Middle Earth: Shadow of War box art
Name: Middle Earth: Shadow of War
Release date: October 10, 2017
Platforms: PC, XONE, PS4
Genre: Action adventure

Description

Middle Earth: Shadow of War is an action-adventure title developed by Monolith Studios, and a direct sequel to Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor. The previous game's protagonist, Talion, still infused with the ghost of an elven smith, Celebrimbor, venture on to forge a new ring of power and challenge the Dark Lord on a scale much bigger than before.

The gameplay is in many ways similar to the previous title - you are still using the two character's combined abilities to fulfill various tasks, often involving the now expanded Nemesis system. The system, previously used for procedural enemies, is now expanded to include followers. You will build entire orc armies and assault mighty fortresses, comprising of a multi-level cinematic siege that ends with a final boss fight. You conquer so the open world of Mordor.

Recommendation

Gameplay wise, the second title was markedly praised, with people loving its expanded Nemesis system, new combat abilities, and the battles for fortresses. The story is told to be moderately good, not being the main star of the show, but doing enough to keep the player interested in progressing through it. The game received widespread criticism over its use of microtransactions, namely loot boxes, in a singleplayer experience - many players feel that it is a money-hungry, unnecessary move exploiting people's inner compulsions, doing so for cash. 

In the end though, if you loved the previous title, you will love this one as well - and we recommend not buying any loot boxes while doing so.

Metacritics Rating: 77 (PC)
Our visitor's rating: N/A
Average playtime: 35 h

Our recommendation

If you liked the first one or are a fan of Middle-Earth in general, this is definitely recommended.

Description

Middle Earth: Shadow of War is an action-adventure title developed by Monolith Studios, and a direct sequel to Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor. The previous game's protagonist, Talion, still infused with the ghost of an elven smith, Celebrimbor, venture on to forge a new ring of power and challenge the Dark Lord on a scale much bigger than before.

The gameplay is in many ways similar to the previous title - you are still using the two character's combined abilities to fulfill various tasks, often involving the now expanded Nemesis system. The system, previously used for procedural enemies, is now expanded to include followers. You will build entire orc armies and assault mighty fortresses, comprising of a multi-level cinematic siege that ends with a final boss fight. You conquer so the open world of Mordor.

Recommendation

Gameplay wise, the second title was markedly praised, with people loving its expanded Nemesis system, new combat abilities, and the battles for fortresses. The story is told to be moderately good, not being the main star of the show, but doing enough to keep the player interested in progressing through it. The game received widespread criticism over its use of microtransactions, namely loot boxes, in a singleplayer experience - many players feel that it is a money-hungry, unnecessary move exploiting people's inner compulsions, doing so for cash. 

In the end though, if you loved the previous title, you will love this one as well - and we recommend not buying any loot boxes while doing so.

MIDDLE EARTH: SHADOW OF WAR DLC LISTarrow

Note: We are only showing paid DLC at this time. Free DLCs will be added at a later date.

Story DLCs

The Blade of Galadriel Story Expansion arrow

The Blade of Galadriel Story Expansion thumbnail

What does it add?

It offers a new story campaign featuring Eltarion, the elven assassin, who is sent out to hunt a Nazgul. It offers about 3-4 hours of new story, along with new special Orc captains, 8 new legendary orcs, and the ability to play Eltariel in the main campaign.

Buy this if:

  • You already bought it with the Season Pass anyway
  • You want an extension to Shadow of War's storyline after the end of the main quest
  • You want to play as a sleuth elven assassin

Traditional store price: 14.99 $
Release date: Feb 6, 2018
Trailer: YouTube

The Desolation of Mordor Story Expansion arrow

The Desolation of Mordor Story Expansion thumbnail

What does it add?

The Desolation of Mordor story expansion offers a new storyline that can take you about 2-3 hours, a new region to explore, which is themed after desert-like environments, a new hero, Baranor, and new tools for him, such as the grappling hook, the bashing shield, or the parachute.

Buy this if:

  • You want more of Shadow of War with different abilities
  • You like the new environment
  • You don't mind the shorter length

Usual price: 14.99 $
Release date: May 8, 2018
Trailer: YouTube

Nemesis Expansions

Slaughter Tribe Nemesis Expansion arrow

Slaughter Tribe Nemesis Expansion thumbnail

What does it add?

It offers an addition to the Nemesis System and a new fortress type. These orcs are themed after butchery and slaughter, so you can expect there will be a lot of blood and bones. This means you can expect many new Warchiefs to come out of the system.

Buy this if:

  • You already bought it with the Season Pass anyway
  • You really like the Slaughter Tribe aesthetic and don't mind paying quite a bit for it

Traditional store price: 14.99 $
Release date: Nov 21, 2017
Trailer: YouTube

Outlaw Tribe Nemesis Expansion arrow

Outlaw Tribe Nemesis Expansion thumbnail

What does it add?

This DLC offers the same as before - a new tribe of orcs with a new fortress added to the Nemesis system, this time themed around banditry and crime. It is very much the same as the Slaughter Tribe DLC, only with a different theme this time around.

Buy this if:

  • You already bought it with the Season Pass anyway
  • You really want some orcs in your game to be outlaws

Traditional store price: 14.99 $
Release date: Dec 12, 2017
Trailer: YouTube
  • Middle Earth: Shadow of War screenshot
  • Middle Earth: Shadow of War screenshot
  • Middle Earth: Shadow of War screenshot
  • Middle Earth: Shadow of War screenshot
  • Middle Earth: Shadow of War screenshot
  • Middle Earth: Shadow of War screenshot

EDITIONS arrow

Platforms: Classic store price: Key store price:
Standard Edition PC, XONE, PS4 49.99 $ 15.99 $
Silver Edition PC, XONE, PS4 14.99 $ 15.79 $
Gold Edition PC, XONE, PS4 14.99 $ 21.09 $
Definitive Edition PC, XONE, PS4 59.99 $ N/A

Edition Chart

Standard Edition Silver Edition Gold Edition Definitive Edition
Base game white checkmark white checkmark white checkmark white checkmark
Slaughter Tribe DLC white checkmark white checkmark white checkmark
Outlaw Tribe DLC white checkmark white checkmark white checkmark
The Blade of Galadriel DLC white checkmark white checkmark
The Desolation of Mordor DLC white checkmark white checkmark

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Key store recommendations

Key resellers are sites that sell game keys at (usually) much lower prices than traditional retailers. They do this through a combination of ways, like selling keys that come in a bundle, that were on a sale and many other ways.

The reason why we separated them from traditional retailers is that these stores have been the subject of a divisive discussion for a long time.

The reason we include them is that you can buy keys on these sites usually for very big discounts, sometimes quite ridiculously cheap. In 99 % of cases, they will work the same as a much more expensive key would. For many people, especially people from countries with lower standards of living, this can mean big savings that have a significant impact on their life, while also playing the game and not resorting to piracy.

If you are buying on these stores, we have a few recommendations to follow:

  1. Just know there is a tiny risk. Either your purchase will fail and you will use your money, or that the key you recieved won't work. It has never happened to us or anyone we know, but it has certainly happened to a number of people on the internet. That is partly the nature of the business, partly un-consumer business practices of some of the stores. In 99.9 % of cases, the purchase will be ok, but sometimes it won't.
  2. If the price is not cheaper on key stores (it almost always is, though), then we recommend to buy from the traditional, established retailers.
  3. If it is a store with multiple sellers with ratings, always pick the one with the highest number of sold keys and ratings. The probability of a successful purchase is much higher if buying from a reputable key seller.