

Orcs also become stronger when they defeat you in battle. You also cause other orcs to ascend through the ranks of the dark hierarchy and gain power. Little emergent scenarios play out in which an orc you've previously defeated returns with a new injury or deformity, then comments on the last battle you had together.įor example, if you burned the poor sucker, he will show up with scars the next time and whine about your talent for resurrection. Under the Nemesis system, you build, well, nemeses as you off orc captains and warchiefs. That enthusiasm extends to the Nemesis System, the game's best and most interesting feature. You can tell developer Monolith had a blast designing these nasty guys. Some are scarred, some have hair, some are cowardly, some are brave. Each orc and Uruk rival is rendered with visual details and personalities that set them apart.


Talion beautifully runs, sneaks, and slices apart orc goons. What Does It Do Well? The animation is terrific. I suppose that's the price for strict adherence to canon. It's well acted, and the dialogue is written in the parlance of Peter Jackson's movies, but the plot never becomes interesting, beyond its nods to The Silmarillion. Voice actor Liam O'Brien does a superb Andy Serkis impression, but his inclusion feels superfluous. He shows up immediately to remind you that, yes, this is the world of Middle-Earth. It's no spoiler that Gollum is in the game. Tolkien buffs may delight in (or recoil from) this original yarn, depending on their predilection for references and cameos. After a wraith's spirit resurrects and possesses him, the superpowered Talion wreaks havoc among the Sauron's orc army across the dreary plains of Mordor. What's it All About? Set about 80 years before The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Shadow of Mordor follows Talion and his quest for revenge after he and his family are killed by Sauron's dark forces.
