Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™

56 Games like Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ that you should try

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Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ is hard to replace: few games combine deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration in quite the same way. We analyzed over 2,000 titles across 18 gameplay attributes and found 56 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Bayonetta 2, God of War and Infamous 2 lead the list, with Bayonetta 2 reaching a 97/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ special.

iRank83/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

Tags

DarkNarrativeSoloMultiplayer

Year 2017Dev Warner Bros. Interactive

Stores

Steam ↗GOG ↗Xbox ↗PS ↗

Quick answer

The closest game to Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ is Bayonetta 2 — scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. God of War and Infamous 2 follow close behind.

#1Bayonetta 297 #2God of War95 #3Infamous 297 #4Yakuza 396 #5The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt93

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Games like Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™

56 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

97

Bayonetta 2

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerFantasyThird Person

IGDB91· 21OC91· 117

Year 2014Dev PlatinumGames · Nintendo

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

≠ Stands apart with shooter and third-person shooting, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

95

God of War

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyHistoricalThird Person

OC94· 256

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

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

≠ Missing: dark, oppressive atmosphere.

97

Infamous 2

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 dark, oppressive atmosphere

96

Yakuza 3

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst PersonThird Person

IGDB80· 5

Year 2009Dev CS1 Team · SegaOn PlayStation 3

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

≠ Its own twist: loot and gear systems and skill tree progression, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

#5The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

93

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

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: stealth mechanics.

#6Assassin's Creed Valhalla

96

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerMeleeStealthDarkNarrativeOpen WorldHistoricalMedievalExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 70%· 42KIGDB85· 12OC83· 219

Year 2020Dev Ubisoft Montreal · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

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

≠ Missing: combat tactical.

Steam Epic Xbox

#7God of War: Ascension

97

God of War: Ascension

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerFantasyHistoricalThird Person

IGDB76· 11

Year 2013Dev 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: loot and gear systems and skill tree progression, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

#8Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

93

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeStealthMagicDarkNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyMedievalExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 92%· 96KIGDB84· 18OC85· 103

Year 2014Dev Monolith Productions · WB GamesOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · Linux

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

≠ Where it differs: brings sandbox freedom, sandbox world and ranged combat, while skipping combat tactical

93

Bayonetta

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

93

Bayonetta 3

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 dark, oppressive atmosphere

#11A Plague Tale: Requiem

93

A Plague Tale: Requiem

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeStealthNarrativeDarkMedievalHistoricalExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 91%· 25KIGDB86· 6OC83· 161

Year 2022Dev Asobo Studio · Focus EntertainmentOn Xbox · PC · PS5

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with crafting mechanics, resource management and visual 3d, while skipping action RPG combat

#12Mount & Blade: Warband

93

Mount & Blade: Warband

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMultiplayerMeleeTacticalOpen WorldMedievalHistoricalFantasyExplorationFirst PersonThird Person

Steam👍 98%· 171KRAWG👍 89%· 742MC78IGDB69· 5

Year 2010Dev TaleWorlds EntertainmentPlaytime ~10hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, shooter and sandbox freedom, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

94

Overlord

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

MultiplayerSoloMeleeMagicDarkNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 94%· 6.7KRAWG👍 77%· 638MC81IGDB70· 2

Year 2007Dev Triumph Studios · CodemastersPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

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

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, real-time strategy and setting scifi, while skipping stealth mechanics

#14The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

92

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloStealthMagicMeleeNarrativeDarkOpen WorldFantasyMedievalExplorationFirst PersonThird 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: sandbox freedom, sandbox world and procedural generation, while skipping combat tactical

92

Gothic

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloStealthMagicMeleeNarrativeDarkOpen WorldFantasyHistoricalMedievalExplorationThird 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, ranged combat and loot and gear systems, while skipping combat tactical

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Rankings in the same genre

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™?: The closest game to Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ is Bayonetta 2, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 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 War™?: The three closest games to Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ are: 1. Bayonetta 2 (97/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. God of War (95/100, 7 shared attributes) 3. Infamous 2 (97/100, 7 shared attributes). All share Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™'s most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 56 candidates across 18 dimensions.
Is God of War similar to Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™?: Yes, very much so — God of War scores 95/100 similarity to Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™. They share 7 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 War™?: The best RPG games similar to Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ are Bayonetta 2, God of War, Infamous 2 and Yakuza 3. All share the RPG genre alongside other key Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ attributes like deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling.
How is similarity to Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ calculated?: We compare Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ against every game in our catalog using 18 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 War™ experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.