- Highly praised combat mechanics and fun gameplay.
- Innovative Nemesis System for enemy interactions.
- High replayability and compelling story and lore.
- Poor final boss fights and repetitive map design.
- Buggy controls and excessive enemy swarming.
- Various bugs, glitches, and performance issues.
Emotions
The excitement primarily stems from the game's innovative Nemesis System, which creates unique and personal stories with enemies, making each encounter memorable. Additionally, the fluid and satisfying combat mechanics, along with the thrilling exploration and power progression, contribute significantly to the overall excitement.
Players enjoy the dynamic combat and the Nemesis System, which makes each enemy unique and memorable. The overall gameplay experience, including the story, combat abilities, and the feeling of power within the game's universe, adds to the enjoyment.
Frustration arises from repetitive combat and missions, as well as various technical issues and bugs. Difficult controls, unbalanced combat, and the lack of difficulty settings also contribute to player frustration.
Satisfaction comes from the smooth combat mechanics, engaging story, and the Nemesis System. Players also appreciate the variety of enemy elimination methods and the overall value of the purchase.
Nostalgia is driven by players revisiting the game after several years and recalling past experiences with it. The connection to 'The Lord of the Rings' universe and the game's enduring quality also evoke nostalgic feelings.
Verdict
Mostly positive
Summary
Positive 88% · Negative 12%. Score: 12 / 100
Verdict
Aggressive Monetization
Summary
The game has faced significant criticism for its monetization practices, particularly regarding overpriced and incomplete DLCs, as well as a predatory season pass. However, post-launch updates have addressed some of these issues, providing a more balanced and complete experience. Score: 70 / 100
Top points
- Overpriced DLC - High
- Predatory Season Pass - High
- Incomplete Content - Medium
- Post-Launch Improvements - Positive
Verdict
Tinkering Required
Summary
The analysis of user feedback for the Steam Deck experience with the game reveals several key themes. The game generally performs well on the Steam Deck, with high FPS and smooth gameplay reported by many users. However, there are notable issues with controller responsiveness and complexity, text readability, and frequent crashes. Despite these issues, many users express high satisfaction with the game's fun factor, story, and overall enjoyment. Score: 40 / 100
Top points
- Performance and Compatibility - Positive
- Controller and Input Issues - Medium
- Text and UI Readability - Low
- Crashes and Stability - High
- User Experience and Enjoyment - Positive
Positives:
- The combat system is frequently described as fluid, satisfying, and engaging. Players appreciate the smooth animations, responsive controls, and the overall enjoyable experience of the combat mechanics.
- The Nemesis System is highlighted as a groundbreaking feature that makes enemies memorable and creates personal rivalries. It adds depth and unpredictability to the gameplay.
- The gameplay is described as highly engaging, fun, and addictive. Players enjoy the combination of combat and the Nemesis System, which keeps the experience fresh and exciting.
- The combination of the Nemesis System and engaging gameplay mechanics provides a high level of replayability. Players find themselves drawn back to the game for extended periods.
- The story is appreciated for being engaging, well-crafted, and fitting well within the Lord of the Rings universe. It keeps players intrigued without being overly complicated.
Negatives:
- The final boss fights are criticized for being terrible, anticlimactic, and poorly designed. Players found them disappointing after the long build-up of the game.
- The map design is criticized for being repetitive and monotonous. Some areas feel too similar, leading to a lack of visual variety.
- The controls are criticized for being buggy, unpleasant, and difficult to understand. This includes complaints about strange and conflicting control schemes.
- Players report being swarmed by excessive numbers of enemies, which can be frustrating and overwhelming. This includes complaints about endless enemy spawning.
- The main campaign is criticized for being too short. Players found the overall length of the game to be insufficient.
Gameplay:
- The Nemesis System is a standout feature where enemies remember past encounters, adapt, and can rise in ranks. This creates a dynamic and personalized experience, making each enemy memorable and interactions unique.
- The game combines combat mechanics similar to the Batman Arkham series with movement and parkour systems reminiscent of Assassin's Creed. This blend creates a free-flow combat system that is both fluid and responsive.
- The game features an open-world environment with extensive traversal and climbing mechanics. The world is richly detailed and offers various activities and missions for players to explore.
- The game features mechanics where orcs can be commanded, mind-controlled, and recruited. This includes an Orc captain and nemesis system, adding depth to enemy interactions.
- The game includes a skill tree for character progression, allowing players to unlock new abilities as they level up. This system provides a diverse range of skills and upgrades.
Performance:
- The game is highly praised for its optimization, running smoothly even on low-end and older hardware. Players report excellent performance across various devices, including Steam Deck and Macbook M2.
- The game's graphics are frequently commended for being visually appealing and holding up well over time. Players appreciate the visual quality, even on lower settings.
- There are reports of mouse sensitivity and acceleration issues, as well as general buggy and inconsistent controls. Keyboard controls are also criticized.
- Players encounter issues with FPS limitations, screen tearing, and resolution problems. Some suggest using borderless window mode or triple buffering as solutions.
- There are various specific bugs reported, such as issues with the climbing system, teleportation attacks, and a bug near the tower boss fight.
Recommendations:
- Reviewers highly recommend the game for its action-packed gameplay and engaging story. It is praised for its cinematic experience and innovative systems.
- Many reviewers mention that the game is worth playing and buying, especially when on sale. It offers good value for money and is considered a worthwhile experience.
- The game is frequently recommended for fans of The Lord of the Rings and the Tolkien universe. Reviewers suggest it is a must-play for those who enjoy Middle-earth and its lore.
- Several reviews suggest playing Shadow of Mordor before its sequel, Shadow of War. This is to fully appreciate the story and gameplay improvements in the sequel.
- Reviewers recommend getting the Game of the Year edition with all DLC for the best experience. Additional missions and content are also suggested.
Miscellaneous:
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