The biggest thing I appreciate about Shadow of War is that at its core it knows its a video game. The scale and complexity of its features can be at odds with that fact, but its chaos is the reason that its truly awesome moments aren't possible in other games.

Once I have all the pieces in place, I want to shut my brain and get lost in the battlefield. This is where it matters. I love caring when one of my orc war buddies falls, and I love striking down my personal nemesis like he's Wile E. Coyot-orc. I know he's gonna try again and dammit he might even get the upper hand on me before my own bodyguard kills him and two more captains show up. Time to dust off and go again. Thanks for making a beautiful mess, Middle-earth: Shadow of War.

Games of 2017

Throughout January, the Games of 2017 will lead the way towards The 2017 Grimmys - Horrible Night's Games of the Year Awards.

Previous years