While I didn't pay too much attention the story on this first playthrough since I am not a LOTR fan, I did still give this game a chance on the grounds of how many GOTY awards and nominations I remember it getting. what I discovered was a hybrid of Assassin's Creed and Arkham style combat with a touch of the Witcher series with a unique albeit somewhat tedious Nemesis/enemy system. overall the experience was solid regardless