Home Gaming The Lazygamer Awards 2014 – Best New IP

The Lazygamer Awards 2014 – Best New IP

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Best new IP

So many games are sequels or reboots. We love to complain about the lack of originality in games, but it can also be really difficult for a studio to get attention for a new IP. When they do it well, they do it really well, and we had a clear winner this year.

And the winner is… Shadow of Mordor!

Mordor nemesis

While Tolkien’s universe isn’t new, no game developer has managed to make a Lord of the Rings game that was worth playing. Until now. Shadow of Mordor combines the best of the lore with some incredible gameplay and stunning visuals. The nemesis system set an all new standard for games – not merely an innovation, it has fundamentally changed the way we expect to engage with enemies.

Over and above gameplay innovation, Shadow of Mordor crafted a stunning universe with incredible characters. Thanks to varied environments and a unique aesthetic, this IP launched to unanimous critical praise. Here’s hoping that if they bring out sequels they are able to keep them to same level as the original game – this is one powerful new IP.

Honourable mentions:

Watch Dogs, Sunset Overdrive, Destiny, Hearthstone, Titanfall

Last Updated: December 19, 2014

31 Comments

  1. ReaperOfSquirrels

    December 19, 2014 at 15:02

    I thought it might be Batman: Assassin of Mordor

    Reply

    • Captain JJ the engaged

      December 19, 2014 at 15:06

      At least we know that the only similarities are
      most of the engine
      the way the thugs/orcs move
      the detective/wraith mode
      At least the map was big…no…but at least the story was great….wait….

      It sure did look pretty. And there was lots of blood. ;P

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief on leave

        December 19, 2014 at 15:08

        lol

        Reply

  2. Admiral Chief on leave

    December 19, 2014 at 15:08

    HONOUR DAMMIT HONOUR!!!

    Reply

    • Captain JJ the engaged

      December 19, 2014 at 15:09

      Yes yes. We’ll honour you. Now shush.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief on leave

        December 19, 2014 at 15:09

        Of course you do 😛

        Reply

        • Captain JJ the engaged

          December 19, 2014 at 15:10

          I think the initiation into Lagz did it. I didn’t even stress that much when I was writing my finals at Uni.

          Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      December 19, 2014 at 17:50

      *DAMN IT. You’re missing a comma or a full stop too. :/

      Reply

  3. Hammersteyn

    December 19, 2014 at 15:09

    Lobbing heads of orcs filled me with so much glee. Was “honored” to play this game

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief on leave

      December 19, 2014 at 15:11

      [twitches]

      Reply

    • Captain JJ the engaged

      December 19, 2014 at 15:11

      I must say, there is a certain satisfaction in doing those kill moves.
      There is also great “honor” in fighting for a cause against the evil orcs.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        December 19, 2014 at 15:17

        Tee hee

        Reply

  4. Admiral Chief on leave

    December 19, 2014 at 15:10

    And with that, friends, I bid thee adieu! All the best, enjoy your Christmas, remember, it is NOT about the gifts! Drive save, party good, and as they say in the best language on earth: “Gaan geweldig, maar gaan sonder geweld”

    Chat to you all next year!

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      December 19, 2014 at 15:13

      You’re kinda right about the gifts. That’s why I buy my own.

      Reply

    • Captain JJ the engaged

      December 19, 2014 at 15:13

      I drive save all the time. It’s the only way to ensure you don’t lose data 😉

      But goodbye my friend. Enjoy them holidays.

      Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      December 19, 2014 at 15:14

      Cheers bud. Praat weer volgende jaar.

      Reply

    • Dutch Matrix

      December 19, 2014 at 15:16

      Cheers Admiraal.
      Gaan vry nou die rook uit Liara uit en geniet die games!!!! (Boksburg Gamer)

      Reply

  5. Dutch Matrix

    December 19, 2014 at 15:12

    What else does the nemesis system do? Am I not going to stab the snot out of some orc in anycase, no matter what his rank?

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      December 19, 2014 at 15:17

      Well you need to learn the weakness and his location of the warchiefs. The only way to do this is by taking out the lower echelons

      Reply

      • Captain JJ the engaged

        December 19, 2014 at 15:18

        Which is tons of fun.

        Reply

      • Dutch Matrix

        December 19, 2014 at 15:19

        But does that change the game and how it plays??

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          December 19, 2014 at 15:31

          Kinda, I mean you could run around the map blindly and if you don’t know the warchiefs weakness you could accidentally activate one of his strengths that enrages him. Then you’re in for a fight.

          Reply

          • Captain JJ the engaged

            December 19, 2014 at 15:34

            That has happened to me more often than I would like to admit 🙂

          • Hammersteyn

            December 19, 2014 at 15:40

            I tend to round a corner and a captain be like “How you doin?”

          • Captain JJ the engaged

            December 19, 2014 at 15:41

            Haha. So many times. Or I just quickly ambush a little patrol and then I’m suddenly crossing blades with a captain.

  6. Spy Master Tokashi

    December 19, 2014 at 15:47

    huh, I thought the new CoD was new IP ? Trolololol 😉

    Reply

  7. Eric

    December 19, 2014 at 16:06

    I remember when this game was still in development and people were going on that it’s an Assassin’s Creed clone. I hope those people are eating some good vrot humble pie

    Reply

  8. Jonah Cash

    December 20, 2014 at 06:39

    Uhmmmmm yeah you all know that I can’t go with this!! Mine is Destiny!!

    Reply

  9. Ben Kelly

    December 20, 2014 at 19:00

    Of course this really doesn’t count as new IP. Sure it’s a new game and not a sequel but it’s based on an existing universe and there are plenty of LOTR games already. Under these conditions Hearthstone would not qualify. New IP means new intellectual property, not a new take on an existing intellectual property. So technically speaking one of these should have won: “Watch Dogs, Sunset Overdrive, Destiny, Titanfall”

    Reply

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