Should I watch Lord of the Rings before playing Shadow of War?

Should I Watch Lord of the Rings Before Playing Shadow of War?

The Middle-earth series by Monolith Productions has received widespread acclaim for its gritty and dark take on the Lord of the Rings story. The first game in the series, Shadow of Mordor, built upon the lore of Middle-earth, introducing new characters and storylines while exploring the events of the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. However, the second game in the series, Shadow of War, seems to disregard the original timeline and has sparked a lot of debates among fans and players alike. In this article, we’ll discuss whether it’s necessary to watch Lord of the Rings before playing Shadow of War.

A Brief History of Shadow of Mordor

Before diving into Shadow of War, let’s set the stage by discussing its predecessor, Shadow of Mordor. The first game introduced a new narrative that took place between the events of the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. It focused on a human ranger, Talion, who lost his wife and son during the Downfall of Númenor. His story began in the kingdom of Dol Amroth, where he sought vengeance against those responsible for the destruction of his family.

Spoiler Alert: What Happened in Shadow of Mordor

Talion ultimately discovered that the Downfall of Númenor was orchestrated by Sauron, and he fought against his dark forces along with Celebrimbor, the son of Curumo. The two formed a bond, and Celebrimbor’s skill with a sword proved to be unmatched. In the end, Talion died, and his spirit was bound to Celebrimbor’s being, creating an unending cycle of retribution. This led to the chain of events in Shadow of War.

The Link Between Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War

Now that we know the basics of Shadow of Mordor, we can discuss how it links to Shadow of War. The sequel builds upon the events of the first game, exploring the aftermath of Talion’s death. Celebrimbor, seeking revenge against Sauron, forges a newfound bond with the player. This bond enables the character to possess orcs and use their strength to dominate the forces of Mordor.

Do You Need to Watch Lord of the Rings Before Playing Shadow of War?

So, do you need to watch Lord of the Rings to understand Shadow of War? The answer is a clear no. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor does not need any prior knowledge of The Lord of the Rings franchise to enjoy the game. The story of Shadow of Mordor takes place after the events of The Lord of the Rings, which means that even if you haven’t seen the trilogy, you won’t have any issues understanding the basic plot.

Additional Context Might Be Helpful, But it’s Not Required

It’s worth noting that familiarity with The Lord of the Rings trilogy could enhance the experience. If you’re planning to play Shadow of War, watching The Lord of the Rings will provide deeper context to the world-building and lore. However, it’s not essential knowledge. The games’ lore is self-contained, focusing on the narrative of Celebrimbor and Talion.

Is Shadow of War a Spin-Off or a True Sequel?

Shadow of War received a mixed reception, with fans debating whether it’s a spin-off or a sequel to Shadow of Mordor. In reality, Shadow of War is both a spin-off and a sequel. On one hand, it does build upon the events and characters of the first game. On the other, it diverges from the original timeline and introduces significant changes to the lore, making it more of an alternate universe spin-off than a direct sequel.

Conclusion

To summarize: you don’t need to watch Lord of the Rings before playing Shadow of War. Shadow of Mordor is the game to focus on first, followed by Shadow of War if you enjoy the first title. The series is well-designed, offering an incredible narrative that complements J.R.R. Tolkien’s original work without being dependant on prior knowledge.