Everything I read about the gameplay of this game makes me think it could be really cool.

Everytime I read about the fluff they're trying to use to explain the game it makes me wish they'd just created their own setting.

I mean really a lot of the stuff (Orc lieutenants remembering you, breaking up a chain of command) is really interesting to me - but it just doesn't make sense in the setting they chose.

The game would be so much better though if it was set in a setting where the Ranger matched the race of the people - how about the exact same game - set in the Border Princes region of the Warhammer world - using dark magic or a wraith? Or The exact same game set in a a great House in Game of Thrones (using that weird shadow magic)

Or a real world setting like the war of the three kingdoms, something ancient enough to be romanticized into having some magic.

It's a shame they didn't have the confidence to create a new IP.

It's not about confidence. It's about potential customers, which will grow in numbers extremely because of the LotR franchise. Numbers of lore nerds who will skip the game are extremely low.

It is a question of confidence though - mass effect as an example was a new IP and because they created it from scratch they were able to make decisions about making the gameplay and the setting at the same time (leading to them being able to acurately model everything and it being impossible to create mechanics and settings that are jarring).

The fact is that being a ranger that infiltrates orc camps is pretty limtied in scope compared with the exact same game but where you look like the people you want to infultrate (say, assasins's creed) - in AC you can impersonate monks as a way to get around, which just won't be as believable in this game.

I agree that trying it to lord of the rings will guarantee sales. (Although tie-in games are also usually bad - so it isn't a guarantee). None of the other lord of the rings games have sold particularly well to make the IP amazingly sort after or a guaranteed success.

edit: Epic Lepi, my examples were things which I thought did make sense - but for instance being able to stealth around orc camps for ever as a human is highly unbelievable compared to if you were also an orc.

Mass effect was barrels deeper of a game. This is a simple hack and slash with a bit of backstory. Coming up with something new is just not worth it, while you can just salvage the famous LOTR and get so many instant buyers.

Shadow of Mordor is more than just a hack and slash dude, do like any research, watch any video and you'd know that.

I like how you can throw people in the fire.

Shadow of Mordor is more than just a hack and slash dude, do like any research, watch any video and you'd know that.

I watched like 4 or 5 videos about it, and I have no idea where are you coming from about it being "not just a hack and slash".

No offense to anyone, but It's sad that our most commonly visited thread these days is about a video game.

Is this a sign we're news starved or a lack of interest in the CARD game we're here to talk about?

How could one be offended by this kind of statement?

Shadow of Mordor is more than just a hack and slash dude, do like any research, watch any video and you'd know that.

I watched like 4 or 5 videos about it, and I have no idea where are you coming from about it being "not just a hack and slash".

Dynasty Warriors is a hack and slash, the old ps2 era LotR games we're hack and slash. Shadow of Mordor is an open world action adventure game with light RPG elements and Arkham style combat. Plus the nemesis system which is a fairly innovative and important element to the game.

Calling it a hack and slash is completely ignoring any depth to the game.

Shadow of Mordor is more than just a hack and slash dude, do like any research, watch any video and you'd know that.

I watched like 4 or 5 videos about it, and I have no idea where are you coming from about it being "not just a hack and slash".

Dynasty Warriors is a hack and slash, the old ps2 era LotR games we're hack and slash. Shadow of Mordor is an open world action adventure game with light RPG elements and Arkham style combat. Plus the nemesis system which is a fairly innovative and important element to the game.

Calling it a hack and slash is completely ignoring any depth to the game.

"Calling it a hack and slash is completely ignoring any depth to the game." -which is absent. The fact that there is even less deep games around does not makes Shadow of Mordor any less of a hack and slash or more of a deep game.

Game has a story written by the guy who wrote Red Dead Redemption, plays like the Batman Arkham games mixed with Assassin's Creed, has skill and gear progression, and has a system where generic enemies can become mini-bosses with their own quirks, stats and gimmicks.

Totally no depth at all.

Game has a story written by the guy who wrote Red Dead Redemption, plays like the Batman Arkham games mixed with Assassin's Creed, has skill and gear progression, and has a system where generic enemies can become mini-bosses with their own quirks, stats and gimmicks.

Totally no depth at all.

Could be a deep game for previous century. Nowdays - nothing special, a generic hack and slash game.

I don't even know how to respond to that. What games are you playing that makes Shadow of Mordor generic??

I don't know... tons of them? If I'll start to list most deep stuff I have in store, you'll blame me for comparing incomparable, so I'll just repeat this: Shadow of Mordor does not possesses kind of depth, requiring it's own setting from scratch.

Okay sure, pal.

It's okay, some people just don't like to get excited about things.

As for me, I am so jazzed for this! Red Dead Revolver writer + Batman/AC gameplay set in the LOTR Universe with personalized enemies, that is getting consistently good reviews? SO IN.

Excitement has nothing to do with it, lol. Read the whole conversation.