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Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor |OT| One Title to rule them all
- Thread starter Levyne
- Start date
This makes that Lord of Shadows 2 Trailer = Rapelay article seem sensible in contrast.
Such a thing shouldn't be possible. Is there a contest to see who can make the most hackneyed something out of nothing gaming article?
EDIT: I'm also pretty sure that SOM is not the first game to teach part of its mechanics by using every day settings and scenarios.
Yeah. it's awesome when it's a hunter or stalker and they are a couple hundred feet away and running straight at you. You have that moment like, Fuck, here comes this bastard again. do I get out of here, fight, what?
FairXchange
Member
The tutorial also teaches you combat while fighting with your son. I think that the family element to learning deadly moves in the tutorial is interesting, and doesn't need to be criticized or over-analyzed by someone in a rush to write an article for the next day.
Kissing your wife instead of stealth killing an orc is just a nice way to get the control input down. You'll be killing orcs by the barrel full by the time you get to the real game, it was a smart decision to differentiate the tutorial in some minor way.
Kissing your wife instead of stealth killing an orc is just a nice way to get the control input down. You'll be killing orcs by the barrel full by the time you get to the real game, it was a smart decision to differentiate the tutorial in some minor way.
FF Seraphim
Member
Okay, I have to ask, is this article written as a parody? I mean I read it... but it cannot be serious, can it?
Oh Polygon, no.
Hahahahaha
Polygon does Parody
Salvatron
Member
Wow is right.
They weren't poking fun to me. I thought it was a unique way to A. bring us into the story quickly and B. introduce mechanics. Which I thought they succeeded in doing with flying colors. It was concise and clever.
The thing that saddens me the most about this is is one of the most clever and memorable moments in the game. Contextually it makes sense and it adds emotional weight to the scene.
The best thing about that ridiculous Polygon article are some of the brain-washed idiots in the comments.
I thought nothing of that scene, except that it was adorable. How the **** does it "ruin the enjoyment of the beginning of the game", give me a break. Some of their writers make me physically ill.
Now, when I think back to that scene, I'll be thinking about this article. They ruined it. Depressing.
I thought nothing of that scene, except that it was adorable. How the **** does it "ruin the enjoyment of the beginning of the game", give me a break. Some of their writers make me physically ill.
Now, when I think back to that scene, I'll be thinking about this article. They ruined it. Depressing.
Didn't seem that bad. I thought it was interesting to see how someone who makes games thinks about little choices like this. That moment did feel kind of weird to me. Might've been more appropriate to have on his blog then on Polygon, but whatever.
That Into the Pit challenge (kill 50 orcs that relentlessly group around you, with a bonus for hitting a 100x combo) w/o any button prompts was good times.
Much like with Batman, anyone who values difficulty with these games should turn button/FX prompts, enemy outlines, and the like completely off. Makes it that much more meaningful to pay proper attention to enemy animations when you're surrounded by 20 fools, instead of waiting for the shiny prompt. You also don't get the anti-counter prompt if there's a captain with that sort of attack, so paying attention to intel becomes more important.
Much like with Batman, anyone who values difficulty with these games should turn button/FX prompts, enemy outlines, and the like completely off. Makes it that much more meaningful to pay proper attention to enemy animations when you're surrounded by 20 fools, instead of waiting for the shiny prompt. You also don't get the anti-counter prompt if there's a captain with that sort of attack, so paying attention to intel becomes more important.
JumpJeff84
Member
I've been playing about three hours now, really liking it. I don't mind how narrowly focussed it is, it's kinda refreshing to not have to chat with a lot of NPCs and solve puzzles.
Sometimes it's fun just to kick ass- loving the stealth as well; as simple as it is.
One thing I love is when you do a finishing move on a downed enemy and then someone else attacks you if you hit the 'counter' button the main character seamlessly transitions from his finishing move to the counter. It looks extremely natural.
And I've said it before- don't be afraid to try turning off the button cues during combat. It makes it more immersive, and the game gives you enough visual cues to know when to counter without needing big buttons floating in the air- give it a shot!
Sometimes it's fun just to kick ass- loving the stealth as well; as simple as it is.
One thing I love is when you do a finishing move on a downed enemy and then someone else attacks you if you hit the 'counter' button the main character seamlessly transitions from his finishing move to the counter. It looks extremely natural.
And I've said it before- don't be afraid to try turning off the button cues during combat. It makes it more immersive, and the game gives you enough visual cues to know when to counter without needing big buttons floating in the air- give it a shot!
Yeah that challenge was a blast. I hope there are challenges like Batman, that would be awesome. Is that what Trials of War is?
JumpJeff84
Member
Totally agree. Unlike Batman though, I don't think turning these things off makes the game that much more difficult. Game does a great job of subtle visual clues
There have been numerous times I've been wowed by how smooth the animation transitions are. From countering, to the brutal finishers, to the downed finishers, to jumping over dudes. Very well done.
The_Hitcher89
Member
Is the camera control good enough to keep a decent view of the enemies within range to be countered? If it is I'll turn prompts off
Even sheathing your sword looks badass.
Ha ha!!
To be fair he's trying to bring some literary analysis to gaming and you've got to respect that. I haven't played the game so I can't really comment on whether he's right nor not.
Also the video analysing Michael Bay's cinema techniques was very interesting.
XANDER CAGE
Member
I can sort of see what he's getting at, but I vehemently disagree that Mordor gets it wrong. I think a key element is being missed here, namely the fact that the entire tutorial is a series of hard swings between the mundane and the violent. I'll spoiler tag them, but the intro is basically as follows:
-Talion finds his son's sword, broken by an Uruk's counterattack
-Family moment where Talion teaches his son about countering blows.
-Talion tells his son "you're not a soldier yet"
-Talion's son is forced into real combat during the attack
-Sneak up on your wife to give her flowers and kiss her
-Sneak up on the Uruks hunting for your wife to kill them
And this is, honestly, the biggest one, the line that should really hammer home why the tutorial is the way it is:
-After sneaking up on her, Talion insists that they'll move "soon," which his wife playfully mocks. She then says something to the effect of "you've been saying that forever"
-Right before being murdered, she says "We'll be together soon, my love. Forever"
-Family moment where Talion teaches his son about countering blows.
-Talion tells his son "you're not a soldier yet"
-Talion's son is forced into real combat during the attack
-Sneak up on your wife to give her flowers and kiss her
-Sneak up on the Uruks hunting for your wife to kill them
And this is, honestly, the biggest one, the line that should really hammer home why the tutorial is the way it is:
-After sneaking up on her, Talion insists that they'll move "soon," which his wife playfully mocks. She then says something to the effect of "you've been saying that forever"
-Right before being murdered, she says "We'll be together soon, my love. Forever"
While I agree that using the same animations might not totally be the best idea, I feel like this article misses some of the story here. Mordor isn't exactly literature, but the opening is a nice little series of dichotomies presented as a tutorial.
fluffydelusions
Member
Just beat it. For a combat heavy game the last fight was
disappointing
I love the double parry; where the wraith comes out of you to parry the second enemy. Awesome.
So much grasping at straws.
Back on topic, any ways to get more vendetta missions? I got one on my map from someone that is not my friend, so I'm guessing it can happen randomly.
Did the locked challenges open? I want it but $25 is steep for it sight unseen. Been stung so many times.
I don't think it makes it significantly more difficult or anything - especially if you have experience with Batman's combat rhythm - but it does make slipping up a bit more likely if you're not fully engaged.
It's generally fine in my experience.
TheStruggler
Report me for trolling ND/TLoU2 threads
BouncyFrag
Member
At first I was annoyed that I could get hit during finshers (Arkham games have spoiled me in this regard), but when I did a seamless counter, even though it stopped the finisher, it was great. I've still got a lot of the mechanics to work out but that's part of the fun. I'll give turning off prompts a go. Like Batman the challenge is in playing with style and looking like a boss rather than spamming the same moves over and over again even if it was easier.
JumpJeff84
Member
Specifically I like how if you get attacked by the second orc before you have a chance to complete the finishing move and you then hit the counter button, you'll just transition to killing the attacker and the guy on the ground won't die. But the game doesn't punish you for attempting the finishing move that you ended up not being able to see to completion. Such a small touch that I appreciate a lot.
Remachinate
Member
Thanks for posting this. I was having a hard time writing a rebuttal post that wasn't rooted in semantics.
Cpt.Underpants
Member
You know, it gets easier if you further progress into the game.
BRAND FOR YOU AND YOU AND YOU AND YOU AS WELL. Oh your a Captain with a shitload of squads? BRANDED!!.
Now sit back relax and enjoy whilst the whole squad is ganging up on the captain
BRAND FOR YOU AND YOU AND YOU AND YOU AS WELL. Oh your a Captain with a shitload of squads? BRANDED!!.
Now sit back relax and enjoy whilst the whole squad is ganging up on the captain
JumpJeff84
Member
Even when you turn the prompts off there's still a very noticeable white flash over the attackers head when you're meant to counter, so it's not like you're looking for subtle 'tells'.
I turned off the outlines and the icons over the enemies heads that indicate their state of awareness as well. I find it all adds to the immersion, but that's just me. I usually try to free my screen from as much clutter as possible.
CaptainTiptop
Member
I thought that opening scene was pretty cute. Hahaha, fucking Polygon. Funny how the site that was supposed to 'change' or be the 'best' of games journalism is the absolute worst.
That's because you left "FX" on. Turn off both prompts and FX.
Mengy
wishes it were bannable to say mean things about Marvel
This article has to be a satire piece. I mean I don't even own the game but I saw the intro in Boogie2998's video so I'm aware of the scene he is talking about. I actually thought the scene was well done and pretty cool? Who is this Zach guy who wrote this piece? Because I think he may have a few more issues than the tutorial in SoM does...
JumpJeff84
Member
He made Ridiculous Fishing.
This game really is a great Arkham game. I keep imagining how they could incorporate Nemesis into Batman.
There's the usuals breaking out of Arkham, sure, but it'd be sweet to see "normal" crooks start to get a following and either become mob bosses in their own right or, if they were mentally unstable, becoming minor Bat villains themselves.
I guess you'd have to come up with a reason they're not killing Bats when they defeat him though.
There's the usuals breaking out of Arkham, sure, but it'd be sweet to see "normal" crooks start to get a following and either become mob bosses in their own right or, if they were mentally unstable, becoming minor Bat villains themselves.
I guess you'd have to come up with a reason they're not killing Bats when they defeat him though.
that's a damn shame. We have way too many Morality/Piety Police, and they're all as phony as a 8 dollar bill! "Oh noooo he kissed his wife the same way he kills his enemies..." Some people just look for stuff to "attempt" to show how righteous they are. It seems some folks are just looking for something to point their fingers at, and condemn. Pathetic...really, pathetic.
Jesus. The near daily Polygon article regarding Females in gaming or violence in gaming. I puke in my mouth every time. By the way, I am not saying there is not a place for these discussions. Polygon seems more intent on click bait and their "concern" about these topics is starting to become way too over the top.
I am not the type of person to hate things and certainly not people but damn. I'm tryin', Polygon. I'm tryin' real hard to be a shepherd.
JumpJeff84
Member
Ah, okay! That makes sense. I'll try that and see if it's still intuitive enough for me. Thanks!
He's talking about the engagement with the player through game control so you watching the scene on YouTube doesn't really give you any insight I'm afraid.
JumpJeff84
Member
On the Giant Bombcast last night Brad hinted that he had heard that this game started out as a Batman game. Wonder if that's true?
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