Middle-earth™: Shadow of Mordor™

One of my absolute favourite games of all time. The story itself is nothing crazy but the gameplay is absolutely great. Plus the system they have in place for the orcs and their hierarchy is nothing short of amazing and one of the best way to service the amazing gameplay throughout the whole game.

Of course I’m gonna recommend this game. Gotta be my fave game of all time, so much that I purchased it again just to play thru it, again! Amazing open world with lots of killing blood and gore.

this is a good game, the nemesis system offers a unique experience, making you pissed when you die craving for vengeance. The gameplay is fluid with a lot of perks and approachs: stealth, ranged, melee,etc. the parkour is satisfying, but sometimes a little bugged. the story is great but a little blured for those who are not famliar with lord of the rings lore. a solid 7,5/10

As a retired gamer, I usually hit peak gaming mode in December and January, diving into RPGs that feel like part-time jobs to beat. A few years ago, I played Shadow of Mordor and found it incredibly fun despite its lack of an engaging story. It’s one of the most enjoyable games out there—pure entertainment.

I also tried the sequel, but it didn’t capture the same magic. Shadow of Mordor remains the best of the two. It’s not outdated and still holds up, so don’t skip it!

It's very fun and sometimes hard to play; the nemisis system will keep you playing for hours

Super fun game with a very fluid game play and if you're a fan of the series it is definitely worth to try and play the game, although it is a short story game.

Bought the game and all DLC. Only 10 years late. Anyway I'm enjoying it a ton.

Great game love the combat but do wish the ending had a fun fight of what it was but over that id give a 8/10

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor remains one of the most remarkable gaming experiences even over a decade later. Its seamless blend of fluid combat, groundbreaking mechanics, and immersive world-building ensures its place as a true classic.

The combat system is nothing short of mesmerizing. Once you find your rhythm, the action flows effortlessly, creating a near-Zen-like state that keeps you engaged through every skirmish. It's rare for a game to offer combat so intuitive yet so rewarding, and Shadow of Mordor achieves this effortlessly.

However, the true crown jewel is the Nemesis System, a feature so innovative and unique that it continues to set the standard for dynamic storytelling in video games. The way enemies remember your encounters, hold grudges, and evolve with each defeat (or victory) creates an unmatched level of immersion. It’s thrilling, unpredictable, and personal, making every encounter feel significant. Even now, this system stands as one of the most brilliant achievements in gaming history.

While Talion as a protagonist may not stand out in the crowded pantheon of video game heroes, his polarizing nature adds an intriguing layer to the story. His stoic demeanor and dark motivations juxtapose the vibrant personalities of the Uruk captains, creating a fascinating dynamic that keeps you invested.

In short, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is a testament to what video games can achieve when bold innovation meets masterful execution. Whether you're a fan of Tolkien's world or simply love immersive action games, this is a title that deserves a place in every gamer's library.

Shadow of mordor is an amazing experience. The nemesis system is great and the unpredictability of the enemies keeps you on your toes. You should try it out.

Great gameplay, story isnt the strongest but the gameplay makes up for it

The gameplay is addictive due to the Nemesis system, which makes this game truly captivating and causes me to lose track of time.

Main positivies being the same type of combat as in the new batman games, and not that much walking about. Story is pretty ass and gameplay gets repetitive after the first hour or so. Combat feels same as in Witcher 1, sure there's better animations but it's still pretty close to just fucking pressing mouse 1 on a rhythm. I'd only recommend this to lotr fans.

this game might be on the older side but for the price is definitely worth it. as someone who knows nothing about LOTR this game did not feel like i needed any prior knowledge to enjoy it

Great game, not gonna lie. I’ve just been hanging around, completing challenges, and causing chaos. The main story can wait. This game is so fun! No wonder it won GOTY in 2014.

Pretty damn fun if you play it as a sandbox orc murder simulator. Having a really good time not focusing on the story first and doing sidequests and battles first, which I think should be the main way to play the game.

Awesome game, with addictive combat, makes you feel like a beast with skill chains stacking up, Overall a great story with its DLC's

I love the part where it transforms from action RPG to micromanagment of your personal orc army, truly the trap for autistic dumbass such as myself

this game has a satisfying combat that i really enjoy. but i have a feeling that i could be bored by this combat style, and then i will be missing it, then i will love it again

It's a nice looking game with nice visuals even for a 2014 game...
however, once you clear an area and save some people, not even 5 minutes later there will be same orcs enslaving same looking people... it is extremely annoying... the whole
never ending respawn of enemies... some people might like it and just keep grinding but not me... I can do a little bit of grinding/farming for xp but not in the same area constantly because orcs keep respawning... then I read somewhere that captains keep dying because orcs respawn and that just sealed the deal... I wont keep playing... I have a life outside of video games...

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is absolutely worth the time.

I've watched both The Lord of the Rings movie trilogies, but I'm not a hardcore fan of the franchise. However, this game completely changed that, it got me interested in reading the books and exploring the "High Fantasy" genre (which, honestly, I didn’t even know was a thing).

The story follows a typical revenge plot with some twists that unravel as the game progresses. Personally, I don’t usually care much for stories in video games, but the combat here? It's on another level. Having played two of the Arkham games, I can confidently say this game outshines them. The sense of power and fluidity is unmatched, even compared to games like Prototype and Hulk: Ultimate Destruction.

Every hit feels smooth, and within a few hours, you’re armed with a variety of combat options that integrate seamlessly. Most of the abilities are a joy to use, with only a few upgrades feeling lackluster. Once you unlock the 2x special use and lower the multiplier requirement to 5, the game becomes a chaotic, satisfying playground. You can start with a few arrows, chain into a Wraith stun and flurry, then finish off with combat brands, leaving an entire stronghold in ruins.

Visually, the graphics hold up surprisingly well for an older game, with orcs that feel gritty and realistic rather than cartoonish. While some of the side challenges can get repetitive, that’s par for the course with hack-and-slash titles.

I’ve just started playing Shadow of War, and so far, it feels underwhelming compared to its predecessor. I’m hoping I warm up to the changes after spending more time with it.

Oh, and how could I forget the Nemesis system? This feature adds a unique layer of depth by creating personal rivalries with specific orcs, making every playthrough distinct. I'll never forget Lugnak the Crippler, a relentless foe with no real weaknesses except a fear of fire. He’d always ambush me when I was already fighting multiple captains, often with no access to a campfire or grog barrel. His “shame” trait meant he wouldn’t kill me outright, he’d just hit me with two arrows to bring me near death, leave, and come back 10 minutes later to do it again. He was absolutely overpowered until I finally managed to blow up a barrel behind him. Now, he dies every single time.

If you’re looking for a game where you feel like a badass, not just in cutscenes but through your own actions, this is the one to play.

As a LOTR fan, this is a great game, combat and art design are excellent. Easily 9/10.

This is basically a tech demo for the Nemesis System with a game slapped on top of it. It's over as soon as it starts with a very tempered main quest. It begins with a huge event, then you're doing menial things for 18 missions, then you have a final boss fight against a terrible QTE and its over.

Where this game shines is in the unpredictability of the Orcs with the sadly patented and underused since 2017 Nemesis System. No playthrough feels the same and even though the limits and age does show on the system, it keeps encounters with the same orc feeling organic. Would love to have seen it in more games.

Base game: 8/10.
Bright Lord: 7/10.
Test of the Ring: 8.5/10.
Lord of the Hunt: 6/10.
Test of the Wild: 7/10.

Even though it's nine years old (and with some mechanics, you do notice this) it really pulls you in. Great game.

A perfect combination both Arkham and Assassin's creed. What else do you want?

Honestly, 10/10 game. A game that I wouldn't be upset if i paid full price for, so the discount is a huge bonus. If you're a fan of the Lord of the Rings / Hobbit ( or even if you're not ) its a seriously good 3rd person hack and slash game that even on the lowest of settings looks and runs better than most games coming out in the 2020's.

Shadow of Mordor delivers an engaging open-world experience with its unique Nemesis system, but repetitive combat and missions can drag on. Still, it's a solid choice for fans of Middle-earth and action-adventure games.

Great game play, good story, good graphics... great game. It may not be cannon to the LOTR universe but it fits well within the lore. I've played this game for years and I keep coming back to it.

Really dont get the hype for this game I love LOTR but this game is basically Assassins Creed but if everyone was enemies and instead of beautiful cities its just orc camps and slave pens. Hunting bosses also kind of boring since its just "Orc Variant 43" with random strengths/weaknesses. Sure some of the finishers look cool but very quickly things get repetitive. Progression is underwhelming too.

As a Lord of the Rings nerd, Shadow of Mordor hooked me with its attention to the world’s lore. The Nemesis System stands out, making every orc encounter unique as enemies remember you and adapt. Combat feels like a polished blend of Batman: Arkham and Assassin’s Creed, with smooth counters and brutal executions.

The world is immersive, with plenty of lore-rich collectibles and side content to explore. While the gameplay loop can get repetitive, the mix of stealth, combat, and orc politics kept me engaged. For fans of Tolkien and action games, it’s an addictive experience.

Great game even playing it now 10 years after. The only issue I have are controls. They could have made a better key binding for better user experience for PC

Combat is not quite fluid and graphics seems meh because it's come out at 2014. But worth only when sale. If wanna know about story, better buy this. If not, then go buy Shadow of war instead.

I'm loving this game. Decided to replay it since i never completed it, but the combat is great and can be brutal sometimes which adds to the fun. only bad thing is how multiple captains will join in fighting which can be a headache, but i wish they will make another game within the series.

Best combat mechanic I've ever experienced in a game. Great story and unique enemy mechanics.

Amazing game! Finally completed it on PC however I must admit, I had more fun with it on Xbox. (I played with controller after a while and that fixed everything) Must play game.

To kill time or on a lazy day you can try as a side business. Why I hate the Arkham night, and stop playing because, its too repetitive and boring to bash the same npc over and over again, which could be found on every corner. Compared to that, this one was slightly different bit better, but delivers the same effect. As like AC, Uncharted, these repetitive climbing and jumping seems to be so overwhelming. Also, with the same mechanics there were some exceptions too, eg: early AC brotherhood, unity, black flag & stealth attacks in Hit-man. Even though other games has some strong holds on stories or in progressions, here, its all same and blunt. But the movements and graphics is nice.

great game...shittiest last bosses ever. bulshit stealth drain to the tower then a 5 second quicktime event with sauron? all these skills and practice honing how to wreck this game in fights only to have no fight at the end at all? lame as fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhh! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Big Tolkien fan and in love with the world he created. This game being a decade old now is still so much fun to play!

Almost a decade after winning Game of the Year this game still holds up to that title well. Offering a unique and engaging experience where the player's creativity is rewarded rather than a linear game path to be followed. The Uruk army system is really clever and I only grew more fond of it as the game progressed. I also thought the combat system was well designed, being balanced in such a way that a variety of strategies were equally valid. The game is an absolute steal at $5 or less. Based on my own experience I'm surprised its not rated Overwhelmingly Positive.

Would really recommend if you've played shadow of war, a good prequel to it and the story is really nice.

I found this game while looking for games that work well on the Steam Deck, and had just watched the Rings of Power show. Hard to believe this game is 10 years old. Very well optimized, works great on Steam Deck and PCs alike. Recommend the HD texture pack DLC (free) and auto-HDR on the Windows side, just to give it a bit more juice. It looks fantastic honestly, you would not believe it's from 2014.

I have a few minor gripes that aren't even worth mentioning in the grand scheme of things. The beginning can be just a touch difficult before learning the ropes and leveling the character. But after maybe 5-8 hours, it becomes a pure orc slaughter sandbox and is insanely fun (not to say the first few hours aren't fun, just that things really open up as it goes on).

I believe you can get Shadow of Mordor + Shadow of War + all DLCs for both for $6.99 during the current winter sale, absolute steal for the amount of entertainment.

Back on the Rings of Power show, some of the lore overlaps which is a great segway into this game.

When I played this game originally on release, I kinda hated it and found it too difficult. When I realized that you are supposed to play this game like Batman Arkham Trilogy and not Assassins Creed, it finally clicked.

1. Reused content - Each fort or map special interest is reused 2-3 times at least almost 10 times if you count collectables and DLC. This is unlike anything I have seen in any other open world game before. You end up memorizing the fort layouts and can speed run through them by the time the game ends.
2. Free running jank - The same glitches you are familiar in Assassins creed are here too. Weird ledges and jumping at weird angles. All here. All freaking here.
3. Factory like orc slaying by end game - Near end game you come across so many orcs and they give their quippy one liners so many times in quick succession, it makes you wish for a skip dialogue button.
4. Skipped the DLC - DLC tries to vary things up a bit, but it is not enough for me. It feels more of the same.
5. Branding all the orc captains is surprisingly easy - After you unlock the brand ability you can pretty much brand all captains and even all orcs on the map. There is no reason not to brand if you can pull it off.
6. Story - Harry Potter to Hogwarts Legacy is what LOTR is to Shadow of Mordor. Its hardly there and weak sauce.
7. Difficult early game - Beeline the health upgrades followed by Storm of Urfael. Thats all you need until end game.

The game needs patience to enjoy. Imagine you are Batman. Half ghost elf medieval magic Batman, but it is still just Batman.

Played the game on xbox originally and beat it and the sequel. Bought it on pc and have been replaying it. Still as good as on xbox and the frame boost is amazing

Shadow of Mordor was perfect for me. Story wasn't too long but was still somewhat engaging. The combat was your typical "Y to counterattack" Arkham-style game but still felt solid. Movement felt similar to that of the Assassin's Creed games.

Was a bit disappointed to have gathered all of the collectibles only to find that nothing really happens though.

Overall, good quick game and might jump into the second one at some point.

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor remains an excellent video game, even years after its release, and a strong contender for a hypothetical "Game of the Decade" discussion. As a long-time gamer, I was thoroughly impressed by its unique blend of action, stealth, and Lord of the Rings lore.

One of the game's strengths lies in its accessible yet deep control scheme. Whether you're a seasoned hack-and-slash veteran or new to the genre, the controls feel intuitive and responsive, allowing for both simple strikes and complex combat maneuvers.

The narrative cleverly positions you within the established Lord of the Rings universe without retreading familiar ground. You inhabit a new character and experience a story that complements the events of the books and films, enriching the overall lore and providing a fresh perspective on Middle-earth. This approach creates a sense of immersion and allows players to feel like they are actively contributing to the larger narrative.

The gameplay itself is highly engaging, emphasizing fluid and dynamic combat. The satisfying combat system allows for a real sense of progression. Whether you're mastering new skills or learning from your mistakes, the game consistently encourages improvement and rewards strategic play.

Even by today's standards, the graphics, acting, and overall production value hold up remarkably well. This speaks to the high quality of the original development and ensures that the game remains visually appealing and immersive.

While no game is without its flaws, many of Shadow of Mordor's original technical issues have been resolved through patches and updates. This makes the experience even smoother for modern players.

Considering its current low price point, this game offers exceptional value. For the cost of a single meal, you can enjoy dozens of hours of compelling gameplay and a truly memorable experience in Middle-earth. I wholeheartedly recommend this game to anyone looking for a captivating action-packed outlet for your combat rage.

Fun, new LOTR game that makes for fun, repetitive (but in a good way) gameplay. Short but the right length for the map size

I'll recommend this game, but I'm not going to finish it. The combat animations are amazing, they really polished this game up nicely. The unique uruks are awesome. I especially like how they talk smack to you before a fight. Overall, it's fun for people that like stealthy batman type games.

Assassin's Creed in Mordor.






The wraith abilities add quite a bit of fun to the gameplay, the orc commanders feel unique and original many dozens of hours in - and by the time they don't, you probably have 100%'d the game.

In addition, the lore aspect is quite fun to learn, especially easy for someone who's not a Middle Earth person - although a lot of it becomes really heavy-handed in DLCs, but what could you expect.

Took me 57 hours to get 100% - and I'm a slow player and keep the game on pause a lot, don't see myself replaying it much though.

Deserved the goty, such an beautiful game:
Gameplay : 10/10
Combat System: 10/10
History: 10/10 (if you are a fan on lotr)
Bug: didnt find any

In fact the only unique problem it is that they didt allow other games to use the Nemesis Enemy system, because its AMAZING, this is sad, but the games its really good.

Buying shadow of war now!

Honestly, I like more this one then SOW. Sure, it has smaller map and less mechanics, but this one feels like full product. SOW had more, but everything is mediocre. This one has less, but sometimes, less is more. Maybe not usual opinion, but this one is more of my style. Map is more brutal, more LOTR-like and it's more dark. How LOTR should be. This one is easily 8/10 for me.