An excellent open-world game is reduced by 95 percent on Steam, costs only 2 euros

Some games mature surprisingly well – in the case of Middle-earth: Shadow of War, the action adventure plays significantly better seven years after its release than when it was released in September 2017. Back then, there was a huge controversy surrounding orcs in loot boxes and… let's just forget about it and look forward.

Over the years, Shadow of War has been stripped of all remnants of its loot box past. What remains is one of the coolest fantasy open-world games ever.

Shadow of War is still absolutely unique in many ways in 2024 – and on Steam currently cheaper than everWith a whopping 95 percent discount, you can lose yourself in Middle Earth for hours for just 2 euros. Of course, you should still know what you're getting yourself into.

The strengths and weaknesses of Shadow of War

Because one thing is clear: In many ways, the shadow of war is also not unique. The combat system is very obviously inspired by Batman's Arkham games, the climbing, sneaking and assassination could have come directly from Assassin's Creed – and in terms of story, the game expands the Lord of the Rings universe in a way that is as plausible as The Acolyte is currently expanding Star Wars. So not at all.

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Middle Earth: Shadow of War – Test Video: Even Lootboxes Can't Ruin It

As the undead ranger Talion, you fight your way through the open world of Mordor, stringing together endless combos or, alternatively, throwing yourself down on unwary enemies from above. In dozens of main and side missions, you suppress Sauron's influence and strengthen your own position in the world. It's all fun, but as I said, it doesn't stand out from the genre standard.

But there is still the Nemesis system. Talion makes procedurally generated friends and enemies on his journey, recruits his own orc armies (don't ask how that makes sense lore-wise) – and the dynamics of this nemesis system have been making YouTube laughs for years.

Some orcs provoke rivalries with you, betray Talion, bear visible wounds after every defeat, win new nicknames because you shot them in the leg last time so badly that they can't walk properly anymore and, and, and.

Shadow of War is so worthwhile for the Nemesis system alone that you sometimes forget about the actual story campaign. Be that as it may: For 2 euros we can recommend the game to any Lord of the Rings fan who can tolerate Tolkien's rules being stretched a little.