Some have accused the new Lord of the Rings game, Shadow of Mordor of being a bit of an Assassin’s creed clone, with one former Ubisoft developer even accusing the developers of stealing assets. We personally think that’s all a little unfounded, and though a few things may be influenced by Assassin’s Creed, Middle-earth:Shadow of Mordor has its own character. What it does seem to share with Assassin’s Creed though, is an un-optimised PC port.
The game’s Steam page reveals the game’s required PC specifications – and they’re not dissimilar to those needed by larger, open world games like Watch Dogs. While a GTX 670 or Radeon HD 7970 is the sort of stuff that any PC gamer worth his salt will be running already, they seem a little high for a 3rd person action RPG that’ll be making its way to the last gen consoles.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor PC System Requirements:
- Minimum:
- OS: 64-bit: Vista, Win 7, Win 8
- Processor: Intel Core i5-750, 2.67 GHz | AMD Phenom II X4 965, 3.4 GHz
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 | AMD Radeon HD 6950
- DirectX: Version 11
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 25 GB available space
- Recommended:
- OS: 64-bit: Win 7, Win 8
- Processor: Intel Core i7-3770, 3.4 GHz | AMD FX-8350, 4.0 GHz
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 | AMD Radeon HD 7970
- DirectX: Version 11
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 40 GB available space
The game’s coming on October 7 for PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 3, and should have fans of Tolkien’s universe pretty excited. Here’s another look at that last trailer for the game.
Last Updated: April 8, 2014
Admiral Chief in Space
April 8, 2014 at 13:34
Seems like its screw the PC folk day today. Bah.
*Goes off to play FTL*
Hammersteyn
April 8, 2014 at 13:59
Hahaha, playing Mercenary kings on PS4 (Another damn free indie title) enjoying it though.
Admiral Chief in Space
April 8, 2014 at 13:59
I’m thoroughly re-enjoying FTL
Black Mage [Umar]
April 8, 2014 at 13:35
PC gamers tell us we pay too much money for things…..I wonder how much that rig costs. The game, probably not as expensive as consoles game will still be a decent amount of money….
Jedi JJ
April 8, 2014 at 13:40
MIne is more than the minimum. Was cheaper than a new console.
Black Mage [Umar]
April 8, 2014 at 13:43
So medium to high? I get it’s probably still more powerful than a console, but still,to get them ultra graphics that PC gamers pride themselves on, it’s gonna be pretty expensive
Jedi JJ
April 8, 2014 at 13:44
But it doesn’t have to to look as good as the console. So it really doesn’t bother me. Also prefer my indie games anyway
Black Mage [Umar]
April 8, 2014 at 13:47
Yeah no for sure. I just get scare when I see those specs as they’re pretty expensive lol
Jedi JJ
April 8, 2014 at 13:47
When I saw my GPU on minimum I had a tiny heart attack too. To be honest.
CypherGate
April 8, 2014 at 14:09
When you play games on PC you need to play the games as intended. Whats the real point of dumbing down a games graphics when you suppose to get the game at its best? Yeah i get that medium settings and some tweaks can make it better than the new consoles, but i just think that most times you have to tweak to get what you want or close to what you want (speaking about guys who cant afford top of the range gpus)
Kensei Seraph
April 8, 2014 at 14:19
Counter argument:
Considering the current standard of PC gaming and the rate of growth very soon you’ll find that “…dumbing down a games graphics when you suppose to get the game at its best” is what will have to be done to get it running on console.
CypherGate
April 8, 2014 at 14:30
Consoles will max out to its best performance eventually (Developer dependent), So if you get a game at its best on console then thats what you get. On PC you get a game and you have an option to play it on max settings which is all good, but you dont benefit from playing it at its best. Considering the fact you need a potent GPU which costs a lot. If a game is made for PC and ported over to Console its still fine even though its dumbed down to accommodate console hardware, but you still get the game on its best quality thats allowed on a console whereas you wont get that on PC unless you have a really good rig with a 670gtx upwards.
Eric
April 8, 2014 at 15:41
So if you play it at console quality and get the game for cheaper, because it’s on PC… how is this pointless?
CypherGate
April 8, 2014 at 15:57
Im not saying its pointless getting it cheaper on pc. Im speaking about hardware pricing. If you get it on pc cheaper its obviously better, but what im saying is that to play a game like Middle-earth on PC at its best will need a costly GPU or overall pricey PC hardware whereas on console even though its not as powerful as PC, you are still able to get the best quality available from the console (provided the developers make full use of the power).
Eric
April 8, 2014 at 16:26
But the difference between best quality on console is a lot when compared to the best quality achieved on PC. It’s about achieving the highest framerate for your quality of polygon. Mid-level PC’s can pretty much achieve the same, if not better than consoles. They rarely NEED to have better quality than that of consoles, seeing as most games are ports from consoles, save for a few studios(Crytek, I’m talking to you here) who actively look to push the visuals on PC, chances are you’ll get the same visual experience from both the Console version and PC version regardless of whether you have an “ultra” spec’d PC or not.
It also doesn’t justify going “ultra uber maximum PC” if you play indies either.
VampyreSquirrel
April 8, 2014 at 15:58
Ultra graphics? nah, as long as the game runs I’m happy, even if it’s on low graphics.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
April 8, 2014 at 19:25
Ultra graphics on PC does not equal the same as what it looks like on console. You misinterpret the requirements. Yes if you want all the eye-melting-candy you are going to need a high spec, pricey PC. But to look at least AS good as a console? Pretty much same price as a console.
#justsaying
Galbedir
April 8, 2014 at 13:48
While I appreciate the convenience of consoles, and feel they are much more of a social “call your mates around and play” type of gaming. The difference is that while instead of having to buy a Ps4 to play this game now at R6500, Most people have a put together PC already, and can just buy a new graphics card at R2500, which will last the next 2-3 years, and all PC games themselves would be +- R250 cheaper then a console version. There’s the money saving. Just saying 🙂
Jedi JJ
April 8, 2014 at 13:49
I do not always agree with a Sith. But you may have my like.
Black Mage [Umar]
April 8, 2014 at 13:53
Definitely hey. As technology advances , you can swap out parts 🙂 Like I was telling Jedi JJ, it’s just scary though, while yes, graphics do range in that price range, to get Ultra graphics and the most of the game, some components are super expensive. GPU’s ranging in the 6k area alone
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 8, 2014 at 13:55
Graphics are overrated. It’s not like you go from 1080p to 640×480 because you’re running in medium.
Black Mage [Umar]
April 8, 2014 at 13:57
True true. I’m speaking in terms of getting the most of out of the game though , regardless of opinions about graphics
Admiral Chief in Space
April 8, 2014 at 14:02
640×480….now that is a phrase I have not heard, in a long time
[insert old Obi-Wan here]
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 8, 2014 at 14:27
I’m showing my age lol.
Admiral Chief in Space
April 8, 2014 at 14:31
I remember the base 320×200 and enhanced VGA mode of 400×300 on Duke3D
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 8, 2014 at 14:34
Yes, and having to run CGA emulators because I didn’t have a colour monitor lol.
El Capitan del Blade
April 8, 2014 at 15:11
Remember The Dreamcast…… Native Resolution 640×480 running at 60 FPS…. and it was beautiful…..
CypherGate
April 8, 2014 at 14:12
I agree to a point though, but if you want to play the game as intended which is on its best settings then you bound to upgrade sooner than later though. I know you can tweak settings etc, but I just think Consoles has its best quality (dependant on the developer), but its still on its best to that point whereas PC gamers who cant afford top GPU’s cant get the best out of there games. Just saying.
Maxiviper117
April 8, 2014 at 18:41
And wait till DX 12 comes out, then that will allow the lower end GPU’s to keep up with future games.
Jedi JJ
April 8, 2014 at 13:40
Vista? That thing still on some pc’s?
Hammersteyn
April 8, 2014 at 13:58
Damn russians!
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 8, 2014 at 13:59
I thought that’s what they call the see-through window in your PC’s case.
VampyreSquirrel
April 8, 2014 at 16:00
Last time I saw I vista I was looking out over a bunch of hills through a window… was a while ago too 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 8, 2014 at 13:41
If Sean Bean tried to go into that store he’d die before reaching the hedge.
Rince
April 8, 2014 at 14:20
Ain’t that the truth!
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 8, 2014 at 13:44
Yay I meet the minimum requirements CPU & GPU exactly lol Or so she said. I’m still not sure if that was something to be happy about or not.
Jedi JJ
April 8, 2014 at 13:45
Me too on GPU
Mossel
April 8, 2014 at 14:06
Yup me too, only I have the 560ti.
Jedi JJ
April 8, 2014 at 14:52
Ha! Same here.
Admiral Chief in Space
April 8, 2014 at 14:11
I almost have recommended GPU (7870OC)
Norm the Horrible
April 8, 2014 at 13:45
Should of read “Moore Door Store, DLC” on the header.
Jedi JJ
April 8, 2014 at 13:46
of if have has?
Norm the Horrible
April 8, 2014 at 13:51
Indeed.
Jedi JJ
April 8, 2014 at 13:51
lol
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 9, 2014 at 08:22
And show the bottom half of a stable door. The top half is the DLC, the hinges, bolts & handles are micro-transactions.
Kensei Seraph
April 8, 2014 at 13:51
Looks like I really need to format my PC…
Jedi JJ
April 8, 2014 at 13:52
You feel quite liberated afterwards.
Kensei Seraph
April 8, 2014 at 13:56
True, but my problem is that I… actually thinking about it now most of my games, movies, series, anime, etc is on my 2nd HDD and my main HDD is only 250 Gb so it won’t take too long to back up and a lot of the games are installed through Steam which can recognize the install directories.
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 8, 2014 at 13:58
I remember MP3 was a 30gb dl from Steam, and that’s compressed :/ Buy a few new AAAs & your HDD space disappears in no time.
El Capitan del Blade
April 8, 2014 at 15:09
That’s why I bought Hard Copy of the game, Yes, I have to use Rockstar Social Club, But I can live with that, RSC is a lot less intrusive than say…. uPlay…
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 8, 2014 at 15:23
I’ve got uncapped, so just went O_O, hit download & went to bed. Still took a couple of days to complete. Not everyone’s that fortunate. I’m guessing it’s a sign of things to come with upcoming games, which sucks in ZA with our crappy connectivity, because I actually do like digital.
El Capitan del Blade
April 9, 2014 at 07:32
Oh no, I’ve got uncapped myself, But I also consider myself a collector, I buy Hardcopies if possible, Which is why I struggled for a month to get Stick of Truth. (Everyone was running out of stock)
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 9, 2014 at 07:46
Ah okay. I’m quite happy to shift to digital only because I’m trying to reduce clutter heh. Plus most of the time even when you do buy a hard copy it has to activate through Steam anyway.
El Capitan del Blade
April 9, 2014 at 08:08
Oh yes, but, It’s also quicker to Download the last 5 – 7% of a game through steam, than the whole thing…. 🙂
Kensei Seraph
April 8, 2014 at 15:21
I’m usually pretty good at keeping it clear of games.
It’s the anime that I struggle with.
Over 1.5 Tb so far.
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 8, 2014 at 15:24
1.5tb, that’s adorable. tee hee.
Hammersteyn
April 8, 2014 at 13:58
Looks like I need to buy a new console……. no wait.
Hammersteyn
April 8, 2014 at 13:57
I can relate to the theme of LOTR so I’d play this before Ass creed.
Unavengedavo
April 8, 2014 at 14:53
Hehe, Ass Creed O_o
Rince
April 8, 2014 at 15:01
DAPHUQ did I just watch? 0-O
Hammersteyn
April 8, 2014 at 15:05
Such ragdoll!
Rince
April 8, 2014 at 14:15
Well, at least you don’t NEED to use uPlay to play it… Too soon? *Runs for life
Kensei Seraph
April 8, 2014 at 14:17
Only for those who were still looking forward to Watch_Dogs. *walks off slowly.
Rince
April 8, 2014 at 14:18
Shame man
Kensei Seraph
April 8, 2014 at 14:21
Well I lost what little interest I had in Watch_Dogs around the time that they delayed it.
*Catches Rince in the trap and hangs him up*
*Starts selling sharpened sticks*
Rince
April 8, 2014 at 14:25
They are going to lose a lot of people by doing this me thinks.
Unavengedavo
April 8, 2014 at 14:53
I lost interest when they wanted to charge extra for the whole game
*buys stick, turns it around and proceeds to beat Rince like a piñata*
Jedi JJ
April 8, 2014 at 14:55
I must say. One of the things that irritated me the most when Steam was still young:
*start Steam in offline mode
“This function of Steam is not available when offline.”
Rince
April 8, 2014 at 14:56
Eish, that is not cool. At least then the Xbone fanboys went ape shit MS listened.
Jedi JJ
April 8, 2014 at 15:01
Quite
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 8, 2014 at 14:17
True, but it’s Warner Bros, so they’ll only patching game breaking bugs 6 months after releasing more DLC.
Rince
April 8, 2014 at 14:17
*be
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 8, 2014 at 14:25
*dick
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
April 8, 2014 at 14:21
I am thinking I am going to need to go from 8GB to 16GB RAM soon… Getting too close to the roof of that 8GB.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
April 8, 2014 at 19:24
560 minimum? Now you are allowed to say this game is hefty on requirements.