What is the best game similar to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor?

The closest game to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, scoring 98/100 on our similarity scale. They share 18 gameplay attributes, including deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor?

The three closest games to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor are: 1. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (98/100, 18 shared attributes) 2. God of War (97/100, 6 shared attributes) 3. Bayonetta (98/100, 5 shared attributes). All share Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 19 dimensions.

Is God of War similar to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor?

Yes, very much so — God of War scores 97/100 similarity to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. They share 6 attributes, including deep RPG systems and action RPG combat. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What RPG games are similar to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor?

The best RPG games similar to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor are The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, God of War, Ninja Gaiden and Bayonetta 3. All share the RPG genre alongside other key Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor attributes like deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling.

How is similarity to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor calculated?

We compare Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor against every game in our catalog using 19 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

50 Games like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor that you should try

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Looking for games like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor? We analyzed its gameplay DNA — deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration — against over 6,700 titles. These 50 alternatives are ranked by real similarity, not marketing tags. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim leads with 98/100, followed by the rest of the list.

iRank87/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

Top games similar to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

50 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. Each one has been evaluated across 19 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

iRank91

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloStealthMagicMeleeRangedNarrativeDarkOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyMedievalExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 95%· 318KRAWG👍 89%· 4.9KMC94IGDB80· 10

Year 2011Dev Bethesda Game Studios · Bethesda SoftworksPlaytime ~46hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: procedural generation, crafting mechanics and visual first person, while skipping loot and gear systems

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyThird PersonHistorical

OC94· 256

Year 2009Dev SCE Santa Monica Studio · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: historical setting, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

#3Bayonetta

iRank88

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyThird Person

IGDB91· 15OC85· 51

Year 2009Dev Nex Entertainment · SegaOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Same family of third-person Action RPGs: action RPG combat, adventure storytelling and fantasy world

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter and third-person shooting, while skipping deep RPG systems

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMagicMeleeRangedThird Person

IGDB93· 2

Year 2004Dev Team NINJA · Tecmo

✓ Nearly identical: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling.

≠ Missing: sandbox freedom.

Details →

#5Bayonetta 3

iRank87

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyThird Person

IGDB90· 4OC85· 142

Year 2022Dev PlatinumGames · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter and third-person shooting, while skipping sandbox freedom

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

IGDB85· 6

Year 2011Dev Sucker Punch Productions · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

#7Devil May Cry

iRank81

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyThird Person

IGDB85· 4OC77· 12

Year 2001Dev Capcom Production Studio 4 · Capcom

✓ Nearly identical: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling.

≠ Missing: sandbox freedom.

Details →

#8Fable: The Lost Chapters

iRank89

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeMagicRangedNarrativeDarkOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 92%· 8.2KIGDB84· 3

Year 2005Dev Big Blue Box · Microsoft Game StudiosOn PC · Mac

✓ Nearly identical: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling.

≠ Missing: stealth mechanics.

Details →

Steam

#9Fable

iRank90

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMagicMeleeRangedNarrativeDarkSandbox WorldOpen WorldFantasyMedievalExplorationThird Person

IGDB90· 2

Year 2004Dev Big Blue Box · Microsoft Game Studios

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with historical setting, while skipping action RPG combat

Details →

#10The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

iRank94

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMagicMeleeNarrativeDarkOpen WorldFantasyMedievalExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 97%· 869KRAWG👍 93%· 7.2KMC92IGDB92· 26OC93· 179

Year 2015Dev CD PROJEKT REDPlaytime ~43hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Nearly identical: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling.

≠ Missing: sandbox freedom.

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#11Gothic

iRank88

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloStealthMagicRangedMeleeNarrativeDarkOpen WorldFantasyMedievalExplorationLootSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 93%· 18KIGDB78· 1

Year 2001Dev Piranha Bytes · JoWooD Entertainment AGOn PC

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: punishing difficulty, historical setting and crafting mechanics, while skipping sandbox freedom

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMagicMeleeRangedSandbox WorldOpen WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

IGDB91· 4

Year 2006Dev Square Enix Product Development Division 4 · Square Enix

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: turn-based strategy, while skipping action RPG combat

Details →

#13The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

iRank90

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMagicMeleeRangedNarrativeDarkOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyMedievalExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 95%· 52KIGDB81· 6

Year 2006Dev Bethesda Game Studios · 2K GamesOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings historical setting, setting mythology and visual first person, while skipping stealth mechanics

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloNarrativeFantasyThird Person

IGDB88· 4

Year 2007Dev Ninja Theory · Sony Computer Entertainment EuropeOn PlayStation 3

✓ Nearly identical: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling.

≠ Missing: sandbox freedom.

Details →

#15Castlevania: Lament of Innocence

iRank78

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloDarkFantasyMedievalThird Person

IGDB78· 3

Year 2003Dev KonamiOn PlayStation 3

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings horror setting, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

Complete list of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines

RPG · Action RPG

A Plague Tale: Requiem

RPG · Adventure

Darksiders II

RPG · Action RPG

NINJA GAIDEN 4

RPG · Action RPG

Enclave

RPG · Action RPG

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

RPG · Adventure

Stellar Blade

RPG · Action RPG

Zenless Zone Zero

RPG · Action RPG

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

RPG · Adventure

Hogwarts Legacy

RPG · Action RPG

South Park™: The Stick of Truth™

RPG · Adventure

Risen

RPG · Action RPG

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

RPG · Action RPG

The Amazing Spider-Man

RPG · Action RPG

Styx: Master of Shadows

RPG · Adventure

Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™

RPG · Action RPG

Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones

RPG · Action RPG

Gothic II

RPG · Adventure

Ninja Gaiden II

RPG · Action RPG

Asura's Wrath

RPG · Action RPG

Gothic 3

RPG · Action RPG

Prototype

RPG · Action RPG

UOS Prototype

RPG · Action RPG

Arcania: Gothic 4

RPG · Action RPG

Sonic and the Black Knight

RPG · Action RPG

Drakengard 3

RPG · Action RPG

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

RPG · Action RPG

MediEvil

RPG · Action RPG

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

RPG · Action RPG

Oni

RPG · Action RPG

Risen 3: Titan Lords

RPG · Action RPG

Spider-Man 2

RPG · Action RPG

Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII

RPG · Shooter

Killer is Dead - Nightmare Edition

RPG · Action RPG

Murdered: Soul Suspect

RPG · Adventure

Explore games similar to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best Third-Person Action RPGs Best Action RPGs Best RPG Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor?: The closest game to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, scoring 98/100 on our similarity scale. They share 18 gameplay attributes, including deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor?: The three closest games to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor are: 1. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (98/100, 18 shared attributes) 2. God of War (97/100, 6 shared attributes) 3. Bayonetta (98/100, 5 shared attributes). All share Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 19 dimensions.
Is God of War similar to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor?: Yes, very much so — God of War scores 97/100 similarity to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. They share 6 attributes, including deep RPG systems and action RPG combat. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What RPG games are similar to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor?: The best RPG games similar to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor are The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, God of War, Ninja Gaiden and Bayonetta 3. All share the RPG genre alongside other key Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor attributes like deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling.
How is similarity to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor calculated?: We compare Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor against every game in our catalog using 19 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.