I say might because despite its critical acclaim and overwhelmingly positive reception from fans, its sales success and its revolutionary Nemesis system, Warner Bros. and Monolith haven’t actually confirmed a Shadow of Mordor sequel. The open-world revenge story was easily one of the best games in 2014, and there’s a lot that could be done to make the sequel build on the many ideas the first title had. And if a stunt actress’ resume is to be believed, that’s going to happen.
Spotted by Nerdleaks last night before being promptly taken down, the resume of stunt actress Lauren Mary Kim featured a listing for Shadow (or Shadows?) of Mordor 2, along with other game attributed jobs such as work for Mafia 3. The employer next to the title was listed as Blur, a famous studio known for their CGI work in films and games alike. So it’s possible Kim might have been roped in for work on a CGI-trailer. Maybe one that could reveal the title at E3?
It’s completely possible and plausible, especially when looking at some of the recent inner workings at Monolith. In August last year, Shadow of Mordor’s senior designer, Jed Bellini, began working on an unannounced title according to his resume. Then in February a senior artist on Far Cry: Primal, Jobye-Kyle Karmaker, joined Monolith too for the same project. So whether it’s Shadow of Mordor 2 or something new entirely, Monolith is well into the development of…something.
But it’s certainly likely that a Middle-Earth sequel is on the cards, even if the first game’s DLC and lacklustre ending didn’t leave much open for new narrative avenues. Either way, I just want to see Monolith iterate and improve that Nemesis System further – because it was something different in the first title, but it would be an industry changing mechanic if made even better.
Last Updated: March 30, 2016
Original Heretic
March 30, 2016 at 08:38
This game was fun. Assassin Creed’s movement combined with Batman: Arkham combat. Kickass combination.
Hammersteyn
March 30, 2016 at 09:01
I loved the massive brawl near the end. The sequel needs a lot more of that
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 30, 2016 at 09:15
I just hope this one is a bit less of a re-textured Batman game.
miaau
March 30, 2016 at 09:21
What? No, I did not think it that much like Batman, but I only played the first two and did not finish City, I got bored.
I loved this game, although I have not finished it.
I just load it up and go and kill things, that is all. I enjoy that, the smoothness and stuff.
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 30, 2016 at 09:25
I finished all the Batman games but City and obviously not Arkham Knight. Also finished Shadow of Batman.
From a design viewpoint much of the game was just recycled from Batman. Lazily so. They could at least have changed some of the spine animations they re-used from Batman a little bit.
The kill moves were brilliant though, but seeing how I bought the game on release I really don’t feel like it was worth it.
konfab
March 30, 2016 at 09:42
This is lazy gamer, we are meant to be encouraging laziness :p
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 30, 2016 at 09:42
Haha. True.
Then the porting of Arkham Knight to pc is SPOT ON! 😀
Pariah
March 30, 2016 at 09:43
I never played, nor will ever play the Batman games. For me, this game is still epic. Some of the coolest random moments to encounter, and each encounter is, or can be, different.
Shit, now I want to play this again. WHY?! DAMMIT WHY?!
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 30, 2016 at 09:47
Arkham Asylum is probably one the best 3rd person games I’ve ever played.
Replayed it even.
By the time Shadow of Batman came around it was just more of the same for me. as far as gameplay is concerned.
Pariah
March 30, 2016 at 09:48
Yeah but it’s Batman. It’s really, REALLY difficult for me to get excited about any kind of superhero game. Literally, any kind. There’s no bias.
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 30, 2016 at 09:49
Ah. I see.
Okay. Fair enough.
Then Shadow of Mordor is the best Batman game you’ll get to play without having to be Batman. 🙂
Pariah
March 30, 2016 at 09:50
That I can live with. 😛
miaau
March 30, 2016 at 10:47
Arkham Asylum is really, really good.
It is tight, focused, has an actual story and stops this “open world” crap. It works well, really, really well. AND is fun to play as well.
Arkham City? Open World, freedom. Loss of focus. Nah.
Geoffrey Tim
March 30, 2016 at 10:50
100% agreed. I loved Arkham Asylum – but with each sequel, as the devs tried to stuff more and more in to the game, it lost focus for me. Too much superfluous crap.
miaau
March 30, 2016 at 10:55
That is what I do not get about a lot of new games. Trying too hard
Fox1 - Retro
March 30, 2016 at 09:16
Shadow of Mehdor…
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 30, 2016 at 09:20
The fighting was fun (apart from the QTEs) but it was very underwhelming as a game for me.
The “immense” map was tiny. The missions with just copy and paste.
And most of the character animations were directly taken from Batman. The orcs walked and reacted like the thugs from Batman even. Not to mention wraith/detective mode.
HairyEwok
March 30, 2016 at 09:58
One thing that really put me off from this game was the repetitive gameplay. Go here, kill that guy, rinse and repeat.
Jonah Cash
March 30, 2016 at 10:05
I thought I was the only one. Got to a point where I had killed the lower ranks and 30 minutes later it was just repopulated and I had to kill all the new idiots again. Waste of a game. Clanky controls with boring gameplay.
HairyEwok
March 30, 2016 at 10:11
Yup. It literally felt like I weren’t making any progress at all, I actually believed my game was corrupted or something.
Jonah Cash
March 30, 2016 at 10:04
Oh my word I hated this game so badly!! Won’t even bother with number 2… Something about this game really irritated me.
Jim Hogan (Banana Hulk Hogan)
March 30, 2016 at 11:16
Shadow of Mordor took me by surprise, so yes, I would gladly throw some randelas at the sequel!