Skip to content
Home » Middle-earth: Shadow of War Review – The Continuation of an Epic Fantasy Saga

Middle-earth: Shadow of War Review – The Continuation of an Epic Fantasy Saga

Middle-earth: Shadow of War
Monolith/Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

2014’s Shadow of Mordor was quite an impressive game. In fact, it was so good that although there were some rather repetitive aspects to it, the overall package was nothing short of a modern action RPG masterpiece. It introduced the brilliant combination of Assassin’s Creed-style parkouring and adventure, Batman’s Arkham-esque combat mechanics, and these were all wrapped up in the timeless Tolkien IP. Its novel (at the time) Nemesis system was the icing on the proverbial cake, and gave the game an epic feeling that just about everybody who played it remembers to this day.

In this regard, the developers of sequels to award-winning games often try to out-do their previous efforts, and Monolith is no different in attempting this. Middle-earth: Shadow of War has hit the video gaming masses with lots of sound and fury—but how does it stack up about the first game? Does it ellicit the same giddy feelings that we all got when we figured out how to dodge roll, block and counter, and slash our way through legions of filthy orcs?

Shadow of War takes place right after the closing events of Shadow of Mordor, and both games are set in-between The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. Both explain the origins of Sauron, as well as the tragic tale of the ranger Talion and why he is on his do-or-die quest. Well, actually, Talion can’t quite die because he’s been co-habituated by the wraith-elf Celebrimbor, who also bestows upon him many magical abilities.

The beginning of Shadow of War describes how the two reluctant cohabitants eventually decide to forge a new ring of power, which is completely separate from the influence of Sauron as well as the One Ring. Almost immediately thereafter, the Spider Queen known as Shelob appears and captures Celebrimbor, essentially rendering Talion mortal again. In a Faustian deal, Talion agrees to embark on a mission for Shelob in return for setting Celebrimbor free. But of course there’s a catch—Talion must also give up their newly forged ring of power.

Oh yeah, and the Spider Queen transforms into a raven-haired, pale woman, wearing a skimpy outfit.

I’m not a Tolkienian geek by any measure—at least not a hardcore one—but to me this was quite jarring. Monolith also to take other such…er…liberties with other aspects of the Tolkien brand in Shadow of War. Monolith seemed to favor delivering entertainment over strictly adhering to Tolkienian canon here, so if you play the game with that in mind (as I did) you’ll enjoy it much more. Granted you’re not one of those Tolkien nitpickers.

From your shady deal with Shelob, you travel to the beautifully-rendered, high-walled city of Minas Ithil, which is under siege by the forces of evil. This is where the proper game starts, and you can unleash Talion, along with his newly reunited chum Celebrimbor, upon the legions of dastardly and dim-witted orcs, and their larger oleg brethren.

As I began to engage in Shadow of War’s combat system, I realized that it was very similar to Shadow of Mordor’s, only more refined. Talion also has more skills at his disposal than in the first game, but he must earn them by gaining experience. Shadow of War’s movement system has also been overhauled and feels much more fluid this time around, although you can still get hung up on objects from time to time.

In this regard, Shadow of War sometimes feels like an enhanced version of its predecessor. You’ll even travel to many of the same locations, including the picturesque green valleys of Nurnen and the scarred badlands of Gorgoroth. And once you earn the Dominate ability, you can force orcs and olegs alike into subservience and servitude, just like in the first game. However, everything is done on a much larger and more epic scale this time around, so I’m not complaining at all.

For example, you’ll engage in massive fortress battles within each of Shadow of War’s main five regions. You can do things such as scaling a castle’s walls, or hire some orc infiltrators to unlock its door and sneak in. You can conduct siege warfare on fortresses from the rear on a grand scale, or fight alongside your army’s ranks on the frontlines. The choices you make are all yours to decide, and all have their concomitant ramifications. Each fortress siege reminded me of the epic battle for Helm’s Deep in the movies, and I truly felt as though I was taking part in world-shaping conflicts that had serious ramifications for the future of Middle Earth.

The Nemesis system is also unsurprisingly back in action. What is surprising, however, is how well that it has been enhanced. Now, not only will orc chieftains remember your actions, but even allies will recall whether or not you have treated them fairly. Each orc’s personality also seem much more distinct as well, and Monolith has laid the humor on thick in this latest installment of the franchise. I can’t tell you how many times I laughed out loud (and was noticed by others while doing so) while listening to some of the orcs’ silly banter—I almost feel as though Shadow of War should add “Comedy” to its list of genres.

Shadow of War is an excellent follow-up to one of the finest action RPGs in recent history. Although they didn’t exactly re-invent the wheel this time around, the sequel managed to improve on virtually every aspect of the first game, and add its own unique features and charm into the mix as well. If you like fluid, intuitive combat, an epic storyline, and gorgeous visuals, try out Shadow of War for yourself.

Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™_20170930121626

SCORE: 86%

Shadow of War features great graphics that make its high fantasy gameplay truly shine. However, you want to have a pretty beefy gaming PC or gaming laptop in order to play it at a decent framerate. So, you may just want to invest in a decent gaming rig:

Visit CyberpowerPC’s website to check out all of the other great deals as well!

 

Tags:

59 thoughts on “Middle-earth: Shadow of War Review – The Continuation of an Epic Fantasy Saga”

  4. tmiccc@gmail.com
    Reply

    Greetings Im thinking about purchasing a new auto and I require help choosing in between an Audi or a Mercedes? I am looking to pick between and Audi A4 and C classI currently own an A4 and Im truly satisfied with it however I wanna hear from those of you who own a Mercedes or maybe have owned bothwhich one should I chooseThank you for your help
    where can i buy ugg slippers http://ugg.francarrilloguerrero.com

  7. qgrykfze@gmail.com
    Reply

    This kind of comment reminds my family that at this point could possibly any great opportunity to even more one’s collage education and learning. MY SPOUSE AND I wonder if WHEN I may possibly receive classes on the web. Now there are present a variety of fund programs currently which were as soon as and so quite imprecise to discover a very few typical.
    stuart weitzman shoes nordstrom http://www.dolux.co.uk

  9. zmigrfr@gmail.com
    Reply

    Good post. I be taught one thing tougher on completely different blogs everyday. Itll all the time be stimulating to read content from other writers and observe just a little one thing from their store. I’d want to use some with the content on my weblog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll offer you a link in your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
    ecco shoes on sale online http://www.napfashion.co.uk

  12. galneyrrck@gmail.com
    Reply

    Highly rated post. I learn something totally new on different blogs everyday. Deciding on one . stimulating to read the paper content from different writers and be taught just a little one thing from their website. I’d like to use sure of this content material on my weblog you’re mind. Natually I’ll give a link right here were at your web-site. Appreciate your sharing.
    arcteryx outlet ontario https://arcteryx.websila.us

  16. aytsue@gmail.com
    Reply

    Dywany – Now there, erratically you can all popularity and make the web page youve always dreamed about, going to initiate with inside gamblers, profit your current expense plus take from anyone cloister yourself any suitable bunny a minute next season. As well as within virtually any scenarios you seek uncorrupt a new tiny even more of learn more? I did, and here some tips i became. Sorry for my bad english language
    arcteryx harness sale http://arcteryx.francarrilloguerrero.com

  24. zrfxzmde@gmail.com
    Reply

    A really cold really benefit from searching on the internet might be you could look at specific specs within the computer contained in the web site, only just search for the actual component which will pronounces “Technical Details” and also “Tech Specs”. If you happen to check out a ordinary store it should take you actually a long time only to dr at this time there together with look forward to sales person to share with a person the particular specialised data in a notebook computer, and perhaps they wont learn the answer.
    emu boots price http://www.emuoutlet.online

  38. qoaelcsgb@gmail.com
    Reply

    I like it! I like it a lot. You know exactly what youre talking about, exactly where other people are approaching from on this issue. Im glad that I had the fortune to stumble across your webpage. Its definitely an important issue that not enough people are talking about and Im glad that I got the chance to see all the angles.
    ecco golf shoes outlet http://www.eccostore.cc

  39. torhckiwa@gmail.com
    Reply

    Hi – in truth great site you have created. I enjoyed reading this posting. I did want to publish a remark to tell you that the design of this content is very aesthetically delightful. I used to be a graphic designer, now I am a copy editor. I have always enjoyed functioning with information processing systems and am trying to learn code in my free time.
    roberto cavalli on sale http://robertocavalli.kmmits.com

  54. tisabruj@gmail.com
    Reply

    I wish to get across my gratitude for your generosity in support of all those that must have help on that area. Your very own commitment to getting the solution across appeared to be extremely advantageous and has continually empowered associates just like me to realize their desired goals. Your entire useful information entails a great deal a person like me and still more to my fellow workers. Thanks a ton; from each one of us.
    where to buy ugg boots cheap http://www.uggsaleu.cc

  55. hofyrh@gmail.com
    Reply

    To find that thing in your life you may need backup and the capacity to sustain yourself has many advantages. Keep in mind that if you can come up with someone else in order to really encourage, backup and keep you motivated to keep proceeding then that would be worthwhile.
    coach factory outlet online store http://www.whistless.co.uk

Leave a Reply