Info about Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™:

Official game description:
Go behind enemy lines to forge your army, conquer Fortresses and dominate Mordor from within. Experience how the award winning Nemesis System creates unique personal stories with every enemy and follower, and confront the full power of the Dark Lord Sauron and his Ringwraiths in this epic new story of Middle-earth.  
In Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™, nothing will be forgotten.

Release date: Oct 9, 2017

Categories: Action RPG, Open-World Exploration, Character Progression, Combat, Story-driven Gameplay, Nemesis System, Fortress Siege Mechanics

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 55; verdict: Improved but still costly; summary: The game 'Shadow of War' has a mixed reception regarding its monetization practices. While it initially suffered from significant issues such as microtransactions, loot boxes, and pay-to-win mechanics, the developers have since removed these elements and rebalanced the game. However, the high cost of DLC and season passes remains a concern for some players. Overall, the game has improved post-launch but still faces criticism for its pricing structure.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Mixed Feedback with Notable Usability Issues; summary: The user feedback highlights a mix of positive and negative experiences. While the game's narrative and UI are praised for being user-friendly and engaging, there are significant complaints about the complexity of certain missions and the assumption of prior knowledge, which can hinder the gaming experience for new players.
- Proton/Linux: score 20; verdict: Works Well with Minor Issues; summary: The game generally works well on Linux out of the box and performs well on the Steam Deck. However, there are some compatibility issues with specific Proton versions and occasional server reliability problems on Linux.
- Steam Deck: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback for the Steam Deck experience reveals several significant issues. The most impactful problems include frequent crashes, issues with Denuvo DRM, and the need to use specific Proton versions. Control issues, particularly with keyboard and mouse, were also commonly reported. Additionally, some users found the screen size on the Steam Deck to be too small, affecting the overall gaming experience.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Performance varies significantly across hardware cohorts, with lower VRAM configurations experiencing more issues. Higher VRAM setups generally report better performance but are not without problems.
  - Sample size: 272 (3% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM / <16GB RAM (mixed, 81 reports): Players report a mix of smooth gameplay and significant FPS fluctuations and lag.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (positive, 56 reports): Mostly positive reviews with good performance, though some users experience crashes.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (negative, 56 reports): Dominantly negative with reports of crashes, errors, and poor optimization.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM (positive, 48 reports): Positive feedback with the game running great even years after launch.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM (positive, 18 reports): Generally positive with good graphics and gameplay, despite some reported crashes and bugs.
  - Caveats: 272 of 9045 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $3.00 - $5.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence consistently points to the game being frequently available at significant discounts, often as low as $5. Many users mention that the game is worth purchasing at these discounted prices, indicating that the community considers the fair price range to be much lower than the current base price of $49.99. The repeated mentions of sales and low prices suggest a community consensus that the game is best valued in a lower price range.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 40.0h
  - Story completion: 20.0h
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: 20.0h
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides direct statements about the playtime and completion times for 'Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™'. The first quote mentions 140 hours of playtime, indicating a long engagement with the game. The second quote suggests multiple playthroughs, implying a significant time investment. The third quote provides a specific playtime of 18 hours for a single playthrough. The fourth quote mentions 76 hours to complete everything, including achievements, indicating a comprehensive playtime for full completion. These quotes help to derive typical playtime metrics for the game.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game starts with a slow and repetitive phase but becomes more engaging after several hours or upon reaching Act II, where interactions with orc captains and the Nemesis System enhance the experience.
  - Stance: Fun after initial grind
  - Anchor: Reaching act ii or investing several hours into the game
  - Time to anchor: 5h 0m
  - Friction: Repetitive gameplay; Slow start; Boring initial hours
  - Unlock drivers: Reaching Act II; Experiencing the Nemesis System
  - Conditions: Patiently progressing through the initial hours; Engaging with the game's deeper mechanics
- Player Archetypes:
  - Nemesis Combat Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Engaging combat and dynamic enemy interactions.
    - Playstyle: High difficulty, adaptive combat, and utilizing the Nemesis System.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Combat enthusiast; Nemesis System fan
    - Reference games: Assassins Creed; Batman Arkham games
  - Lore and Story Appreciator (sale)
    - Motivation: Rich narrative and character development.
    - Playstyle: Story-driven gameplay with attention to character interactions.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Lore fan; Story enthusiast
    - Reference games: Shadow of War; Batman Arkham Knight
  - Completionist Speedrunner (sale)
    - Motivation: Efficiency and speed in completing game content.
    - Playstyle: Rushing through campaigns, optimizing skills and strategies.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Speedrunner; Completionist
    - Reference games: Shadow of Mordor
  - Grind-Averse Player (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Avoiding repetitive tasks and microtransactions.
    - Playstyle: Casual gameplay with a focus on enjoying the core mechanics.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: Casual gamer; Anti-grind
    - Reference games: Shadow of Mordor


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Nemesis system highly praised (weight 0.44): The Nemesis system is widely celebrated for its innovation and depth, creating unique and memorable experiences through dynamic interactions and personalized enemies. It is considered one of the best game mechanics, adding significant replayability and depth to the game.
- Fluid and satisfying combat (weight 0.33): The combat system is frequently described as fluid, satisfying, and enjoyable. It is noted for being responsive and dynamic, providing a rewarding and engaging experience.
- Engaging and well-developed story (weight 0.24): The story is noted for being engaging, well-constructed, and emotionally captivating. It features intriguing plot elements and well-developed characters that keep players invested.
- Stunning and improved graphics (weight 0.19): The graphics are praised for being beautiful, stunning, and a significant improvement over previous versions. The visuals are high-quality and contribute to an immersive gaming experience.
- High replayability and rewarding gameplay (weight 0.18): The gameplay is described as highly replayable, diverse, and rewarding. Players find it enjoyable and addictive, with various mechanics that encourage repeated playthroughs.
- Unique orc personalities and dialogues (weight 0.17): The game features unique dialogues and personalities for each orc, adding depth and variety to interactions. This innovation enhances the overall gaming experience.
- Building and managing orc armies (weight 0.12): Players enjoy building and managing armies of orcs, with variations in orc design and specialties. Collecting orcs and creating a personalized army is a fun and engaging aspect of the game.
- Improved and better sequel (weight 0.1): The game is considered an improvement over its predecessor, with many players finding it better than the first game and many current games. It builds on the strengths of the original and expands on them.
- Epic large-scale battles (weight 0.1): The game features epic large-scale battles and siege warfare, providing a sense of grandeur and excitement. These battles are unique and contribute to the game's epic scale.
- Vast and immersive open world (weight 0.08): The open world is praised for being vast, immersive, and well-designed. It offers a diverse and visually impressive environment for players to explore.
- Epic fortress sieges (weight 0.08): The game includes epic fortress sieges, allowing players to take over and conquer fortresses. These large-scale battles are a highlight of the gameplay experience.
- Good value for money (weight 0.08): The game is considered worth the price, offering high value for money, especially when on sale. Players find it a worthwhile investment for the content and experience it provides.
- Improved cinematics and performance (weight 0.07): The game features better cinematics, improved graphics, and good performance. The cutscenes are rich and cinematic, enhancing the overall experience.
- Humorous orc interactions (weight 0.06): The orc dialogues and interactions are noted for being humorous and funny. These interactions add a lighthearted and entertaining element to the game.
- Overall positive reception (weight 0.06): The game is generally well-received, with players finding it interesting, fun, and highly recommended. It is considered a pretty good game that is enjoyable and engaging.

Common complaints:
- Repetitive gameplay mechanics (weight 0.26): Many players find the gameplay, including missions and combat, to become repetitive and boring, especially after extended playtime or completing a significant portion of the game.
- Frequent bugs and crashes (weight 0.19): The game is plagued with constant bugs, glitches, and crashes, leading to technical issues that hinder gameplay.
- Nemesis system flaws (weight 0.13): The Nemesis system, a key feature, is criticized for being underutilized, dull, and overly simple. It is also seen as forcing repetitive gameplay.
- Nemesis system patent issues (weight 0.13): The patenting of the Nemesis system by Warner Bros. is a point of contention, with critics arguing it restricts creativity and development.
- Clunky and unresponsive controls (weight 0.12): Players report struggling with controls that feel clunky, abysmal, and unresponsive, detracting from the overall gaming experience.
- Excessive grind (weight 0.07): The game is criticized for having too much grind, which increases as players progress, making the experience feel tedious.
- Rapid enemy respawn (weight 0.07): Enemies respawn almost instantly, even during combat, which can be frustrating and disrupt the flow of the game.
- Excessive orc dialogue (weight 0.06): Players find the frequent and unskippable dialogues from enemy orcs annoying, especially during extended play sessions.
- Controversial microtransactions (weight 0.05): The game initially included controversial microtransactions, which were later removed but left a negative impression.
- Insufficient save slots (weight 0.05): Players are frustrated by the lack of multiple save slots and the absence of a manual save feature, limiting their gaming experience.
- Short game length (weight 0.05): The game is criticized for being quite short, with a storyline that quickly becomes boring, reducing its overall appeal.
- Lore inaccuracies (weight 0.05): The game is criticized for its poor lore accuracy and distorted representation, which can be disappointing for fans of the series.

Gameplay feedback:
- Narrative depth and character arc (weight 0.47): The game features a deep narrative with a compelling character arc, focusing on themes of revenge, sacrifice, and the struggle against dark forces. The protagonist's journey is marked by personal loss, transformation, and ultimate redemption.
- Orc recruitment and management (weight 0.3): Players can recruit and manage orcs, which involves infiltrating orc societies, training mechanics, and dealing with orc behaviors and personalities. This system adds depth to gameplay with a variety of orc types and interactions.
- Nemesis system enhances gameplay (weight 0.26): The Nemesis system is highlighted as a unique and innovative feature that creates memorable enemies, dynamic interactions, and personal battles. It allows for unique stories with orcs and makes every battle personal by having enemies remember encounters with the player.
- Combat similar to Batman Arkham (weight 0.24): The combat system is compared to the Batman Arkham series, featuring fast and fluid combat mechanics. This includes crowd-control mechanisms and supernatural abilities similar to the Arkham games.
- Large-scale fortress sieges (weight 0.16): The game includes large-scale fortress sieges and epic battles. These sieges are a significant part of the gameplay, offering players the chance to engage in large-scale warfare and strategic combat.
- Open world dynamics (weight 0.11): The game offers an open-world structure with various environments and dynamic content. Players can explore and engage in open-world gameplay, adding to the game's depth and replayability.
- Character progression system (weight 0.06): The game features a character progression system that allows players to develop their characters over time. This includes various mechanics for character progression and interactions.

Performance notes:
- Technical issues and bugs (weight 0.2): A significant number of players experienced technical problems, including bugs, glitches, and crashes. Specific issues mentioned were game-breaking bugs, minor bugs, AI glitches, and character freezing. Some players reported frequent crashes, especially after upgrading their PCs or during specific missions.
- Performance and optimization feedback (weight 0.2): Players reported mixed experiences with performance. Some noted better performance and stable frame rates, while others encountered optimization issues and frame rate caps. The game was noted to run well on certain hardware but required fast PCs for optimal performance.
- Praised graphics and visuals (weight 0.13): Many players appreciated the game's graphics, describing them as excellent, beautiful, and well-maintained for its time. The visual fidelity and crafted areas were highlighted as strong points.
- Sound and audio feedback (weight 0.09): The game's audio received mixed reviews. Some players praised the sound quality, describing it as very good, while others reported sound problems and silent cutscene voiceovers.
- Connectivity and compatibility issues (weight 0.06): Some players experienced poor connection and connectivity issues. Additionally, there were reports of compatibility problems with certain hardware or controllers.
- Game comparisons and criticisms (weight 0.05): Some players criticized the game for feeling stiff and artificial, comparing it unfavorably to other games like Shadow of Mordor. The world design was described as cheaper and less impressive.
- Specific technical issues (weight 0.05): Players reported specific technical issues such as aspect ratio problems, clipping into buildings, and glare issues. These problems, while not universally experienced, were notable enough to be mentioned.
- Mixed reviews on bugs (weight 0.02): While some players reported experiencing bugs, others mentioned that there were almost none. This indicates a varied experience with bugs among players.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for Lord of the Rings fans (weight 0.27): This game is highly recommended for fans of the Lord of the Rings universe, Tolkien mythology, and those who enjoy action RPGs set in Middle-earth. It offers an engaging experience for fans of the genre and is considered a must-play for diehard fans of the franchise.
- Recommended for open-world action fans (weight 0.25): The game is recommended for fans of open-world action games, dynamic worlds, and emergent storytelling. It features unique mechanics, engaging stories, and memorable enemies, making it a must-play for those who enjoy cinematic, story-driven action games.
- Worth the price on sale (weight 0.2): The game is considered worth the price, especially if purchased on sale. Some reviews suggest it is worth every penny, while others recommend waiting for a sale before buying.
- Comparison to Shadow of Mordor (weight 0.19): The game is often compared to Shadow of Mordor, with recommendations to play the first game before this one. Some reviews suggest that Shadow of Mordor is better, while others recommend playing both games in the series.
- Mixed recommendations on value (weight 0.15): The game receives mixed recommendations regarding its value. Some highly recommend it, while others suggest buying it only at a low price or on sale. A few reviews caution against purchasing it at full price.
- Repetitive gameplay caution (weight 0.14): The game is not recommended for those who dislike repetitive missions or repetitive gameplay. However, it is recommended for players who enjoy large-scale battles and strategic gameplay, despite its chaotic nature.
- Recommended for fans of specific games (weight 0.1): The game is recommended for fans of Assassin's Creed, Arkham games, and stealth and swordplay. It is also recommended for fans of action, infiltration, and fantasy genres.
- Recommended for challenging gameplay (weight 0.08): The game is recommended for fans of challenging and dynamic gameplay, innovative dialogue, and engaging stories. It offers a unique and personal gaming experience for players seeking a challenge.
- Positive overall sentiment (weight 0.07): The game is described as awesome, fun, and a great experience. It is highly recommended for its depth and the developers' creativity, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.
- Difficulty considerations (weight 0.06): The game is recommended to play on brutal difficulty for a challenging experience. However, it is not recommended for those planning to play on Brutal difficulty or for new players on hard difficulty.
- Recommended for army-building and combat (weight 0.06): The game is recommended for those who enjoy chaotic combat, army-building, and leading orc armies in Mordor. It is perfect for players who like to get an army and do sieges.
- Recommended for action and strategy lovers (weight 0.06): The game is recommended for action and strategy lovers, as well as fans of strategic gameplay. It is ideal for action lovers who want to command armies and conquer fortresses.
- Mixed ratings (weight 0.05): The game receives mixed ratings, ranging from 5/5 to 10/10. These ratings reflect varying opinions on the game's quality and enjoyment.
- Moderate pace recommended (weight 0.05): The game is best enjoyed at a moderate pace and is not recommended if not enjoyed within the first two hours. It is also not recommended for those seeking a quick finish.
- Recommended for ARPG players (weight 0.04): The game is strongly recommended for action-RPG (ARPG) players and fans of the action-RPG genre. It offers an engaging experience for those who enjoy this type of gameplay.
- Emergent storytelling masterpiece (weight 0.04): The game is described as a masterpiece of emergent storytelling and pure gold. It offers a unique and engaging narrative experience for players.
- Recommended for close combat fans (weight 0.04): The game is recommended for fans of close combat against hordes and those who enjoy the theme and combat mechanics. It offers an engaging experience for fans of action and combat.
- Recommended for replayability (weight 0.04): The game is recommended for its replayability and value. It is highly re-playable and entertaining, offering a lot of content for players to enjoy.
- Recommended for memorable villains (weight 0.04): The game is recommended for fans of memorable villains and dynamic battles. It features memorable enemies and engaging combat experiences.
- General recommendation (weight 0.04): The game is recommended to all players and those who missed it. It is considered a great experience for a wide range of players.
- Controller recommended (weight 0.04): The game is recommended to be played with a controller for a better experience. Using a controller can enhance the gameplay and overall enjoyment.
- Technical issues caution (weight 0.04): The game is not recommended due to crashing issues and technical problems. These issues can affect the overall gameplay experience.

Other player notes:
- Overcoming arachnophobia (weight 0.02): Players reported that the game helped them get over their fear of spiders.

Emotions:
- Excitement (weight 0.27): The Nemesis system and combat mechanics are the primary drivers of excitement for players. The dynamic interactions with orcs, the ability to recruit and manage an orc army, and the engaging combat system create a sense of power and immersion. The open-world environment and the variety of unique orc encounters further enhance the excitement, making the gameplay experience highly enjoyable and addictive.
- Frustration (weight 0.26): Players experience frustration due to several gameplay issues, including repetitive missions, grindy mechanics, and technical bugs. The constant respawn of enemies, unskippable dialogues, and difficulty spikes contribute to a sense of monotony and annoyance. Additionally, the patenting of the Nemesis system and the presence of microtransactions at launch have also been sources of frustration for many players.
- Disappointment (weight 0.1): Disappointment stems from the Nemesis system not meeting expectations and the overall story feeling bland or forgettable. Players also express dissatisfaction with the game's ending, repetitive missions, and the patenting of the Nemesis system by Warner Bros. The lack of character variety and the grindy nature of the gameplay further contribute to this sentiment.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.1): Enjoyment is derived from the addictive gameplay loop, the unique Nemesis system, and the humorous orc dialogues. Players appreciate the fun combat mechanics, the variety of missions, and the engaging story. The ability to recruit and interact with orcs, along with the fluid combat system, contributes to a highly enjoyable experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.1): Satisfaction comes from the engaging story, strategic fortress conquest system, and the well-constructed character stories. Players are satisfied with the improved combat mechanics, beautiful graphics, and the overall gameplay experience. The Nemesis system and the ability to play the game in various ways also contribute to a sense of fulfillment.
- Joy (weight 0.08): Joy is experienced through the engaging atmosphere of Middle-earth, the unique and personal encounters with orcs, and the fun combat mechanics. Players enjoy the dynamic and fluid combat, the engaging storyline, and the ability to build and manage an orc army. The Nemesis system's uniqueness and the game's high replayability also bring joy to players.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance is caused by combat-interrupting cutscenes, unskippable captain dialogues, and the AI's poor pathing. The endless speeches of orcs and the slow, interruptible executions add to the frustration. These elements disrupt the gameplay flow and can be particularly irritating for players.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Appreciation is felt for the game's atmospheric environments, large-scale battles, and good graphics. Players appreciate the innovative mechanics, the detailed world of Middle-earth, and the thoughtful system design. The cinematic presentation and the engaging story also contribute to a sense of appreciation for the game's quality and depth.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise comes from the game's high quality compared to current games and the engaging gameplay despite not being a fan of fantasy games. Players are surprised by the dynamic orc promotion system, the orcs' reactions to actions, and the unique combat mechanics. The plot's unexpected twists and the orcs' challenging behaviors also contribute to this sense of surprise.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom sets in due to the repetitive combat system and gameplay content. Players find the gameplay becomes repetitive after a certain point, with tedious objectives and repetitive fortress systems. The lack of new content and the grindy nature of the gameplay contribute to a sense of monotony and boredom.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is triggered by poor game design, clunky inputs, and the forced death mechanic. Players are frustrated by the infinite spawning of enemies and the presence of Denuvo DRM. The feeling of being overwhelmed by enemies and the poor handling of certain game mechanics contribute to this anger.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia is felt by players who have an attachment to the game and its unique orc stories. The comparison to the first game's combat experience and the memories of Monolith, the now-defunct studio, evoke a sense of longing. Players miss the unique interactions and the emotional connections they formed with the game's characters and world.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement is driven by the strategic fortress management, the rich storytelling, and the compelling narrative. Players are drawn into the game's atmosphere and the intense journey of Talion. The refined mechanics and the suspenseful story keep players engaged and invested in the game's world and characters.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement is derived from the humorous and goofy nature of the orcs, their funny dialogues, and the comical sense they bring to the game. Players find the orcs' behaviors and the rewarding death mechanic entertaining. The unique interactions and the humorous aspects of the game contribute to a sense of amusement and fun.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness is felt due to the shutdown of Monolith and the patenting of the Nemesis system, which limits its use in other games. Players also feel sadness over the tragic fate of certain characters and the emotional weight of their stories. The loss of the studio and the potential for future games in the series contribute to this sentiment.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest is piqued by the innovative Nemesis system and its connection to the Lord of the Rings lore. Players are intrigued by the RPG systems and the ability to build an army of monsters. The unique mechanics and the game's setting in the detailed world of Middle-earth contribute to a sense of curiosity and engagement.
- Love (weight 0): Love for the game is expressed through the overall game experience, the innovative Nemesis system, and the game's connection to Tolkien's works. Players appreciate the game's atmosphere, storytelling, and the unique interactions with orcs. The game's ability to immerse players in its world and the emotional connections formed with characters contribute to this deep affection.
- Fatigue (weight 0): Fatigue sets in due to the repetitive gameplay and the stretched content, which can feel monotonous over time. Players find the endgame grind tiring and the repetitive nature of the gameplay exhausting. The lack of significant new content and the grindy mechanics contribute to a sense of weariness and fatigue.
- Admiration (weight 0): Admiration is felt for the game's innovative Nemesis system and its RPG elements. Players appreciate the game's replayability and the unique mechanics that set it apart from other games. The thoughtful design and the engaging gameplay experience contribute to a sense of admiration for the game's creativity and depth.
- Immersion (weight 0): Immersion is achieved through the game's successful visual atmosphere of Middle-earth and the detailed world-building. Players are drawn into the game's environment and the engaging storyline. The game's ability to create a sense of presence and involvement in its world contributes to a deep sense of immersion and engagement.}