In each orc-infested area resides a chieftain, and your encounter with these chieftains is always full of action and even humor at times. So many enemies, in fact, that if the arrows had realistic ballistics, you’d be able to shoot one randomly in the sky and it would probably come back down on top of an orc somewhere. You won’t find unique missions or enemies to each area, and that’s a bit of a missed opportinuty, but it’s still fun to break the norm with new and diverse areas, even if it’s only the set that changes. Every area of the game is loaded with activities, collectibles and enemies – loads of enemies. They all have different environments, such as green marshes, mountains and glaciers or a huge city. The map is divided into five vast areas, each feels at least as large as the last game’s map. It’s hard to find something more satisfying than that. Every enemy killed fills the rage gauge, and when it’s completely filled up, the Elven Rage ability can be activated, slowing down time and allowing you to chain executions. And just like before, fighting and killing the many, many orcs you encounter is a real blast. The game doesn’t offer a significant improvement to the battle system in comparison to the previous game, and still revolves around high attack combos, parries and special moves like executions.

Hours of gameplay can just swoop by in what feels like minutes.

The pace keeps its speed throughout the entire game, and it is one of the best qualities of SoW. New players might find themselves overwhelmed as the game hurls you right into the action without much guidance or explanation. The game’s quick pacing doesn’t waste too much time on exposition. Tolkin fans shouldn’t get excited by all these lore and references, though the plot doesn’t hold up to that of the books, but if you don’t scrutinize it too much, it will definitely keep you satisfied. The city is under heavy siege from Sauron’s forces, who try to get their hands on the Palantir, the magical crystal ball that lets its holder see whatever it wishes. Shelob, who is now in human form instead of that of a giant spider, uses the ring to foresee the future and direct Talion to Minas Ithil, the last Gondorian citadel in Morder. It immediately falls into the hands of the Spider Witch, Shelob, who claims that Sauron is their common enemy. The game opens as Talion and Celebrimbor forge a new ring of power in order to amass an army to defeat Sauron. Shadow of War is a direct sequel, so the story continues almost exactly where we the previous game ended. Are you ready to pick up where you left off 3 years ago? Good, because Middle-earth: Shadow of War brings back everything that was great about Shadow of Mordor, but supersizes it and serves extras on the side.

Citadel upgrade shadow of war