Middle-earth: Shadow of War

Everything about this game outdoes the first, and with the expanded Nemesis System, superb combat, and epic story, you'll be immersed for a long time.

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In Middle-earth: Shadow of War, players continue the story of Talion and Celebrimbor, seeking to defeat Sauron's forces and create their own army of orcs. The game features a Nemesis System, allowing for unique personalities and behaviors among enemies, and an expanded Fortress Siege system for large-scale battles. The open world of Mordor is enhanced with various side quests and regional challenges, all set in J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic Lord of the Rings universe.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 62,434 reviews

story6,674 positive mentions

monetization378 negative mentions

story
21,287 mentions
31 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story of "Middle-earth: Shadow of War" is a continuation of Talion and Celebrimbor's quest against Sauron, featuring a mix of engaging character arcs and plot twists, though it often strays from Tolkien's established lore, leading to mixed reactions from fans. While some players appreciate the depth and emotional weight of the narrative, others criticize it for being convoluted and repetitive, with many missions feeling like filler rather than meaningful contributions to the overarching story. Overall, the game is praised for its innovative nemesis system, which allows for emergent storytelling through player interactions with orc captains, often overshadowing the main plot.
- “The story is gripping, and I found, in places, deeply, sadly touching, and it's this I mean when I say they've done something great with Tolkien, whilst keeping what made his world great.”
- “The story continues Talion's fight against Sauron, though it lacks emotional depth.”
- “The story is captivating and a great legacy of the LOTR book and movies.”
- “The story is absolutely awful and the game is a tad bloated compared to its predecessor, but there's still a lot to love here with the nemesis system and the various personalities of the orcs.”
- “The story and missions are absolute garbage.”
- “The story my god the story seems to be written by a 10 year old.”
gameplay
10,138 mentions
41 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Middle-earth: Shadow of War" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging combat mechanics and the innovative nemesis system that adds depth and replayability. However, players have noted that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, particularly due to the grindy nature of fortress sieges and the frequent interruptions from orc dialogues. While the game builds upon its predecessor with improved mechanics and a larger world, some critics argue that it lacks significant innovation and can feel tedious, especially in the later stages. Overall, the gameplay is seen as fun and satisfying, particularly for fans of action RPGs, but it may not hold up for those seeking a more varied experience.
- “The new additions and improvements to the nemesis mechanics make the game fun and always a new experience.”
- “Gameplay is amazing and the nemesis system makes the game super replayable.”
- “The gameplay itself is a massive improvement on Shadow of Mordor, as Talion now finds himself wielding new forms of killing Uruks, including (but not limited to) a hammer to finish off grounded enemies, taming dragons, a freaking glaive?!?”
- “Overall gameplay is not well developed.”
- “Great if you need a repetitive experience to keep your hands busy for a time, but it offers nothing meaningful in either its narrative or gameplay.”
- “The nemesis system, while impressive with the amount of names and voice lines generated, is just a randomizer to help smoke screen how little story there is and even less meaningful gameplay options outside of those interactions.”
graphics
3,647 mentions
53 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Middle-earth: Shadow of War" receive mixed reviews, with many players praising the stunning visuals and attention to detail that bring the world of Middle-earth to life. While some note that the graphics hold up well for a game released in 2017, others feel that they are a downgrade from its predecessor, "Shadow of Mordor," citing issues with texture quality and performance on lower-end systems. Overall, the game is recognized for its impressive landscapes and character designs, though some players express disappointment in the lack of significant graphical improvements.
- “The game successfully brings the world of middle-earth to life with stunning visuals and an immersive narrative.”
- “The graphics are stunning, capturing the dark and atmospheric essence of Mordor with breathtaking landscapes and attention to detail.”
- “The graphics are absolutely stunning, and the character movement is almost photographically lifelike.”
- “The graphics are passable for 2017 but certainly nothing breathtaking.”
- “First one after first game this game have massive downgrade of graphics.”
- “The graphics are a downgrade from its predecessor and the combat feels like they added training wheels.”
monetization
2,619 mentions
8 % positive mentions
77 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of "Middle-earth: Shadow of War" has been a significant point of contention among players. Initially criticized for its heavy reliance on microtransactions, which many viewed as a cash grab, the game has since removed these features, leading to a more favorable reception. While some players still feel the remnants of the monetization model affect gameplay balance, the consensus is that the game is now enjoyable without the need for additional purchases, allowing players to experience the full content through regular gameplay.
- “While the game does have some microtransactions, they are largely unnecessary for enjoying the full experience.”
- “The good news- they've long since cut all the microtransactions that the game used to be plagued with, and the scars from its surgery have healed.”
- “This game is amazing, by far my favourite in a long time i would highly reccomend purchasing it if your only beef was with the microtransactions you will not regret it.”
- “This game was clearly just a cash grab.”
- “One of the major downsides of Shadow of War is the microtransactions.”
- “The game is an uninspired cash grab from people who make money with games but don't play their own games.”
grinding
2,533 mentions
1 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Shadow of War" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in the late game. Critics highlight that the game often feels bloated with grinding tasks, especially during the "shadow wars" section, which can require significant time investment for minimal rewards. However, some players appreciate the grind as a means to engage with the game's mechanics and enjoy the nemesis system, suggesting that while the grind can be overwhelming, it can also be rewarding for those who enjoy building and leveling up their orc armies.
- “Campaign is great, achievements aren't too grindy if you like to 100% games like me, and man, that nemesis system got me craving a game where you just play as the orcs and fight your way to the top.”
- “The progression system is all right, not too grindy now that the microtransaction stuff has been removed, mostly.”
- “I've completed this game 100% it isn't that grindy; just do the side quests, fight some captains, and you'll be almost constantly leveling up throughout the game.”
- “Way too grindy for the casual player.”
- “Also tedious and bloated compared to its predecessor.”
- “The required attack and defense stats needed to effectively survive the end game will take up the bulk of your playthrough.”
humor
1,064 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Middle-earth: Shadow of War" is largely driven by the orc characters, whose quirky personalities and hilarious dialogue provide a consistent source of entertainment throughout the game. Players appreciate the variety of orc interactions, with many finding the banter and unique traits of the orcs to be both funny and engaging, although some feel that the repetitive nature of their monologues can become tiresome over time. Overall, the game's humor is a standout feature, contributing significantly to its replayability and enjoyment.
- “Game is crazy fun with a lot of funny orcs; the funny orc part is why I've played it for so many years as it's never got old for me hearing their funny dialogue in and out of combat when idle.”
- “The orcs are the stars of the show - they are so funny and have so much personality!”
- “The sheer amount of funny voiced orcs that are in this game is honestly astounding and impressive.”
- “It's too sad this game is considered done and will never be touched again, besides having really unfunny bugs and no skippable speeches.”
- “The orcs never become funny.”
- “Graphics are good, but gameplay is so repetitive that it's not funny.”
stability
766 mentions
8 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, game-breaking glitches, and frustrating bugs that significantly hinder gameplay. While some users have experienced minimal issues, many others describe the game as a "buggy mess," with problems ranging from minor graphical glitches to severe performance issues that can make it unplayable. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization and bug fixes to improve the player experience.
- “The game runs great, it looks great and I love the fort aspect of it.”
- “I've become completely immersed in this game and it feels really nice to play a game that is polished, bug-free, and downright addicting to play.”
- “It runs great, no crashing, no stuttering, and the gameplay is a step up from Shadow of Mordor.”
- “Too many glitches that make the game unbearable most of the time.”
- “The insane amount of game-breaking glitches really dampens the experience with glitches ranging from an enemy captain saving you from himself to the game leveling you down from max level (80) to level 3.”
- “The game is plagued with some kind of stuttering bug, where every 10 seconds or so the game freezes for a second and then quickly rubber-bands.”
replayability
582 mentions
47 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is highly praised, primarily due to its innovative nemesis system, which ensures that no two playthroughs are the same and adds significant depth to the gameplay. Many players find the variety of mechanics, including fortress sieges and asynchronous multiplayer elements, contribute to an engaging experience that encourages repeated play. However, some critiques mention that the replay value may diminish after completing the main story, with certain aspects becoming repetitive over time.
- “The game's nemesis system, as it is called, is an excellent method of offering replayability without adding meaningless fluff to the campaign.”
- “The unpredictability of the system ensures that no two playthroughs are the same, enhancing the game’s replay value.”
- “This game has so much replay value; no matter how many times, how many new saves you play, you'll never have the same experience.”
- “Too bad the gameplay gets stale fairly quickly, and there's not much replay value in my opinion.”
- “I do not think there is much replayability after completing the game on the hardest difficulty.”
- “There is just not a lot of replayability as when you finish the game, you will just repeat the same process over and over again.”
optimization
573 mentions
50 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its ability to run smoothly on a variety of hardware, including lower-end PCs, while others report significant performance issues such as stuttering and crashes, particularly on mid-range systems. Some users highlight that the game performs well at high settings, but others experience inconsistent frame rates and bugs that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while there are commendable aspects of optimization, particularly in graphics and stability for certain setups, many players feel that further improvements are needed to address the ongoing performance issues.
- “Very well made, tremendous optimization, great narrative and history, the gameplay is fantastic and has innovative mechanics like the nemesis system.”
- “The graphics are also very nice, and are optimized well enough that lots of fairly low-end PCs can run them.”
- “This is easily the most well-optimized, smooth, no lag, no stutter modern game I have ever played on PC.”
- “Horrible performance, frequent crashes.”
- “Additionally, despite several post-launch patches aimed at addressing these issues, many bugs and glitches continue to persist, indicating that further optimization was needed but never came.”
- “The game is plagued with some kind of stuttering bug, where every 10 seconds or so the game freezes for a second and then quickly rubber-bands.”
music
510 mentions
47 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional depth of the gameplay, particularly during battles and key narrative moments. While some players find the soundtrack to be immersive and fitting for the Tolkien universe, others criticize it for being forgettable or overly generic, with some tracks recycled from the previous game. Overall, the soundtrack is often described as good but not groundbreaking, with standout moments that resonate with fans of the series.
- “The soundtrack is amazing, one of the best.”
- “The music heightens the intensity of battles and the emotional weight of the narrative.”
- “The soundtrack is another masterpiece, enhancing the emotional depth and epic scale of the journey.”
- “Music feels forgettable, while trying to invoke some of the Lord of the Rings movie soundtrack sensations, but its use is misguided (I hated the comedy music that plays out whenever Ratbag shows up) and it usually ends up drowned out by all the shouting going on.”
- “The soundtrack doesn't match the game.”
- “Music was really generic to the point where I ended up muting it.”
emotional
278 mentions
85 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of responses, with some players finding the story deeply touching and capable of evoking tears, particularly during key moments involving Talion and his relationships with orc characters. However, many reviews also highlight a lack of emotional depth in the narrative, describing it as repetitive and at times boring, which detracts from the overall emotional engagement. Despite these criticisms, the game's soundtrack and character interactions are praised for enhancing the emotional experience, making it a mixed but impactful journey for players.
- “The story is gripping, and I found, in places, deeply, sadly touching, and it's this I mean when I say they've done something great with Tolkien, whilst keeping what made his world great.”
- “This is honestly one of the most enjoyable and touching games I've ever played. I personally grew extremely attached to Talion and Celebrimbor, and the game endings left me in a state of great melancholy... yet the game never fails to make you smile; decapitating orcs and enemies has never been this fun.”
- “The ending of the first game was rather disappointing, but the ending of Shadow of War was so satisfying and so emotional, I loved it!”
- “It feels grindy; it feels unsatisfying to do the same thing over and over until the boring story progresses.”
- “So in short, you spend 99% of your game in a boring combat system mashing buttons to kill an infinite supply of sword-sponges (grunts) so that you get zero reward or incentive or try to stealth around them, which is boring and barely works due to poor stealth mechanics; to run from boring story missions that start with a poor cutscene acted by poor characters to another boring story mission that also starts/ends with another poorly acted cutscene with uninteresting characters; all of this happens in a world that does neither look nor sound that good!”
- “The first 6 hours are slow, featuring a boring story that has no relevance until you get to the final hour of the game.”
atmosphere
168 mentions
48 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor" is widely praised for its stunningly rendered environments and immersive sound design, effectively capturing the dark and gritty essence of Mordor. Players appreciate the dramatic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, making them feel deeply connected to the lore and world of Tolkien. While some critiques mention a shift in atmosphere in its sequel, "Shadow of War," the overall consensus highlights a rich, vibrant, and engaging atmosphere that draws players into the epic narrative and gameplay.
- “The graphics are stunning, capturing the dark and atmospheric essence of Mordor with breathtaking landscapes and attention to detail.”
- “From the towering spires of Minas Ithil to the shadowy forests of Nurnen, every corner of Middle-earth is teeming with detail and atmosphere, immersing players in a world that feels alive and vibrant.”
- “The game's lighting effects and atmospheric soundtrack further enhance the overall ambience, making it feel like you're truly part of this epic world.”
- “Worse graphics, worse controls, worse atmosphere, worse UI, even the story is stupid compared to Shadow of Mordor... I can't make myself to play more with this... the perfect opposite of what I've felt with Mordor... I couldn't put that one down, because that game had a soul, this one is a cash grab...”
- “Brightly colored enemy labels and some of the HUD ruin the dark atmosphere to some extent.”
- “There's no atmosphere at all, very little lore, it doesn't feel like your battles affect anything.”
character development
110 mentions
38 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the gradual transformation of key characters like Celebrimbor and the engaging Nemesis system that adds depth to orc personalities. However, many critiques highlight a lack of investment in side characters, repetitive storytelling, and a reliance on clichés, leading to a perception of poor overall character development. While the skill tree system offers customization, it often feels disconnected from meaningful narrative progression, leaving players wanting more depth and coherence in character arcs.
- “The narrative is bolstered by strong voice acting and character development; it has one of the richest stories I've seen in a video game in a while.”
- “The character development is astounding, very, very well done, and the game is an absolute riot.”
- “Love the character development and the fact that enemies return changed due to previous deaths.”
- “The character development is bad and you are really given zero reason to get invested because the overall story – and writing of it – is, at best, one big cliché and at worst actually bad.”
- “Some characters are killed off quite early in the game without any character development whatsoever and you are meant to feel sad for these characters that you don't even know who they are and what they did before they were killed.”
- “The story seems to demean everything the first game built up, the character development of the handful of NPCs that are introduced are beyond poor, to the point of their existence being meaningless.”