Middle Earth: Shadow of War Launches Today

The highly anticipated Middle-Earth: Shadow of War will release today at retail, and as a digital download for PC, Xbox One, and Playstation 4. We just received our review key from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and will have a review of the title soon! Shadow of War is the sequel to the highly regarded Shadow of Mordor title form a few years back. The Nemesis System is back again, with a host of new game play options. We at GamesReviews have been anticipating this title for a long time, and cannot wait to dive in!

Last week, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment in Toronto, Canada, held a Shadow of War launch party. Based on the time and resources put into that event, Shadow of War is a juggernaut of a title for the development and publishing teams. Shadow of Mordor was regarded as one of the best titles available on console when it launched, and the team behind Shadow of War is now looking to build on that. Personally, I’m glad to see that there will be some interactions between Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War, should you play both titles on the same system, with the same associated network ID.

Check out the press release below, as well as pictures from the Shadow of War event in Toronto! Are you picking up Shadow of War? Let us know via social media!

---

Toronto, ON – October 10, 2017 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced that Middle-earth: Shadow of War™, the epic follow-up to the award-winning Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor™, is available now for Xbox One, Windows 10 PC (Windows Store), Steam, PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®4 Pro. Xbox One X enhancements will be available timed to the launch of the console on November 7. Developed by Monolith Productions, Middle-earth: Shadow of War expands upon the studio’s innovative Nemesis System, which allows players to create and experience a personalized world that is unique to every gameplay session.

Middle-earth: Shadow of War continues the original narrative of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, winner of more than 50 industry awards, with the return of Talion and Celebrimbor, known as the Bright Lord, who must forge a new Ring of Power and confront the deadliest of enemies, including Sauron and his Nazgûl, in a monumental battle for Middle-earth. This open world action role-playing game (RPG) is fueled by the Nemesis System, which now introduces Orc Followers who bring about entirely new stories of loyalty, betrayal and revenge, as well as the addition of massive Nemesis Fortresses, which require different strategies to conquer dynamic strongholds and create personalized worlds with more choices and opportunities than ever before.

“With Middle-earth: Shadow of War, Monolith Productions has advanced its innovative artificial intelligence technology, that is their Nemesis System from Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, to create a gameplay experience unlike any other,” said David Haddad, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Players of Middle-earth: Shadow of War will encounter a totally personalized world that remembers their every move, which, along with a compelling story, should greatly please fans and new players.”

“We worked incredibly hard to massively expand Middle-earth: Shadow of War in every dimension, including the open world, the story, the RPG systems, the core gameplay and of course the personal player stories created through the expanded Nemesis System,” said Michael de Plater, Vice President, Creative, Monolith Productions. “As lifelong fans of all things Middle-earth, we are so grateful to have the privilege to bring to life the most incredible fantasy world ever, reimagined in a fresh way for fans and newcomers. We can’t wait to see the amazing stories players are going to create and share once they experience all that Middle-earth: Shadow of War has to offer.”

Players can experience the vast open world in a host of ways to create unique personal stories. With new and improved melee, stealth and ranged combat, expanded skills and the new Ring of Power, gamers can harness the power of the Bright Lord to dominate Mordor from within. Players will encounter new and familiar allies in their quest, including Eltariel, the elite Nazgûl hunter; Baranor, the Captain of Minas Ithil; Carnán, the mysterious spirit of nature and iconic characters such as Shelob and Gollum. Alongside these allies they will face an incredible diversity of deadly foes, including Orcs, Olog-hai, monstrous beasts, the ancient Balrog Tar Goroth, fire breathing drakes, the Nazgûl and ultimately the Dark Lord, Sauron himself.

Good pal Jon Scarr (@4Scarrs_Gaming) playing Shadow of War!

Set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Middle-earth: Shadow of War features a rich ecosystem of missions, exploration and a robust Orc society with diverse Orc cultures. Orcs enemies now belong to tribes, which extend their influence stemming from the Overlords ruling the mighty fortresses spread throughout the distinctive environments. Through Orc Followers and Nemesis Fortresses, players now have entirely new ways to experience the world, due to the choices and opportunities provided by the expanded Nemesis System. Whether spared, scarred, recruited or shamed, every Orc encounter will be remembered and help fuel the dynamics of society and conflict within Mordor, all brought to life by the innovative Nemesis System.

Good pal Paul Hunter (@NextGenPlayer) playing Shadow of War!

The Middle-earth: Shadow of War Standard Edition includes the main game and is available for $79.99. Also available now is the Middle-earth: Shadow of War Silver, Gold and Mithril Edition. The Middle-earth: Shadow of War Silver Edition is available for $99.99 and provides access to the Slaughter Tribe Nemesis Expansion, Outlaw Tribe Nemesis Expansion, Silver War Chest and main game. The Middle-earth: Shadow of War Gold Edition is available for $129.99 and provides access to the Slaughter Tribe Nemesis Expansion, Outlaw Tribe Nemesis Expansion, The Blade of Galadriel Story Expansion, The Desolation of Mordor Story Expansion, Gold War Chest, exclusive SteelBook® (physical editions only) and main game. The Middle-earth: Shadow of WarMithril Edition provides access to the Slaughter Tribe Nemesis Expansion, Outlaw Tribe Nemesis Expansion, The Blade of Galadriel Story Expansion, The Desolation of Mordor Story Expansion, limited edition 15 inch Tar-Goroth Balrog vs. Carnán Drake statue, collection of original lithographs, premium case with magnetic Ring, exclusive SteelBook®, official game music soundtrack, cloth map of Mordor, Gold War Chest, Mithril War Chest and main game, all for $399.99. The Mithril Edition is extremely limited worldwide. Interested parties should check with their local retailers regarding availability.

Players can also experience the Middle-earth: Shadow of War mobile game, available now as a free download on the App Store for iPhone and iPad and on Google Play for Android devices. Co-created by IUGO Mobile Entertainment, Monolith Productions and WB Games San Francisco, Middle-earth: Shadow of War mobile is an epic free-to-play strategy RPG that continues Talion’s journey through Mordor and unites Middle-earth’s greatest Champions together with the fiercest of Orcs in a quest to defeat the Dark Lord, Sauron.