Shadow of Mordor falls short compared to Batman due to its weaker storytelling and character development.
Shadow of Mordor falls short compared to Batman due to its weaker storytelling and character development.
I saw your comments. Your message seems to suggest you don’t appreciate the comparison because each title has its own unique qualities. The titles hint at different experiences, and it’s understandable to have varying opinions. While some might find certain aspects of combat frustrating, that’s a personal take. It’s also important to remember these aren’t typical Batman or Assassin Creed games, so direct comparisons aren’t always fair. Everyone has their preferences, and it doesn’t mean the game isn’t worth recognizing for what it is. I’m not sure your point about Shadow of Mordor or recent titles like Watch Dogs fully captures the essence here. It’s possible you’re focusing on specific elements that stand out to you. Does this clarify what you meant?
Absolutely, I understand your perspective. While I appreciate the feedback, I don’t see much to critique beyond what I mentioned. The positives are simply "good"—not outstanding, not extraordinary, just decent. I don’t feel a strong drive to discuss what I like about the game since those aspects are common and not unique. I did try to convey that the game has its shortcomings and that Batman performs better in certain areas. I presented facts to reinforce my point. If someone prefers a more personal take, it’s okay; otherwise, it’s just an enjoyable but not exceptional experience.
I see why the combat feel needs some adjustments. It's tough landing a hit while riding a Caragor. Shadow of Mordor offers some fresh strategic aspects, but the branding captains in Warchief battles don't match any Batman mechanics. Batman never led an army—just shows off and takes credit. You mention spending 10 hours and wondering if you've unlocked Brand. I'm interested to know if your view of the game shifts after reaching the second map.
I considered getting it, but I dislike those situations you talked about. So I'm going to sit here quietly and wait for Battlefront 3. May the empire prevail!
OP isn't overly divisive; it might have belonged in an existing discussion. Online spaces often become highly divided on topics, so a separate thread could be more effective. SoM was developed by Monolith, best known for F.E.A.R., which initially seemed promising. Even though some creators left and formed Blackpowder Games, the core "FEAR" atmosphere remains present in SoM.
Starting with visuals, my last experience was The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, so expectations were high. Shadows of Mordor didn't quite match that intensity, but its image quality matched Crysis well, while the poly count was better. Game characters looked impressive, though the studio's earlier struggles with indoor environments in Crysis still showed.
The audio and music were top-notch, fitting the epic tone of The Lord of the Rings. A memorable feature was the voice of higher-ranked enemies as they entered battle. You wouldn't just walk into Mordor without preparation—combat style borrowed from Batman, with influences from Far Cry 3 and Assassin's Creed. It was amusing to see how some elements were omitted, like avoiding tight spaces or following missions.
The sound design was solid, comparable to LOTR, and the name system for bosses added a nice touch. The game never let you walk in without consequence; you'd face tough choices, such as defending against a squad that had previously defeated you. While some AI shortcomings were noticeable—like poor pathfinding and lack of coordination—they still offered memorable moments.
Enemies often tried to outsmart you, using creative tactics like knocking over objects or breaking security systems. Although the AI team left Monolith, their work still shines in certain areas. For instance, recognizing familiar faces or remembering past encounters made battles more engaging.
The ability to level enemies and respond with bodyguards if threats escalate added depth. These features, though minor, contributed to a more immersive experience. The evolving enemy dialogue also improved; as you progressed, foes acknowledged your presence and adjusted their behavior.
The internal ranking system was decent but refreshingly updated. Overall, I enjoyed Shadow of Mordor, appreciating its attention to detail and the sense of personal challenge it provided. I’m enjoying the game more when playing in shorter sessions rather than rushing through it.
Batman shines because you're embodying the legendary Batman! I'm excited to see Middle Earth come to life, but I'm confident it won't surpass the Arkham series in quality. The narrative, world-building, lore, hidden details, and gameplay all matter. Perhaps it could even outshine Assassin's Creed—though I'm sure I believe that!
Looking for feedback, please? This guide helps SLI players run both GPUs smoothly. The F.E.A.R 3 profile is ideal, delivering strong performance with cards above 90% efficiency. It works well with NVidia Inspector to set up a new profile for the game, and using two GTX680 cards gives solid results at around 60 FPS on a 1440p display with g-sync enabled. Check the Steam community steps for detailed instructions.