DICE Awards shortlist has 'Shadow of Mordor' in front

STEALTHILY DOES IT: Players can sneak and slice their way through the "Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor" Nemesis System.

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor climbs to the DICE Awards summit with nine nominations, including those for Outstanding Innovation and Game of the Year. 

On the surface another tie-in with the Lord of the Rings franchise, and initially received as an Assassin's Creed clone for similarities in its main character's walking animation, Shadow of Mordor became a firm favourite with a host of reviewers and players following its September release.