The Middle-Earth series of games takes players to an alternative time in Lord Of The Rings history, allowing for a new adaptation of the lore and extension of what Tolkien originally created. Boasting the incredible Nemesis System and a beautiful story arc, new fans are likely going to want to jump into this franchise, especially coinciding with the release of Amazon's TV show.
From how the Nemesis System itself works, to the best way to progress the character, to where the overall story actually sits in comparison to the rest of the series, these tips should help newcomers make the most out of the title and get stuck into all the quests and action available.
An Original Story
Any newcomers to the franchise need to know that this is a drastically different narrative compared to what they may be familiar with. It departs from the books and indeed the movies, sometimes even breaking Tolkein's canon in the name of immersive storytelling.
The games track the warrior Talion who has been raised from the dead to complete a vital mission and push back against Sauron's forces. Bonded with Celebrimbor, the spirit of the ring forger, the history of those powerful objects is unveiled as Middle-Earth is thrown into chaos. Regardless of the beats, there are some familiar faces scattered throughout the duo of titles.
The Nemesis System
One of the huge benefits of this series is the debut of the Nemesis System, a vital gameplay mechanic which Warner Bros. currently holds the rights to, thanks to their brilliant conceptualization. The idea behind the system is that there are rankings amongst the enemy armies.
These rankings change and evolve, with some Orcs and Uruks forging rivalries amongst themselves. Players can build personal relationships with major enemies, coming across them again and again and changing their known traits based on the actions that play out. For instance, if the player burns an enemy then they will return with the scars to remind them of that defeat.
Building Up To Branding
Branding is a crucial aspect of either game and something that players will have to build up to before they can fully unleash Talion's powers. The idea behind it revolves around the player controlling the mind of enemy NPCs, thus bringing them into their ever-expanding army.
The sequel game, Shadow Of War, does a lot more with this ability than Shadow Of Mordor does, allowing for fortresses to be captured and sieges to take place. But players should be aware that as soon as that branding power is available, they should use it as much as possible to their advantage to drain health and bring some allies on their side, turning the tide of battle.
Skill Trees
Both games feature impressive skill trees, with the sequel in particular forcing the player into specific choices about how they wish to progress. One of the first things to look out for is any ability that will increase the player's health and arrow supply in battle.
Those two elements fade incredibly quickly and can make a huge difference in a tight spot. After that, anything that boosts the player's access to specific powers based on Talion's wraith skills should be the priority. Before any of this though, some may wish to target leveling up faster travel options to speed across the map easier.
Don't Be Afraid To Die
There are plenty of concepts from the source material that could inspire video games and the ghostly apparitions of Lord Of The Rings provide the basic premise here. Thanks to that relationship with the afterlife, players shouldn't be afraid to die in either title.
Dying will move the Nemesis System along, progressing the events of the world and boosting the enemy that killed the player. An unnamed Orc will suddenly find a place on the podium and interact with the player further down the line. Building these connections is a lot of fun and allowing the world to progress through death results in Middle-Earth feeling alive.
Side Quests
Some players like to transition through a game at a great pace, ignoring side quests that may slow them down and focusing on the larger, narrative-driven campaign moments they bought the game for. The Middle-Earth series is quite different in its approach.
At times, the games actually force players to complete side quests either to grow their abilities or to unlock the next stage of the following campaign. Interesting lore and vital secrets are dropped by uncovering hidden collectibles as well, so the player should try to keep an eye on the progression of all aspects of gameplay, considering even seemingly meaningless missions play a part in the overall narrative.
Start With Stealth
Approaching a grim fortress or any kind of mission that requires Talion to battle a huge wave of enemies, requires a tactical start to the conflict. It's definitely recommended that the player uses any stealth options available to them to thin the herd early on.
Stealth branding is great for creating allies in the field, especially if they happen to be archers. Without these abilities, it's still so important to take out any enemy type with projectiles, so that the battle is fought at close combat. Setting up the terrain to fight on Talion's terms can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Use The Environment
Although this can link to the stealth setup previously discussed, new players should take advantage of all the environmental gameplay options available. There are various tricks and secrets which can aid Talion in a tight situation. Many of these will also play upon the weaknesses of a major enemy.
Barrels can be blown up, as can fire pits, while the explosives can also be linked to grog bowls. The grog can be poisoned as well, plus there are often cages to unlock, thus unleashing the beasts within. Nests full of vile stinging creatures and hanging meat which attracts predators can be shot down to provide additional coverage and chaos. Never forget to check out the setting before launching into war.
DLC
The DLC available to players will absolutely enhance to story, continue to boast characters that fans might not have even seen in live-action yet while providing a great overall epilogue to the fallout of the game's events. The Shadow Of War DLC in particular is absolutely worth it.
What's interesting is that the game actually allows the player to step in the shoes of alternative characters, which isn't just a re-skinning option. The DLC plays into that idea well, although it also resolves a few conflicts previously seen with these allied characters as they face new threats, and touches upon Celebrimbor's complex history.
Costume Upgrades
Shadow Of War in particular advances the idea that the player can switch out the costumes being used in the field for additional benefits. As they defeat enemies they drop loot which can be crafted into unique outfits. The look of these isn't quite as important as their powers though.
Many players go through the game without really focusing on this change in customization, but to boost the strength of the blade, the size of the quiver, or the protective nature of a torso plate, the costume options in the drop-down menu are so crucial to explore further.