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Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor (2014) and Middle-earth: Shadow of War is an adventure series set in Tolkein's fictional work, between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. You play Talion, a Ranger who sets out to avenge the deaths of his loved one. The fighting and combat is as you might expect, but more interesting is the open world and its "Nemesis System", which creates an actively changing and political world in which to play.
While there is a story you follow, how the creatures and the world responds to you depends on your previous actions as well as how other events are unfolding for the different races. For example, If an enemy kills the player, he will up promoted and become more powerful in future encounters.
In Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, Mordor is not yet a barren wasteland, you will encounter Gollum and discover that the wraith who revived him is Celebrimbor, the greatest Elven smith master of the Second Age, who also seeks revenge against Sauron. Middle-earth: Shadow of War continues the story, as you travel to Mount Doom. You will deal with Shelob, the Ring, Sauron's forces and a valuable Palantir. You don't need to know the books and films but this will add more substance to the events you are caught up in.
Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Thom Robertson and updated 8 weeks ago.
While there is a story you follow, how the creatures and the world responds to you depends on your previous actions as well as how other events are unfolding for the different races. For example, If an enemy kills the player, he will up promoted and become more powerful in future encounters.
In Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, Mordor is not yet a barren wasteland, you will encounter Gollum and discover that the wraith who revived him is Celebrimbor, the greatest Elven smith master of the Second Age, who also seeks revenge against Sauron. Middle-earth: Shadow of War continues the story, as you travel to Mount Doom. You will deal with Shelob, the Ring, Sauron's forces and a valuable Palantir. You don't need to know the books and films but this will add more substance to the events you are caught up in.
Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Thom Robertson and updated 8 weeks ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor (Series). Here are some similar younger-rated games:
Play Style
This is an Action and Adventure game with Fighting, Narrative, Role-Play, Simulation and Strategy elements. You can play this by yourself or as a 2-player online game. Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War both have online vendettas where you can take on enemies who had killed an online friend and avenge their death. In Shadow of War you do this in your friend's world.
Shadow of War also has Online Conquest that's a little like Clash of Clans and results in a ranking. You equip your fortress and upload it online for other players to assault. You can assault other people's fortresses. Depending on how quickly you win you are awarded a rank and loot. You can't lose captains when defending a fortress but you can when assaulting.
Shadow of War also has Online Conquest that's a little like Clash of Clans and results in a ranking. You equip your fortress and upload it online for other players to assault. You can assault other people's fortresses. Depending on how quickly you win you are awarded a rank and loot. You can't lose captains when defending a fortress but you can when assaulting.
You can play this game in the following styles:
Duration
Play Time: This game will take between 20 hours and 25 hours to complete. Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor and Middle-Earth: Shadow of War are similar length although how long it takes depends on approach and skill. To see everything will take over 75 hours.
Benefits
Age Ratings
Rated for younger players in Australia. Rated Mature Accompanied (MA 15+) for Strong Violence.
Account Rating
- You need PlayStation Plus to play online with PlayStation 3.
- You need be 18-years-old to to subscribe to Xbox Live Gold for online play, but can then configure family accounts for younger players to play online with Xbox One.
- You need be 18-years-old to subscribe to PlayStation Plus for online play, but can create sub-accounts for younger players of 7-years or older to play online with PlayStation 4.
Costs
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor usually costs £15.99.
In addition to small items and customisations there are larger paid expansions for Shadow of Mordor:
There are also small items and large expansions for Shadow of War:
The Game of the Year and Definitive editions includes these upgrades. You can also purchase a season pass to access the big content packs and other bonuses.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor
There are the following additional costs associated with this game:- In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
- In-Game Pass: Purchase a season/battle pass to gain access to limited in-game purchases, reward items and other aspects of the game.
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You need a subscription to play online:
- You need Xbox Live Gold to play online with Xbox 360.
- You need to purchase a PlayStation Plus subscription to play online with PlayStation 4.
- You need to purchase a Xbox Live Gold subscription to play online with Xbox One.
In addition to small items and customisations there are larger paid expansions for Shadow of Mordor:
- Lord of the Hunt
- The Bright Lord
There are also small items and large expansions for Shadow of War:
- Desolation of Mordor Story Expansion
- Blade of Galadriel Story Expansion
- Slaughter Tribe Nemesis Expansion
- Outlaw Tribe Nemesis Expansion
The Game of the Year and Definitive editions includes these upgrades. You can also purchase a season pass to access the big content packs and other bonuses.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Game Details
Release Date: 30/09/2014, updated in 2017
Out Now: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One
Players: 1 (2 online)
Genres: Action, Adventure (Fighting, Narrative, Role-Play, Simulation and Strategy)
Accessibility: 1 feature
Components: 3D Third-Person and Open World
Developer: Monolith Dev (@MonolithDev)
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