Shadow of Mordor: Into darkness

NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED: Shadow of Mordor is an unabashedly challenging and complex experience.

Set out across the land of shadow on a mission of revenge, and cut a bloody swath through Sauron’s army.

Open-world games often struggle to find balance between two extremes — the ability to craft a custom experience, and a linear progression that provides ­satisfying narrative.