Shadow of War is a bad game. That's not to say there aren't elements to be enjoyed, but this is not a game I would recommend to anyone. The open world structure cribs from a well known formula blending together elements of Assassin's Creed and Batman combat. There are hidden collectibles, side missions, plenty of diversions to keep the 100% gamer occupied. The nemesis system feels novel and well motion captured. The story is even interesting at times but again, this is not a game I would recommend anyone play or purchase.
The reasons I loathe the game are many, but largely stem from what the game refers to as "Act 4". The game enters pure filler mode, forcing you to repeat tedious after tedious defense missions of which you have already done 10+ times. All the while the game is ramping up the difficultly to starve you towards purchasing their in game loot boxes in hopes of getting better gear or followers. It feels shady, slimy, and shameless in the game's attempt to force the player toward a pay to win strategy in the second half of a game that players are likely 15+ hours invested in. The worst part is that the story feels like it has no payoff, making that 2nd half grind feel meaningless. It is a disturbing trend of making the player feel gimped and marginally getting better equipment, the value treadmill is in full view. Much like the NBA 2k games, the difficultly seems less due to player skill than the game arbitrarily gating the player to encourage them spend money to improve the in game character.
A minor issue that might disturb some players is the game's almost fetishistic approach towards violence. Often the game has extreme close ups on enemy faces right before monster is savagely executed. As in, the on screen character is on their knees, the enemy's eyes will swivel directly toward the camera and deliver some parting words directly before their head explodes. The game humanizes these fantasy races while utterly destroying them in an inhuman fashion. It is a video game but the lingering extremely zoomed in views of the gore is a little sickening at times.
All these things aside, I had fun playing Shadow of War. Mindlessly repeating certain actions, stealth sequences, gathering collectibles is a fun diversion. The game just holds on a little too long. It is very obviously padded out with no real content in the second half. The game just feels unfinished, the story heads towards a climax and suddenly disappears never to be seen again.
If you still want to enjoy the blend of Batman Arkham style combat with an Assassin's Creed style climbing/stealth, at least wait for the game to go on sale. If you buy the game let me forwarn you, once you see "Act IV", play maybe two of the lengthy 10 stages then stop playing. Look up the "ending" on youtube and save yourself the heartache of a 10 hour grind with no payoff.