Earlier this year, CSTM shared a story about a domain that had been purchased called “shadowofmordor.com” and thought it might be referring to a future LOTRO expansion. The name did follow the blank of blank format that has been true for everything until the Helm’s Deep expansion. The concept seemed likely and excited many players.
Today the Tolkien community learned that this site is actually for a new game Warner Brothers is creating called “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor.”
The community site for the game gives a brief overview of the plot coming with Shadow of Mordor.
In Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, you take on the role of Talion, a valiant ranger whose family is slain the night Sauron and his army return to Mordor, moments before his own life is taken. Resurrected by a Spirit of vengeance and empowered with Wraith abilities, Talion ventures into Mordor and vows to destroy those who have wronged him. Through the course of Talion’s personal vendetta, you will uncover the truth of the Spirit that compels you, learn the origins of the Rings of Power and ultimately confront your true nemesis.
One of the images also hints at the story with text under the game’s logo.
Decide Who Lives and Dies in This Stunning Prequel to The Lord of the Rings
The site also features a great video by GameInformer.
IGN also released information today in an article hinting at some of the game’s features.
Warner’s Samantha Ryan had this to say: “Players will explore the dark and very personal theme of vengeance in a world where decisions have a consequence, and those consequences persist even after death… The game introduces new gameplay mechanics to the action genre, creating opportunities for emergent and customized gameplay that will be rewarding for players.”
The article continues on to explain a new Nemesis system.
What sounds most interesting now is the “nemesis” system, which apparently differentiates every enemy in the game according to personality, strengths and weaknesses. “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,” claims Warner’s press release. “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.”
The game is in development for PC and on current and next generation Xbox and PlayStation platforms.
According to Amazon.com, pre-orders for the game set the release sometime around December 2014.
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Dark God Of Lord of the Rings of War Siders.
:/ I don’t think a hack’n’slash with dark ambientation bad-ass protagonist is the right format for a Tolkien-inspired game. 3rd person mechanics work well with LOTR, but it seems they are trying to make the kind of dark, morally ambigous story that has suceeded in other games of the genre, and that they are exploiting a mostly untold part of the history of Middle Earth as a loophole to insert it and hope nobody notices.
I think IF the story ends up what it looks like to me, it will be too out of tune with the rest of Tolkien games out there.
That being said, Mordor is an area of mystery and lore in the game that I have never really seen fully flushed out and could be pretty tempting to explore.. Kudos for at least trying something different.
Just remember! Blue eyes mean good wraith, if you see a blue eyed wraith in Lotro do not, i repeat do not kill it!
We have been misslead by Tolkien all this time!
Sorry couldn’t resist 😛
I am glad you couldn’t! That is really funny!