Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ similar games & best alternatives

Why it matches

• Both are violent Combat and defeating enemies is central, with frequent violent encounters and boss battles.
• Both are driven by steady progression Strong progression through leveling, weapon upgrades, and item collection.
• Both are about getting better Players learn enemy patterns, improve skills, and develop strategies, reflecting personal growth.

Why it matches

• Both are driven by steady progression Strong emphasis on accumulating upgrades, spells, units, and empire development throughout play.
• Both are built to keep you coming back Highly addictive with many reports of long play sessions and strong attachment; players frequently mention losing track of time.
• Both pull you into another world Players use the game as a rich fantasy escape with immersive worlds and storytelling, often citing it as a stress relief and distraction.

Why it matches

• Both are violent Gameplay centers on brutal combat, killing orcs, executions, and destruction.
• Both lean into fantasy Set in Tolkien's Middle-earth with fantasy elements, magic, and mythical creatures.
• Both are driven by steady progression Strong emphasis on leveling up, unlocking skills, collecting runes, and advancing through Nemesis ranks.

Why it matches

• Both are violent Combat and destruction are central, with frequent violent encounters and boss battles.
• Both are driven by steady progression Strong emphasis on leveling up, acquiring weapons, spells, and upgrades to progress through the game.
• Both are about getting better Players develop skills, learn boss patterns, and improve through repeated attempts and exploration.

Why it matches

• Both lean into fantasy Strong dark fantasy setting with magic, mythical races, gods, and epic story.
• Both are driven by steady progression Strong emphasis on leveling up, acquiring gear, upgrading units and buildings, and unlocking new abilities.
• Both are built to keep you coming back Long campaign with 35-80+ hours playtime reported; players engage in many battles and side quests, with some grind and repeated encounters.

Why it matches

• Both pull you into another world Players use the game to immerse themselves in a rich fantasy world, escaping real life through story and exploration.
• Both are carried by their story Highly praised narrative with deep lore, impactful choices, and memorable characters.
• Both lean into fantasy Strong fantasy setting with magic, dragons, mythical creatures, and epic storytelling.

Why it matches

• Both are driven by steady progression Strong progression through tech trees, unit upgrades, hero leveling, and empire expansion.
• Both reward thinking ahead High emphasis on strategic planning, tactical problem solving, and complex decision making.
• Both are built to keep you coming back Many reviews mention long playtimes, habitual return to the game, and strong replayability through varied factions and modes.

Why it matches

• Both are driven by steady progression Strong emphasis on leveling up, acquiring better gear, and unlocking skills.
• Both are about getting better Players develop skills, knowledge of builds, and character progression through leveling and gear.
• Both are violent Enjoyment of combat, destruction, and shooting enemies is central to gameplay.

Why it matches

• Both are driven by steady progression Strong emphasis on acquiring weapons, upgrades, traits, and unlocking archetypes driving player progression.
• Both are violent Combat focused on shooting and defeating enemies with guns and melee weapons; violence is central gameplay.
• Both are built to keep you coming back Strong replayability with procedural generation, multiple difficulty levels, secrets, and build experimentation driving long-term engagement.