VIDEO GAME NEWS: Middle Earth: Shadow of War - Warner Brothers Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,
Our friends at Warner Brothera have let us know about the forthcoming Shadow of War, here's what they had to say:

"Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced Middle-earth: Shadow of War™, the sequel to the critically-acclaimed Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor™, winner of more than 50 industry awards, including 2015 Game Developers Choice Awards’ Game of the Year, Outstanding Innovation in Gaming at the 2015 D.I.C.E. Awards and the BAFTA for Game Design. Developed by Monolith Productions, Middle-earth: Shadow of War™ features an original story with the return of Talion and Celebrimbor, who must go behind enemy lines to forge an army and turn all of Mordor against the Dark Lord, Sauron.

In Middle-earth: Shadow of War™, players wield a new Ring of Power and confront the deadliest of enemies, including Sauron and his Nazgul, in a monumental battle for Middle-earth. The open-world action-adventure game is brought to life through the expansion of the award-winning Nemesis System. The robust personalization from the first game is now applied to the entire world where the environments and characters are all shaped by player actions and decisions, creating a personal world unique to every gameplay experience.

Middle-earth: Shadow of War™ will be available for Xbox One, Project Scorpio, Windows 10 PC (Windows Store and Steam™), PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®4 Pro beginning 25 August, 2017. Middle-earth: Shadow of War™ will be available as an Xbox Play Anywhere title.

“Monolith Productions continues to innovate by introducing deeper, more personalised gameplay experiences, coupled with authentic storytelling,” said David Haddad, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Middle-earth: Shadow of War™ truly drives the genre forward by taking the Nemesis System to new heights and allowing players to create their own personal journey within Middle-earth.”

“Following the amazing reception to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor™, we massively expanded every dimension of the game, including the world, the story, the RPG systems, the core gameplay and of course the personal player stories of the Nemesis System,” said Michael de Plater, Vice President, Creative, Monolith Productions. “As lifelong fans of Middle-earth, we are so grateful to have the privilege to bring to life the most incredible fantasy world ever created in a new way, for a new generation. With Middle-earth: Shadow of War™, we can’t wait to see the amazing stories players are going to create and share.”

The innovative Nemesis System created unique personal stories through procedurally-generated enemies who remember every encounter and are differentiated by their personality, strengths and weaknesses. Middle-earth: Shadow of War™ expands this innovation with the introduction of Followers who bring about entirely new stories of loyalty, betrayal and revenge. The Nemesis System is also expanded to create a unique personal world through Nemesis Fortresses, which allows players to utilize different strategies to conquer dynamic strongholds and create personalized worlds with their unique Orc army.

Set between the events of The Hobbit™ and The Lord of the Rings™, Middle-earth: Shadow of War™ continues the original narrative of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor™. Players will be engrossed in a richer, more personal and expansive world full of epic heroes and villains, iconic locations, original enemy types, even more personalities and a new cast of characters with untold stories.

As an Xbox Play Anywhere title, players can purchase a digital version of Middle-earth: Shadow of War™ once and play it on both Xbox One and Windows 10 PC. Gamers can pick up where they left off on another Xbox One or Windows 10 PC, bringing all the saves, game add-ons and achievements with them at no additional cost."

For more information or to join the Middle-earth: Shadow of War conversation, visit www.ShadowofWar.com or find them on YouTube (ShadowofWarGame), Facebook (ShadowofWarGame), Twitter (@ShadowofWarGame), Instagram (ShadowofWarGame), Twitch (MonolithLive) and our Lithium Community (ShadowOfWar).

VIDEO GAME REVIEW: Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor - Warner Brothers Interactive

Release Date: 03/10/14
Publisher:  Warner Brothers Interactive

SYNOPSIS:

In Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, gamers take on the role of Talion, a valiant ranger whose family is slain in front of him the night Sauron and his army return to Mordor, moments before his own life is taken. Resurrected by a Spirit of vengeance and empowered with Wraith abilities, Talion ventures into Mordor and vows to destroy those who have wronged him. Through the course of his personal vendetta, Talion uncovers the truth of the Spirit that compels him, learns the origins of the Rings of Power, and ultimately confronts his true nemesis.

Every enemy that players face is a unique individual, differentiated by their personality, strengths, and weaknesses. Through the Nemesis System, enemy relationships and characteristics are shaped by player actions and decisions to create personal archenemies that remember and adapt to the player and are distinct to every gameplay session. Gamers are able to craft their own battles, enemies, and rewards within the dynamic world, which remembers and adapts to their choices, delivering a unique experience to every player.


REVIEW:

OK, I’ve a person who over the last few years has spent days in the Lord of the Rings world. Whether I’ve been trekking along with Bilbo, riding beside Aragorn or even pootling round the Lego recreation world, I’ve definitely served my time with the relative armies.

Now hear for the first time, the reader gets to explore Middle Earth with a totally new tale, one that takes the side of Gondorian Ranger Talian who is stuck between life and death after being struck down by Sauron’s Necormancer.

It’s definitely a dark tale and one that delves into the rich history in such a way that the gamer is in for a real treat. It’s hard hitting, has some great twists but the real kicker is in the Nemesis system where any Orc that you’ve previous met will remember your encounters complete with scars, burns etc.

Add to this, a whole host of assassin like skills and all round it’s a title that will give the gamer hours of pleasure. However, whilst my review is positive, I do feel that I have to say a few things to other gamers out there. Don’t expect to be able to wade in sword blade swinging, and take out swathes of Orcs. It won’t work and to be blunt, you’ll see why you’re called Gravewalker time and again. You will die, you will be massacred and overall you won’t get very far before getting very annoyed with it. So how do you cope?

Quite simply you utilise your sneak skills, you learn to carefully map out your area, to sneak around and plan your attack’s and perhaps most of all you utilise your wraith abilities. Its definitely a game that you’ll have to spend time getting to know, it’s a title that you’ll have hours of careful manoeuvring and overall it’s a title that will give you a lot of frustrating situations but the payoff when you do manage to negotiate and take out your targets will be a huge rewarding feeling. Great stuff.

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor Season Pass Announcement and Launch Trailer- Warner Brothers Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,
Our friends at Warner Brothers Interactive have asked us to let you (with the game being released on Friday the 3rd October) that they're releasing a season pass (£19.99) for the game.

The title will be released for the following formats:
PC
PS3
PS4
Xbox 360
Xbox One

Here's the trailer:

     
In addition to this, they've also released a launch trailer which can be enjoyed here:

Also please remember that if you've pre-ordered  Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (and Amazon is still taking them although today could be the last day) will get access at the game’s launch to  The Dark Ranger exclusive bonus pack. Available at all participating retailers, the pack will provide exclusive content and challenges for players including:  

• Dark Ranger Character Skin
  • Begin your own quest for vengeance with a new Dark Ranger character skin that embodies Talion's darker side
• "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
• Face Sauron's Captains and defeat them to earn powerful Runes and gain a head start in the game
• Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards 
• Access to Exclusive Leaderboards for "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
  • Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards in this challenge mode
  
  
  
  Hopefully this will have whetted your appetite so remember to keep your blades sharp and your wits sharper.
  
  Gareth and Lady Eleanor

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor: Everything you need to know - Warner Brothers Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,
Our friends at Warner Brothers Interactive have put together a special guide to Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor letting all gamers what the title will entail for the games release on the 3rd October.

The title will be released for the following formats:
PC
PS3
PS4
Xbox 360
Xbox One

Here's the guide:

   
Also remember that fans who pre-order  Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor will get access at the game’s launch to  The Dark Ranger exclusive bonus pack. Available at all participating retailers, the pack will provide exclusive content and challenges for players including:  

• Dark Ranger Character Skin
  • Begin your own quest for vengeance with a new Dark Ranger character skin that embodies Talion's darker side
• "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
• Face Sauron's Captains and defeat them to earn powerful Runes and gain a head start in the game
• Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards 
• Access to Exclusive Leaderboards for "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
  • Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards in this challenge mode
  
  
  
  Hopefully this will have whetted your appetite so remember to keep your blades sharp and your wits sharper.
  
  Gareth and Lady Eleanor

VIDEO GAME NEW: Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor: Behind the Scenes with Troy Baker and Nolan North - Warner Brothers Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,
Our friends at Warner Brothers Interactive have asked us to remind you that Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor will now be released on the 3rd October.

The title will be released for the following formats:
PC
PS3
PS4
Xbox 360
Xbox One

In addition to this there's also a brand new trailer talking about the work behind the scenes with Troy Baker and Nolan North:

    


Also remember that fans who pre-order  Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor will get access at the game’s launch to  The Dark Ranger exclusive bonus pack. Available at all participating retailers, the pack will provide exclusive content and challenges for players including:  

• Dark Ranger Character Skin
  • Begin your own quest for vengeance with a new Dark Ranger character skin that embodies Talion's darker side
• "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
• Face Sauron's Captains and defeat them to earn powerful Runes and gain a head start in the game
• Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards 
• Access to Exclusive Leaderboards for "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
  • Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards in this challenge mode
  
  
  
  Hopefully this will have whetted your appetite so remember to keep your blades sharp and your wits sharper.
  
  Gareth and Lady Eleanor

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Gamescon Trailers for Assassins Creed: Unity and MIddle Earth: Shadow of Mordor

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,
As many know we're huge fans of the Assassin's Creed franchise so we've been following the news in association with the title pretty tightly so much so that we can't wait to get our hands on the latest outing in the French Revolution for the Next Gen of consoles.

As you've already seen it's a very high end product, they're pushing the current boundries of the systems and with the gamer being able to enter 1 in 4 buildings you know that its going to be huge.

Back this up with cracking storyline, some oppulent settings as well as being able to do joint missions with your friends and its a title that will feel like quite a long wait away, however to help ease your burden and hopefully something that will sate your craving a little, we have the latest trailer on hand for your perusal from Gamescon:

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,  
Our friends at Warner Brothers Interactive have contacted us with teh latest feed from Gamescon for Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor (which will now be released on the 3rd October. )

The title will be released for the following formats:
PC  
PS3  
PS4  
Xbox 360  
Xbox One  

   
Also remember that fans who pre-order  Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor will get access at the game’s launch to  The Dark Ranger exclusive bonus pack. Available at all participating retailers, the pack will provide exclusive content and challenges for players including:  

• Dark Ranger Character Skin
  • Begin your own quest for vengeance with a new Dark Ranger character skin that embodies Talion's darker side
• "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
• Face Sauron's Captains and defeat them to earn powerful Runes and gain a head start in the game
• Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards 
• Access to Exclusive Leaderboards for "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
  • Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards in this challenge mode
  
  
  
  Hopefully this will have whetted your appetite so remember to keep your blades sharp and your wits sharper.
  
  Gareth and Lady Eleanor

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Wraith Powers in Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor Trailer - Warner Brothers Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,
Our friends at Warner Brothers Interactive have asked us to remind you that Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor will now be released on the 3rd October.

The title will be released for the following formats:
PC
PS3
PS4
Xbox 360
Xbox One

In addition to this there's also a brand new trailer to keep you psyched, or rather in this case, wraithed.  LOL:

 
Also remember that fans who pre-order  Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor will get access at the game’s launch to  The Dark Ranger exclusive bonus pack. Available at all participating retailers, the pack will provide exclusive content and challenges for players including:  

• Dark Ranger Character Skin
  • Begin your own quest for vengeance with a new Dark Ranger character skin that embodies Talion's darker side
• "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
• Face Sauron's Captains and defeat them to earn powerful Runes and gain a head start in the game
• Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards 
• Access to Exclusive Leaderboards for "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
  • Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards in this challenge mode
  
  
  
  Hopefully this will have whetted your appetite so remember to keep your blades sharp and your wits sharper.
  
  Gareth and Lady Eleanor

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor to be Available Earlier and New Trailer - Warner Brothers Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,
Our friends at Warner Brothers Interactive have contacted us to let us know that due to the fan excitement, they're releasing Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor earlier than expected on the 3rd October.

The title will be released for the following formats:
PC
PS3
PS4
Xbox 360
Xbox One

Also remember that fans who pre-order  Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor will get access at the game’s launch to  The Dark Ranger exclusive bonus pack. Available at all participating retailers, the pack will provide exclusive content and challenges for players including:  

• Dark Ranger Character Skin
  • Begin your own quest for vengeance with a new Dark Ranger character skin that embodies Talion's darker side
• "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
• Face Sauron's Captains and defeat them to earn powerful Runes and gain a head start in the game
• Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards 
• Access to Exclusive Leaderboards for "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
  • Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards in this challenge mode
  
  
  
  Hopefully this will have whetted your appetite so remember to keep your blades sharp and your wits sharper.
  
  Gareth and Lady Eleanor

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor "Make Them Your Own Trailer plus game talent - Warner Brothers Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,
Our friends at Warner Brothers Interactive have sent us the latest Trailer "Make Them Your Own" for the forthcoming Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor.

The title will be released on the 7th October 2014 for the following formats:
PC
PS3
PS4
Xbox 360
Xbox One

In other news:
"WBIE announced the acclaimed game talent and musical composer behind Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. Bringing to life an original story written by Christian Cantamessa (Red Dead Redemption) in the expansive Middle-earth universe set between the events of The Hobbit™ and The Lord of the Rings™ are many of gaming’s best actors, led by Troy Baker and Nolan North.

Joining them is acclaimed video game musical composer Garry Schyman with an original score that sets the tone for this next saga in Mordor. Lending his talent to some of the most celebrated musical compositions in gaming, Schyman is responsible for the soundtrack behind BioShock Infinite, earning him the 2014 British Academy of Film and Television award for Best Original Music as well as the D.I.C.E. award for “Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition” from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences.

The game talent cast in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor includes:

•   Troy Baker - Talion (The Last of Us, Batman: Arkham Origins, BioShock Infinite, Batman: Arkham City)
•   Nolan North – Black Hand (Uncharted series, Batman: Arkham Origins)
•   Alastair Duncan - Wraith (Mass Effect series, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception)
•   Laura Bailey – Ioreth (Halo 4, Batman: Arkham Origins, The Last of Us)
•   Liam O’Brien – Gollum (Infamous: Second Son, Grand Theft Auto V, The Last of Us)"
 

Also remember that fans who pre-order  Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor will get access at the game’s launch to  The Dark Ranger exclusive bonus pack. Available at all participating retailers, the pack will provide exclusive content and challenges for players including:  

• Dark Ranger Character Skin
  • Begin your own quest for vengeance with a new Dark Ranger character skin that embodies Talion's darker side
• "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
• Face Sauron's Captains and defeat them to earn powerful Runes and gain a head start in the game
• Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards 
• Access to Exclusive Leaderboards for "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
  • Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards in this challenge mode
  
  
  
  Hopefully this will have whetted your appetite so remember to keep your blades sharp and your wits sharper.
  
  Gareth and Lady Eleanor

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor New Trailer - Warner Brothers Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,
Our friends at Warner Brothers Interactive have sent us the latest V-Blog featuring the use of Runes for the forthcoming Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor.

The title will be released on the 7th October 2014 for the following formats:
PC
PS3
PS4
Xbox 360
Xbox One

Lady Eleanor and I are both looking forward to getting stuck in and whilst I'll probably be a little sneaky, the footage seems to suit her style of play down to the ground.  But we'll let you decide when you see the footage:
 

Also remember that fans who pre-order  Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor will get access at the game’s launch to  The Dark Ranger exclusive bonus pack. Available at all participating retailers, the pack will provide exclusive content and challenges for players including:  

• Dark Ranger Character Skin
  • Begin your own quest for vengeance with a new Dark Ranger character skin that embodies Talion's darker side
• "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
• Face Sauron's Captains and defeat them to earn powerful Runes and gain a head start in the game
• Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards 
• Access to Exclusive Leaderboards for "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
  • Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards in this challenge mode
  
  
  
  Hopefully this will have whetted your appetite so remember to keep your blades sharp and your wits sharper.
  
  
  Gareth and Lady Eleanor

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor News and Release Date - Warner Brothers Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,
Our friends at Warner Brothers Interactive have let us know about the latest updates for the forthcoming Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor.

Firstly we have the release date which is currently set for the 7th October 2014 for the following formats:
PC
PS3
PS4
Xbox 360
Xbox One

So far its looking like a game that we're both (Lady Eleanor and I) are going to be vying for play time with and comparing our experiences and skills against each other.  (She's more a charge in and smack the hell out of things, whereas I like to snipe where possible.)

In addition to  this we also have the latest trailer:

And we've been told about a pre-order bonus:
Fans who pre-order  Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor will get access at the game’s launch to  The Dark Ranger exclusive bonus pack. Available at all participating retailers, the pack will provide exclusive content and challenges for players including:  

• Dark Ranger Character Skin
  • Begin your own quest for vengeance with a new Dark Ranger character skin that embodies Talion's darker side
• "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
• Face Sauron's Captains and defeat them to earn powerful Runes and gain a head start in the game
• Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards 
• Access to Exclusive Leaderboards for "Test of Power" Challenge Mode
  • Test your speed, skill and strategy and measure yourself against your friends on the leaderboards in this challenge mode
  
  
  
  Hopefully this will have whetted your appetite so remember to keep your blades sharp and your wits sharper.
  
  
  Gareth and Lady Eleanor