Are the Events of Shadow of Mordor Canon?
The Middle-earth franchise has expanded beyond John R.R. Tolkien’s original books, with various film and video game adaptations incorporating their own unique storylines. One such game that has raised questions about canonicity is Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. Developed by Monolith Productions and published by WB Games, Shadow of Mordor is an open-world action-adventure game that explores the events leading up to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. But do the events of Shadow of Mordor align with Tolkien’s original canon, or do they deviate in significant ways?
To understand the canonicity of Shadow of Mordor, let’s first revisit Tolkien’s original works, particularly The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The events of Tolkien’s stories are well established and provide a foundation for any adaptations or expansions into the Middle-earth universe. For example, the core plot of The Lord of the Rings revolves around Sauron’s quest to reclaim the One Ring from Frodo Baggins.
The Wraith Sight Connection
One approach to understanding the canonicity of Shadow of Mordor is to focus on the Wraith sight from Tolkien’s book The One Ring. Specifically, the Wraiths in Tolkien’s work, like the Nazgûl, are spirits brought back to life by dark powers, such as the Will of Sauron or the power of Middle-earth’s ancient magic.
The developers of Shadow of Mordor have confirmed the existence of a parallel universe within their game, featuring alternative storylines and distinct Wraiths. highlighted This revelation sheds light on the difference between Tolkien’s original setting and the game’s reimagining of Middle-earth.
Talion as a Nazgûl
The game’s plot revolves around Talion’s quest to avenge the death of his family. To do so, Talion wields the "Bright Lord’s" dagger and is eventually transformed into a Wraith, also known as a Nazgûl. This redefines his character, forcing players to question whether Tolkiën’s original creations should be considered canon as part of the game or an entirely new narrative divergence.
In Tolkien’s time, there were only few wraiths, notable [1][List of Wraith Lords]:
| Wraith Name | Description |
|---|---|
| The Witch-king | Lord of the Nine Rings |
| The Blindfolded | Blind |
| The Shadowalker | Not specified |
| Dawndeath | ? |
Shadow of Mordor features a different scenario.
Isildur: Half-Elf/Half-Human
While examining the game’s core characters, we find similarities and departures from Tolkien’s canon. Isildur, the King of Númenor, figures prominently in the game and raises questions about his potential [2] status as half-elf* half-human. This duality sparks debate about possible ties between Isildur and Tolkien’s original tale of Beren and Elros.
Celebrimbor: A Wraith of Vengeance
Let’s consider Celebrimbor’s transformation into a [3] Wraith after his brutal beating. The developers’ decision might serve as a narrative adaptation or creative liberty, raising doubts about whether this event falls within the realm of classic Middle-earth lore.
Here lies a crucial point : Are these events part of a distinct parallel universe* in Shadow of Mordor or do they take place within the same Tolkien canon? We must consider different explanations :
- Middle-earth : Shadow of War
Talion’s fight in Shadow of Mordor.
- Not exactly. The game operates with an alternate timeline. Each time the player fights or interacts with enemies, an event is created: An [4]"append event" can modify existing events or triggers further conflicts. This paradoxical setup [5] in itself does not necessarily take us back to the mainstream storyline but rather creates alternatives which will never be recognized or respected by the standard rules.