82
CRITIK
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is a open world third-person action role-playing video game developed by Monolith Productions and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, which takes place in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Legendarium. The game takes place in the 60-year gap between the events of Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings. It is a story of revenge, slaughter, and mystery set entirely in Mordor, the Land of Shadows. At its center is Talion, an ordinary man who loses everything, including his mortal life. The game is set in a fully open world, and features various role-playing game elements such as experience points and skills. There are various ways the player can complete their main objective. Aside from the main storyline, there are various side quests and random events the player can complete within Mordor. The melee system is inspired by that of the Batman Arkham series. Getting into a good fighting rhythm, using both regular attacks and counter-attacks will improve the player's combo multiplier. A unique feature of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is the Nemesis system. Every enemy in the game has their own name, rank, and memory. These enemies will continue to do their own jobs and tasks even when they're off screen. If the player does not kill an enemy in an encounter, this enemy will remember the player and change their tactics and conversations based on the encounter.
Other Scores
84
85
8.2
Critik
Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
78
Critics have mixed opinions on Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor's story. Some praise its engaging character development and intriguing plot, while others find it lacking in depth and connection with the source material. Overall, the game's narrative receives mostly positive feedback for its originality and compelling revenge-driven storyline within Tolkien's universe, despite some reservations about its execution.
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Gameplay
90
Critics overwhelmingly praised Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor's gameplay, highlighting its refined mechanics inspired by Assassin's Creed and Arkham Asylum, addictive combat, engaging side missions, and innovative Nemesis System. While some critics mentioned flaws like difficulty balance and mediocre parkour mechanics, the consensus is highly positive. The game offers a satisfying combat experience, rewarding progression system, and strategic depth, making it a successful and enjoyable gaming experience according to critics.
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Graphics and Visual Design
79
Critics are split on Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor's graphics. Some applaud the stunning environments and attention to detail, praising character models and immersive visuals. Others find the visuals underwhelming and lacking variety, criticizing generic environments. Despite mixed reviews, most agree the game offers an engaging and visually impressive experience of Mordor.
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Music and Sound Design
83
Critics unanimously praise Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor for its outstanding sound design and music. The game's immersive soundscapes, top-notch voice acting, and memorable soundtrack have garnered widespread acclaim. While some minor critiques exist, the overall consensus highlights these elements as key strengths that enhance the gameplay experience.
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Voice Acting
83
Critics rave about the exceptional voice acting in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, with standout performances by Troy Baker and Nolan North. The unique personalities given to orc and uruk captains elevate the storytelling, drawing players in. While some minor critiques exist, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting how the voice acting brings depth and authenticity to the characters. This aspect of the game significantly enhances the immersive and engaging experience, making it a standout feature.
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Technical Performance
74
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor impresses with solid performance and visuals on PC, smooth framerates on Xbox One, and detailed graphics on PS4. Critics note minor issues like climbing and camera problems, but overall, the consensus is positive for its immersive gameplay experience with engaging mechanics.
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Replay Value
82
Critics praise Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor's high Replay Value, with its innovative Nemesis system creating dynamic conflicts and memorable interactions. The game's abundance of side quests, addictive gameplay, and exploration potential are lauded, although some criticize its lack of activity variety and potential repetitiveness. Overall, the game's unique features and engaging gameplay make it a highly recommended choice for players looking for a dynamic and immersive gaming experience.
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Overall Verdict
Critics praise Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor for its top-tier adventure, innovative gameplay mechanics, and standout Nemesis system, likening it to successful franchises like Assassin's Creed. While some criticize its story execution and difficulty balance, the majority laud its engaging gameplay, enjoyable combat, and high replayability. Overall, the game is hailed as a must-play title and a contender for game of the year, offering a compelling and immersive gaming experience that stands out in the genre.
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82
CRITIK
Reviews
161 reviews found100
Giantbomb.com
Sep 30, 2014
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
The game is highly praised for its fun gameplay, dynamic AI system, and unique game experience. It is described as a competent open-world game that sets a high standard for the genre.
100
Theguardian.com
Oct 7, 2014
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is the reviewer's main contender for game of the year. It lacks pretension, pays attention to detail, and understands that video games should be fun.
95
Gameplanet.com.au
Oct 8, 2014
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Shadow of Mordor is a triumph, with a few minor flaws. The overall quality of the game is not diminished.
95
Softpedia.com
Oct 2, 2014
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is a fun and innovative game that offers a great story, fluid combat, impressive graphics, delightful soundtrack, and top-notch voice acting. It has a few technical issues, but overall, it is a highly enjoyable experience.
90
Thesixthaxis.com
Oct 10, 2014
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is the best Middle-earth game available on consoles, with fun gameplay and high replayability.
90
Videogamer.com
Sep 26, 2014
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Shadow of Mordor is a triumph, but it doesn't sustain its quality through to the end. It's arguably the best and most pure Assassin's Creed game to date.
90
Usgamer.net
Sep 29, 2014
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Must-play title that stands among the best in its genre, earning a rating of 4.5/5.
90
Digitalchumps.com
Sep 28, 2014
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
A standout title of 2014 that deserves recognition for its quality and effort put in by the developers at Monolith.
90
Playstationlifestyle.net
Sep 25, 2014
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor is a fantastic fantasy action title with a great story, enjoyable gameplay, and a wealth of content.
90
Escapistmagazine.com
Sep 25, 2014
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor offers a fresh take on the Tolkien universe with its new themes and mechanics, making it a remarkable game.
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