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Play Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor first if Talion’s story and the series’ original Nemesis System matter to you. Start with Shadow of War if you mainly want the later game’s expanded gameplay and would rather not play two related titles.
There is one outdated reason you may see for starting with Mordor: Nemesis Forge no longer transfers a player-created enemy into Shadow of War. The first game is still valuable for its own campaign and systems, but you should choose it for that experience—not for a promised save-data feature.
What the official sequel relationship means
Warner Bros. describes Shadow of War as the sequel to the award-winning Shadow of Mordor. That makes release order the clearest route for anyone who wants the narrative context to arrive in the intended sequence. You meet the world, its conflict and Talion’s arc in the earlier game before moving into the follow-up.
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What you gain by playing Shadow of Mordor first
A complete first chapter
Shadow of Mordor is not merely a tutorial for War. Warner Bros.’ description presents it as a game built around forging a Nemesis and discovering an ally. Those are central experiences in their own right, so playing the original lets you see how the series established its identity rather than encountering the more elaborate sequel first.
Starting at the beginning also gives Talion’s story room to develop before you encounter its continuation. You do not have to treat the first game as homework or clear every optional activity; the value is seeing the opening chapter in context and learning the systems in their original form.
The first version of the Nemesis System
Both official game descriptions foreground the Nemesis System. In Mordor, that system creates personal rivalries and unexpected encounters as you fight through Mordor. GameSpot’s review described it as “remarkably absorbing,” while also pointing out frustrations with movement, camera behavior and animation. That combination is important: the system can be the reason to play, but the surrounding controls may feel less polished than what you expect from a later release.
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Experiencing the original system first helps you recognize what War expands and changes. It also means that your opinion of the series is based on the game that introduced its core idea, rather than on assumptions formed by the sequel’s larger feature set.
Nemesis Forge is no longer a reason to start with Mordor
Older guides often recommended Mordor because Nemesis Forge could identify a player’s personal Nemesis and a favored ally for use in Shadow of War. That feature has been discontinued. WB Games Account Support and the PlayStation listing both report that Nemesis Forge is unavailable.
As a result, a playthrough of Mordor will not currently import your individually created enemy into War. You can still build your own rivalries in the first game, but they remain part of that game’s experience. Do not buy or replay it expecting a modern transfer bonus, and do not assume that an old save, achievement or account connection restores the feature.
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Play Mordor first or start with War?
The choice is primarily about priorities, not a mandatory technical requirement. Use the comparison below to identify which compromise suits you.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches| Priority | Play Shadow of Mordor first | Start with Shadow of War |
|---|---|---|
| Story continuity | Best fit for following Talion’s story from its beginning and receiving the sequel’s context in order. | Acceptable if you are willing to infer or look up earlier context as needed. |
| Nemesis System | Lets you experience the original implementation and its personal rivalries before the sequel’s version. | Gets you directly to the later game’s interpretation without seeing the system’s first release. |
| Enemy transfer | There is no current Nemesis Forge transfer into War. | You lose no currently available transfer by beginning here. |
| Time and backlog | Requires committing to another full game before the sequel. | Gets you to the newer entry immediately. |
| Best for | Players who value narrative order, series history or the first game’s particular atmosphere. | Players whose main goal is the later game and who do not need continuity to enjoy it. |
When skipping the first game makes sense
You mainly want the sequel’s gameplay
If your interest is the larger, later interpretation of the series’ combat, progression and army-focused premise, beginning with War avoids spending time on an earlier release you may not finish. This is especially sensible when you already know that you rarely return to older games after starting a newer entry.
You do not prioritize narrative links
Some players treat these games as systems-driven action adventures. If character continuity is not a deciding factor, the sequel relationship alone does not create an obligation to play in order. Start with War, then decide whether curiosity about the earlier chapter justifies going back.
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You are concerned about older-game friction
GameSpot’s review praised the Nemesis System but noted movement, camera and animation frustrations in Mordor. Those issues may matter more to players accustomed to newer controls. If that sounds likely to outweigh your interest in seeing the original system, skipping ahead is defensible.
When playing Mordor first is the better investment
You want the story without backtracking
Playing in release order means you encounter the setup and consequences in sequence. You can then judge War as a continuation rather than pausing to reconstruct what happened in the earlier game.
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The first game’s appeal is not limited to scripted missions. Its Nemesis-focused design encourages memorable encounters that develop from your actions. If that kind of unpredictable, personal story is what attracted you to the series, the original deserves consideration on its own terms.
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You want to understand the series’ design progression
Playing both entries in order lets you notice which ideas began in Mordor and which are presented differently in War. That perspective is useful for players who enjoy seeing a game series refine a central mechanic over time.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which edition of Shadow of Mordor should you choose?
For a first playthrough, look for the expanded edition rather than assuming every listing contains the same material. Warner Bros. describes the definitive version as including:
- The Lord of the Hunt story missions
- The Bright Lord story missions
- The Trials of War challenge series
- Additional Warband Missions
- Additional Runes
- Additional Skins
PlayStation identifies a Game of the Year Edition. Storefront names can differ by platform and region, so read the included-content list on the platform you use instead of relying on the title alone. Current price, stock, sale status and compatibility across every platform are not established here; verify those details at the time of purchase.
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You do not need the expanded edition to make Shadow of War playable. It is relevant only if you decide that the first game’s campaign and Nemesis experience are worth your time and you want the version with the documented extra missions and bonuses.
A sensible way to approach the two games
- Decide whether story order is important. If you want Talion’s arc in sequence, begin with Mordor. If not, proceed to the next question.
- Decide whether the original Nemesis System interests you. If the answer is yes, play the first game to experience that implementation directly. If the answer is no, War is the more efficient starting point.
- Check your tolerance for older controls. Keep in mind the movement, camera and animation criticisms noted by GameSpot when setting expectations for Mordor.
- Choose an edition using the content list. Confirm that the store page names the story missions and other additions you want, because edition labels vary.
- Ignore obsolete transfer instructions. Nemesis Forge is unavailable, so no setup step can create the former cross-game Nemesis import.
- Stop when your goal is met. If you started Mordor for its story and system but are no longer enjoying it, moving to War is a valid adjustment. Conversely, if the first game’s rivalries are keeping you engaged, there is no need to rush to the sequel.
What not to expect
- Do not expect a personal enemy to carry over. The discontinued Nemesis Forge feature no longer provides that connection.
- Do not assume the sequel erases the value of the original. The first game has its own Nemesis-driven appeal and documented additional story content in its expanded editions.
- Do not treat one review as a universal verdict. GameSpot’s “remarkably absorbing” assessment describes that review’s experience; its control and presentation criticisms may affect players differently.
- Do not assume every platform listing is identical. Verify the edition name, included content, region, price and current availability on your chosen storefront.
Recommendation by player type
| If you are this kind of player | Best starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Story-first player | Shadow of Mordor | It preserves the intended sequel order. |
| Nemesis System enthusiast | Shadow of Mordor | You experience the mechanic’s original form and its personal rivalries. |
| Newer-game-first player | Shadow of War | You reach the later entry without committing to both games. |
| Unsure but curious | Shadow of Mordor, if available at a suitable price | It answers whether the series’ foundational design appeals to you before you invest further. |
In practical terms, Shadow of Mordor is worth playing before Shadow of War when continuity or the original Nemesis experience is part of what you want. It is optional when your priority is simply reaching the sequel, and the discontinued Nemesis Forge means there is no current save-transfer advantage to settle the decision for you.
Quick Recap
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