Info about The Blade of Galadriel Story Expansion:

Official game description:
The Blade of Galadriel Story Expansion includes:  
• NEW Story campaign  
• NEW Orc Allies & Side Missions  
• NEW Boss fights against the Ringwraiths and Dark Talion  
• NEW Light wielding Combat  
• NEW Legendary Gear Set for Eltariel  
Play as Eltariel, the Blade of Galadriel, as she hunts the newest Ringwraith. Her epic story begins on the tower of Barad-dûr after the battle with Sauron and takes her across Mordor.  
Eltariel enters battle with a new dual wield combat style, new powers based on the Light of Galadriel and the ability to wield the New Ring.

Release date: Feb 6, 2018

Categories: Action RPG, Open-World Exploration, Third-Person Shooter, Nemesis System, Character Progression, Boss Fights, Story-driven Gameplay

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 10; verdict: No Predatory Monetization Evidence; summary: The reviews exclusively criticize the DLC's value proposition—its high price relative to the short, thin amount of content. There is no mention of microtransactions, real-money purchases, gacha mechanics, loot boxes, battle passes, or any form of post-purchase monetization within this game. All feedback falls under base-price/DLC pricing, which the scoring rules exclude from predatory monetization assessment. The lack of any MTX evidence keeps the score within the fair range.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $20.00
  - Reasoning: The community consistently describes the game as overpriced and advises waiting for discounts. Even the definitive edition (base game plus DLC) is called overpriced, and the common recommendation is to purchase only during sales. Since the base game is longer but still criticized for quality, a fair price range would align with typical sale prices, well below the original full retail cost.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 3.5h
  - Story completion: 2.5h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence consistently reports total completion time (including side content) around 3–4 hours, with several reviewers specifically stating 3.5–4 hours for 100% completion. For story-only completion, multiple sources indicate a much shorter campaign of 2–3 hours, with one explicitly stating 2 hours max when skipping side missions. No specific session length or endgame playtime is provided in the reviews, so those metrics are left null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The Eltariel DLC consistently fails to become fun for most players due to repetitive combat, useless light abilities invalidated by captain immunities, and bland mission structure, with only a minority finding occasional enjoyment.
  - Stance: Never clicks
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: light abilities are countered by captain immunities; combat becomes mindless slashing with limited options; repetitive mission and boss fight structure; slow and disruptive healing animation; boring protagonist with rushed development; tedious optional bosses and premade captains
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: if already bored with base game combat, this is worse; if not burned out from the main game's repetitive gameplay, there is still content; if willing to slog through immune enemies and slow fights; if only interested in short creative story missions; if expecting meaningful Nemesis system mechanics, will be disappointed
- Player Archetypes:
  - Lore Purist (no buy)
    - Motivation: Preserving the integrity and immersion of the Lord of the Rings narrative and setting.
    - Playstyle: Prioritizes story and cutscenes, reads lore, and evaluates every gameplay decision against canonical consistency.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Shadow of War
  - Combat Veteran (no buy)
    - Motivation: Re-experiencing the fluid, adaptable combat and Nemesis sandbox of the base game.
    - Playstyle: Wants open-ended combat with multiple viable strategies; dislikes being railroaded into specific counters or gimmicky abilities.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: Shadow of War fan
    - Reference games: Shadow of War; Shadow of Mordor
  - Value Seeker (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Maximize entertainment per dollar spent and avoid wasting money on short or low-quality content.
    - Playstyle: Plays through the campaign and side quests, measures completion time, and judges the content against its asking price.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Shadow of War; Desolation of Mordor
  - Streamlined Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoying tight, purposeful combat and story content without the open-world grind.
    - Playstyle: Engages directly with main missions and captain fights, values new abilities, and appreciates a curated experience.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Shadow of War


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:
- Orcs have strong personalities (weight 0.4): The orc characters in the DLC are praised for their distinct, humorous, and engaging personalities, making them more interesting than in the main game. This adds charm and depth to the experience.
- Eltariel's abilities enhance gameplay (weight 0.34): Players appreciate Eltariel's new flashy light-based abilities, which add variety and fun to combat. The unique mechanics and well-animated powers are highlighted as standout features.
- Story provides closure to Talion (weight 0.18): The DLC's story offers meaningful closure to Talion's arc and expands on the main game's lore, giving players a satisfying narrative conclusion.
- DLC is fun and humorous (weight 0.13): The DLC is generally fun to play through, with humorous moments and a short, enjoyable length. It is recommended by players who enjoyed the experience.
- New orc characters are cool (weight 0.11): Players find the new orc characters, such as Flint and Tinder, to be interesting and usable in the base game. The set pieces involving these orcs are also noted as memorable.
- New skills and mechanics introduced (weight 0.08): The DLC introduces new skills tied to the light mechanic, offering different gameplay options. Players find these additions interesting and well-integrated.
- Recruiting orcs is innovative (weight 0.07): The idea of recruiting orcs without subduing them is seen as an interesting and cool mechanic, adding a fresh layer to the game.

Common complaints:
- Not worth the price (weight 0.43): Across multiple clusters, reviewers agree the DLC's content does not match its cost, calling it a cash grab and not worth even discounted prices. The combination of short length and limited content drives this negative value perception.
- Captain immunities are excessive (weight 0.4): Many captains and orcs have stacked immunities, often including immunity to light, which invalidates the new abilities. This makes combat frustrating and trivializes the light-based mechanics.
- Eltariel is a weak protagonist (weight 0.38): Players criticize Eltariel's lack of personality, backstory, and charm, finding her bland and unpleasant to play. Her skills are also considered boring and less effective than Talion's, making her an unlikeable lead.
- Gameplay is repetitive and worse (weight 0.35): Players find the gameplay to be a downgrade from the main game, being repetitive and lacking variety. It reuses mechanics but removes depth, making it feel like a watered-down version of the base experience.
- Story is poorly written (weight 0.34): Numerous reviews describe the story as nonsensical, illogical, and lacking engagement, with weak character development. The narrative fails to interest players and often feels disjointed or pointless.
- Light abilities are useless (weight 0.23): The new light-based abilities are often ineffective because many enemies are immune to them, making combat a slog. Even when not immune, the abilities feel clunky and underpowered.
- Story ruins Talion's ending (weight 0.22): The DLC's narrative discards Talion, kills him off, and retcons the original ending, making him appear villainous. This angered fans who felt it tarnished the character and the base game's conclusion.
- Nemesis System is diminished (weight 0.15): The DLC strips down the Nemesis System, removing the ability to dominate orcs and reducing the depth that made the base game engaging. This change significantly weakens gameplay and replay value.
- Lore is inconsistent (weight 0.12): Players point out lore issues, including the introduction of Nazgul sisters that break established lore. These inconsistencies further detract from the storytelling quality.
- Main character lacks upgrades (weight 0.07): Playing as Eltariel strips away many upgrades from the base game, making the player feel significantly weaker. This removal of progression reduces the fun and depth of combat.
- DLC feels unnecessary (weight 0.07): Some reviewers feel the DLC adds an unnecessary epilogue and character that could have been omitted, leaving the base game's ending as is. This makes the expansion feel like forced additional content.

Gameplay feedback:
- Captains immune to light (weight 0.3): Many orc captains, especially story-based ones, are immune to light abilities. This forces players to adapt strategies and reduces the effectiveness of the new mechanic.
- DLC introduces light abilities (weight 0.27): The expansion adds light-based mechanics, including eight new abilities that can blind and inflict bonus damage. This new mechanic is central to both combat and puzzle-solving.
- Eltariel uses light powers (weight 0.26): The new protagonist Eltariel wields light-based skills that differ from the base game's domination mechanics. Her abilities are effective for crowd control and can turn environments into light sources.
- Orc immunities restrict options (weight 0.21): Enemy captains often have multiple immunities, including light, fire, and poison, while having few weaknesses. This reduces combat flexibility and can make encounters feel unfair.
- Eltariel's combat distinct (weight 0.2): Playing as Eltariel provides a fresh moveset and abilities compared to the original protagonist. Her light-based combat is unique, though some players find her skills clunky or unbalanced.
- Recruitment via helping orcs (weight 0.18): Instead of dominating orcs, players recruit captains by completing favors or missions for them. This changes the gameplay loop and provides a new way to build an army.
- DLC expands story (weight 0.11): The expansion continues the main game's narrative, offering a dedicated story campaign. It provides additional context and follows a new protagonist.
- Fort assault gameplay (weight 0.09): The expansion includes fort assault missions, adding strategic combat elements. These missions provide large-scale battles but may be repetitive.
- Short completion time (weight 0.08): The DLC can be fully completed in about three to four hours, which is relatively short for an expansion. This may be seen as limited content for the price.
- Enemy immunity nullifies new mechanic (weight 0.08): Many enemies have immunities that can completely negate the new light mechanic, forcing reliance on other strategies. This can be frustrating when the expansion emphasizes light-based gameplay.
- Light status effect mechanics (weight 0.08): Light functions as a build-up status that stuns and blinds enemies, with bonus damage for triggering blindness. This adds depth to combat but can be mitigated by immunities.
- No dominating orcs (weight 0.08): Eltariel cannot dominate orcs like Talion; instead, she recruits them through assistance. This changes the player's relationship with the nemesis system.
- New playable protagonist (weight 0.08): The DLC introduces a female protagonist, Eltariel, with a different combat style and abilities. This offers a fresh perspective but may alienate fans of the original character.
- Gameplay differs significantly (weight 0.07): The core gameplay is altered due to Eltariel's abilities, making the experience feel distinct. Changes include different combat mechanics and a focus on light-based puzzles.
- Side missions for equipment (weight 0.07): The DLC includes side missions that primarily reward equipment rather than offering narrative side quests. This may feel shallow and less engaging for story-focused players.

Performance notes:
- Runs well on low-end GPUs (weight 0.05): The game performs adequately on a 4GB RX 550, indicating good optimization for entry-level hardware. This suggests that players with modest systems can enjoy the game without major performance issues.
- Needs lower settings than predecessor (weight 0.04): Compared to Shadow of Mordor, the game requires lower graphical settings to achieve similar performance. This implies increased hardware demands, which may disappoint players expecting comparable optimization.

Recommendations:
- Do not recommend this DLC (weight 0.41): Multiple reviewers strongly advise against playing this DLC, even if it's free or on sale. They emphasize that it is not worth your time and can negatively affect your enjoyment of the main game.
- Buy only on sale (weight 0.36): Many reviewers suggest waiting for a discount before purchasing the DLC, as the full price is considered too high. The content is deemed acceptable only at a reduced price.
- Not worth full price (weight 0.3): The DLC is widely considered overpriced for its content length and quality. Reviewers advise against paying the regular price, suggesting waiting for a sale or buying as part of a bundle.
- Buy as bundle or season pass (weight 0.25): Several reviewers recommend acquiring the DLC through the Definitive Edition, season pass, or other bundles rather than standalone. This approach provides better value and mitigates the risk of disappointment.
- Recommended for main game fans (weight 0.18): Some reviewers suggest that players who enjoyed the main game may find value in this DLC, especially if they want more content or a different perspective. It is seen as a decent choice for those hungry for more Middle-earth gameplay.
- Not worth it even on sale (weight 0.12): Some reviewers strongly advise against purchasing even at a discounted price, calling it a waste of time. They suggest buying something else or skipping entirely.
- Play main story first (weight 0.1): Reviewers recommend completing the main campaign before starting this DLC to avoid spoilers and to have legacy skills. This ensures a better experience with the content.
- Not for story-driven players (weight 0.09): Reviewers warn that those expecting a strong narrative will be disappointed, as the story is lacking. However, it may be passable for those who prioritize gameplay.
- Avoid if not completing game (weight 0.09): The DLC is not worth pursuing unless players are aiming for 100% completion or have nothing better to do. Reviewers emphasize that it offers little value in other situations.
- Skip for Baranor's campaign (weight 0.08): Reviewers point out that the Desolation of Mordor expansion is a better alternative, offering better story and gameplay. They recommend skipping this DLC in favor of that content.
- Not as bad as reviews suggest (weight 0.07): A few reviewers note that the DLC is not as terrible as the overall score implies, especially when bought at a heavy discount. They imply it can be an acceptable experience at a low price.
- Difficulty recommendations (weight 0.07): One reviewer advises playing on Brutal or Medium-High difficulty rather than the highest, while another suggests easy mode for story-focused players. This helps tailor the challenge to individual preferences.
- Watch cutscenes instead (weight 0.04): For those only interested in the story, reviewers suggest watching the cutscenes online rather than purchasing the DLC. This avoids the cost and disappointment of the gameplay.
- Eltariel's light abilities appeal (weight 0.04): The DLC introduces tweaks to Eltariel's light abilities, which some reviewers find interesting. This is a niche reason to play, but it may not be enough to justify the purchase.
- Good for orc domination fans (weight 0.04): Reviewers note that the DLC is appealing for players who enjoy dominating orcs and conquering fortresses. It emphasizes those mechanics, which may be enough for some.

Other player notes:
- DLC is very short (weight 0.55): Multiple reviews consistently describe the DLC as short, with completion times ranging from 2 to 4 hours, and some note that 100% completion takes only about 3-4 hours. This brevity is a common criticism, especially given the price.
- Unique rewards for main game (weight 0.28): Completing the DLC allows players to recruit special orcs and legendary gear into the main game, affecting the army and garrison. This integration is a positive aspect for some, as it provides incentives for completion and enhances the base game experience.
- Price not justified (weight 0.28): Many reviewers feel the DLC's price is too high for the amount of content provided, with specific mentions of $15 or 15€. The content is described as having less value than the base game, and some say it's only worth getting on sale or for 100% completion.
- Story continues main narrative (weight 0.27): The DLC is seen as an expansion of the main game's story, providing narrative payoff and closure to character arcs, especially Talion's. Some reviewers note it contains story content cut from the original game and adds canon details.
- Reuses base game content (weight 0.23): The DLC heavily reuses maps, orcs, and gameplay elements from the main game, with no new worlds and only slight variations. Some find it feels tacked on and lacks originality, while others note it revisits most maps from the base game.
- Inferior to other expansion (weight 0.2): Reviewers consistently compare this DLC unfavorably to 'The Desolation of Mordor', noting it is the weaker of the two expansions and less fun. The gameplay is considered worse than the base game, and it lacks the Nemesis system's impact.
- Lore breaking elements (weight 0.18): Several reviews criticize the introduction of female Nazgul and other antagonists that contradict Tolkien's lore, with some attributing it to political correctness. This deviation from established canon is a significant point of contention among fans.
- Provides closure and sequel hints (weight 0.17): The DLC offers a symbolic epilogue to Talion's character arc and brings closure to his storyline. However, it also includes sequel-baiting endings, which some reviewers find frustrating as it feels like an additional cost for a full experience.
- Side missions add content (weight 0.12): The DLC includes numerous side missions, such as 25 focused on hunting stronger enemies, which add to the gameplay experience. However, some reviewers find these missions repetitive and not enough to compensate for the short main campaign.
- Political correctness criticism (weight 0.08): The introduction of female Nazgul and Chinese-style elements is seen as a political correctness move by some reviewers, which they find lore-breaking and unnecessary. This is a niche but notable complaint.
- Protagonist is Eltariel (weight 0.06): The DLC features Eltariel as the playable protagonist, an elf character, which is a departure from the main game's Talion. This change is noted in reviews but does not significantly impact overall reception.
- Some find it fun (weight 0.06): Despite criticisms, a few reviewers find the DLC more fun than the base game, though this is rare. It is also compared positively to some other games' DLCs.
- Comparison to other DLCs (weight 0.06): The DLC is compared to various other game DLCs, such as Dead Space 3's Awakened, and is often seen as a similar cash-grab. These comparisons highlight the negative reception.
- On sale frequently (weight 0.05): The DLC goes on sale regularly, and purchasing it in a bundle may also include other content like the Baranor DLC. This makes it more accessible to budget-conscious players.
- Lack of post-game activities (weight 0.04): The DLC has less content than the main game and includes no post-game activities, reducing replayability. This is a common point in value assessments.
- Performance matches base game (weight 0.04): The technical performance of the DLC is comparable to the base game, which is generally acceptable. This is a minor point but ensures a consistent experience for players.
- Story includes filler (weight 0.04): The story is sometimes described as padded with 'nemesis filler' or repetitive elements, which detracts from the narrative experience. This is a specific critique from some players.
- Includes drake-riding mechanic (weight 0.03): A unique drake-riding mechanic is included, which some players might find enjoyable. However, it is not highlighted as a major selling point and may be underutilized.
- New locations included (weight 0.03): Contrary to some claims, the DLC does introduce new locations not present in the original game, adding some variety. This is a positive aspect for exploration.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.23): Players are frustrated by the DLC's core combat mechanic, the Light ability, being ineffective against most Captains and Orcs due to overused immunities. This makes fights tedious, often reducing encounters to mindless button mashing or long, cheese-based strategies. The removal of base game upgrades leaves the protagonist weak, compounding the frustration from facing unkillable, heavily immune enemies.
- Disappointment (weight 0.22): Players felt the story was rushed, illogical, and undermined the emotional weight of the base game's ending, particularly Talion's sacrifice. The protagonist, Eltariel, was seen as bland and weak, and the DLC's short length, high price, and stripped-down gameplay mechanics made it feel inferior to the main game. The unresolved cliffhanger and lore contradictions further contributed to a sense of a missed opportunity.
- Boredom (weight 0.07): Boredom stemmed from a repetitive gameplay loop where missions felt like tedious errands and combat was simplified by enemy immunities to the point of being dull. The new character's abilities were often useless, forcing players into basic attacks, while side missions lacked variety and meaningful content. The overall short length of the DLC, combined with these uninspired mechanics, led to a monotonous experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Those who enjoyed the DLC found fun in the unique personalities of recruitable Orcs and the humorous writing in side quests. The new perspective of playing as Eltariel, along with some of her unique powers, was seen as fresh, and the gameplay was considered a fun, if different, extension. The immersive story and well-animated new abilities added to the positive experience for some players.
- Anger (weight 0.06): Players expressed anger at feeling forced to play as a character they disliked, especially one who betrayed the previous protagonist, Talion. The design of enemy immunities invalidating skills was seen as absurd, and the story's retcon of the base game's ending and introduction of lore-breaking elements, like female Nazgûl, caused significant outrage. Many felt the DLC was a cash grab that cut content from the main game, wasting their time and money.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Satisfaction came from well-designed boss fights, particularly the Nazgûl, that made good use of Eltariel's new abilities. The ability to recruit unique Captains for use in the main game was a highlight, and for some, the adjusted combat made the character feel powerful. The story, despite its controversies, was seen as a satisfying extension for those who wanted more content, with a fun and fair difficulty curve.
- Dislike (weight 0.04): The primary driver of dislike was Eltariel herself, who was consistently described as unlikeable, bland, and lacking personality. Her gameplay mechanics and skills were also not well-received, failing to provide an enjoyable alternative to Talion's combat. The focus on a character the players did not care for, with no redeeming qualities, made the entire expansion hard to appreciate.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Annoyance was triggered by the game's poor writing, including bad dialogue and a contrived premise that sidelined Talion. Late-game Orc immunities, particularly to Light, made standard enemy encounters irritating to deal with. The tone was undermined by overly comedic friendly Orcs, and gameplay mechanics like a healing ally felt useless when playing solo.
- Disgust (weight 0.03): Players felt the story and lore disrespected Tolkien's source material and undermined the main game's narrative, which was deeply unsatisfying. The act of killing a beloved character by an insufferable protagonist was a major point of disgust. The DLC's restrictive gameplay and monetization tactics were also seen as distasteful, with the nonsensical story making the experience feel disconnected and unpleasant.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Appreciation was expressed for the quality and unique design of the Orcs, and for the story's connection to the main game's ending, with Galadriel's will being felt. Players appreciated the fresh perspective of playing as Eltariel and seeing Galadriel and Eltariel portrayed as great characters. The ending was seen as symbolic and meaningful, offering a different but interesting viewpoint on the world.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.02): Dissatisfaction arose from a combination of a weak and plot-hole-ridden story with an unlikable protagonist. Eltariel's gear was seen as underpowered, and the sequel-baiting ending felt pointless. The high price for a short campaign of about four hours left a bad taste, as players felt the content did not justify the cost.
- Regret (weight 0.02): Players regretted purchasing the DLC, especially at full price, feeling it was not worth the money for the content provided. A key source of regret was the DLC's canon changes that undermined Talion's arc and the base game's ending, leading some to wish they had never played it. There was also a melancholic regret about the main creator's passing, preventing more new content from being made.
- Disapproval (weight 0.01): Players disapproved of the DLC's decision to add an unnecessary epilogue and character to a story that was already concluded. The protagonist's refusal to dominate Orcs made gameplay feel pointless, and her actions, including betraying Talion, made her morally questionable to the players. The overall direction of the expansion was seen as a disservice to the existing narrative.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration was directed toward the narrative's tragic, beautiful, and morally sharp ending, which some found to be well-crafted. Troy Baker's voice acting as Talion was specifically praised for its incredible quality. The new boss fights were also admired for their good design and the variety of strategies they required.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): The humor and personality of the Orcs were the main sources of amusement for players. The game mechanics of blinding and disintegrating Captains were also found to be entertaining. These elements provided a lighthearted and fun contrast to the more serious main storyline.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Some players were surprised that the DLC turned out better than they had initially expected. Despite notable negatives, the playtime passed quickly and had some engaging elements that defied negative preconceptions. This positive surprise made the experience more worthwhile than predicted.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Players felt relief that the DLC avoided extended farming for money or Uruk levels, lessening the grind of random number generation. The short campaign length was also a point of relief, as the ending brought a sense of closure to an otherwise frustrating experience.
- Indifference (weight 0): The DLC was considered average and not particularly memorable, eliciting no strong feelings either way. The content did not leave a lasting impression, and players were left with a neutral view of the expansion. It was simply an unremarkable addition to the game.
- Upset (weight 0): Players were upset by the story's sequel-baiting ending, which they felt ruined the conclusion of the base game. The unresolved ending was seen as a deliberate tactic to sell future content, which angered players. This decision undermined the satisfaction of the narrative and left a negative impression.
- Sarcasm (weight 0): The sarcasm stems from the irony that the DLC's core light gadget, a key selling point, is often ineffective due to enemy immunities. Players found it absurd that the main mechanic was countered by most of the game's enemies. This made the feature a mockery of its intended purpose.}