Unlike other games that feature micro-transactions, you arent constantly nagged to purchase them, and in fact you disable them completely by choosing to play offline. While theres an online component not too dissimilar to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pains Forward Operating Base (FOB) feature that pits your forces against those online, it doesnt impact the progress of your campaign. Instead it simply allows you to increase your stats if your troops defend well enough against the onslaught.
Nonetheless, not once did we feel compelled to spend money to progress in Shadow of War, which is heartening. The razor sharp combat and Nemesis system ensured that each encounter was full of entertaining moments, such as a flying dragon hurling fire down on the battlefield, or the surprise arrival of a high-level orc captain and his retinue, or Forthog the Orc-Slayer showing up and slaying your target for you. Or in our case, all of these at once. Thanks to the procedurally generated nature of the game world, there are enough diversions to make sure you won't mind that youll have to have another go at trying to convince a giant Olog to fight for you.
