Info about The Desolation of Mordor Story Expansion:

Official game description:
The Desolation of Mordor Story Expansion includes:  
• NEW Story campaign  
• NEW Side missions featuring Torvin  
• NEW Human Mercenaries and Bodyguards  
• NEW Region of Mordor - The Desert of Lithlad  
• NEW Beasts: Were-wyrms  
Play as Baranor, the Captain of the Tower from Minas Ithil, and travel deep behind enemy lines in the Eastern Deserts of Mordor and raise an Easterling Army to open a new front in the Shadow War. Rendezvous with Torvin, the epic Dwarven Hunter who traveled deep into the Desolation of Mordor pursuing the legendary Were-wyrms.  
Baranor is an exceptional Commander with new Skills and Abilities to lead his men into battle against the Orc forces.

Release date: May 8, 2018

Categories: Action-Adventure, Open-World Exploration, Character Progression, Story-driven Gameplay, Combat, Roguelite, Permadeath

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 20; verdict: Overpriced with Limited Content; summary: 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.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence consistently points out that the base price of $20 is not considered fair by the community. Many reviews suggest waiting for a sale or purchasing the game as part of a bundle. The general sentiment is that the game is worth buying at a lower price point, typically around $10 or less.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 2.0h
  - Story completion: 2.0h
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that the typical playtime for completing the DLC is around 2 hours. Several reviews mention that the DLC is short, with specific mentions of it taking around two hours to complete. The reasoning for the session length is based on the fact that players often mention short play sessions, indicating that the game can be completed in a single sitting. The endgame content is minimal, as the focus is on completing the story and achieving high scores rather than extensive post-story activities.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game becomes fun quickly due to the introduction of new mechanics like the grappling hook and glider, which enhance movement and combat.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: Acquisition of the grappling hook and glider
  - Time to anchor: 0h 30m
  - Friction: Lack of new mechanics; Repetitive gameplay
  - Unlock drivers: Acquisition of the grappling hook; Acquisition of the glider
  - Conditions: Use of new mechanics; Dynamic movement and combat
- Player Archetypes:
  - Mastery Seeker (sale)
    - Motivation: Mastery and optimization
    - Playstyle: Strategic and thorough, aiming for perfection and completion.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: skilled; strategic
    - Reference games: Shadow of War; Just Cause
  - Casual Explorer (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoyment and relaxation
    - Playstyle: Leisurely and exploratory, avoiding high-pressure mechanics.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: casual; relaxed
    - Reference games: Shadow of War; Dune
  - Challenge Grinder (sale)
    - Motivation: Challenge and grind
    - Playstyle: Persistent and repetitive, focusing on overcoming challenges.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: veteran; grinder
    - Reference games: Shadow of War; Attack on Titan


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:
- New mechanics enhance gameplay (weight 0.6): 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 (weight 0.38): 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 (weight 0.38): 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 (weight 0.34): 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 (weight 0.28): 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.
- New map is huge and beautiful (weight 0.27): The new sandy map is very nice and different, offering a huge and beautiful environment for players to explore. This addition has been well-received for its visual appeal and size.
- High-quality and fun DLC (weight 0.25): The DLC is considered amazing and very good, providing an entertaining and fun experience. Players find it to be the best DLC the game has seen, offering a refreshing and enjoyable content.
- Different gameplay from main game (weight 0.18): The gameplay mechanics and style differ from the main game, offering a unique and enjoyable experience. Players appreciate these changes for their freshness and entertainment value.

Common complaints:
- Short and lackluster story (weight 0.62): 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 (weight 0.46): 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 (weight 0.35): 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 (weight 0.28): 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 (weight 0.27): 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.
- Progress loss on death (weight 0.27): There were concerns about losing progress upon death, which included losing skills, augments, and material progress. This was seen as a punitive and frustrating mechanic.
- Game bugs and crashes (weight 0.21): Several players reported bugs and crashes, including game freezes during specific missions and save file corruption. These issues significantly impacted the gameplay experience.
- Repetitive gameplay elements (weight 0.19): Players noted that the gameplay felt repetitive and lacked replayability. This was a significant issue for those expecting more varied content.
- Rogue-like mechanics not appealing (weight 0.19): The rogue-like mechanics, including permadeath and time attack features, did not appeal to many players. Some found these mechanics to be poorly implemented and frustrating.
- Disappointing mercenary system (weight 0.18): The mercenary system was found to be disappointing and lacking in depth. Players hoped for more options and better utilization of mercenaries.
- Difficulty with scoring system (weight 0.18): Players found it difficult to achieve a gold score and were frustrated by the lack of explanation on how to improve their score. The scoring system was seen as unnecessary and poorly implemented.
- Poorly implemented mechanics (weight 0.18): Several mechanics, such as the parachute, movement commands for bodyguards, and the Nemesis system, were criticized for being poorly implemented or underutilized.
- Frustrating map and combat (weight 0.18): Players found the map geometry and combat mechanics to be frustrating. This included issues with blocking, shield mechanics, and the overall combat ability of characters.
- Lack of connection to main story (weight 0.14): The game was criticized for not contributing to the main story and feeling like a different game. This lack of connection made the content feel unrelated and unsatisfying.
- Underutilized characters and missions (weight 0.14): Characters like Torvin and missions were seen as underutilized and repetitive. Players expected more interactions and varied mission content.
- Lack of ending and cutscenes (weight 0.12): Players were disappointed by the lack of an ending cutscene and the nonsensical final battle. This made the story feel incomplete and unsatisfying.
- Misleading and disappointing content (weight 0.12): The game was criticized for having misleading trailers and poorly polished expansions. This led to a sense of wasted effort and disappointment among players.
- Character mortality and supplies (weight 0.09): Players noted that the character being a normal mortal human led to frequent restarts after death and a need for medical supplies, which added to the frustration.

Gameplay feedback:
- New character mechanics introduced (weight 0.4): 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 (weight 0.39): 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 (weight 0.29): 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 (weight 0.28): 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 (weight 0.24): 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.
- Mortal protagonist and difficulty settings (weight 0.14): The game features a mortal protagonist, adding a new layer of challenge. Additionally, difficulty settings such as Nemesis difficulty provide varied gameplay experiences.
- Fortress capture and management (weight 0.08): Players can capture and manage fortresses, adding a strategic element to the gameplay. This includes regular fortresses and new mechanics related to fortress management.

Performance notes:
- Game crashes and freezes (weight 0.13): 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 (weight 0.09): 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 (weight 0.05): There are specific bugs related to Orks in the game. These bugs affect gameplay and need to be addressed for a smoother experience.

Recommendations:
- Worth it on sale (weight 0.78): 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 (weight 0.35): 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 (weight 0.25): 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 (weight 0.21): 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 (weight 0.14): 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.
- Not for everyone (weight 0.08): The game may not be suitable for those seeking a roguelike experience or a good story. It might fall short for players expecting the same level of engagement as the main game.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.23): Players expressed disappointment due to the DLC's short duration and lack of depth compared to the main game. The story was criticized for being weak, unrelated to the main plot, and lacking originality. Additionally, the high price point and repetitive gameplay mechanics contributed to the dissatisfaction.
- Excitement (weight 0.23): The excitement stemmed from the introduction of new mechanics and unique gameplay changes, such as the grapple hook and parachute. Players also enjoyed the fresh experience of playing as a mortal character with permanent death and the return of popular characters like Torvin and Baranor.
- Frustration (weight 0.17): Frustration was primarily caused by the permadeath mechanics, which led to progress loss and repetitive gameplay. Technical issues like game crashes and bugs, along with the high price for the amount of content, also contributed to player frustration.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.16): Players enjoyed the fun and challenging gameplay, as well as the new mechanics and character experiences. The DLC provided a refreshing break from the main game with its unique playstyle and engaging story.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.08): Satisfaction came from the polished world and enjoyable story, along with the new mechanics and abilities introduced in the DLC. Players appreciated the solid addition to the franchise and the removal of in-game purchases.
- Joy (weight 0.04): Joy was derived from the fun and dynamic progression, new combat techniques, and strategic gameplay. Players enjoyed the different mechanics and the focus on bodyguard skills.
- Surprise (weight 0.03): Players were pleasantly surprised by the DLC, which met and exceeded their expectations. The roguelike mode and substantial gameplay differences were unexpected but well-received.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest was piqued by the unique roguelite mechanics and the mercenary hiring system, which offered a fresh take on the game's siege system.
- Concern (weight 0.01): Concern arose from the potential loss of progress due to the permadeath mechanics and the uncertainty about the series' future due to rights issues.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger was fueled by feeling misled about the content and quality of the DLC, as well as the high price for the content provided.}