User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 805 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 78 out of 805
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  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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.
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  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. Dec 1, 2017
    7
    This game could be a 10, but it certainly has it's flaws. The combat is lifted straight out of the Batman Arkham series. Which although good for groups of combatants, can be very wonky. Literally rolling into walls over and over. Refusing to jump off buildings. Chase imaginary targets etc. Though it gets the job done. It's story is great, it's leveling system is good. But the thing thatThis game could be a 10, but it certainly has it's flaws. The combat is lifted straight out of the Batman Arkham series. Which although good for groups of combatants, can be very wonky. Literally rolling into walls over and over. Refusing to jump off buildings. Chase imaginary targets etc. Though it gets the job done. It's story is great, it's leveling system is good. But the thing that really let's this otherwise great game down is it's over reliance on loot boxes. It is arbitrarily grindy, and will pump up it's difficulty (after a couple of hours of playing). These unnecessary additions are just to get you to buy loot boxes. It's not as bad as EA's games on it's loot box greed. But not too far from it. Sad really, as it destroys an other wise great game. And this is coming from a slight fan of Lord of the Rings, not a franchise fan boy. This game will give you your monies worth, but it will frustrate you with it's controls and loot boxes fascination. Expand
  7. 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
  8. 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.
  9. Mar 25, 2015
    5
    I love the movies and really tried to like this game. What I could not handle is the monotony. Kill some dudes, go after a boss. Boss kills you gets promoted. You kill boss, you get a special item and another boss takes their place.

    The surroundings and sounds of the world were pretty cool, but doing the same thing over and over and over and over lead me to sell this game used after
    I love the movies and really tried to like this game. What I could not handle is the monotony. Kill some dudes, go after a boss. Boss kills you gets promoted. You kill boss, you get a special item and another boss takes their place.

    The surroundings and sounds of the world were pretty cool, but doing the same thing over and over and over and over lead me to sell this game used after a couple of weeks.

    I really don't understand why people like this game and I am a fan of the fighting adventure games such as batman, tomb raider, and others.
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  10. Nov 26, 2014
    7
    Lord of the Rings hasn't released a game in awhile so, We have "Middle-Earth:Shadow Of Mordor" to keep it all going. Shadow of Mordor has the same game engine as the Batman Arkham series so it will feel very familiar to some people. The game throws tons of enemas at you at once and gives you some fun and flashy moves to use in slaughtering your foes. The story is alright, It's nothingLord of the Rings hasn't released a game in awhile so, We have "Middle-Earth:Shadow Of Mordor" to keep it all going. Shadow of Mordor has the same game engine as the Batman Arkham series so it will feel very familiar to some people. The game throws tons of enemas at you at once and gives you some fun and flashy moves to use in slaughtering your foes. The story is alright, It's nothing amazing but keeps you interested.There was a very interesting system of Generals/Warchief you assassinate and progress through. On PS4 the game looks quite nice, big open spaces with tons of destruction and up close things don't lose there beauty. The addition of a Photo Mode in game is also nice,It give's people the ability to capture amazing kills.
    At launch the game had a few bugs but with a couple updates released it's smoothed out the game-play a lot. If you enjoyed the Batman games or the Lord of the Rings Universe you'll find this game quite enjoyable with it's fast paced and brutal combat.
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  11. 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..
  12. 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.
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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
  22. Apr 18, 2016
    6
    This is a game about murdering orcs in various ways. The core combat and stealth mechanics are good, but it's a sandbox game with just a pretext of a story (making Assassin's Creed look like a literary achievement in comparison). After a little you've nothing new to do.
    Adding insult to injury, the world is the ugliest place in Middle Earth, giving you very few incentives to explore it.
    This is a game about murdering orcs in various ways. The core combat and stealth mechanics are good, but it's a sandbox game with just a pretext of a story (making Assassin's Creed look like a literary achievement in comparison). After a little you've nothing new to do.
    Adding insult to injury, the world is the ugliest place in Middle Earth, giving you very few incentives to explore it. There's not much beauty to discover (in contrary to other sandbox games). In short, after 5-6 hours, you will run out of interesting things to do, unless you really like brutality and orcs.
    That said, the core mechanics are promising. I'd be interested in a sequel with more story and nicer setting.
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  23. 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
  24. 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.
  25. Jun 19, 2018
    8
    Pretty good game. Even after 4 years it looks not really old or bad. Still fun.
  26. 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.
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  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
  31. 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!!!!!!!!!
  32. 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
  33. 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.
  34. 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)
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  35. 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
  36. 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.
  37. 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.
  38. Oct 20, 2015
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game was super overrated. Being in Mordor was cool (I'm a huge LOTR fan) and the Nemesis system was great but other than that this wasn't that fun. The missions felt very disconnected and uneventful. Only enjoyable mission was at the end battling Sauron. Expand
  39. 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.
  40. 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. 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.
  42. 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.
  43. May 14, 2016
    6
    Being honest, I really adored this game during the first 3 hours. It amazes you with those beautiful graphics, those exquisite executions, the good management of the controlls, an amazing nemesis system... but after that you only fin out that you'll be playing during 15 hours (if you finish side quests and main story missions) over and over again the same parts. The nemesis system is aBeing honest, I really adored this game during the first 3 hours. It amazes you with those beautiful graphics, those exquisite executions, the good management of the controlls, an amazing nemesis system... but after that you only fin out that you'll be playing during 15 hours (if you finish side quests and main story missions) over and over again the same parts. The nemesis system is a great innovation but ii feels way to rushed, it doesn't has the impact that it could have had but it would be nice to see it again in the future.
    The story is really simple, it doesn´t feels that great and has very chessy dialogue and the worst of all, the moment you really hope to happen is DLC. The side quests are very generic and don't bring the sensation of being interesting.
    In terms of gameplay is very similar to the arkham knight series, the combat is very fluid, it tends to be a little repetitive but is cool when you start making combos. The only real problem is that at the end of the game you're like god and you're untouchable.
    It would be nice to see a sequel if they improve the nemesis system (It has an amazing potential) and the story.

    Pros: Nice graphics, Good controlls, interesting nemesis system

    Cons: Story, Dialogue, Characters, Repetitive side quests, Unbalanced progression
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  44. 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... :-)
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  45. 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
  46. 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.
  47. 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.
  48. 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.
  49. 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.      
     
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  50. 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.
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  51. 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.
  52. 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.
  53. 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.
  54. 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.
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  55. 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
  56. Nov 5, 2017
    7
    An extremely enjoyable game with a new Nemesis system concept that I found very engaging. The story was however mediocre, and characters aside from the main weren't memorable. Moreover, the worlds themselves were not that big and didn't offer too much variety and replay-ability. But that did not stop me from playing the hell out of this game and getting every captain on my side just forAn extremely enjoyable game with a new Nemesis system concept that I found very engaging. The story was however mediocre, and characters aside from the main weren't memorable. Moreover, the worlds themselves were not that big and didn't offer too much variety and replay-ability. But that did not stop me from playing the hell out of this game and getting every captain on my side just for the fun of it. Expand
  57. Dec 21, 2017
    6
    Since I'm playing this game in 2017, I missed all the hype which is probably for the best. Through my 30 hours of playing this game I must say: I'm glad I'm done. The combat is suprisingly fun and likely the best aspect of this game, but I've got a multitude of issues. Story telling: aweful, very basic and could've been so much more. Repetitive missions, bland and somewhat ugly world,Since I'm playing this game in 2017, I missed all the hype which is probably for the best. Through my 30 hours of playing this game I must say: I'm glad I'm done. The combat is suprisingly fun and likely the best aspect of this game, but I've got a multitude of issues. Story telling: aweful, very basic and could've been so much more. Repetitive missions, bland and somewhat ugly world, protagonist is shallow with not so great voice acting, and a nemisis system that doesn't really do much during the majority of the game. All this game really has going for it is the combat, which isn't nearly enuogh to lift this game up from it's grave of wasted potential. If free time is a rarety for you, don't waste it with this game. Expand
  58. 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
  59. 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.
  60. 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.
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  61. 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
  62. Oct 8, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Middle-earth Shadow of Mordor Review Date 26.02.2020

    I started the game again after a long time (had about 24 hours of playing time) and ended the whole thing after 35 hours today. A great game in the guise of Lord of the Rings, but not always convincing.

    story

    Most of the time I had fun with the cutscenes and individual story sections, but none of that was outstanding now. The last two "fights" in the story are pretty lame.

    Gameplay

    I finished the game because it was very repetitive but not quite as motivating at the same time.

    But had my weapons fully armed except for the dagger. I just don't like stealth mechanics that much and what annoyed me even more was that you were forced to stealth during individual story quests.

    In addition, the moment was when u could control a Uruk..very cool.. Unfortunately, this was not implemented that well in infight (friendly fire, etc. makes life difficult in the sometimes confusing fights).

    The highlight is definitely the Nemesis system here there was one or the other almost godlike Uruk at the end: D.

    graphic

    Looks okay even if the first area is very dreary. A bit of variety would have been good here (more areas). The opponents are presented really cool and are well synchronized, but unfortunately the voice repeats itself very often here.

    Conclusion

    Good title in the Lord of the Rings setting, but with a few weaknesses. 7/10 severed heads.
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  63. Mar 12, 2020
    9
    One of the most underrated games of all time. If you like dark fantasy games this one is for you
  64. 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
  65. Apr 29, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. لعبة جيدة للأشخاص الذين قامو بلعبها اثناء اصدارها فقط
    اعطيتها هاذا التقييم لأني لعبتها سنة 2019
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  66. 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,
  67. Jun 21, 2020
    8
    Excellent story of revenge with a LOTR backdrop. Nemesis system is a fantastic achievement that keeps me coming back.
  68. 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.
  69. 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.
  70. Feb 10, 2021
    0
    Patenting the nemesis system, despite your game being created base on others' ideas. The industry is built on innovating of existing ideas.
  71. 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
  72. Mar 7, 2022
    8
    Good game, good combat. I really enjoyed it but I'm not likely returning to it very soon
  73. 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.
  74. 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!
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  75. 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.
  76. 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.
  77. 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.
  78. 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
  79. 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
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. 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.