Middle Earth : Shadow of Mordor PS4/XBOX ONE/ PC review

[PeteJ]

I'm playing it on the XBO, it's massively fun and from what I've seen so far I'd recommend it. I probably did about six hours without moving on Friday, which I haven't done with a game probably since Skyrim.

However...if the PS3\360 versions don't have the Nemesis system them I'd stay clear, this mechanic IS the game. Yeah the combat is pretty good (it's Batman) but the Nemesis system is what makes the game special.

[MrKirov]

I've been enjoying this. It's basically a new Batman Arkham game in LotR clothing, but with some clever new mechanics. Lots do to, the combat is great, and I'm having a blast

[djtickle]

Glad to hear positive impressions of this, think ill be picking it up after I'm done with forza.

[gambit6613]

I have been playing this for most of the weekend on the PC and I have to say its just brilliant. It really has taken the best bits of Assassins Creed, Batman Arkham games and put the Lord of The Rings spin on things. The combat is massively satisfying as are the execuations. What is also impressive is that its not just a button masher, some of the Captains are very cunning and you need to think and plan ahead. I began charging in at anything and everything but I was getting my arse kicked quite often.

Some people have been saying its not much of a looker in terms of graphics but I think they look superb, at least at high/ultra settings on the PC. I have put in about 12 hours over the weekend and so far im just enjoying exploring the map and hacking my way through orcs and captains etc, have only done 3 or 4 actual story missions, having so much fun.

I have Forza Horizon 2 but have barely touched it due to this being so much fun to play.

[EvilBoris]

I've been really enjoying it too, it started off pretty easy and I was a little unsure as to whether the nemesis system would kick in, but it's starting to happen now and it's really cool.

There was some ork I someone kept on not killing properly and he comes and finds me with his now bandaged face and body armor. Some of the higher level guys have got flaming swords and terrifying full body armour.

I don't feel that it really plays anything like Assassin's Creed, it shares the parkour but that is about it. There are far fewer structures than in a Parisian suburb.

I was suprised by how small the world is (you can sprint from one side to another in a couple of minutes) but that is fine, the smaller world means that enemies are always close and the ever strengthening Urak captains, can track you down.
I think the graphics are a mixed bag, the environments are (intentionally) very brown and ugly and probably suffer due to the game being cross generation, but the lightning is what you'd expect from a modern game. The Orcs and Uraks are incredibly detailed, very high res and immaculately animated and lip sync. Very impressive.

It's sucked me right away from the also excellent Forza, I'd whole heartedly recommend that everyone has a look at this.

[PeteJ]

I agree it doesn't play much like AC at all, though it does share a similar feeling of the original that it'll probably make the most of the potential in a sequel. Mordor is a repetitive game. Outside of the excellent nemesis system the world is pretty boring and the side quests are basically the worst kind of open world questing - there are four different types of collectathons in the game, each one feeling like busy work (ok, one involves killing animals of varying difficulty, but it still involves hunting around the map). These are of course optional.

The main quests are also uninspired, either designed to unlock new skills or teach about the nemesis system. Also for such a small open world it's surprisingly lacking in interesting features or reasons to explore. Yes, it's set in Mordor and it's meant to be barren, but this is boring.

However...the game is hugely fun. The combat is just Batman again but that's OK, and the powers\skill tree in the game is one of the best I've seen in ages. Almost every skill is something you'll want, and they all make the combat that little bit more satisfying.

The Nemesis system is getting all the hype and that's because it is something new and it just works. It really is fun getting in the way of power struggles and causing havoc with the toys at your disposal. In this way the open world combat is as close to Far Cry 3 as it is Batman, and just as satisfying. Watching a nemesis get powered up several times because you can't quite finish them off, and then finally seeing that head roll...it's brilliant. This is all procedurally generated and makes up the best aspects of the game, this is a really good advert of how to do it properly.

Mixed feelings about the game, but despite ending each session feeling spent and bored, I always want to come back for more.

[gambit6613]

The reference I was making in terms of Aassassins Creed was the way you are able to climb/scale walls, for me it feels very similar.

[EvilBoris]

Its ok, just mentioned it as I thought it was going to play like it after seeing videos, I was kinda shocked when I found it didn't

[BaronSqwelch]

How is anyone getting anything done in this? Its just a constant tedious stream of fighting captains.

The map is tiny so the fights are with the same people...one thing that's good...killed the same guy 4 times and he gets gradually more disfigured each time...but otherwise its just annoying.

Try to reach point A...get interrupted...kill loads of blokes...run away...kill loads of blokes...caragor kills you. Everyone gets a power upgrade...you respawn at the same tower...repeat from the beginning.

*edit* Seems all you need to do is ride a carragor everywhere...almost the whole of Saurons army is dead now

[EvilBoris]

You could always not fight them!

[MrKirov]

I sneak around them!

I did have a great moment yesterday, casually walked into a the front door of a building like Mr Big Nob hoping to kill what I thought was 3-4 orcs, then swarms of them poured out as I realised it was a stronghold!

There must have been about 60 enemies on screen swarming me, with captains appearing constantly getting in on the action- it was absolutely amazing!!

There's a eurogamer article up today saying that although it magpies from a lot of genres, it turns out to be much better than the sum of its parts. Completely agreed!

[NeoDragoN]

Gotta say i was loving this at first but i've just done the first 4 warcheifs and moved on to the next area and i'm pretty much ready to give up on it.....it's just got boring.

I think this sort of combat needs to go away now or it needs a good kick up the arse because it's got really old really fast on this.

Story is non-existant, Nemesis system is ok.....but yeah just got to the point where i don't wanna do all the same **** again in a new area.

All the new skills aren't even keeping it interesting....

[BaronSqwelch]

You could always not fight them!

Running past the action to start another escort mission! Woo!

Feel the same as NeoDragon. It's boring like Assassins Creed with the 'punch punch counter x50' fighting of Batman.

Going to finish off the story and get rid.

[Uli]

is the "story" picking up? i am about 4 hours in the game and just know that i am kind of dead and are on a revenge mission.

[BaronSqwelch]

Its standard revenge all the way, unless there is a huge twist coming...I have 1 story mission to do now.

Enjoying it a lot more now I have all the skills upgraded... I just brand everyone now...everyone on Saurons list is under my spell