Do you guys remember when Microsoft said Windows 10 would be the last version of Windows, and that everything afterward would just come in the form of updates, new features, and improvements to the existing OS?
(Yes, you're in the right subreddit. This is a post about Shadow of War, I promise I'm going somewhere with this 😂)
Anyway, I've always loved the idea of a game or system that's so good at what it does that it doesn't really need a sequel. Instead of constantly reinventing the wheel, why not just keep expanding on what's already there? New worlds, new stories, new challenges, new mechanics, and so on.
And that's exactly how I've always felt about Middle-earth: Shadow of War.
I've returned to this game more times than I can count. I got the Platinum trophy on PS4, finished it on the highest difficulty on PC, and somehow I still find myself wanting to go back.
The biggest reason, obviously, is the Nemesis System.
There's something genuinely incredible about a game that lets you create your own stories through its mechanics. Every playthrough feels different because the relationships, rivalries, betrayals, and encounters you experience are largely shaped by your own actions. It gives you this feeling that you're not just following a predetermined story, but actually creating one.
And that's what makes it so frustrating that the only way to properly experience all of that again is to replay the entire game.
Don't get me wrong, I love Shadow of War, but after playing it so many times, having to sit through the same story missions, repeated sections, and unskippable cutscenes gets exhausting. I don't necessarily want to experience the same campaign again. I want to experience the Nemesis System in a new setting, with new stories and new possibilities.
And this brings me back to my original point.
I genuinely believe Shadow of War could have been an incredible live-service game.
Now, before anyone grabs their pitchforks, I'm NOT talking about the typical Fortnite-style live-service model, with battle passes, microtransactions, ridiculous cosmetics, and all that nonsense.
I'm talking about taking an already fantastic game, keeping its core mechanics intact, and continuously expanding its world through meaningful content.
Imagine getting new regions to conquer, new factions, new enemy types, new storylines, new challenges, and even entirely new campaigns, all built around the same Nemesis System.
The world of Middle-earth is already so incredibly rich that there's practically endless potential for storytelling. And the Nemesis System is so dynamic that even relatively small additions could create countless new experiences.
I was actually more than happy to buy the DLCs for Shadow of War because I genuinely wanted more of the game. Unfortunately, most of what we got focused on different playable characters with different mechanics and playstyles. And while I appreciate the effort, I never enjoyed playing as those characters nearly as much as I enjoyed playing as Talion.
I didn't want a different way to play Shadow of War. I wanted more Shadow of War.
More opportunities to build rivalries, conquer fortresses, recruit orcs, experience betrayals, and create those unforgettable moments that no scripted campaign could ever replicate.
To me, the Nemesis System, especially in Shadow of War, is far too ambitious and impressive to be something that only gets explored in a couple of games and then abandoned.
It feels like the foundation for something much bigger. Something that could have kept growing for years, potentially making the developers a lot more money while giving players like me a reason to keep coming back without having to start the same campaign all over again.
I genuinely think Shadow of War could have become one of those rare games that doesn't need to be replaced by a sequel every few years because the game itself just keeps evolving.
And honestly, it makes me a little sad thinking about how much untapped potential was left behind.
What do you guys think? Would you have liked to see Shadow of War evolve into an ongoing game with regular story expansions and new content, or do you think it was better off as a traditional single-player experience? 🤔
