Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor Wiki – Everything you need to know about the game

Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor is an upcoming action role playing video game set in J.R.R Tolkeins Lord of The Rings universe set to bridge the gap between “The Hobbit” series of movies and the main series “Lord of The Rings” movies.

The game (which is running on the Lith Tech engine) is currently in development by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment subsidiary, Monolith Productions (Gotham City Imposters and Guardians of Middle Earth) and set to be published by the parent company, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City).

Set to launch on October 7th of 2014, the game is set to launch on both last and current gen consoles, Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor will be available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

• 1. Development
• 2. Gameplay
• 3. Story
• 3. Characters

Development

The development of Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor was first made public knowledge after an artist accidently revealed that Monolith Productions was currently deveoping an all new Triple A title that wasn’t related to their MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) Guardians of Middle Earth, the leak was discovered by Kotaku Columnist, Supernnuation.

The game was announced and revealed on the 12th of November in 2013 when Game Informer announced that their December issue would feature a spread cover image and contain 14 pages of information, screenshots and concept art. Monolith Productions are working closely with Middle-Earth Enterprises, (who own the world wide rights to the Lord of the Rings franchise and The Hobbit) Peter Jackson (Director and Producer of The lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy) and the special effects and prop makers Weta Workshop who created a number of the weapons and armour for the Lord of the Rings movies to ensure that all the various points in the game match up with the canon within the established universe.

Penning the story and script for Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor is Christian Cantamessa who achieved critical acclaim when he was Lead Writer and the Lead Designer on the universally well received and highly praised Red Dead Redemption from Rockstar San Diego in 2010, leading to the fan community expecting a strong driving narrative.

Gameplay

It’s worth noting that although Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor is going to be available on last generation and current generation consoles, the last gen iteration of the game will not be on par with its more modern counter part. The features of the Nemesis system will be reduced and streamlined on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 due to Monolith Productions wanting to deliver a more “next gen” experience having said that they will be “focusing on the next-gen platforms,”. This doesn’t mean that the last gen iteration of the game will be wholly inferior though, in an interview with Luke Karmali from IGN, Monolith Productions have said, “To break it down, some of the stuff we’re pretty confident will still be very similar on current gen: the core mechanics, like combat, stealth, ranged and movements; the basic control and gameplay, that should all be really solid. What it won’t have is the same level of depth and variety and simulation within the ‘Nemesis system’.

Gameplay in Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor is played primarily from a third person perspective and relies on many action role playing game tropes to help establish a growing sense of player strength.

Players will be taking control of the Ranger known as Talion, a fierce combatant who has endured many battles and trials in his life. The game world consists of a  large and highly dynamic open world environment that can be explored to find and complete side quests and other objectives. This large game world coupled with the Nemesis system creates a much more “living” and changing dynamic world. The game promises the players that they “will experience a unique game every time as the dynamic world reacts and adapts to their choices.”

The Nemesis system is the driving core gameplay mechanic, around which a frame of stealth action and sword combat is constructed. As Talion travels on his journey, the Nemesis system will record and remember how the player chooses to interact with the game world and certain characters found therein. This can results in survivors of past fights can be found later in the game, sometimes having found a new role within their hierarchy, having a new job and social standing or perhaps even being utterly terrified of  Talion.

Talion has the ability to make use of Wraith-like (as in the Ring Wraiths) abilities that expands his combat abilities, this is an important thing given the two fairly distinctive skill trees that the player can progress along. The Ranger tree (staying true to the name) gives Talion a great command of his stealth abilities and his skills in traversing the environment whereas the Wraith tree allows him to force his will upon his foes, this can be limited mind control (which can be used to assassinate certain targets if the foe being controlled is a competent combatant), spreading lies, rumours and tales of Talions kills etc thus leading to an overall general dipping in enemy moral.

Story

Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor is being created and designed specifically so that it will slide into the gap between The Hobbit and The Lord of The Ring movie franchises and thus bridge the gap; given that this isn’t written by J.R.R Tolkien some fans ultimately question it’s legitimacy as a new official entry into the established canon.

Talion is a Ranger of the proud Gondorian people, being one of the proud men of Gondor that serves with the Rangers, Talion is a more than competent combatant. As Saurons armies march out of the Black Gate, one of the innumerable families to fall to their blades is Talions who is then also killed himself. However, being resurrected and partially possessed by a powerful Wraith like being Talion becomes a revenant that rises from his grave to set out on a quest of revenge.

Characters

Talion – Talion is one of the men of Gondor, the last in the line of the Numenorean. The Rangers of Gondor is the order of warriors that Talion was associated with before his death.

The Wraith – The Wraith is a Ring Wraith-esque creature that has possessed and resurrected Talion through dark magics, whilst it remains inside him it is in a constant struggle to remember the events of its life.

Golum / Smeagol – Golum is a mountain dwelling creature that was once of the race of Hobbits. After discovering the Ring of Power, Golum was consumed by it and grew greedy and reclusive, it was around this time that he retreated into the mountains both in fear for his life and his lust for seclusion.

Note: This wiki will be updated once we have more information about the game.