As far as movie properties go, The Lord of the Rings is one such franchise that should be bleeding great games. It’s got everything going for it, but end results usually taste more like Hobbit toejam than High Elf beer. Could Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor be the one game to rule them all?
Announced by WB and the latest cover of Game Informer, Shadow of Mordor will be a prequel game set in the Lord of the Rings universe, with a completely original story. It’s being developed by the Guardians of Middle Earth team, and has been described as a third-person action game according to the press release. It’’ be out on all the Xboxes, Playstations and PC.
The game will have players in the boots of Talion, a ranger seeking revenge on ol’ Sauron and his forces after his family is slaughtered in front of him. Left on the business end of something sharp as well, Talion resurrects as a Wraith by the hands of a revenge spirit, and sets off to get him some of that sweet vengeance.
Shadow of Mordor will also have a gameplay feature in place which is known as the Nemesis System. “Through the Nemesis System, enemy relationships and characteristics are shaped by player actions and decisions to create personal archenemies that remember and adapt to the player and are distinct to every gameplay session”, the press release explained.
Gamers are able to craft their own battles, enemies and rewards within the dynamic world that remembers and adapts to their choices, delivering a unique experience to every player.
I’m all for some new Middle Earth action, and Shadow of Mordor sounds like it has some solid ideas. Hopefully this will be the one game to get the franchise back on track, and in the darkness bind the other crappier games to the dustbin of history.
Last Updated: November 13, 2013
Admiral Chief Wang
November 13, 2013 at 11:18
ONE DOES NOT JUST SIMPLY….oh wait, this is good news 🙂
Umar Moe Moe
November 13, 2013 at 11:19
Great…but in all honesty……THIS…..
DRAGON AGE BABAAAAY
Admiral Chief Wang
November 13, 2013 at 11:20
Agreed
Umar Moe Moe
November 13, 2013 at 11:21
You check, this is freaking pre-alpha….man I’m tingling inside
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:29
It’s called love
Ultimo_Cleric N7
November 13, 2013 at 12:24
DA2 was Bioware’s wake up call….other than the ME3 ending, they have been putting in some hard work making everyone happy.
IN BIOWARE WE TRUST.
Captain GUZ
November 13, 2013 at 11:20
Please let them get it right this time, I am a big LOTR fan and the previous games were pretty meh
Admiral Chief Wang
November 13, 2013 at 11:21
Largely Obese Tannie Rhonda?
😉
JK, here’s hoping with you
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:29
I thought it was Lonely Obese Tannie Rhonda
RitterBruder
November 13, 2013 at 11:21
They weren’t all that bad !! but I guess a Fanboy will always defend
TiMsTeR1033
November 13, 2013 at 11:36
2 towers on ps2 was fun if memory serves
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:37
I have War in the North lying in my Steam library, still need to try it out.
Captain GUZ
November 13, 2013 at 12:15
Was that the one were you build bases? I cant remember lol
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 12:18
The only time nerds get to second or third base is when they build their own.
boet
November 13, 2013 at 11:48
The Battle for Middle-earth II was pretty good, solid rts action.
Wayne
November 13, 2013 at 11:20
Give me MORDOr please
Admiral Chief Wang
November 13, 2013 at 11:21
Moar-dor?
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 13, 2013 at 11:22
Talion sounds like just the sort of hero Gotham needs. Oh wait…
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:30
As long as TDKR’s Bane is absent I really don’t mind an appearance of Batman in there.
Admiral Chief Wang
November 13, 2013 at 11:34
Y U NO LIEK BANE?
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:36
He was such a forced bad guy, unlike the two villains in the series before him and he sounded a bit silly.
I like Bane from Batman, the comic books. Nolan’s Bane was a bald wrestler with a speech impediment.
Don’t kill me, please.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 13, 2013 at 11:43
They should have given him subtitles. Half the time he was talking I couldn’t make out what he was saying.
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:45
You know what really irritated me to no end?
The movie volume (including explosions, wind noise in open planes and other voices) was a certain level and then Bane’s voice was sitting on top of it all as if he’s narrating. Sounded so detached that I couldn’t take him or the movie seriously.
TiMsTeR1033
November 13, 2013 at 11:46
Dont know if I should watch it now…
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:47
Batman movie fans will hate me for saying this, but I pretend that the series ended on the second movie.
TiMsTeR1033
November 13, 2013 at 11:47
that bad! does he even use venom in movie and get all buff? Bane that is…
ToshZA
November 13, 2013 at 11:48
They took the venom part out. Its caused by a facial injury which he uses the mask for perm painkillers to kill the pain.
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:49
I missed the venom stuff.
And I find it curious how the inmates attacked his mouth. wtf
ToshZA
November 13, 2013 at 11:52
Yeah, broken bones fair enough, but raping his mouth? Oh wait, that might just explain it.
TiMsTeR1033
November 13, 2013 at 11:52
To stop the pain killers…
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 13, 2013 at 11:56
I think he did it himself. I imagine there’s only so many times you want to hear “you’ve got a purdy mouth!” in prison.
ToshZA
November 13, 2013 at 11:56
You would know… *RUNS*
Admiral Chief Wang
November 13, 2013 at 11:57
Actually he won’t, cuz from what I hear, he aint got dat purdy mouf
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:57
Not anymore.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 13, 2013 at 11:58
You shut up! My mouth is the prettiest! Er.. wait..
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 13, 2013 at 11:57
Comparing our similar comments.. I imagined it, you explained it ;P
ToshZA
November 13, 2013 at 12:00
Fair point. FU. 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 13, 2013 at 12:00
lol
TiMsTeR1033
November 13, 2013 at 11:50
WTF was the point then of bane.. RETARDS he was meant to be all big and buff and scary as hell like a mini hulk…
ToshZA
November 13, 2013 at 11:51
He’s still buff, but the venom part is gone. He doesn’t have a reason for being buff besides his training under the league of shadows for a bit.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 13, 2013 at 11:56
I’m not a big fan of the 3rd movie either.
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:57
Worst villain demise ever.
Admiral Chief Wang
November 13, 2013 at 11:48
LOL, I bought the movie JUST to get the bloody subtitles
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:28
Very intriguing
TiMsTeR1033
November 13, 2013 at 11:29
This reminds me when is The Hobbit Part 2 coming out?
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:34
Dunno
TiMsTeR1033
November 13, 2013 at 11:35
That helps soo much.. thank you John.
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:36
Always a pleasure. At least I replied.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 13, 2013 at 11:41
So ungrateful.
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:42
I know!
TiMsTeR1033
November 13, 2013 at 11:44
I said thank you.
ToshZA
November 13, 2013 at 11:44
Can’t argue against that logic. 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 13, 2013 at 11:45
Yes, but the sarcasm before it pretty much counters that heh
TiMsTeR1033
November 13, 2013 at 11:45
What sarcasm….
Vampyre Squirrel
November 13, 2013 at 11:45
I have NO idea what he’s talking about either…
ToshZA
November 13, 2013 at 11:46
Trolls make stuff up to troll with. It happens.
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:46
Not sure if Tim is really being sarcastic or Vampyre just rolling with it…
TiMsTeR1033
November 13, 2013 at 11:47
You will never know….
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 13, 2013 at 11:49
Oh, well in that case I’m sorry for misinterpreting you.
Also, *so.
Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)
November 13, 2013 at 11:44
I think it is the 13th of December
ToshZA
November 13, 2013 at 11:39
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1170358/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3
13 December release date set internationally, releasing locally at the same time (as per Ster Kinekor’s website). So in exactly 1 month from today. On a Friday.
Vampyre Squirrel
November 13, 2013 at 11:41
Friday the 13th… good day to release a movie about the filthy Hobbitses
ToshZA
November 13, 2013 at 11:43
OMG. The Doors should have a party that day. Must remember. I didn’t even click.
Vampyre Squirrel
November 13, 2013 at 12:11
lol I can’t remember when last I was at the Doors, never mind when last I was there on a Friday 13th
ToshZA
November 13, 2013 at 12:12
6 and a half years for me man. Just over, by a month. Good long term memory. >_>
Vampyre Squirrel
November 13, 2013 at 12:20
that’s impressive… I don’t think I can remember because that was in my weed and heavy drinking days.
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 12:21
I hate being hungover and having to work in the garden pulling out weeds.
Vampyre Squirrel
November 13, 2013 at 12:40
Yeah, it’s worse than being drunk and working in the garden.
TiMsTeR1033
November 13, 2013 at 11:43
Day Ps4 comes out….
ToshZA
November 13, 2013 at 11:43
Get your PS4, go watch the new Hobbit, come home, play games. Have a full on nerd weekend man. DO EET!
TiMsTeR1033
November 13, 2013 at 11:44
when the heck is Insidious 2 coming out! Flipping hell did I miss it… sorry random. but too lazy to check.
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 13, 2013 at 12:12
I’m with Smeagol on this. I hate the hobbitses. Give me a trilogy about Saurons rise to power any day of the weak. Hobbits ought to be eradicated.
😀
RinceandRepeat
November 13, 2013 at 11:49
Sorry cats, this is going to turn out like Aliens: Colonial Marines. Certain IPs are cursed more than Darryb sitting on an aeroplane.
Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)
November 13, 2013 at 11:50
Or getting Darryn getting a date for Valentines 😛
ToshZA
November 13, 2013 at 11:50
You have just entered… THE TWILIGHT ZONE!
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 11:51
I’m sure the Emperor will still get around to asking him.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 13, 2013 at 11:54
I thought that’s why they hired the intern.
ToshZA
November 13, 2013 at 11:55
Poor Vicky.
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 12:01
Oh yes. You’re right. You must be glad then, no pressure on you to be the good guy.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 13, 2013 at 12:15
By good guy you mean sacrificial lamb right?
John's (JJ's) ????
November 13, 2013 at 12:17
Hahaha. Exactly.
RinceandRepeat
November 13, 2013 at 11:57
“DO YOU SPEAK THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SOLDIER OR ARE YOU JUST PRETENDING TO BE DAMAGED IN THE HEAD!? http://frenz1964.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/oie_fullmetaljacket2.gif
Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)
November 13, 2013 at 12:05
Uh…
RinceandRepeat
November 13, 2013 at 12:08
lol! And your edit. NOTED!
Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)
November 13, 2013 at 12:09
Your edit was also noted 😉
RinceandRepeat
November 13, 2013 at 12:10
What edit?
Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)
November 13, 2013 at 12:12
Darryb -> Darryn
RinceandRepeat
November 13, 2013 at 12:12
I was being nice, he IS a Darryb to me! PAH!
Vampyre Squirrel
November 13, 2013 at 12:12
Darryb to Darryn
SkepticZA
November 13, 2013 at 11:51
This has about as much to do with LotR as WoW or Diablo or Skyrim or Baldur’s Gate has.
I really thought that Tolkein Estates (or whoever holds the license) had more class than this.
Each to their own I suppose…
Matthew Holliday
November 13, 2013 at 11:57
you can only tell the story of the ring so many times befor it just gets annoying, telling different stories from the same world is a perfectly viable way to expand the story.
if you read the Silmarilian, you’ll find that Middle earth has ALOT of lore that can be used to expand the story.
heres to hoping it ends up being a good game.
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 13, 2013 at 12:10
Agree with Matthew here. Worlds are unusually rich. It’s when a developer focuses on only one part of lore that the extensive game list can feel tired. Every new Pratchett book I read is as enjoyable (if not more) than the first time I ever picked up The Colour of Magic. Indeed, Skyrim wasn’t tired because it was set in the same world as the earlier games. It was better for it. It had a depth that no longer needed to be explained.
Rich and detailed worlds, equipped with tons of lore, should be something we demand as gamers. Don’t let them hear we’re tired of this part of gaming. We’re not. It’s what we want. It’s what we pay $59.9999999 for. Unless you recently bought CoD. Then you just want EXPLOSIONS. But there is nothing wrong with that. 🙂
Ultimo_Cleric N7
November 13, 2013 at 12:23
This has “The Force Unleashed” written all over it….a terrible game resting on the franchises laurels.