of the characters are EXCELLENT!!! However, the game can get a bit repetitive, because it is basically only about killing orcs, and the story is a bit lackluster. However, this is a phenomenal game that is tons of fun to play, and achingly beautiful.
  61. Bjolley35
    Feb 18, 2015
    9
    It was the first game that felt Next-Gen to me, and one of the best I've played on the Xbox one so far. Incredible experience the first time through, Beautiful graphics, Non-stop action packed fun, I haven't run through it a second time, so it hasn't been pulling me to play it again. That's the only reason I'm not giving it a 10, but I would say it more of a 9.5
    P.S. The unquestioned best    It was the first game that felt Next-Gen to me, and one of the best I've played on the Xbox one so far. Incredible experience the first time through, Beautiful graphics, Non-stop action packed fun, I haven't run through it a second time, so it hasn't been pulling me to play it again. That's the only reason I'm not giving it a 10, but I would say it more of a 9.5
    P.S. The unquestioned best Middle-Earth game I've ever played.    … Expand
  62. roady73
    Feb 7, 2015
    10
    Excellent game! Best console game I have played in years. Nothing I dislike, other than the fact that the story line/quests/side missions, etc. were too short.
  63. MitchellHaglund
    Jan 30, 2015
    10
    I'm gonna keep this simple. The combat, world, graphics, and gameplay are utterly amazing. I can't say much more than this is one of my favorite games of all time. Easy. A must-own.
  64. Movi3R3vi3wer
    Jan 19, 2015
    9
    One of the most enjoyable game I've played in a long time. Probably since Skyrim, three years ago. If you are a fan of Lord of the Rings/Hobbit, The Batman Arkham series and games in general you will love this I promise you.
  65. Snoopy101
    Jan 18, 2015
    9
    This game really surprised me!! I though it would be a rip off of the assassins creed and batman arkham games but it really did a lot to set itself apart from those games. First of all the combat is very similar to the arkham series but I like this even more because of the utter violence of it. Decapitating Uruks over and over again never gets old. Also the stealth and parkour really worksThis game really surprised me!! I though it would be a rip off of the assassins creed and batman arkham games but it really did a lot to set itself apart from those games. First of all the combat is very similar to the arkham series but I like this even more because of the utter violence of it. Decapitating Uruks over and over again never gets old. Also the stealth and parkour really works well and it's a ton of fun. The thing that really makes this game addicting is the nemesis system and the fact that every death matters. This is definitely my favorite LOTR game to date and I really hope they make a sequel.… Expand
  66. Jaymundo87
    Jan 14, 2015
    9
    Incredible game, a lesson in how to do things right. It has original ideas, nice graphics, a ton of lore and a good solid plot. DLC is coming thick and fast and is well worth grabbing a season pass for. Only downside is the controls can be a bit clunky at first and the system for restoring health in my opinion is a bit lame, over than that a strong candidate for GOTY
  67. PrattHat20
    Jan 13, 2015
    9
    Awesome game with very fun combat. The "nemesis system" is what really put this game over the top for me and kept me coming back to it. The story isn't all that great but I really enjoyed playing as Talion. Definately the best LOTR game I've ever played with tons of Easter eggs and cool references for fans of the franchise. Do not overlook this game!!!
  68. SilentSlay3r
    Jan 9, 2015
    10
    I loved this game. The controls reminded me of assassins creed but this is ten times better. I love the upgrades and runes you can add to your ranger. But adding just the right runes can make the game a little too easy. I would easily recommend this game to anyone.
  69. GODofGINGERS89
    Jan 8, 2015
    9
    Alright I got this game for christmas, and on a whim decided to play it. Before then i'd never even heard of this game, or even read any reviews. Instantly I was hooked. Beautiful graphics (blew Dragon Age: Inquisition out of the water visually), fluid gameplay and a compelling story line. Good to learn more of the lore behind the rings of power. Hopefully they will expand this game,Alright I got this game for christmas, and on a whim decided to play it. Before then i'd never even heard of this game, or even read any reviews. Instantly I was hooked. Beautiful graphics (blew Dragon Age: Inquisition out of the water visually), fluid gameplay and a compelling story line. Good to learn more of the lore behind the rings of power. Hopefully they will expand this game, because 38 hours in and i'm completed with all I want to (even the DLC). They need to expand the story line and make the missions have more variety, for once you level up high, all combat is essentially the same and the game gets too easy. GREAT GAME… Expand
  70. RP421969
    Jan 7, 2015
    8
    Good game, I enjoyed the lands of Mordor more than I thought, it's no DAI but it certainly delivers on the action and environment, but I can't help the feeling that the hero was trained by batman, or perhaps the other way around?
  71. Jenkins
    Jan 6, 2015
    8
    It's good!
    Fighting Uruks feels immensely satisfying and it can be quite addictive. The biggest addition comes in the Nemesis system, which generates an Uruk heirarchy for you to screw with. I had one uruk whom I had been constantly chasing across merry Mordor due to his innate capacity for retreating. By the hundredth retreat he had garnered so much power that he was now an unstoppable    It's good!
    Fighting Uruks feels immensely satisfying and it can be quite addictive. The biggest addition comes in the Nemesis system, which generates an Uruk heirarchy for you to screw with. I had one uruk whom I had been constantly chasing across merry Mordor due to his innate capacity for retreating. By the hundredth retreat he had garnered so much power that he was now an unstoppable machine. But in the end he fell at the hand of my blade and to see his cowardly reign come crashing down after we had such a rich and lengthy rivalry was actually kinda sad - I'll never forget you, Feldush the Poet.

    There's obviously some crap points to the game. The story doesn't deviate from your run-of-the mill grimdark fantasy and the characters are so stilted that you would think they were crafted from actual pine-wood. There's also not much variety in it's gameplay because while the combat is a sadists wet dream, the mechanics barely deviate from killing uruks. So if that aspect of this game doesn't interest you, then not much else will.

    When I got bored of Middle Earth, I was initially disappointed and intending to give it a 7 because I guess I had expected to pull more out of it. That was until I checked my game time. Unbeknownst to me I had spent fifty hours (not in one sitting, of course) slashing uruk throats and branding future war-kings. Fifty goddamn hours! How time flies in Mordor. The fact that fifty hours passed me by without a second thought is enough to recommend a purchase - especially if you're a fan of Arkham or Assassins Creed.    … Expand
  72. Arseniaa
    Dec 30, 2014
    10
    I really really enjoyed this game - once I got into it. At the beginning it's really tough but as your Character builds his skills things get really fun. I loved the WarChief system. Just keep in mind the end of the game is quite easy and not all that tough, that said this actually makes a lot of sense due to all the building you've done throughout the game.
  73. MacauDragon
    Dec 28, 2014
    10
    One of the best games ever, works smoothly. Great features GTA creators should learn how to use movement with obstacles in the game.
    I expect more worlds and missions in the near future.

    This is a 10 game so far.
  74. tybyrd93
    Dec 26, 2014
    9
    Great game. I was skeptical because of all the comparisons to assassin's creed but Shadow of Mordor is a triumph of its own. The combat is similar to the arkham series, which is a good thing, and the game encourages you to take a different approach to every situation. The nemesis system is my favorite part of the game, it makes every fight and mission feel unique and purposeful.
  75. zonatedmule
    Dec 23, 2014
    8
    The game is great because combine the best things of two games like Assassin's Creed and Batman's games. The history is great and graphically is awesome. The first problem of this game is the amount of movements that the character has and the game is not to short but no to large that one player can expect in a single player game.
  76. Kierphe
    Dec 16, 2014
    9
    It's a little too sandbox-ey for its own sake, but the game is an expertly executed combination of Batman:Arkham Asylum's combat and Assassin's Creed's climbing/open-world style gameplay. The graphics are amazing, the voice acting is impressive, and the music is competent. Loved it as a whole.
  77. Jacer200
    Dec 14, 2014
    9
    This is the best Assassins Creed game i've ever played!! But with all seriousness this game was really fun. Only about 15 hours of main story missions but still fun. The VO was great and the music was good. The first half was slow to pick up but once the second act kicked in. It was great. Fans of true lore will be very disappointed.
  78. Robbie1982
    Dec 9, 2014
    9
    Great first entry / New IP that lacks Polish. I played the 360 version to 50 hours (a poor port if ever I played one ! But still worth a buy on the cheap) surprised myself by grabbing a XBO in sales and did not hesitate to buy this game again [I got it for 19.99 also in the sales]. I had not played the Batman games - But will go play Arkham City now because I have really enjoyed the combatGreat first entry / New IP that lacks Polish. I played the 360 version to 50 hours (a poor port if ever I played one ! But still worth a buy on the cheap) surprised myself by grabbing a XBO in sales and did not hesitate to buy this game again [I got it for 19.99 also in the sales]. I had not played the Batman games - But will go play Arkham City now because I have really enjoyed the combat in this game. The mechanics are solid and enjoyable and the progress system is rewarding and well paced. However imo the rewards for side missions are lacking (skins, custom runes - not seen anything like that yet). The main negatives with this game to me are that the maps could be bigger / more varied (although in this age we are spoilt and many games have maps that are far far too big for my tastes) and the game also lacks variety. However that's a criticism you can level at most games. At least this game is very good at what it does at its core !! Also given how big the LOT cannon seems to be even in the films, It would have been nice to have a few more creatures, some missions as the Elven lord (just one taster included free then the rest in DLC would have been great) So yeah, all in all a really enjoyable game that can easily go up a point with some original DLC, As many have pointed out the subject matter could also be used to elevate this game if they dare to tackle it a little bit more. To Talions Credit he does at least pause for thought....before bending thousands of Orcs to his will to suit his own ends ! [I also really liked all the characters in this. They all seemed to have personalities and motives and were well acted etc ] 8.5 out of 10… Expand
  79. Overload8
    Dec 6, 2014
    8
    Shadow of Mordor has a great story, but you feel tired after killing thousands of enemies, It`s not a bad game but i expected more lord of the rings..
  80. Cpt_Commander
    Dec 4, 2014
    8
    I have been addicted to this game since I bought it. The combat is super fun and the skill tree is great but most of my enjoyment comes from upsetting the structure of the Uruk army by hunting down captains and war chiefs than from the main story. My biggest issue with the game are the forgettable story and uninteresting and simple boss fights. I was hoping to have some great battle withI have been addicted to this game since I bought it. The combat is super fun and the skill tree is great but most of my enjoyment comes from upsetting the structure of the Uruk army by hunting down captains and war chiefs than from the main story. My biggest issue with the game are the forgettable story and uninteresting and simple boss fights. I was hoping to have some great battle with the Black Hand but *SPOILER* it ended up being a quick time event *END of SPOILER* This may be because I unlocked the entire skill tree and the special sword and knife abilities before beating the game but I imagine most people will do that. There were some low level captains that put up better and more interesting fights than any of the boss battles. This game would be a 10 if the story was more memorable and the boss fights were challenging but they aren't.… Expand
  81. BZGames
    Dec 1, 2014
    8
    The Game is fun and if I were to describe it I would say its Arkham Asylum In Middle Earth but the problem is the length, the story is 4-5 hours long but all the side missions and collectibles fluff it up to about 8 Hours, but the game has so much replayability so you will be getting what you paid for.
  82. cranknnutz
    Dec 1, 2014
    9
    This is a fantastic game. The story is good. The graphics are incredible. The combat is amazing. I'll have to admit that I was frustrated in the beginning due to a lot of deaths. Things change a lot once you get some experience, unlock powerful abilities, and find stat increasing runes for your sword, bow, and dagger. The balance of power definitely changes to your side as you startThis is a fantastic game. The story is good. The graphics are incredible. The combat is amazing. I'll have to admit that I was frustrated in the beginning due to a lot of deaths. Things change a lot once you get some experience, unlock powerful abilities, and find stat increasing runes for your sword, bow, and dagger. The balance of power definitely changes to your side as you start killing orcs in so many different ways. The game can still be very challenging at times, but in a fair way. I've played almost 20 hours and haven't hit 50% completion yet. I tend to explore a lot and kill everything in sight though. If you're only interested in the game for the main story, then it's worth it. However if you want to complete everything that the game has to offer, then this is an absolutely awesome game.… Expand
  83. JCOOL
    Dec 1, 2014
    8
    For the first few hours I was hooked to this games sandbox style action. Fun anc challenging gameplay along with the constant Orc ranking system as you slash your weigh to the top of the foodchain. Story really is nothing special but the only thing that I believe held this games back was the repetitive objectives.
  84. aramkiss
    Nov 30, 2014
    9
    This game is very addictive to play. Normally I like playing multiplayer only games only because single player games get boring pretty fast. In the case of SOM the key thing that makes this game unique is the Nemesis system. Basic idea of Nemesis system is game makes a unique set of enemies that you need to defeat in order to complete game. When your defeated by any of these enemies theThis game is very addictive to play. Normally I like playing multiplayer only games only because single player games get boring pretty fast. In the case of SOM the key thing that makes this game unique is the Nemesis system. Basic idea of Nemesis system is game makes a unique set of enemies that you need to defeat in order to complete game. When your defeated by any of these enemies the individuals grow more powerful and move up in rank. I did not realize the impact to the game until I started getting killed by these enemies. The other appeal of game is the LOTR themed. From reading the books it is pretty accurate. This game is close to Assassins Creed(AC) play wise. Personally AC was boring for me after 5 hours of play. I have done 15 hours and I am still totally hooked. I actually stopped playing Destiny for this game. the game is a pleasant surprise and high recommend.… Expand
  85. El3ment_514
    Nov 30, 2014
    9
    I would have scored this higher than a 9 if the last 2 boss fights were not a utter failure. Everything led up to meeting the big bad guys and there was no fighting between you and them at all. Almost as if they ran out of time and didn't know how to approach the end. Great game besides that. Controls and fighting are top notch. One of the best 3rd person action adventure games out.I would have scored this higher than a 9 if the last 2 boss fights were not a utter failure. Everything led up to meeting the big bad guys and there was no fighting between you and them at all. Almost as if they ran out of time and didn't know how to approach the end. Great game besides that. Controls and fighting are top notch. One of the best 3rd person action adventure games out.

    Also if you do play this there are gift achievements/trophies. Getting these gifts will help you out in the game, so do those early on.    … Expand
  86. CaptainDahl
    Nov 26, 2014
    8
    The game engine is incredible!! Finally, something new and has delivery! The game does become a little slow after you master attack strategy. The upgrades of your weapons (runes) is interesting at first but you soon realize this almost has no bearing on your performance. Stick to the character upgrades and you will become unstoppable shortly into the game.
  87. MstrLckM
    Nov 21, 2014
    10
    This game is a great achievement for video games and will change the way games are made in the future. People complain that the game isn't long enough, but if you are a true LOTR fan, and if you like the game even a hint, you will purchase the DLC which will contain hours and hours of more campaign in addition to new locations/maps. The physics and animations of the game are incredible,This game is a great achievement for video games and will change the way games are made in the future. People complain that the game isn't long enough, but if you are a true LOTR fan, and if you like the game even a hint, you will purchase the DLC which will contain hours and hours of more campaign in addition to new locations/maps. The physics and animations of the game are incredible, gameplay practically flawless. You will enjoy slaying orcs for hours on end!… Expand
  88. VaasGG
    Nov 21, 2014
    8
    This is a very good game, there are bugs and issues but none that are game breaking. I found the biggest issues with the game are the camera and the ability to get Talion stuck because of either the climbing animation or simply not being able to move past a pillar because for some reason the game decided to derp out. My other issue is with how the game ends and the way it plays out. IThis is a very good game, there are bugs and issues but none that are game breaking. I found the biggest issues with the game are the camera and the ability to get Talion stuck because of either the climbing animation or simply not being able to move past a pillar because for some reason the game decided to derp out. My other issue is with how the game ends and the way it plays out. I won't spoil anything in terms of story or anything, I'll just say that because of how well the rest of the story is told it just feels like a disappointment. There are other reasons why the ending was not great, but again I don't want to spoil anything. The combat and flow of the game is exactly like Assassins Creed, from the way Talion moves, climbs, attacks, and parries it all feels like Assassins Creed with a Lord of the RIngs skin on it. In no ways is that a bad thing, but in my opinion it holds the game back because of the similarity. The story of this version of Lord of the Rings is fantastic, it's well written and voice acted everyone from the main characters to the Uruks, it's all well done. I 100% this game simply because I found that all the collectibles in this game helped add to the story of Talion and Celebrimbor. Also doing all the weapons challenges is fun, and frustrating at the same time. As you get further into the challenges they get harder and one dagger mission in particular (where you have to brand archers) is a pain in the ass. I don't think the challenges add anything to the weapons, in terms of damage up or anything like that. Again the collectibles are there to help add to the story, the hunting and survivalist challenges don't give you any reward either other then a achievement / trophy. Now moving on the the fighting, simply put it's so much fun to go around and kill Uruks, whether you're sneaking up on them and cutting their throat, picking them off one by one with the bow and arrow, or charging in with your sword drawn ready to send heads flying, it's all good. One of the best things in the game is when an Uruk kills you they level up. So if they were just some run of the mill Uruk he now becomes a Captain. If a Uruk with a title kills you they move up the ladder of command all the way up to Warchief, or they level up and get stronger. The more abilities you unlock in the skills tree the better and more fun combat becomes. Overall this is a very well made game, there are a few things that hold it back from being perfect, most notably the camera and certain animations, but besides that I've had one hell of a time in Middle Earth. If you're on the fence about this game I'll say this. If you like Assassins Creed but are tired of the same old locations from that franchise give this game a go, you won't be disappointed. Last thing length of the game. I've played 32 hours finished the story, completed all the weapons challenges, all the hunting and survival challenges and found all the collectibles… Expand
  89. Fallensoldier
    Nov 20, 2014
    9
    Great game! It looks great, It plays great, the story is interesting and keeps you wanting to play.
    Combat is fun and stealth is not that hard to turn to your game style of playing. It was very easy to pick this game up and start having fun right from the start. I would recommend this game to anyone looking for a fun and easy to use hack and slash game
  90. Flaggermouse
    Nov 18, 2014
    10
    This is more of a fight simulator than an RPG but there are quests and the captains are a challenge. I like how the ones with a power of one can kill you with a lucky strike and then advance in their ranks. It keeps you on your toes. Some times it is better to flee then to try and stick it out, some battles you are better off to retreat so as to fight latter. Graphics are intense, and runThis is more of a fight simulator than an RPG but there are quests and the captains are a challenge. I like how the ones with a power of one can kill you with a lucky strike and then advance in their ranks. It keeps you on your toes. Some times it is better to flee then to try and stick it out, some battles you are better off to retreat so as to fight latter. Graphics are intense, and run very smooth. If you like combat this is the game for you. It is a mix of Skyrim and Assassins Creed. I love it.… Expand
  91. AllThingTrivial
    Nov 17, 2014
    9
    Shadow of Mordor is a game well worth buying provided one can subscribe to the fact everything in the game is based around killing orcs. Luckily, the game makes this incredibly fun. I have played for near on thirty hours, finished the campaign and most of the main side activities and can safely say the game is excellent but decreases towards the end when the power to manipulate the enemiesShadow of Mordor is a game well worth buying provided one can subscribe to the fact everything in the game is based around killing orcs. Luckily, the game makes this incredibly fun. I have played for near on thirty hours, finished the campaign and most of the main side activities and can safely say the game is excellent but decreases towards the end when the power to manipulate the enemies becomes available.

    An interesting concept, it actually plays off against the - as far as my gaming experience goes - nemesis system as it is too easy to reduce the difficulty massively by simply gaining control of a few powerful Orc chiefs and though the obvious argument not to do it exists, the game will be played as presented. It takes discipline from the player not to trivialise the remaining fifth and the culmination of the campaign is vastly underwhelming. The campaign as a whole leaves much to be desired with elements still being tutorialised half way through and mismatched story elements of characters introduced and thrown away without any grounding or context making them glaringly obvious as story contrivances. However the story seems nothing more than a way to develop the skills and abilities in an organic fashion to grant absolute chaotic freedom in the core gameplay.

    The gameplay itself is standard timed counters, attacks, special attacks and careful manoeuvres to strategically position against enormous hoards of enemies but for me the fun came earliest when, grossly underpowered the emergence of a second or third powerful Orc chief or captain into the fight made it a case of either flee or see how long until death occurs. Usually the latter. Death itself as a purpose and regeneration is explained adding a nice degree of levity to the 'gaminess' and further allows organic development of the game world which can also occur through power struggles.

    This - and the nemesis system that supports it - is easily the best element of the game, finding a particularly annoying Orc who kills you over and over again allowing his friends to power level is frustrating and engaging in equal step. The variance of enemy types and abilities in terms of traits is enough to keep it interesting and the high number of orcs constantly on screen is a joyous combat experience as they level through the ranks. The nice thing is each person will have a unique experience.

    In conclusion, a great game with some small issues that lets itself down with a brief and unfulfilling story that rushes towards an underwhelming climax and a difficulty curve that is inverse to what it should be with the branding ability far too overpowered with the Orcs having no chance to break free and equally the player having limited control over how their minions handle the situation selecting at random from a rather too small suite of events without any context or sense. But despite these niggles and small complaints, the game holds attention with a reasonable sandbox and interesting environment design but crucially the one facet that everything is based upon - the combat - has been done excellently.    … Expand
  92. kmcguire
    Nov 13, 2014
    9
    The controls feel clunky at first but once you get used to it they are very elegant in design. The combat system is guided as your movements result in the direction of your attacks which provides some very cinematic like beautiful action. Each world is partitioned into sections and is medium sized in whole. You are able to freely move around each word and pursue various types of quests inThe controls feel clunky at first but once you get used to it they are very elegant in design. The combat system is guided as your movements result in the direction of your attacks which provides some very cinematic like beautiful action. Each world is partitioned into sections and is medium sized in whole. You are able to freely move around each word and pursue various types of quests in your own order. You can also simply freelance around exploring. The hostile NPCs will re-spawn fairly quickly meaning you never have trouble looking for a fight, but you may also run back into them if you back track through an area. You can employ stealth and frontal assault on your enemies or a mixture. The enemies do not have a very long range of sight so it is fairly easier to sneak around undetected which can seem a little unrealistic but in spite of this it is still enjoyable. The hierarchy system for the captains and warlords is likely a little simpler than you might expect however considering the limitations of today's systems it is still a very innovative and enjoyable experience to bend them to your will or acquire intelligence on other another adversary. The graphics are quite nice unless this is your first game you will likely not be blown away however they are very enjoyable and decently detailed. The different buttons and combinations of using the buttons will seem very complex and daunting at first but as you play they will become easier and more fluid in your usage of them. The story line is very good. The NPCs are very reminiscent of the game Skyrim and have lots of random voice overs that can give you something interesting to listen to as you covertly navigate a castle or roam the wild with NPCs near about. I would recommend this game to anyone who enjoys cinematic quality like battle sequences, open world layout of medium size, quest like system, innovation, good story line, skill systems, and non-linear game play.… Expand
  93. Tfort
    Nov 12, 2014
    10
    The second most unique game I have ever played is Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor(1= sunset overdrive) This game is absolutely incredible and was almost as challenging as the Dark Souls series on xbox 360. The graphics are beautiful enough to really capture what they want Middle Earth to look like. I love how the combat feels in this game which makes it seem like every enemy is a toughThe second most unique game I have ever played is Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor(1= sunset overdrive) This game is absolutely incredible and was almost as challenging as the Dark Souls series on xbox 360. The graphics are beautiful enough to really capture what they want Middle Earth to look like. I love how the combat feels in this game which makes it seem like every enemy is a tough battle. The storyline is wonderful and feels like it's coming straight out of a movie or book. It's worth a buy 100% regardless whether your a lord of the rings fan or not. It's in my top 10 games for sure that I have ever played… Expand
  94. FarmerJoe
    Nov 12, 2014
    8
    It's all average AAA gaming but the nemesis-system (why would they give it such a cheesy name) pushes it above and beyond what I expected.
    Nice to see a rather big-budget game succeed due to interesting new game-design!
  95. markusdevine
    Nov 11, 2014
    9
    Got this after reading some reviews and it does not disappoint. The action is smooth performing an execution kill is so satisfying. The story is a bit naf but overall it's a great game, hopefully a sequel is not too far away.
  96. Caste
    Nov 9, 2014
    10
    This game is awesome. It's like a perfect mixture of Batman latest games, inFamous and AC series.
    There are a lot of quests, achievements, skills, etc. A lot of things to do, all different and non-repetitive imo.
    The combat gameplay is awesome, quite similar to Batman's but better for me thanks to brutal executions and sound FX.
    Totally recommended :D
  97. corpal_hudson
    Nov 8, 2014
    10
    I was up until 4am playing this game. You'll be trying to do some part of the main mission but end up side tracked with killing random captains. It's easy to get lost in this game. There is so much to do. Weapon runes are fun. Stalking Orcs and them having them taunt you when you mess up and alert them is priceless. The orcs even chant their captain's name. A lot of attention toI was up until 4am playing this game. You'll be trying to do some part of the main mission but end up side tracked with killing random captains. It's easy to get lost in this game. There is so much to do. Weapon runes are fun. Stalking Orcs and them having them taunt you when you mess up and alert them is priceless. The orcs even chant their captain's name. A lot of attention to detail from the game maker here. If you are middle of the road on this title, buy it. It's one of the best games out right now as far as adventuring.… Expand
  98. nonchalantgamer
    Nov 5, 2014
    8
    Middle earth: Shadow of Mordor is a great LOTR game that introduces a great new system into play called the nemesis system. The nemesis system feels new and gives the world you play in some life and makes the enemies feel like they actually have personalities instead of mindless things to slaughter and its fun manipulating the system(branding)

    Game-play- The game play is great here and    Middle earth: Shadow of Mordor is a great LOTR game that introduces a great new system into play called the nemesis system. The nemesis system feels new and gives the world you play in some life and makes the enemies feel like they actually have personalities instead of mindless things to slaughter and its fun manipulating the system(branding)

    Game-play- The game play is great here and the combat is very fluid and fun, and although simplistic, there are a solid variety of skills to use during combat. The beginning and middle parts if the game feel challenging which is good but towards the end you might feel overpowered but its so fun to lob off heads it doesn't matter. Also the amount of content in the game is great with hunting/survival challenges to complete, collectibles to uncover, slaves/legends missions to do, and the pieces of the ilithin to obtain. What i love the most about the extra stuff is that the collectibles and illithin give great amount of lore to dive into for big time LOTR fans such as myself.

    Story- The story was surprisingly good in this game and i found myself invested in the multiple characters within it and also as the overall plot progressed nicely and had a LOTR vibe to it. on top of that the voice acting was spot on. the only gripe i have is the ending was a let down to be honest.

    Presentation- the graphics are very smooth and although they arent next gen looking graphics they don't do the game a disservice or ruin the experience. the music score is good to and featured themes that sounded like it belonged in a LOTR setting and really adds intensity to the experience    … Expand
  99. He_Never_Helps
    Oct 31, 2014
    9
    Tons of cool ideas. Good execution. Frankly, not a lot to complain about, unless it makes u feel good to complain.

    The story is quite good. Not "As written by JRR Tolkein" good, or Xenosaga 1-3 good, but solid and pretty compelling. Depending on the ending (i'll let u know) i might even say it's Witcher good (although the witcher's story is far more expansive and emotional, and the only    Tons of cool ideas. Good execution. Frankly, not a lot to complain about, unless it makes u feel good to complain.

    The story is quite good. Not "As written by JRR Tolkein" good, or Xenosaga 1-3 good, but solid and pretty compelling. Depending on the ending (i'll let u know) i might even say it's Witcher good (although the witcher's story is far more expansive and emotional, and the only game i've ever seen where the romance and eros isn't...just frkn ridiculous) and that's high praise.

    If i HAD to make a complaint, it would be that they didn't take their lore from the Silmarillion. No one has ever made the Sil' palatable to a mass media market, probably because it's not so much a collection of stories as it is a collection of grand historical essays about a fictional world, but that's precisely why it's absolutely perfect for an action/rpg videogame.

    Hell, a well executed Silmarillion game might even make hordes of new gamers, the way The Legend of Zelda, FF7, or Oblivion did. Some experiences are just...medium transcendent. They show non-gamers, in a clear and unimpeachable way that video games have grown WAY past whatever they previously believed games to be.

    Kinda like the first time your mom saw a back-up parking camera in a car. :) "zOMFGBs, i don't hafta turn around!"

    Tolkeinian scholars and hXc Middle Earth fans, even those without a passing interest in videogames, would be absolutely floored to see that a full-blood Silmarillion game is even possible.

    Granted, where Shadow of Mordor is one game, the Silmarillion would probably have to be a trilogy, at minimum. But hey, many of gaming's best stories come in 3's.

    (Or dozens's, if yer final fantasy or MegaTen or Street Fighter, &c.)    … Expand
  100. qtaz101
    Oct 30, 2014
    8
    I dont know all of the lore in LOTR so I cant speak on that, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed the game. It was somewhat short and some parts could have been stretched out, but all in all a good game. The Nemesis system made the game personal, and when you were defeated by an enemy it made me feel like I had a personal vendetta against the enemy that killed me. Has its weak points butI dont know all of the lore in LOTR so I cant speak on that, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed the game. It was somewhat short and some parts could have been stretched out, but all in all a good game. The Nemesis system made the game personal, and when you were defeated by an enemy it made me feel like I had a personal vendetta against the enemy that killed me. Has its weak points but again, a great game.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best Xbox One Game of 2014
11
#11 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2014
10
#10 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Hyper Magazine
    Dec 2, 2014
    90
    Addictive combat with a multitude of variants and silky smooth gameplay make this hard to put down. [Issue#255, p.51]
  2. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Nov 8, 2014
    90
    An open-world classic driven by systems over story. [Issue#117, p.76]
  3. Pure Xbox
    Oct 21, 2014
    80
    The much talked-about Nemesis System also plays a big role in injecting personality and connecting the player to the game world.
    Read full review
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