The Desolation of Mordor Story Expansion Review Summary

New mechanics enhance gameplay: The introduction of new mechanics and abilities has been well-received, adding fresh and enjoyable elements to the gameplay. Players appreciate the variety and fun these new features bring.

Engaging and well-crafted story: The story is praised for being enjoyable and well-elaborated, with likable and well-written characters. Players find the storyline credible and engaging without being overly serious.

Challenging and enjoyable gameplay: The gameplay is described as fun and challenging, with a fair difficulty level that players enjoy. The overall experience is engaging and entertaining.

Baranor offers unique playstyle: Baranor is highlighted as a solid character who functions differently from other characters, providing a refreshing and fun playstyle. Players enjoy the unique gameplay mechanics he brings.

Improved mercenary system: The mercenary system, including the recruitment of human mercenaries and improved AI, adds depth and interest to the gameplay. Players find this system to be fun and engaging.

Short and lackluster story: Many players found the story to be too short, predictable, and lacking depth or excitement. The overall flow and content were deemed insufficient and not worth the price.

Lack of new content: Many players felt that the game lacked new content, including new orc types, weapons, and storyline additions. This made the game feel repetitive and not worth the price.

High price for content: Many players felt that the game and its DLC were overpriced for the amount of content offered. This was a common complaint across multiple clusters.

DLC too short: The DLC was criticized for being too short, with some players completing it in just a couple of hours. This made it feel not worth the full price.

Frustrating permadeath mechanics: The permadeath mechanics were widely disliked, with players finding them frustrating and not lenient enough. This included issues with tracking attacks and the inability to turn off permadeath.

New character mechanics introduced: The game introduces new playable characters with unique abilities and gameplay mechanics. This includes different combat abilities and mechanics compared to previous characters like Talion.

Mercenary recruitment and management: A new system for hiring and managing human mercenaries has been introduced. Players can recruit soldiers and manage their mercenary forces, adding a strategic layer to the gameplay.

Roguelite mechanics and permadeath: The game includes roguelite elements such as permadeath, where players restart from the beginning if they die. This adds a challenging and strategic layer to the gameplay.

Unique equipment and upgrade systems: A unique equipment system and gear-upgrading mechanic have been introduced. Players can upgrade their equipment and abilities, providing a new progression system.

New abilities and gadgets: The game introduces new abilities and gadgets, such as the grappling hook, glider, and crossbow. These new mechanics are described as super fun and engaging.

Game crashes and freezes: The game experiences frequent crashes and freezes, which significantly disrupts gameplay. These issues are common and impact the overall stability of the game.

Good performance on Steam Deck: The game runs well on the Steam Deck, maintaining good performance even at medium to high settings. Players report consistent frame rates above 55fps.

Bugs with Orks: There are specific bugs related to Orks in the game. These bugs affect gameplay and need to be addressed for a smoother experience.

Worth it on sale: Many players recommend buying the game or its DLCs only when discounted or as part of a bundle, suggesting that the full price may not offer good value for money.

Recommended for base game fans: The game is highly recommended for those who enjoyed the base game and are looking for a fresh take or new mechanics. It may not be as engaging as the main game but offers a change of pace.

Mixed reviews on DLC: Opinions on the DLC are mixed, with some players highly recommending it while others suggest skipping it unless you are a big fan or it's heavily discounted.

Buy the Definitive Edition: Players suggest that the Definitive Edition or complete bundle is a better purchase than buying the DLC separately, offering more value for money.

Difficulty and gameplay tips: Some players recommend starting on Nemesis difficulty for achievements, while others suggest normal difficulty for a better experience. The DLC offers strategic and survival-focused gameplay.

Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00.

Game completion: 2.0h.

Story completion: 2.0h.

Session length: 2.0h.

The game becomes fun quickly due to the introduction of new mechanics like the grappling hook and glider, which enhance movement and combat.

Reported time to anchor: 30m.

Friction: Lack of new mechanics; Repetitive gameplay.

Mastery Seeker: Strategic and thorough, aiming for perfection and completion. Motivation: Mastery and optimization. Stance: sale.

Casual Explorer: Leisurely and exploratory, avoiding high-pressure mechanics. Motivation: Enjoyment and relaxation. Stance: deep sale.

Challenge Grinder: Persistent and repetitive, focusing on overcoming challenges. Motivation: Challenge and grind. Stance: sale.

Monetization: The user reviews for this DLC indicate significant dissatisfaction with its pricing and content value. Many users feel that the DLC is overpriced for the amount of content it offers, suggesting that it should be purchased only during sales or as part of a bundle. The short gameplay duration and lack of replayability are major points of contention. Despite these criticisms, some users acknowledge the quality of the DLC content itself, recommending it for purchase under the right conditions.