Video Game Review: Shadow of War

I started this game a couple weeks after finishing Shadow of Mordor, it's prequel. The game was quite similar to it's previous format and I quickly found myself enjoying the Lord of the Rings setting and the improved graphics. However I had to take a month's hiatus from the game due to a recent house move. While after several weeks of packing, moving, unpacking, and setting up I finally got my Xbox back on line. Last night I finally picked up where I left off a month ago and little did I know I was so close to the end. Luckily everything came back to me fairly easily and I spent a few hours defeating the final quests. 

This game was released in 2017 and carries on with the story of Talion and the elven spirit Celebrimbor. As I mentioned the graphics are obviously greatly improved with a much larger map. This really takes us deeper into the map of Mordor where Sauron continues to regain his strength. The setting is once again between the Hobbit and the Fellowship of the Rings. It however greatly elaborates on the fall of Minas Ithil as well as the backstory of the Nazgul. I completed over 80% of the game and really got into the side quests and backstory elements. 

The Story

The Gondorian ranger Talion is still infused with the elf spirit Celebrimbor. Together they agree to continue fighting Sauron thru the spirit world. Celebrimbor is able to construct a new ring of power, however he and Talion are captured by Shelob (the infamous spider that has taken the form of a powerful witch). Talion offers Shelob the ring in exchange for their freedom and in turn Shelob foretells of the fall of Minas Ithil. Talion decides to help defend this Gondorian stronghold while Celebrimbor seeks the Palantir within the city. 

Talion arrives to Minas Ithil just in time, where the city is under siege by Suaron's orc armies led by the Witchking of Angmar. Talion meets with the city's protectors, General Castamir, his daughter Idril, and the leiutenant Baranor. After numerous quests and battles the witch king is finally able to break Castamir by trading his life for the freedom of his daughter Idril. Talion barely escapes the fall of the city thanks to the help of an elven assassin named Eltariel (a disciple of Galadriel). The city of Minas Ithil is captured and renamed Minas Morgul. It becomes a new stronghold for Sauron's army. 

The witch king uses the captured Palantir to discover that Shelob possesses the Ring of Power that Celebrimbor had recently constructed. Sauron sends the Nazgul to attack her of which Talion comes to her defense and saves her. For this Shelob gives the ring of power back to Talion and insists she is their ally in defeating Sauron. From this point on Talion and Celebrimbor once again must build up an army in Mordor to face Sauron. This portion of the game consists of capturing fortresses, orc domination, and hunting Nazgul leaders. Talion is reunited with Idril and Baranor who were able to escape from Minas Ithil. There is also a side story concerning the forest spirit Carnan as she faces the Balrog and Zog the necromancer. 

Once all fortresses in Mordor are captured (as well as some other story arcs), Talion can begin his final assault on Sauron. He comes face to face with the infamous Nazgul, Isildur (who once cut the ring from Sauron but has since become corrupted by it's power). Talion defeats Isildur but decides to kill him instead of subduing him. This infuriates Celebrimbor who breaks his bond with Talion and starts a new bond with Eltariel. This causes talion to to return to his physical form (that was fatally wounded at the start of Shadow of Mordor). Talion nearly succumbs to death, until Shelob urges him to continue the fight with Isildur's ring. Talion returns to his spiritual form to once again fight against Sauron's armies.

This time he leads an assault on Minas Morgul where he confronts and defeats the Witch King of Angmar. Talion is able to regain possession of the Palantir and he witnesses Celebrimbor and Eltariel fighting against Sauron. It appears the two have the upper hand against Sauron until Sauron cuts the ring off of Eltariel's finger. At this point Sauron merges himself with Celebrimbor, in the shape of a flaming eye that is vying for dominance. Talion uses Minas Morgul as a stronghold to continue his fight against the Orc Armies. However he is eventually corrupted by it's power and he too becomes a Nazgul. (one of the 9 that later hunts Frodo). After the Ring of Power is defeated Talion is released from his corruption and finally joins his wife and child in the afterlife of Valinor. 

     

The Gameplay

Similar to it's predecessor there is a very unique nemesis structure in this game, that gives each of the orc enemies a profile. Just like Talion they too have levels, weaknesses, and strengths. Talion is once again able to dominate these orcs into fighting for him, which is quite essential when taking on a fortress. He can also send them on missions to fight one another or to gather intel. The army system is just as impressive as it was before, and it's truly amazing how many orc characters and unique verbiage the game has created. Each of these orcs has their own personalities with several monologues revealed at initial confrontation and sometimes their defeat.

I greatly enjoyed the improved graphics, especially in the city of Minas Ithil. I also enjoyed the details and collectables which provided audio backstory and history of Middle Earth. Just like it's predecessor the game is somewhat lacking in civilized society yet rather nonstop high octane war-against-monsters. Whether it's facing a barrage of orcs, explosions, caragors, graugs, dragons, and so forth there is hardly a moment of peace in this game. There is however a good array of weapon upgrades, inventory, collectables, and puzzles to solve when you want to get away from the gore for a little bit. 

I am glad I played both of these games back-to-back since they are both quite similar. It truly creates a unique battle mode structure with it's constant flowing enemy characters. The game is ideal for non-stop action and truly feels like you are engaged in a war. I would ultimately say it would fall short of a top 25 ranking, certainly no where near the marks left by other open world games such as Assassin's Creed, Red Dead Redemption, or Zelda. However the fact that it pertained to Lord of the Rings made me enjoy it so much more. I think the story of Talion was very well done and the game did a great job of providing further detail leading up to the Fellowship of the Ring.