Middle-earth: Shadow of War is an action role-playing game set in an open world environment and played from a third-person perspective, like its predecessor. The player controls the game's protagonist Talion, who has several natural athletic and combat abilities as a ranger of Gondor, but also has unique abilities provided by the wraith of the elf lord Celebrimbor, with whom he shares his body. The player uses their combined abilities to complete various missions, typically aimed to disrupt the armies of Sauron. The game includes main quests that drive the game's narrative, and numerous optional quests that can help the player boost Talion's abilities and Followers via the game's "Nemesis System". In contrast to the previous game, which was more of a hack and slash, the game has an action role-playing approach, creating a more personalized experience for each player.[6] It features a dynamic weather system as well as day-night cycle which affects the gameplay and enemy behavior.
The Nemesis System expands upon its introduction in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor to apply to a larger part of the world, including other characters called Followers that have behavior guided by how the player-character has interacted with them. The player is able to transfer their top Nemesis and their most loyal follower from Shadow of Mordor into Shadow of War.[7] It includes a garrison from which the player can access their Followers that has either been obtained from multiplayer, relocated with a reassignment order or through opening 'War chests' prior to the game's July update. It contains loot boxes that players have already obtained, players' unused loot boxes that have been obtained prior to the removal of the market still remains. The Garrison contains training orders that are purchaseable with Mirian, its in-game currency. "Spoils of War" and "XP" boosts are still available and can be activated but not obtainable as of the July 18 patch, although, players' boosts prior to the update are still available.[8]
The game's multiplayer features a "Social Conquest mode", in which players are able to invade other players' fortresses and attempt to conquer them. This mode has two settings: friendly and ranked. Friendly allows the player to invade someone's fortress, without the risk of losing their army. Ranked, on the other hand, allows the player to invade, but with a risk of losing some of their Orc Followers permanently.[9]
