Is Shadow of War Before or After LOTR?
Introduction
The Middle-earth: Shadow of War video game is the sequel to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, set in the legendary world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Many fans have been wondering when the game takes place in relation to the Lord of the Rings (LOTR) story. In this article, we will answer this question and explore the timeline of the game’s events.
Direct Answer
The game is set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, approximately 60 years prior to the main events of LOTR.
Additional Information
• Setting: The game takes place in Mordor, specifically in the lands around Minas Morgul and the Black Gate of Mordor, which serves as the border between Gondor and Mordor.
The Gap Between The Hobbit and LOTR
The book The Lord of the Rings picks up approximately 60 years after the events of The Hobbit. This leaves a significant gap between the two stories, during which Sauron rebuilds his power and seeks to conquer Middle-earth again.
The Timeline
Here is a rough outline of the timeline:
- The Hobbit: 60 years before the events of LOTR (approximately)
- Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War: Approximately 60 years before the events of LOTR, during which Sauron rebuilds his power
- The Lord of the Rings: 60 years after the events of The Hobbit, around 2000 years before the time of the Second Age of Middle-earth.
How Does This Impact the Story?
Talion’s Storyline: The game follows Talion, a Ranger of the North, who finds himself stuck in a spirit world called the Spiritlands. With the help of Celebrimbor, one of the main protagonists of the game, Talion seeks revenge against Sauron for the death of his family.
Canonicity
While some fans argue that the games are non-canonical and do not follow the true events of Middle-earth as described in Tolkien’s works, Middle-earth: Shadow of War maintains a relatively consistent timeline and setting compared to the other games and movies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Shadow of War takes place approximately 60 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings. This game serves as a bridge between the world of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, showing the events leading up to Sauron’s rise to power and his ultimate confrontation with the Fellowship of the Ring.
References:
• Middle-earth: Shadow of War
• The Hobbit
• The Lord of the Rings
• Shadow of Mordor