Review: Middle Earth – Shadow of Mordor (PS4)

Despite the fact that Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor is a game deeply rooted in the Lord of the Rings mythology, it’s commendable that it forges its own path with a unique narrative. While the protagonist Thalion bears a resemblance to Aragorn, and encounters with Gollum (Smeagol) are inevitable, Shadow of Mordor introduces an intriguing dimension to Middle-earth. Its open-world sandbox environment, reminiscent of titles like Grand Theft Auto and Assassin’s Creed, coupled with the seamless switching between the human Thalion and the spectral Wraith elf, provides a compelling gameplay experience.

After a period of relative quiet, developer Monolith Games, a subsidiary of Warner Interactive (itself owned by WB Studios, holding the Lord of the Rings license via New Line, a part of AOL Time Warner), returns with an ambitious, well-executed, and expansive action-adventure title that incorporates distinct role-playing elements. Their previous notable project was the F.E.A.R. franchise.

Players assume the role of Thalion, a ranger haunted by the loss of his family at the hands of Sauron’s forces. He is bound to a mysterious elf residing in the Wraith world. This combination facilitates dynamic interaction, enabling players to switch between the two perspectives and characters. This allows players to perceive elements inaccessible to mortals and to execute powerful combo attacks. The core narrative revolves around a revenge plot, focused on bringing your family’s killers to justice. Complementing this are numerous side missions that delve into the lore of the enigmatic elf, Gollum, and your character’s magical weaponry.

The menu system can initially appear complex, presenting extensive information on locations, characters, flora, weapons, and more. Character progression follows a traditional skill-tree model, and enhanced weapon attributes can be acquired using Mithril, a resource obtainable throughout the game. From a gameplay perspective, Shadow of Mordor is readily accessible. Combat is engaging and intense, with mechanics familiar to those who have played Warner’s Batman: Arkham series, including counter-attacks and a Wraith vision mode analogous to detective vision. This builds upon a proven formula.

Technically, the game is generally well-executed, although the graphical fidelity exhibits some inconsistencies. Impressive lighting effects, such as realistic sunsets and a stable frame rate on the PS4 version, alongside detailed textures, enhance the overall experience. However, somewhat rigid and simplistic character models detract slightly. The voice acting is exceptional, spearheaded by the prolific Troy Baker. Despite recasting for certain roles, such as Gollum, the performances remain faithful to their film counterparts. (Fun fact: Jason Connery, son of Sean Connery, has a minor role as a boat captain.) The sound design is crisp and clear, although the surround sound occasionally misrepresents the distance of sound sources.

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor delivers an enjoyable experience, demonstrating a solid understanding of the Tolkien universe. The Orcs and Uruk-Hai encountered are formidable, and the Nemesis system, in which unique characters gain rank and strength upon defeating the player, adds a compelling layer of depth. While the main story can be completed in approximately 10 hours, exploring the Elf’s backstory is highly recommended. The game’s primary weakness lies in its repetitive nature, particularly in the execution of missions involving the elimination of Orc captains. Greater mission variety would elevate the overall experience.

Despite these minor shortcomings, this is a robust title that resonates well with the Lord of the Rings IP, and offers an entertaining action-adventure for enthusiasts of titles such as the Arkham series.