A total blast. One of the best games I've ever played. The combat makes you feel so badass and is SO intuitive, allowing you to choose your style of play (magic-casting wraith, swordsman ranger, or both) and switch it up in a matter of moments. The story is really exciting and ties into the lore of The Silmarillion in a really fun way, and the Nemesis System... God, the Nemesis System. It's incredible. There's nothing I can say about it that hasn't been said. It's perfect. It makes every Uruk feel real. The way they kill each other and are replaced so easily is such a good little commentary on the war machine. I can't wait to play the sequel.

This was very well made. It's one of those games that manages to help you along just enough to make sure you're constantly having super cool or tense moments without making the entire thing feel scripted. I think the setting could've been developed a little more - The Outsider and Granny Rags both had great potential, but are hidden behind a little too much obscurity to feel like a fully coherent part of the world - and some of the interpersonal relationships could've used better writing, but the core stealth gameplay is probably the best I've ever played. The game offers so much freedom in each mission, and I love how the game's ending changes based on how much death and chaos you caused. It's a great way to tell a tale of revenge without getting too embroiled in cliche while still celebrating the Monte Cristo-esque story.