Middle-earth: Shadow of War

 Xbox One
User Score
4.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 456 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 196 out of 456
  2. Mixed: 48 out of 456
  3. Negative: 212 out of 456
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  1. Xbox_Alive
    Jan 2, 2018
    9
    I was a massive fan of the first game and it was without a doubt one of the best games I’ve ever played, so to say I was looking forward to Middle-earth: Shadow of War would be a massive understatement. Thankfully the game delivered in all areas and I would go as far to say that it’s better than the first game, which I didn’t think they would be able to do. The world in the game feelsI was a massive fan of the first game and it was without a doubt one of the best games I’ve ever played, so to say I was looking forward to Middle-earth: Shadow of War would be a massive understatement. Thankfully the game delivered in all areas and I would go as far to say that it’s better than the first game, which I didn’t think they would be able to do. The world in the game feels alive from the get go and it has so many things for you to do that you’ll be sinking hours and hours into the game. The story accompanying these hours of gameplay is fantastic and the best thing is that they keep things gripping and interesting throughout. The combat in the game is better than the first game in my opinion, and the main reason for that is because it just gives you more of a satisfied feeling. I was also very impressed with the skills and abilities that presented themselves and the game definitely gives you a rewarding feeling, which in turn makes you want to sink even more hours into it. The battles in the game have you sweating and keep you on the edge of the seat at all times, and I must admit that I’ve never had so much fun being in a battle on a game. The presentation side of the game makes Shadow of War stand out even more, and that’s because the visuals and sound design make you become even more immersed in the game. At the end of the day fans of the first game will fall in love with this game almost immediately. They’ve kept everything that was good from the first game and in some cases they’ve improved in some areas, which is absolutely fantastic. What really stands out in the game though is not once did I get bored when playing, and that’s amazing because I’ve sunk in a massive amount of hours. Without a shadow of a doubt Middle-earth: Shadow of War is one of the best game’s I’ve played this year and I can see the game being up for a number of awards.… Expand
  2. Botoni
    Oct 10, 2017
    0
    I miss the days of cheat codes being a string of random buttons. Now you have to pay for cheat codes. Microtransactions do not belong in this game... i love how the critic reviews dont care though.. wouldnt want to upset the gaming industry and give an honest review.
  3. GCM707
    Oct 10, 2017
    0
    DO NOT BUY. Nothing but a long boring grind unless you pay real money for loot boxes to get ahead. pass. Loot boxes have no place in a $60 game. Loots boxes are nothing but greedy and predatory. They are gambling, and they take advantage of people that they know will get addicted to this.
  4. Midirataj
    Oct 10, 2017
    0
    SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!
    I don’t write reviews. A lot of people do that for living and passion. I am more of a introvert.
    I always took refugee in games. I found acceptance and friends there. It allowed me to feel able and free, unlike in real world. Once you are in the game you are not ugly, stupid or poor, or pretty, smart and rich. We are all adventurers. We are all EQUAL. We are    SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!
    I don’t write reviews. A lot of people do that for living and passion. I am more of a introvert.
    I always took refugee in games. I found acceptance and friends there. It allowed me to feel able and free, unlike in real world. Once you are in the game you are not ugly, stupid or poor, or pretty, smart and rich. We are all adventurers. We are all EQUAL. We are all what we want to be, commit our time and effort to excel in what we believe in. We had to earn everything with our bare mouse and keyboard and gamepad.
    Microtransactions is killing the heart and soul of gaming.
    Wanna be more powerful? Pay up!
    Wanna look cool? Pay up!
    Don’t worry we made your beloved game a piece of grindy mobile dumpster.
    And Publishers say it is for your own freedom of choice.
    A testament to greed and falsehood.
    SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!    … Expand
  5. Bogzy
    Oct 10, 2017
    0
    Microtransactions, especially in a SP game, are a plague on the gaming industry. Don't support a game like this, just watch a stream if u wanna see the game.
  6. diggre318
    Oct 10, 2017
    0
    Loot boxes hid the game's true ending behind a gambling paywall.
    This is disgusting ina full priced game, let alone a single player game.

    Play the 1st one instead!
  7. whatever523
    Nov 2, 2017
    0
    Yay, lootboxes!

    You are paying for those extra profits with user ratings. I think you will find that in the long run, it's not worth it. Just ask Ubisoft.
  8. Gamer75
    Jun 4, 2018
    2
    I loved Shadow of Mordor but was bummed when it ended so soon. Shadow of War has lots of battle practice where you slowly gain levels doing the "Online Vendetta" however as you advance many battles are completely skewed towards the game with characters with unrealistic abilities or who simply can not be killed because of special powers. Also you're not able to go past level 60 but yet I'mI loved Shadow of Mordor but was bummed when it ended so soon. Shadow of War has lots of battle practice where you slowly gain levels doing the "Online Vendetta" however as you advance many battles are completely skewed towards the game with characters with unrealistic abilities or who simply can not be killed because of special powers. Also you're not able to go past level 60 but yet I'm constantly fighting level 62, 63, 64 and 65 fighters... how is this so? Is the game openly cheating to try to get the upper hand to just beat you now and then?? Also the 4th castle you take over from Sauron is a level 70 castle.. level 70? How can this be when my max level is 60? At first I did not understand the game and it was very difficult but I have come to understand it better but there's always those little cheating moments the game likes to throw in to piss me off. There are many levels and training to be done first to you, then your army before attacking other users castles which is the fun part until you face a captain that all the Avengers themselves together couldn't kill. .… Expand
  9. CL4P-TP
    Nov 22, 2017
    0
    Despite all the microtransaction stuff I still think the game itself is OK. The gameplay itself is definitely entertaining and playing with orcs is fun but still no excuse for the overall lackluster open world. Side quests have next to none actual connection to the story and just feel repetitive. The main quest line is interesting but could be improved a fair bit as well.

    As I didn't    Despite all the microtransaction stuff I still think the game itself is OK. The gameplay itself is definitely entertaining and playing with orcs is fun but still no excuse for the overall lackluster open world. Side quests have next to none actual connection to the story and just feel repetitive. The main quest line is interesting but could be improved a fair bit as well.

    As I didn't finish the game yet I can't say anything about the expected grind at the end but will update when it's necessary.

    Overall it is a good game with a poor open world, so I'd say wait for a sale since if you're not totally into the nemesis system, there are similar games with a more organic and better overall feeling.    … Expand
  10. davedavidson
    Nov 14, 2017
    0
    To many microtransacations, To many microtransacations, To many microtransacations, To many microtransacations, To many microtransacations, To many microtransacations, To many microtransacations, To many microtransacations, To many microtransacations
  11. KelTyZed
    Oct 30, 2017
    0
    Si pudiera volver el tiempo atrás no compraría el juego. A lo sumo lo compraría cuando cueste 6 veces menos.
    Comienza bien, pero luego se torna hiper repetitivo.
    Se gana experiencia de nada y como se diagramaron las habilidades no tiene sentido. El tomar las fortalezas no es lo que se esperaba realmente, no es como lo pintan. Lo PRINCIPAL es que al llegar al acto 4 como comentan todos    Si pudiera volver el tiempo atrás no compraría el juego. A lo sumo lo compraría cuando cueste 6 veces menos.
    Comienza bien, pero luego se torna hiper repetitivo.
    Se gana experiencia de nada y como se diagramaron las habilidades no tiene sentido.
    El tomar las fortalezas no es lo que se esperaba realmente, no es como lo pintan.
    Lo PRINCIPAL es que al llegar al acto 4 como comentan todos hay que dedicarle un tiempo inaudito o pagar para completar algo que es repetitivo al 100%. TODO PARA VER UN VIDEO, UNA ESCENA QUE ES MEJOR VERLA EN YOUTUBE.
    No compren el juego, háganse un favor.
    La jugabilidad esta mejorada, pero las misiones dejan muchisimo que desear: son repetitivas.    … Expand
  12. Gamerzord
    Nov 22, 2017
    3
    Initially a good game, but it turns repetitive and grindy as you get to the end. Endless fortress sieges all identical and with boring mechanics. and if you lose a battle you doubles your grind. Never touching this game again
  13. noxplode
    Jun 26, 2019
    1
    If I had read the reviews I would not have purchased this game. No wonder it was $9 at Gamestop unopened in the original case and plastic. It's going right back for a trade. Countless orcs that never stop spawning. Endless orc promotions once they kill you (and they will)
  14. lowerclassbrats
    Oct 11, 2017
    0
    Game ruined by microtransactions. This game is getting good scores from the legacy gaming media because they never have and never will look out for the consumer. If a publisher wants to ruin their game by putting gambling via microtransactions in at the cost of quality then they must accept the poor review scores from the consumer.
  15. Guldan666
    Oct 27, 2017
    0
    Не рекомендую данную игру к покупке, поощряя чрезмерную жадность разработчиков. Донат, +цена за пакет длс который больше стоимости оригинальной игры. Нет желания видеть подобного развития игростроя и тем более массового распро♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ения подобной моделиНе рекомендую данную игру к покупке, поощряя чрезмерную жадность разработчиков. Донат, +цена за пакет длс который больше стоимости оригинальной игры. Нет желания видеть подобного развития игростроя и тем более массового распро♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ения подобной модели
  16. GamerJosh0137
    Oct 10, 2017
    1
    Great fun can be had in Shadow of War. The gameplay feels good, and for the most part improved upon. The Nemesis system has been fine tuned to almost the point of perfection. The developers at monolith really out did themselves this time around. Before I got to the end of the game this game was a 9/10 for me. I then confirmed what my friends have been trying to tell me about the trueGreat fun can be had in Shadow of War. The gameplay feels good, and for the most part improved upon. The Nemesis system has been fine tuned to almost the point of perfection. The developers at monolith really out did themselves this time around. Before I got to the end of the game this game was a 9/10 for me. I then confirmed what my friends have been trying to tell me about the true ending being locked behind a pay wall or astronomically large grind loop. I can either spend a "Destiny" amount of hours grinding for Legendary Orcs, or spend an abundance of cash getting legendary orcs through loot boxes, because Legendary Orcs are the only type of Orcs that will even give you a fighting chance at the end game battles. Seriously. The end game battles CAN NOT be won with Orcs lower than Legendary status. I refuse to spend money on that **** and I desperately BEG players to not buy them either. PLEASE!!! This CAN NOT be the future of gaming!… Expand
  17. Wildghost68
    Oct 17, 2017
    0
    The Micro transactions ruined the game. Because their is micro transactions in the game. The game is now a huge grind unless you break down and buy the loot creates in the game.
  18. Tenacidad963
    Oct 13, 2017
    0
    Han malogrado una buena historia. Las empresas desarrolladoras como Monolith Productions le han agregado micro transanciones para poder avanzar en el juego. Sin embargo, se olvidan o no lo han pensado, el consumidor es el que tiene la última palabra sobre el producto que está en el mercado. Los que estudian administración o marketing saben que el consumidor o cliente está más empoderadoHan malogrado una buena historia. Las empresas desarrolladoras como Monolith Productions le han agregado micro transanciones para poder avanzar en el juego. Sin embargo, se olvidan o no lo han pensado, el consumidor es el que tiene la última palabra sobre el producto que está en el mercado. Los que estudian administración o marketing saben que el consumidor o cliente está más empoderado gracias a las redes sociales o páginas como esta. Las grandes empresas a pesar de ser multinacionales no pueden hacer lo que se les da la gana como hasta hace una década. El consumidor debe hacer valer lo que piensa. El juego cuesta 60 dólares o euros con los micropagos el usuario pagaría mucho más por un producto incompleto. Haz valer tus derechos como consumidor. Las empresas de videojuegos que hacen esto te ven como un tonto que pagará lo que sea.

    In English:
    They have failed a good story. Developing companies like Monolith Productions have added micro-transactions to help them advance in the game. However, they forget or have not thought about it, the consumer is the one who has the last word about the product that is on the market. Those who study administration or marketing know that the consumer or client is more empowered thanks to social networks or pages like this. Large companies, despite being multinationals, can not do what they feel like until a decade ago. The consumer must assert what he thinks. The game costs 60 dollars or euros with the micropayments the user would pay much more for an incomplete product. Claim your rights as a consumer. The video game companies that do this look like a fool who will pay for anything.    … Expand
  19. Kraekin
    Oct 24, 2017
    9
    Quite a good game actually. all I see here are people complaining about micro transactions, how about this? dont buy them. Its not like they advertise them constantly to you during gameplay to annoy you, or make the game impossible to play without.

    The game itself is very fun, maybe slightly repetitive, but then again with this type of game it would be almost impossible to not get a    Quite a good game actually. all I see here are people complaining about micro transactions, how about this? dont buy them. Its not like they advertise them constantly to you during gameplay to annoy you, or make the game impossible to play without.

    The game itself is very fun, maybe slightly repetitive, but then again with this type of game it would be almost impossible to not get a bit repetitive. Most games these days have a hard time grabbing my attention but this one sure did.

    I highly recommend this game!    … Expand
  20. fastdak25
    Oct 11, 2017
    0
    Obligatory 0 for this nonsense. Still though I enjoyed the first enough that I bought SoM second hand from someone on Ebay, not giving my money to WB. Looking at SWBF2 it looks to be even worse in that game. Probably have to buy that 2nd hand as well (Soon as EA announced no season pass I knew there was going to be a massive catch).

    IGN giving this a 9 should be just another piece    Obligatory 0 for this nonsense. Still though I enjoyed the first enough that I bought SoM second hand from someone on Ebay, not giving my money to WB. Looking at SWBF2 it looks to be even worse in that game. Probably have to buy that 2nd hand as well (Soon as EA announced no season pass I knew there was going to be a massive catch).

    IGN giving this a 9 should be just another piece of evidence how corrupt gaming journalism is. They listed quite a few problems with the game too, yet give it a 9.    … Expand
  21. Grimm345
    Dec 6, 2017
    0
    First off no I don't care about micro transactions and yes I think this is a fun game.
    This game is not unlike the first one. It has fun stealth mechanics, somewhat repetitive gameplay, hilarious orcs that really bring life to themselves (you actually want some over other just because of what they say/do), and an interesting story even if it is a bit of a stretch to call it all cannon.    First off no I don't care about micro transactions and yes I think this is a fun game.
    This game is not unlike the first one. It has fun stealth mechanics, somewhat repetitive gameplay, hilarious orcs that really bring life to themselves (you actually want some over other just because of what they say/do), and an interesting story even if it is a bit of a stretch to call it all cannon. To top it all off the siege battle are awesome, it feels like you are in the massive battles from the movies.
    So why the negative review? Because after 30+ hours in I missed a cutscene mid game and tried to back to my Xbox home screen to restart that part of the game and watch the cut scene. When I returned to the game all data was gone, my entire save erased magically. This is beyond game breaking and when I went to customer service their idea was to turn it off and on again. This is not something that should be in a game of this caliber. Save your money and spend it on a company who can finish their games    … Expand
  22. ImFaded99
    Oct 25, 2017
    10
    Great game ! No matter what they say
    but i think this is one of the best games that ever played on my
    Xbox one . I love graphics and story and also nemesis system
  23. Super_Sincero
    Oct 11, 2017
    0
    Eu sou de uma época onde se comprava o jogo e vinha completo, sem a necessidade de nada adicional. O tempo passou, e evoluímos. Agora é possível prolongar a história daquele jogo que você não quer que acabe nunca, um exemplo clássico é o GTA V, The Witcher 3 entre outros. Mas no meio disto tem empresas que só quer ganhar dinheiro e lança um DLC qualquer e já era. Mas neste ponto é possívelEu sou de uma época onde se comprava o jogo e vinha completo, sem a necessidade de nada adicional. O tempo passou, e evoluímos. Agora é possível prolongar a história daquele jogo que você não quer que acabe nunca, um exemplo clássico é o GTA V, The Witcher 3 entre outros. Mas no meio disto tem empresas que só quer ganhar dinheiro e lança um DLC qualquer e já era. Mas neste ponto é possível ignorar o DLC e pronto.

    Mas as empresas vendo isto não pararam por ai, criaram o Loot Box, caixas para adiantar sua vida no game. Mas hoje em dia está sendo usado de forma demasiada. Não vou citar os jogos...mas vamos falar deste que pra mim é um absurdo.

    Colocaram este sistema dentro da campanha do jogo. Chega um ponto na história, que você não consegue ir pra frente e o que dá a entender é que você precisa comprar estas malditas caixas. Pra que isto? Sabe o jogo é bom, mas este sistema de loot box mal utilizado acaba com a experiencia no game.

    Por este motivo esta nota. Se tem uma coisa que está irritando esta geração são estas malditas caixas !

    Tirando isto o jogo é nota 8 até onde joguei.    … Expand
  24. Nickplayer
    Oct 18, 2017
    0
    SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME Microtransactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactionsSHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME Microtransactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions micro-transactions… Expand
  25. timmd93
    Oct 21, 2017
    9
    This game is absolutely not pay to win. I havent spent a single cent on the game so far and have not encountered anymore difficulty than i did in the first game. The game is alot longer than the first but it does not get boring. They really rounded out the game and made the nemesis system even better. The combat i will concede does feel a bit easy at times as talion is even strongerThis game is absolutely not pay to win. I havent spent a single cent on the game so far and have not encountered anymore difficulty than i did in the first game. The game is alot longer than the first but it does not get boring. They really rounded out the game and made the nemesis system even better. The combat i will concede does feel a bit easy at times as talion is even stronger than he was in the first game. Dont listen to anyone telling you that you need to spend money to beat the game because that is just 100% not true and its just people piling on to **** on a game. If you played and beat the first shadow of mordor i would highly recommend you pick this up. The only reason you would have to spend money in this game is if you dont understand what your doing and arent experienced with shadows of mordor.… Expand
  26. Tired0ftheBS
    Oct 12, 2017
    0
    Advertised as a sandbox game with where you hunt orcs using stealth and fantastic looking combat.

    Its just slots. You put in money and you just look at orcs and other supposed gear.
  27. SIPPIO
    Oct 12, 2017
    0
    Greed is ruining gaming!
    ignore it & enjoy today @ expense of tomorrow..
    Did you see/hear bout new SW Battlefront?
    greed is out of control....
    All these companies know 100% we are upset- they don't care because that 1 kid outta 100 will justify their spreadsheets.....save us ****
  28. kris2fur
    Oct 12, 2017
    10
    Lol
    I'm playing on nemisis difficulty, I never paid a cent in, games brilliant and I'm super powerful now.
    Microtransactions didn't ruin nothing.
    I earned 6k mithril last night 5hr session.
    If you are putting money into this game you probably aren't any good at it.
  29. iamevilhomer
    Oct 12, 2017
    2
    Haven't even played it but you know what? You can't forgive the level of greedy micro transactions like this in a single player game...

    Don't take this review seriously in the sense that I haven't played the game and hardly did any research... But I know for a fact that the micro transactions in this game are on a level of butt ****ery that's beyond any form of mercy. So **** this game!    Haven't even played it but you know what? You can't forgive the level of greedy micro transactions like this in a single player game...

    Don't take this review seriously in the sense that I haven't played the game and hardly did any research... But I know for a fact that the micro transactions in this game are on a level of butt ****ery that's beyond any form of mercy. So **** this game! I guess I could give it a 5 or a 4 or a 0 or whatever... Who cares? It's a bad game...    … Expand
  30. Eilanzer
    Oct 21, 2017
    0
    AVOID THIS GAME LIKE THE PLAGUE!
    DLC...Microtransactions bullcrap all over the place...And if you support this you are making the gamimg industry worse and worse!
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Awards & Rankings

43
#43 Best Xbox One Game of 2017
9
#9 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2017
19
#19 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Impulsegamer
    Nov 29, 2017
    88
    Perhaps you might slap your forehead in dismay by the goofy plot or looseness to the source material but what's undeniable is, that Middle-earth: Shadow of War is a lot of fun.
    Read full review
  2. Cubed3
    Nov 13, 2017
    60
    Middle-earth: Shadow of War has high production values and is a fun open-world slashathon, but it's stretched thin. The storyline starts off promising, but all of the interesting characters get pushed aside to make room for nothing of consequence. Hours upon hours are lost to the abyss as players engage in a relentless cycle of gear upgrades and Orc recruits. Assaulting fortresses and conquering territory loses its appeal a bit too quickly. The game is pretty entertaining in short bursts, especially when Talion can make full use of his powerful abilities. Still, the lack of finesse when it comes to combat will make fighting feel a bit bothersome. The Ranger is at his best when he's eliminating the opposition with surgical precision, or making use of hazards in the environment. All in all, this title is worth a look; just don't expect to grow too attached to it.
    Read full review
  3. games(TM)
    Nov 3, 2017
    70
    While it's huge and complex in many of its systems, it still feels as if it is caught in 2014. [Issue#194, p.68]
See all critic reviews »