Usually I wait until i finished whole game but this time I just want to make quick review for Shadow of War, which a game in Middle Earth universe (The Lord of the Rings).
I have played all 3 parts of the original Shadow of Mordor and its 2 big world DLC that Im quite impressed with the game experience especially the nemesis system. The DLC expand with several new skill set that both are fun and felt slightly different than the main games. Im gonna say that Im kinda put high expectation for Shadow of War, because I believe there are so much more interesting stuffs can be added to the games. My current progression is around 80% for main story campaign in 22 hours and I still have endless grind for act 4 (the infamous money grabber) and 2 short DLC (5 hours estimated)
Turned out... Im kinda a bit disappointed. The main reason is probably the feeling of dull & repetitiveness of most of the gameplay and missions in the game. I dont remember much in the first game, but I dont think that story was that barebones especially on narrative part. The story are broken down into several quest lines that if you dont do the mission continuously, you cant feel flow of the story. So pretty it break down this : Act 1 is straightly forward narrative, which open to act 2..... this one big pandora box where you spent most of my time since I need to capture 4 different maps and implant my own overlord / warchiefs.
On nemesis system, they added tons of new orc type and most of them are feel like.... clowns. I wish I could turn off their intro. I feel like hours I spent in this game are watching countless orc introduce themselves and mocking you. Once you have ability to dominate enemy orc (brand in 1st game) to become your follower, you can use money to improve and upgrade your follower so have higher chance of succeed with specific task like ambushing other orc captain, taking warchief position or becoming your bodyguard.
As for the gameplay aspect, the game have system where you pretty much can unlock all basic skill around level 20 and then you spend 1 skill points to customize each skill with additional benefit. My problem with system though, once you get 1 customization, usually you dont need the other 2 since you can only choose 1 upgrade per skill. Effectively making the game's skill reaching ceiling way earlier. Now I felt nothing to gain for aside from doing quests and grind some gear / orc. Additionally, they also changed the system abit instead of getting legendary runes, now you need to find legendary gear instead. Runes are simplified to just gems system with 3 types. I would say that this part is the one im really disappointed with, because I dont have anything to aim for.
Game do expand on several thing though. You can conquer a castle and upgrade your orc, which is kinda like play clash of clan online. You can assault other player's stronghold and get some loots, although you have to be very careful because your orc still can die permanently. Thankfully your orc dont die when they are on defense. I havent play this part so I cant review it yet. And similar to Assassin Creed Origins, it seem like I can do a Vendetta mission where you join other people's "world" and try to kill specific orc for revenge.
Verdict :
Personally, cost & time wise, I think first game is better. But if you like nemesis system and killing tons of orc, then this game is much better. Again, the game it is not bad but because I seen + play so much from 1st game, I didnt see much improvement from the first. Game reached the peak way too early for me and doing all other stuffs felt like chores.
Now im off to finish the main story campaign and see Act4 grind myself. If it too boring, then I will switch to both DLC and be done with the game. I doubt I will spend 20 more hours just to do all achievement though.
EDITED
What a coincidence, Shadow of War is on sale at steam for 60% off. Although it didnt have regional discount for me, thus i got it at GMG which also gave me bunch of free games as well.