Should I Play Shadow of Mordor Before Shadow of War?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You want the complete narrative experience. Shadow of Mordor introduces the main characters, the setting, and the central conflict between Talion and Sauron’s forces, all of which continue directly into Shadow of War.
• Good fit: You prefer to learn game systems gradually. The Nemesis System, stealth, and combat mechanics are simpler in Shadow of Mordor, making it an easier entry point before tackling the larger, more complex Shadow of War.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: You have limited time and only want to play one of the two games. Shadow of War is the bigger, more polished sequel with more content, so skipping the first game lets you focus your hours on the more recent experience.
• Warning sign: You are sensitive to dated open-world design. Shadow of Mordor is an older game with less variety, smaller maps, and fewer systems than its sequel, which may feel repetitive if you are already accustomed to modern action RPGs.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Better story continuity: Playing Shadow of Mordor first helps you understand Talion’s journey, Celebrimbor’s role, and the build-up to the events in Shadow of War.
• Smaller learning curve: The first game teaches core mechanics in a less overwhelming world, preparing you for the deeper systems in Shadow of War.

Cons

• Time investment: Completing Shadow of Mordor adds roughly 15 to 30 hours before you can start the sequel, which may not appeal if you want to jump straight into Shadow of War.
• Less content and polish: Shadow of Mordor has fewer regions, abilities, and side activities than Shadow of War, so some players may find it less engaging after experiencing newer open-world games.

Decision Checklist

• Do you value story continuity, or are you comfortable using in-game recaps and online summaries to catch up?
• How much time are you willing to invest? If you only plan to play one game, Shadow of War offers more overall content.
• Have you checked whether your platform supports both titles and whether save data or performance issues affect your preferred order?

Alternatives to Consider

If you are unsure about committing to both games, you can start with Shadow of War and use its opening narration or online lore summaries to understand the first game’s events. Another option is to play Shadow of Mordor for a few hours to sample the combat and story, then move on to Shadow of War if you want a more expansive experience. For players seeking a different style of Middle-earth game, the Lord of the Rings-themed action RPGs or strategy titles may also be worth exploring.

Final Recommendation

For most players, playing Shadow of Mordor before Shadow of War is the better choice because it provides important story context and a smoother introduction to the gameplay. If your priority is efficiency, modern polish, or maximum content, starting with Shadow of War is reasonable, especially with story recaps available. Since this is a low-stakes entertainment decision, choose the option that best matches your available time and interest in narrative continuity.