My biggest surprise of E3 was Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor. It earned the surprise award from us and was seriously impressive during our hands-on preview. I am chomping at the bit to play more during Gamescom, but I realize some of you aren’t convinced. Here’s why you should be.
Open World RPG gameplay
For those with no idea what to expect from Shadow of Mordor, the game is essentially another open-world RPG. It has an enormous map to explore filled with all sorts of side activities. Movement has plenty of parkour ala Assassin’s Creed, but without the falling penalties seeing as your character is already technically dead.
The combat is fluid and varied – imagine the best of Batman, plus swords and bow and arrows. Much like the new Batman games, you will often find yourself surrounded by mobs using a range of attacks and threats, needing to make use of all your skills and your environment to be successful in battle.
Thanks to the branding mechanic, you can also turn orcs and beasts, forcing them under your command. This helps in battle – I always love minions to help me out. I intend to roam the countryside, branding all the weird creatures and becoming a beast master of a character.
Nemesis System
One of the biggest selling points for Shadow of Mordor is the Nemesis system. Each player character gets their own unique nemeses, enemies that hate you and specifically you. The orcs themselves are also going through character progression – dueling with each other, leveling up and getting promoted if they vanquish you. They will remember battles with you and react accordingly. The adds elements of strategy to the game – you may want to take out a boss’ bodyguard before taking him on so that you can have an easier time of it. However, that bodyguard could be preparing to fight another orc – if he wins he will go up a level and become that much harder to kill or brand, but if the other orc does the dirty work for you it might make your life easier.
Each orc is unique, with specific traits and characteristics. You will need to explore the world and fight various enemies to find out more about them so that you are prepared when you take them on later in the game. One nemesis I encountered ran away as soon as I arrived – apparently his trait included avoiding conflict. Other bodyguards I fought had the ability of being resistant to frontal attacks, as well as ranged attacks. While I couldn’t use my awesome arrow sniping skills, it was a good thing I excel at rogue-like behavior and was able to backstab him to death.
Because each orc is unique, each play through would be unique, offering players a specific cast of characters to face off against, making their story their own.
Talent and Aesthetics
Troy Baker, the incredible voice behind Joel from The Last of Us and Booker DeWitt from BioShock Infinite, lends his voice to main character in Shadow of Mordor. I’m excited to hear his performance of Talian – his voice acting has been varied and unique. There’s a reason he is brought on board by all the top gaming studios.
Aesthetically, the game is as vast and epic as players would expect. This is finally the Lord of the Rings game that we have been hoping for – one that can vividly depict the depth and breadth of environments that Middle Earth has to offer. Players can also change the way that they experience the world by switching to wraith-mode – this makes the world seem darker, but also makes finding particular creatures and items easier. With plenty to explore and experience, Shadow of Mordor seems poised to be a complete experience.
Lore
Tolkien fans have been itching for a game that was true to the lore, without getting bogged down in the details. Shadow of Mordor does just that, promising to stay true to Tolkien’s creation while still finding room to make a new and fresh game. Talian isn’t just possessed by any old wraith, he’s actually possess by Celebrimbor, the smith who crafted the rings of power. As such, he has his own set of motivations and goals that will influence activities the player engages in, and ensure the game is firmly rooted in Lord of the Rings lore. We knew Gollum would play a part, but his role seems to be quite important and pronounced, something that should also make players happy – perhaps this is how Gollum finds out the exact route into Mordor that he later uses to guide the hobbits.
That feeling
There’s a feeling you I get with certain games. I remember it from being a kid and going to a friend’s house – I’d get to play their games for a short while, and if it was a really good one I’d have to be dragged from the house, completely unwilling to stop. When that game is in my house, I can easily sit for eight hours at a stretch and play without noticing the time go by. That’s how it felt to play Shadow of Mordor. I was playing with a giddy smile on my face, leveling up my character and engaging with the nemeses – despite the flurry of activity at E3, I was completely absorbed and easily could have played for the rest of the day if I could have.
It is that giddy feeling of pure enjoyment and immersion that convinced me. Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor threw me all aboard the hype train – it is fun, exciting and gives me that wonderful thrill while playing. If the game is anywhere near as good at release as the preview promised to be, this could well be the surprise winner of my nomination for game of the year. I know some of you haven’t seen the reason to get hyped yet, but I think it’s about time you joined me on the hype train.
Last Updated: July 28, 2014
Sith JJ
July 28, 2014 at 16:00
So epic it crashes the entire website?
I’m sold.
Viking Of Science
July 28, 2014 at 16:01
lol
Mossel
July 29, 2014 at 07:52
LOL I actually thought my work blocked lazygamer! Was so bleak.
Sith JJ
July 29, 2014 at 12:12
Me too for a moment.
Sith JJ
July 28, 2014 at 16:00
So epic it crashes the entire website?
I’m sold.
Viking Of Science
July 28, 2014 at 16:01
lol
Mossel
July 29, 2014 at 07:52
LOL I actually thought my work blocked lazygamer! Was so bleak.
Sith JJ
July 29, 2014 at 12:12
Me too for a moment.
Viking Of Science
July 28, 2014 at 16:01
I don’t get on the Hype train, except when CD Project RED is concerned….
BUT this does at least look more interesting than I Initially thought….
Sith JJ
July 28, 2014 at 16:03
Yes. It’s also growing on me.
Viking Of Science
July 28, 2014 at 16:04
(btw, Tonight it’s Levels 5&6 of Daikatana playthrough)
Sith JJ
July 28, 2014 at 16:04
Haha. Excellent. I’ve been enjoying those screens.
Viking Of Science
July 28, 2014 at 16:19
That *Should* End off Episode 1…. Then EVERYTHING changes….
Viking Of Science
July 28, 2014 at 16:01
I don’t get on the Hype train, except when CD Project RED is concerned….
BUT this does at least look more interesting than I Initially thought….
Sith JJ
July 28, 2014 at 16:03
Yes. It’s also growing on me.
Viking Of Science
July 28, 2014 at 16:04
(btw, Tonight it’s Levels 5&6 of Daikatana playthrough)
Sith JJ
July 28, 2014 at 16:04
Haha. Excellent. I’ve been enjoying those screens.
Viking Of Science
July 28, 2014 at 16:19
That *Should* End off Episode 1…. Then EVERYTHING changes….
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
July 28, 2014 at 16:08
It all comes down to content really. Doesn’t help having open world without weeks of content. Yes, weeks!
CONTENT! FOR YEARS! o/ people should have forgotten what I look like when I am done with the game!
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
July 28, 2014 at 16:08
It all comes down to content really. Doesn’t help having open world without weeks of content. Yes, weeks!
CONTENT! FOR YEARS! o/ people should have forgotten what I look like when I am done with the game!
Hammersteyn
July 28, 2014 at 16:09
Well at least now I have a contender for Destiny.
Sith JJ
July 28, 2014 at 16:09
I was one of the unfortunate few that bought War in the North on pc, in the hopes of playing it co-op. I think it’s safe to say that I have never ever seen a worse pc port in my entire life. Felt like I had a PS controller plugged in my pc and it had no idea what the key bindings were.
Hammersteyn
July 28, 2014 at 16:09
Well at least now I have a contender for Destiny.
Sith JJ
July 28, 2014 at 16:09
I was one of the unfortunate few that bought War in the North on pc, in the hopes of playing it co-op. I think it’s safe to say that I have never ever seen a worse pc port in my entire life. Felt like I had a PS controller plugged in my pc and it had no idea what the key bindings were.
Mark Treloar
July 28, 2014 at 18:48
This lacks imagination
Mark Treloar
July 28, 2014 at 18:48
This lacks imagination
jackdawsailor
July 30, 2014 at 14:38
whats there not to understand?
ZubSaber
July 28, 2014 at 18:52
Re-installed DA: Origins a couple of days ago from the CD (beeg mistake).
After about 20 cyclic-redundancy farts I finally got it going and jumped in. Ten seconds in I realise how dated the game actually is, and that since modding Skyrim to death (and then some), there hasn’t been another SOLID RPG since Bioware grew outta nappies. I’m not counting Witcher because that’s just silly, we all know it’s in a class of its own.
I hate that sadistic hype-train as much as the next seasoned gamer but it seems like this’ll definitely be a safe bet.
Also, Gollum.
ZubSaber
July 28, 2014 at 18:52
Re-installed DA: Origins a couple of days ago from the CD (beeg mistake).
After about 20 cyclic-redundancy farts I finally got it going and jumped in. Ten seconds in I realise how dated the game actually is, and that since modding Skyrim to death (and then some), there hasn’t been another SOLID RPG since Bioware grew outta nappies. I’m not counting Witcher because that’s just silly, we all know it’s in a class of its own.
I hate that sadistic hype-train as much as the next seasoned gamer but it seems like this’ll definitely be a safe bet.
Also, Gollum.
Ryanza
July 28, 2014 at 19:14
Shadow of Mordor looks like it could be fun to play and it sounds interesting but the game looks dated.
I like these type of fantasy games, hell, I even liked Fable 1 but The Witcher 2 has set the new standard when it comes to these types of fantasy games. Graphics, story and setting.
The major problem I’m going to have with picking up this game day 1 is that the game will come with DRM on the PC. Because of DRM, a game like this that could have made R400 – R500 on release day but because of DRM it will only see a sale from me like in a years time when the game is R50 on DRM special.
So because of DRM the value of games are R50 now.
The problem with this game and with a lot of other games coming out this that The Witcher 3 is coming. And the problem with games getting released after The Witcher 3 will be that I have The Witcher 3 DRM free. Cause I see myself playing that game for a long time. And then CD Projekt Red is going to give us a RPG shooting game. Why would I need to buy other peoples games with DRM after that.
anyway Shadow of DRM, I hope I remember you come DRM sale, of the winter 2015.
Don’t support DRM
Ryanza
July 28, 2014 at 19:14
Shadow of Mordor looks like it could be fun to play and it sounds interesting but the game looks dated.
I like these type of fantasy games, hell, I even liked Fable 1 but The Witcher 2 has set the new standard when it comes to these types of fantasy games. Graphics, story and setting.
The major problem I’m going to have with picking up this game day 1 is that the game will come with DRM on the PC. Because of DRM, a game like this that could have made R400 – R500 on release day but because of DRM it will only see a sale from me like in a years time when the game is R50 on DRM special.
So because of DRM the value of games are R50 now.
The problem with this game and with a lot of other games coming out this that The Witcher 3 is coming. And the problem with games getting released after The Witcher 3 will be that I have The Witcher 3 DRM free. Cause I see myself playing that game for a long time. And then CD Projekt Red is going to give us a RPG shooting game. Why would I need to buy other peoples games with DRM after that.
anyway Shadow of DRM, I hope I remember you come DRM sale, of the winter 2015.
Don’t support DRM
Seth
July 28, 2014 at 23:42
Actually no, you shouldn’t be overly hyped for a game that isn’t even out yet. Excited,sure, but no hype. Doing so you’re becoming a marketing arm for the company, come on you’re better than that.
ZubSaber
July 29, 2014 at 12:32
We aren’t running around with billboards on our heads if that’s what you’re getting at.
*Hyped (in this context) = excited, amped or “stoked… bru.”
Seth
July 28, 2014 at 23:42
Actually no, you shouldn’t be overly hyped for a game that isn’t even out yet. Excited,sure, but no hype. Doing so you’re becoming a marketing arm for the company, come on you’re better than that.
ZubSaber
July 29, 2014 at 12:32
We aren’t running around with billboards on our heads if that’s what you’re getting at.
*Hyped (in this context) = excited, amped or “stoked… bru.”
Skootweeeeet423
July 29, 2014 at 03:49
I don’t mean to be nit picky, but it’s “Celebrimbor” not “Celebrimdor”. I know, minor mistake, but you might want to change it… Those LOTR fans tend to freak out about that kind of thing.
Skootweeeeet423
July 29, 2014 at 03:49
I don’t mean to be nit picky, but it’s “Celebrimbor” not “Celebrimdor”. I know, minor mistake, but you might want to change it… Those LOTR fans tend to freak out about that kind of thing.
jackdawsailor
July 30, 2014 at 14:42
and to add, his name is Talion, not Talian
Archzion
July 29, 2014 at 10:07
Look, I don’t care if it has Assassin’s Creed moves or climbing, I don’t care if it has open world like most games today… It’s not copying anything, it’s taking what works in games and combining well known and loved lore.
Archzion
July 29, 2014 at 10:07
Look, I don’t care if it has Assassin’s Creed moves or climbing, I don’t care if it has open world like most games today… It’s not copying anything, it’s taking what works in games and combining well known and loved lore.
Nikola
July 29, 2014 at 11:52
oh I am on the hype train for this big time:)
Nikola
July 29, 2014 at 11:52
oh I am on the hype train for this big time:)
Guest
July 29, 2014 at 13:04
You guys are in the video again top left 😛 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAJiN70BXXc&list=PLZLTS4u9M_2piHthfJU-UM19DlCPMbCDG
b1nd3r
July 29, 2014 at 13:04
You guys are in the video again top left 😛 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAJiN70BXXc&list=PLZLTS4u9M_2piHthfJU-UM19DlCPMbCDG 2:01
Guest
July 29, 2014 at 13:04
You guys are in the video again top left 😛 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAJiN70BXXc&list=PLZLTS4u9M_2piHthfJU-UM19DlCPMbCDG
b1nd3r
July 29, 2014 at 13:04
You guys are in the video again top left 😛 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAJiN70BXXc&list=PLZLTS4u9M_2piHthfJU-UM19DlCPMbCDG 2:01
Hugo Stiglitz
August 11, 2014 at 22:17
Will you be able to explore the entire Middle Earth map? If so I’m sold