When comparing Shenmue I + II HD vs Middle-earth: Shadow of War, the Slant community recommends Middle-earth: Shadow of War for most people. In the question“What are the best action-adventure games for PS4?” Middle-earth: Shadow of War is ranked 32nd while Shenmue I + II HD is ranked 65th. The most important reason people chose Middle-earth: Shadow of War is:
Shadow of War uses the Nemesis system to create a more immersive and alive-feeling world. Thanks to it, orc leaders have names, ranks, titles, tribes they belong to, and most importantly, connections to other orc leaders. For example, an orc leader might be at war with another orc leader. This conflict won't end until one of them dies. There are also orcs that are considered blood brothers, having unwavering loyalty to each other. Because of this, don't be too surprised if you ever get betrayed by one of your followers that's trying to do right by his blood brother. Additionally, the leaders you fight will also develop connections with you. Orcs that you've killed or spared, may come back with scars, recalling your previous encounter and vowing to exact vengeance. Orcs that you've escaped from will mock you for being a chicken, and so forth. The gradual creation of this web of connections is very enjoyable and sometimes even more compelling than the game's main story.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Plenty of charm in the story, presentation, and voice acting
Shenmue and Shenmue II originally came out in the 1990s and early 2000s, but they have a ton of things going for them that keep the games playable for the current generation. You play as a young man unwinding an interesting revenge plot against his family, with all the cultural intrigue of the Chinese community he interacts with throughout his investigation.
Despite the dated textures and old-style game mechanics there's a certain charm to the way you go about your days talking to townspeople and shop owners, looking for clues and tracking down the bad guys. The voice acting is questionable at times, but in a hilarious and endearing way that only adds to the charm these games have. If you're willing to laugh with the games and not at them, then you can have a pretty good time.
Pro Unique blend of different genres that all come together nicely
The Shenmue games are a great mix of action-adventure, brawler fighting, role-playing, and social simulation all in one. You role-play as Ryo Hamazaki in the way you really live through his shoes and experience the drama of his life.
While you spend most of your time keeping track of your notebook and gathering clues on where to go next for your investigation, talking to the townspeople you meet can turn into a sim in the way you get to know them as actual people and learn about their struggles. The fist-fighting battles you get into are intense, requiring some real timing and precision with your attacks and blocks as you take down your enemies. The whole package is a cool mish-mash of different elements that all fit together in a special way.
Pro Two older games in one package that still hold up today
Shenmue I + II are essentially ports of two older games in one collection, though there are some good reasons why the gameplay is serviceable for modern gaming. These games really pioneered some of the mechanics that tons of games of the current generation have. The systems like the day/night cycle, QTE segments, and many more are recognizable enough, helping to make the games feel familiar despite their old age. They're set at a good price point as well, making this a solid starting point if you're interested in picking up Shenmue III.
Pro Character connections make for a compelling experience
Shadow of War uses the Nemesis system to create a more immersive and alive-feeling world. Thanks to it, orc leaders have names, ranks, titles, tribes they belong to, and most importantly, connections to other orc leaders.
For example, an orc leader might be at war with another orc leader. This conflict won't end until one of them dies. There are also orcs that are considered blood brothers, having unwavering loyalty to each other. Because of this, don't be too surprised if you ever get betrayed by one of your followers that's trying to do right by his blood brother.
Additionally, the leaders you fight will also develop connections with you. Orcs that you've killed or spared, may come back with scars, recalling your previous encounter and vowing to exact vengeance. Orcs that you've escaped from will mock you for being a chicken, and so forth. The gradual creation of this web of connections is very enjoyable and sometimes even more compelling than the game's main story.
Pro Addictive gear collection fuels your thirst for orc blood
As you kill orc leaders, they'll drop random quality gear items, ranging from common rarity every-orc weapons/armor to legendary rarity artifacts with unique names. Each item serves to improve your character, providing various stat increases and damage bonuses. You can also upgrade gear with gems or via challenges that usually involve killing orcs, bolstering your strength even further. On top of that, there are set bonuses for legendary items, giving you special abilities such as your hits applying explosive poison on regular enemies. It's very exciting seeing what gear piece an orc leader will drop once you lob his head off, causing you to constantly seek out new victims.
Pro Satisfying combat
Shadow of War gives one of the better feeling combat systems in recent times, allowing you to be either stealthy or go for direct confrontations.
If you choose to be stealthy, you can skewer unsuspecting orcs from behind with your dagger, drop onto them from a building while impaling them with your sword, or just pierce them from afar with your bow.
If you choose a direct confrontation, it's a really quick-paced and brutal showdown against your enemies with your chosen melee weapon. You weave combos against enemies, dodging, parrying, and countering enemy attacks, which ends in a devastating finishing move, resulting in a mutilated or decapitated orc.
Whichever method you choose, the combat flows really well and you always feel like a force to be reckoned with.
Pro You can lead an orc army and expand your own dominion
As part of the Nemesis system, you can recruit orc leaders after you've bested them in combat. Each one has his own unique strengths and weaknesses, so making the best possible army for conquering enemy territories might take a while.
For example, an orc leader can be completely immune to ranged attacks, but can take increased damage from explosions. You should take such an orc leader on assaults against fortresses filled with archers but be wary of the slightest hints of any bombs.
Once you've finished building a sizeable force, you can assault a fortresses. If you succeed in the assault, you'll take over a territory, allowing you to install your own orc leader as the ruler. With enough effort you'll gradually take over Mordor and its surrounding lands.
Shadow of War makes you feel like a recruiter, general, and a ruler, which is very empowering and a lot of fun.
Cons
Con Looks and plays more like a direct port
While it's awesome that the collection helps get new players invested in the Shenmue universe, they really are more like direct ports than anything. Aside from an optional, updating control scheme and some neat options like getting to change the games' display, they're the exact same versions from the SEGA Dreamcast. You won't get the more fluid and responsive controls and gameplay that many players have grown used to these days. If you know what to expect going in, then it's not so bad at all. Going in blind and having lofty expectations is what could kill your enjoyment the most.
Con Can get repetitive
The overall gameplay formula doesn't change much over the course of the game. You fight orcs, take over strongholds, upgrade your character, and collect blips on the world map. After a while it can start feeling like a grind, especially during long play sessions. This is made worse in the final stretch of the game where you have to fight through 20 consecutive stronghold battles without any story segments or exposition.
Con Unskippable cutscenes disrupt the flow of the gameplay
Every time an orc leader enters the screen, there is an unskippable cutscene where he rambles a bit, focusing the camera on him and halting combat until the cutscene ends. This usually happens as you're fighting another enemy, potentially disrupting your rhythm, which can be really frustrating, especially if mess up your combo or take an unnecessary hit after the cutscene.