390°
10.0

Middle-earth: Shadow of War Review | GodisaGeek

Chris White: "Between the robust skill trees, advanced nemesis system, and epic story, Shadow of War will be the foundation for many games to come."

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godisageek.com
BenjaMan642804d ago

Celebrimbor has a message for all gamers: "YOU ARE MINE!!!"

Gold Edition pre-ordered here. Tuesday can't come soon enough.

SixFragz2804d ago

You get a downvote for supporting a game with microtransactions, in addition to pre-ordering an edition other than the standard to make abhorrent companies with despicable business practices that much richer.

But, hey, besides that it might actually be a great game. The first one was epic, so I do know that you will have a good time.

Cheers :)

MVGeneral2804d ago (Edited 2804d ago )

Support the developers who made a great game and have families to feed. And to encourage them and other companies to make great games.

The decision to make microtransaction comes from up top. The publishers or whomever is funding it in the first place. But there's a simple fix. Just don't purchase the microtransactions. Unlike forza it doesn't ruin the game.

fiveby92803d ago

@MVGeneral you do not know that MTs don't ruin the balance yet. Please don't base that on a statement from the game director. We'll find out soon enough if it screws balance. And of course, the existence of the MT system doesn't mean balance can't be screwed up later via a patch. I will not support a company for generosity. The product includes a feature that despite their attempt to explain it way is problematic even having in a game. If it was f2p, then I'd at least understand. But this game is not.

UnHoly_One2803d ago

I don't give a damn what any of you guys that are "protesting" or "boycotting" this game think.

My life is fine without making a political drama out of every little thing I disagree with.

So I'm going to keep buying games that I like, and pre-ordering special editions if I want them.

The game looks amazing, and somebody being butthurt over microtransactions that don't affect anything is not going to keep me from playing it.

SixFragz2802d ago (Edited 2802d ago )

@UnHoly_One

No one gives a damn about what you think. You sound like the type to eat up the bs that is being told, or sold, to you.

No one is making political drama. There are people who question the ethics of things like microtransactions, when companies are going to make a boatload of cash even without it. Microtransactions are a sign of greed. We are wary consumers who don't wish to support such despicable business practices.

No one is stopping you from spending your money how you please. So like I said, you can continue to eat up the bs special editions and pre-order "incentives" (which are just another way to ensure that these companies get richer off of pure hype and marketing) so that these companies can take your extra hard earned cash and laugh all the way to the bank.

The shame is, is that it is going to be a great game. The company knows this, knows that the game will sell, so they tack on microtransactions because they know the game will sell regardless. But of course, you are unable to see this because you can't see past the surface.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2802d ago
morganfell2804d ago

@Smile,

Got the Mithril Edition ordered. Game is nailing great reviews. Fingers crossed Gamestop is going to do the Monday 9 o'clock release.

himdeel2804d ago

Played the demo at NYCC. It feels good to play.

2804d ago Replies(2)
ifrit_caress2804d ago

Hell no, 10/10 for a game with such atrocious microtransactions. This review is bought.

Dark_Knightmare22804d ago

Bro read the reviews the mts aren't intrusive and are not needed at any point

ecchiless2804d ago

Are not needed, but still are in the game....

2804d ago
Zeke682804d ago

10/10 is a FLAWLESS game. A MT riddled game can NEVER get 10/10 from a serious reviewer in my opinion.

ifrit_caress2804d ago

Bro, the microtransactions are intrusive in that they psychologically test your will. Tell me, why must a gamer be subject to that when playing a game?

morganfell2804d ago (Edited 2804d ago )

@Dark,

These people were played by all these articles, written by chicken little types that had never touched the game who were screaming Doom Doom! They have become brainwashed by those writeups that told them the game would be impossible without MTs. Now these reviews are beginning to surface - IGN just gave it a 9, and they can't handle the facade crumbling they had believed to be true.

Several of us tried to warn gamers they were being played by those cheap hit inducing articles but no one would listen and do research with the beta. Hate to say I told you so...except I don't hate telling you that you were warned.

http://www.ign.com/articles...

"On that note, a quick word about the controversial microtransactions: you can and totally should ignore them completely. Buying loot boxes is just a way to get loot that isn’t killing uruks, which is the best thing about Shadow of War. It’s especially bizarre that these exist because so much of the allure of Shadow of War is that its enemies basically are loot boxes to begin with. So in buying them, you’d basically be paying to avoid scratching off the metaphorical lottery ticket that is an uruk’s head to reveal the loot you’re about to acquire. On top of that, I’ve had more than enough of the in-game silver currency to buy whatever I’ve needed in terms of upgrades (it’s used to enhance gear or unlock slots captain slots for sieges and defenses), so there’s been no need or even desire to spend a dime."

Dark_Knightmare22804d ago (Edited 2804d ago )

@ecchiless Ok so they are still there why the hell do you care? You can literally do and accomplish everything in the game without buying any so whats the problem.

UnHoly_One2803d ago

Man you sheep that are hating on the microtransactions are giving me a lot of entertainment value for free.

I'd gladly pay to read the insane stupidity that you are all spouting off as truth.

A small amount, not too much, but I'd pay. Like a microtransaction.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 2803d ago
morganfell2804d ago

Or it could be the microtransactions work exactly like the beta testers and developers stated they would work. The game was balanced without them and if you do not have over 100 hours to sink into the game you can speed up acquisitions. If you do not want them you can completely ignore them and enjoy the game.

The only persons that was bought were readers that had zero experience with the game who ignored the beta testers videos and remarks and instead believed the words of some site run by a hit and click hungry 15 year old in his basement screaming the sky is falling.

In the immortal words of Nathan Drake, "You've been played."

ShadowWolf7122804d ago

You are literally advocating for the continued practice of forcible insertion of Microtransactions into almost every game you see them in. It's ridiculous.

On to this game: The entire problem is that they exist in a single player mode of a game. Period. Full stop. Doesn't matter how "ignorable" they are, because they are going to lead to people buying them. They will prove profitable, no matter what. When that happens, you can rest assured this publisher, and many, many others, will see to it that they become prevalent in more and more games. Hell, remember when Dead Space 3 did it and it hindered the game? It was awful, even if you COULD beat the game without them, and EA was torched for it, the franchise ground to a halt as consumers were pissed.

We didn't see that nonsense again for a good while. But now we're gonna see it again, introduced as a slow boil, and people like you are not only going to be eager to embrace it, but chastise and berate those of us who know better.

This practice is ridiculous. But even more so that a so-called "gamer" would cheerlead it.

morganfell2804d ago

No I am saying that when they are in the game in the manner we see here, all they do is help the time deprived. They have zero effect on those that do not want them.

The entire laughable issue with your remark is that the transactions exist in a Single Player game and that is what you are screaming about. You can just ignore the MTs but it seems you are one of those people that are just burned to the core when you realize other people are playing the game and having an easier time than you...because they want to...or can afford to do so...or because it is the only way they can finish the game in less than a year. I can only imagine you are one of those people that isn't so much interested in what gamers felt about a game but did they play it under exactly the same circumstances as you. Why should you give a rats ass how someone else played in a SP game? Or how difficult it was or if they payed to take a shortcut. Oh wait, I know, the sky is falling. Yeah, I remember they said the same thing about 3D hardware graphics, DLC, Phones, and 50 other things that were going to ruin modern gaming. Well don't let me stop you, I have stock in tin foil.

shaenoide2804d ago

You know MT have more effect on the game design every year right ? It's not about "don't like don't buy" anymore it's "don't buy MT if you want but your gameplay will be influenced by them anyway in your full price bought game"

leahcim2804d ago

Come on !
You can´t give a perfect score to a singla player rpg game with atrocious microtransaction system.
Please we are in time!
And don´t came to us with "..but is optional...", or "... it does not affect the main experience"

This game can be a fatal precedent to us console gamer if we dont say "no".

Single player RPG console/pc game with microtransactions: no thanks!

2804d ago Replies(1)
Mr-Dude2804d ago

I don't get that reviewers give games with lootboxes in a SP games a 10....

Lootboxes are destroying games!

maybelovehate2804d ago

How are they destroying games? They are only another way for developers of games to make money they they use to make even better games. Unless they offer a competitive advantage, there are no issues.

Mr-Dude2804d ago (Edited 2804d ago )

Maybelovehate

Ow no, those poor publishers.... If you see it that way you are part of the problem, and nothing I say will change your mind. Keep buying those lootboxes! In a couple of years we will be paying by the hour for our games, hyperbole of course. But not sci-fi either.

maybelovehate2803d ago

@Mr-Dude: The more money developers and publishers make the bigger the industry gets, the better the games and technology gets. That is how this works.

2804d ago Replies(2)
spicelicka2803d ago (Edited 2803d ago )

Microtransactions are bullshit we all know that, but if they aren't intrusive you can't knock down points for that. In my life I have never spent a single dime on microtransactions in any game I've played, and 80% of the games I've played in the past 5 years have had them...and I've played a lot of 10s.

Show all comments (72)
260°

Middle-Earth's Nemesis System Was Created Because Gamers Kept Reselling Batman Arkham Asylum CDs

Ex-Warner Bros. executive reveals that the Nemesis system was designed to create a compelling game that would stick with gamers.

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tech4gamers.com
mkis00776d ago

Harry potter could be a great game to use it. The students and the enemies could each have their own seperate tree.

Michiel198976d ago

then kill em and they come back? seems fitting for the universe

mkis00776d ago

I mean you didn't actually kill the orcs that came back in shadow...orcs don't have that power in the LOTR universe. Meanwhile you do kill enemies (human and beast) in hogwarts legacy.

No, you would defeat them and they would come back.

jznrpg76d ago

It was a good idea but with of without it you need to make a good game first

RaidenBlack76d ago

Yep,
Instead of WW, WB could've assigned Monolith for a current gen FEAR game that could've used the Nemesis system as its base. But alas. The WB IP is what supposedly killed them.
Hope Rocksteady gets to use Nemesis in their next Batman 1P game.

Angyobangyo76d ago

Warner bros is so full of it. Usually corporations cry about piracy but this was simply due to the second hand market and they don’t t like that.

Chocoburger76d ago

It was a neat idea, but the game is packed with a lot of repetitive filler grindy stuff, clearly designed to make the game last longer. The sequel went overboard, with the filler as well, in order to nudge players towards micro-trash-actions, which were eventually dropped.

NoDamage76d ago

Thats why I couldn't get into the sequel even though I really liked the first one and so wanted to like the 2nd. Unfortunately twas not meant to be.

joab77776d ago

Need a podcast with nothing but stories like this

Show all comments (12)
170°

Stop Forcing Multiplayer Into Single Player Games

TIM WHITE WRITES: "Multiplayer or single player? Developers, you can do both, just not willy-nilly."

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growngaming.com
Flawlessmic794d ago

I am in absolute agreement with the OP 👌

shinoff2183793d ago

I hate when I see single player games and see people begging for multi-player. Jeez guys it don't need to be on every game. Latest one I seen was atomic heart.

-Foxtrot793d ago

Multiplayer or even co-op

If it was always a single player game then that's how it is

Inverno792d ago

It's a trend that never really went away. For me multiplayer in a primarily SP focused game was an excuse for DLC. Then there's the mentality gamers had that adding multiplayer makes a game worth the price, otherwise it should be half price for half a game. A way of thinking devs reassured when they started adding multiplayer to their sequels. We see the same with multiplayer focused games getting SP in their sequels.

Flawlessmic792d ago

Tbh multilayer now is a way to add live service and mtx elements, very rarely does it come of well.

What single players game used to be in a lot of cases now require 3 other people for keeping to really enjoy it and I hate having to rely on others to get the maximum from a game.

Sp should be sp, if devs want to add a separate multi mode then that's fine with me, the legends addition to ghost of tshushima was fricking sick but totally separate to the main game. Sick of co op too.

Hofstaderman792d ago

I remember when certain single player games had them as included optional modes that was played on the couch. Had brilliant times with Syphon Filter and Golden Eye. Me and my bro used to used to fight over who would play as Gabe even though it was technically just a skin. Good times.

Dagexon792d ago

I didn't notice your comment before I added mine.
But good times indeed

Show all comments (15)
250°
Nacho_Z996d ago

What would you say they're missing in particular? I'd say all the ingredients are there, NPCs, sidequests, consequences of actions, level grinding. Fully customisable gear with a lot of depth.

LordoftheCritics996d ago (Edited 996d ago )

Quite a lot is missing. What you listed could be mistaken for an action adventure or any game with few rpg elements.

There's so many aspects, from non combat solutions to conflicts, fully fleshed out character, world role playing rules and elements(justice/crime/law systems etc), companions, story arcs (more than 1), illusion of a liveable/traceable world which means factions, capital, outcomes from choices (diplomacy, or other) etc etc

The story and world is fleshed out and not left to the imagination too much. Of course we still imagine certain things but they are well established and take full part in the story arcs. Which means not just world setting with bosses and lore through tidbits.

There's so so much more to it. I'm just being super brief.
Not many actual RPG's lately.

Dragon Age, Witcher etc are proper rpg games and many many older title.

That does not mean Soul's games are not rpg like, but they are closer to RPG Lite.

MadLad996d ago (Edited 996d ago )

RPGs without player agency, outside of just character build and combat, don't really feel like RPGs for me.
They're just action games.

It's why I don't consider most JRPGs actual RPGs.
I'm just building a character and throwing it into your linear world.

I'm not discounting those games for what they are. I just don't feel they actually fit being called RPGs when player agency over the world is at a minimum.

995d ago
Nacho_Z996d ago (Edited 996d ago )

I'm not sure how much of that is important to a game being a true RPG and how much is just what you personally like, I still think From games very much qualify even if they don't deal in certain clichés.

"Lore through tidbits" is technically accurate but it does the games a disservice. Yes it's delivered uniquely but the lore in their games goes deeper than anything else and shouldn't be underestimated.

LordoftheCritics996d ago (Edited 996d ago )

''Lore through tidbits'' cannot guide you through an orchestrated range of emotions.

RPG will get close to role playing that fictional reality and drop into the world's story and you are usually emotionally affected at every turn, choice, outcome. Your connection with the story, its characters and your mentally constructed version of that reality is a lot deeper and stronger as well due to the depth and breadth of the rpg creations.

Not just fear and awe.

Also its not just what I personally like, I like all kinds of games.
It's the heritage of RPG games and all the foundations of rules and systems whose goal is to create an invisible veil between reality and illusion and allow you to partake in all of that illusions systems.
The thinner the veil, the easier to role play.

CaptainHenry916996d ago (Edited 996d ago )

It's my type of RPG and fun as well. Some RPGs takes the fun factor out of it but I won't name those game's because a lot of fans will think I'm trolling. Witcher 3, Souls games, Final Fantasy, Knights of The old Republic, Mass Effect, Horizon Forbidden West, Persona 5, Tales games, and Oblivion (the best Bethesda game) is my favorite RPG games. I prefer third person RPG games though

MadLad996d ago

I love all of those listed, honestly. But I still think Bethesda peaked with Morrowind and Fallout 3.

I'm hoping Starfield really delivers for me.

CaptainHenry916995d ago

I'm hoping the new Mass Effect delivers and brings back the magic

Nacho_Z996d ago

''Lore through tidbits'' cannot guide you through an orchestrated range of emotions.'

An orchestrated range of emotions sounds like something like Uncharted, which is definitely not an RPG.

The point I'm making is that there is a series of core technical things which makes a game an RPG on a basic level and From games meet all of them. Anything else that people feel is missing is a matter of taste and personal experience.

There's no right answer to what is an RPG. A game can be a legit RPG and have a very different focus to another game in the same genre.

LordoftheCritics996d ago (Edited 996d ago )

''An orchestrated range of emotions sounds like something like Uncharted, which is definitely not an RPG.''

Its not exclusive. Might want to read the rest.
It is not about taste and personal pref,experience etc. The rpg term being coined and used for a long time has a basis. Learn it. Many can fit the rpg spectrum, but there is a spectrum and souls is on the lighter side.

Souls is an rpg but rpg lite, coors light lite.

Nacho_Z996d ago

Here's a definition of an RPG I found which seems fair enough.

"Defining RPGs is very challenging due to the range of hybrid genres that have RPG elements.

Traditional role-playing video games shared five basic elements:

The ability to improve your character over the course of the game by increasing his statistics or levels.

A menu-based combat system with several choices of skills, spells, and active powers as well as an active inventory system with wearable equipment such as armors and weapons.

A central quest that runs throughout the game as a storyline and additional (and usually optional) side quests.

The ability to interact with elements of the environment or storyline through additional abilities (e.g. lockpicking, disarming traps, communication skills, etc.)

The existence of certain character classes that define the characteristics, skills, abilities, and spells of a character (e.g. wizard, thief, warrior, etc.)"

That's a From game whether you like it or not. Not so much the ability to interact with the environment but the depth of lore and world building more than makes up for that.

I think you've got a rigid image of what an RPG is in your head and you can't see past it.

LordoftheCritics996d ago

Yup Soul's games are Coors ultra lite in those asepcts.

While the RPG RPG games are heavily fleshed out on most aspects and beyond on some.

Nacho_Z996d ago

Double RPG hey, you're inventing a new genre. There's nothing light about From's games in fact the opposite is true they're thematically rich and dark and dripping in more interesting lore than any series of games I've played.

If you think From games only touch lightly on the five classic RPG features that I posted then you don't know what you're talking about. There's nothing light and fluffy about their upgrade systems or their storytelling.

Maybe they're not to your taste because you prefer things to be spelled out but their subtlety doesn't make them any less of an RPG.

LordoftheCritics996d ago (Edited 996d ago )

Yup that's what Soul's games are.

RPG Subtle. New genre.

995d ago Replies(1)
995d ago Replies(1)
Nacho_Z995d ago

@LordoftheCritics

Grow up, nobody destroyed anybody and if they did it certainly wasn't you. No, I don't have an alt account never have for any forum I've been in. Thanks for the discussion.

Class_Viceroy995d ago

Funny thing is, I actually don’t enjoy Souls combat at all. The world and exploration is all I really like. It’s not even that it’s too hard, I don’t mind grinding and learning, just like I would do for a JRPG or many other games. Just don’t feel like it’s that fun after 5-10 hours of fighting.

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995d ago
995d ago Replies(1)
+ Show (10) more repliesLast reply 995d ago
MadLad996d ago

The lack of Kingdom Come Deliverance is upsetting.

Class_Viceroy995d ago

This is a good choice, although I would argue playing this game on a console or controller completely eliminates it from the discussion.

MadLad995d ago (Edited 995d ago )

Eh.

I have it on both the PC and Xbox. It's better on keyboard/mouse, but I don't think it's bad on a controller.

DVAcme996d ago

Not a bad list at all. The only one I haven't played there is Mortal Shell, but all the other games are great choices, with Shadow Of War and MOTHERFUCKING KING SHIT SUPREME DRAGON'S DOGMA as my personal favorites there.

Ninver996d ago

Off topic: I'm thinking of getting the witcher 3. Do I need to play 1 & 2?

MadLad995d ago

No. They're good at letting you in on the story. If you have it on GoG/Steam some minor stuff carries over, but you don't really need to play the older games to fully enjoy the third.

I do recommend playing the second game in general though. It's really good. I love the original, but it's really antiquated by today's standards. I think you could only fully enjoy it if you played it back when it released. Also has some pacing issues.

Ninver995d ago

Unfortunately I've only got a ps4 and I dont recall TW2 being available on the platform. I guess I could watch story recaps of both 1 & 2 on youtube or entire walkthrough if need be. Thanks for clarifying. You're alright 😁

MadLad995d ago (Edited 995d ago )

I would love to see exactly why I'm getting the downvotes.

I don't actually care about them, I just think it's obnoxious being I didn't say anything I don't find true.

That's why the voting system shouldn't even be. You get a lot more information from actually verbally stating your point, thus actually adding to the conversation, than just hitting a nothing button.

Class_Viceroy995d ago

At this point, don’t bother. Watch a couple YouTube videos to get caught up.

Ninver995d ago

I will do that, thanks

995d ago Replies(1)
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