Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor Trailer Shows Off Orc Hunting

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor just jumped toward the top of my most anticipated games list after watching this trailer because it easily looks like the most impressive Lord of the Rings game yet. Shadow of Mordor follows a Gondorian Ranger, Talion, stationed at the Black Gate of Mordor. The game takes place between the events of The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings in a time of peace. The rangers guard the gate ensuring that the peace is kept.

While Guarding the Black Gate, Talion and his family are murdered by the followers of Sauron who are making their return. However, the ranger becomes bound to a wraith in the afterlife which returns him to Middle-Earth as half man, half wraith. The wraith gives Talion special abilities which make him incredibly deadly as he seeks his revenge and allows him to walk in the wraith world (like when Frodo would wear the one ring).

The trailer released by Warner Brothers Entertainment and Monolith details the game's nemesis system which allows enemies to remember previous encounters with players. If you encounter an enemy and they happen to escape or best you in battle (your wraith power resurrects you upon death) they go on to become stronger and can even be promoted in the growing army of Sauron. These enemies can attempt to hide from you, or even actively seek you out in this open-world version of Middle-Earth should they decide to hold a grudge.

The trailer shows Talion infiltrating an Orc camp as he hunts Ratbag, a slaver. A fight breaks out and Talion engages several orcs and goblins similarly to the Arkham games or even Assassin's Creed. Countering and grappling play a large role and Talion deals out some devastating damage with his sword in what looks to be some very fluid combat. Combined with his wraith abilities that allow him to warp up close to enemies and even slow down time (similar to blink in Dishonored) he is a force to be reckoned with.

Ratbag attempts to flee but Talion catches up and uses a power central to the game. Talion has the ability to dominate foes with his wraith powers. Players can choose to have an enemy spy on other foes and gather info, or they can command their minion to carry out an assassination. You can even gain a more fearsome reputation if you command the minion to spread word of your deeds. It isn't always that simple however. Based on the minion you recruit, they may lack the skill to carry out an assassination in which case, players can use this as an opportunity to follow the minion thus revealing the location of their leader.

Talion, bending an enemy to his will

I was truly impressed by what I saw in the trailer. It seems to be introducing a healthy variety of gameplay and the original story and characters to Middle-Earth sure look pleasing. The dynamic and ever changing world full of enemies that grow as you level up is also very intriguing and are sure to add some great entertainment and even a good reason to play through the game more than once.

Keep an eye out for Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor on the Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4 and PC later this year and on this blog as more news becomes available.