Is The Shadow of War series canon?
The Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War are two action-adventure games set in Middle-earth, a fantasy world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Developed by Monolith Productions and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, the games have generated a lot of buzz among fans and critics alike. However, one of the most frequently asked questions is: are these games part of the official Middle-earth canon?
No, the Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War are non-canonical
To answer this question, let’s first understand what we mean by "canon." In the context of literature and fiction, canon refers to the set of official stories, events, and characters that are recognized as part of a particular narrative universe. For Tolkien’s Middle-earth, this means the books and stories he wrote, such as The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.
The Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War are not considered part of the official Middle-earth canon for several reasons. First, they are set in a time period not covered by Tolkien’s published works. The events of the games take place between the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, while Tolkien’s works are silent on this period.
Second, the characters, locations, and plot points introduced in the games are not mentioned in Tolkien’s writings. While some fans may argue that this does not necessarily mean the games are non-canonical, the lack of connections to Tolkien’s original stories is a significant factor in considering the games’ legitimacy as part of the Middle-earth canon.
Tolkien’s Influence on the Games
Although the Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War are not canonical, they do draw heavily from Tolkien’s works. The games’ settings, characters, and plot points are inspired by Tolkien’s writing, and the games’ developers have worked closely with Tolkien Enterprises, a subsidiary of the Tolkien Estate, to ensure that the games stay true to the spirit of Tolkien’s original works.
Celebrimbor and Talion
One of the most interesting characters introduced in the games is Celebrimbor, a hobbit who creates the Rings of Power alongside Sauron. However, this character is not part of Tolkien’s original lore and was created by the game developers. While Celebrimbor is a significant character in the games, he is not part of the official Middle-earth canon.
Similarly, the protagonist of the games, Talion, is also not part of the canon. Although inspired by Boromir from The Lord of the Rings, Talion is a unique character created by the game developers.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Another aspect of the games that sets them apart from Tolkien’s original works is the gameplay and mechanics. The games’ open-world design, combat system, and RPG elements are not present in Tolkien’s books. While these mechanics add to the gameplay experience, they are not authentic to the Middle-earth that Tolkien created.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War are not part of the official Middle-earth canon, they are still fascinating games that draw heavily from Tolkien’s works. The games’ developers have done an excellent job of creating a immersive world that is faithful to Tolkien’s spirit, and fans of the Middle-earth legendarium will enjoy the games for their action-packed gameplay and engaging storytelling.
However, for fans looking for an authentic, canon-approved experience, Tolkien’s original works remain the definitive source of Middle-earth’s history and lore.
Additional Resources
For further reading on the subject of canon and the Middle-earth legendarium, please consult the following resources:
- The History of Middle-earth by Christopher Tolkien
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
- The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Middle-earth Encyclopedia by David R. Hambling
By studying these resources, you can gain a deeper understanding of Tolkien’s world and its canon, as well as the games that are inspired by it.