Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™

You play as Talion, a ranger joined with the elf Celebrimbor, in a story about forging a new Ring of Power and resisting Sauron’s forces in Mordor.

Explore hostile regions, move across their landscapes, and take on orcs with sword combat, ranged attacks, stealth, and special abilities. Captains have different strengths and weaknesses, so fights can call for changing tactics.

Recruit or dominate orc captains, build an army, and lead it in assaults on enemy fortresses or defend strongholds. Skills, equipment, and upgrades develop Talion, while the Nemesis system lets captains rise in rank, turn against you, or return after encounters.

Players most often praise the Nemesis system for turning orc captains into memorable rivals and allies who react to past encounters, creating personal stories through revenge, betrayal, and shifting ranks. Reviews also frequently enjoy the fluid combat and the combination of recruiting an army with attacking fortresses. Some players find the experience repetitive or drawn out, particularly later in the game.