Shadow of War's Platinum ALMOST Made Me Give Up!

Name: Shadow of War's Platinum ALMOST Made Me Give Up!
Uploaded: 2024-10-17T01:00:05.000Z
Duration: 2 h 12 min 26 s

Middle Earth: Shadow of War Gameplay and Trophy Guide

Introduction to the Game

The speaker expresses enthusiasm for "Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor" and decides to play its sequel, "Shadow of War," due to the resurgence of interest in the Lord of the Rings franchise.

The game features a total of 73 trophies, including DLC, with a difficulty rating of 3.5 out of 10 and no glitched trophies.

Difficulty Selection

The player opts for the hardest difficulty, Grave Walker, which is described as an ultimate test where enemies are tougher and death is frequent.

Initial gameplay reveals brutal combat mechanics that challenge the player's skills right from the start.

Story Overview

The story begins with a recap from "Shadow of Mordor," detailing Talion's loss and his bond with Kell Brimbor, who forged the rings of power.

Talion puts on a new ring that keeps him alive while being called by an unknown voice; this sets up key plot points.

Combat Mechanics

The combat system is likened to Batman's style, emphasizing fluidity and skill-based action.

Talion teams up with General Castamir and his daughter Idil as they face Sauron's forces in Min Ethil.

Collectibles and Trophies

Players must be aware of three missable trophies; one involves destroying orc monuments for the Vandal trophy.

The Nemesis system returns, making each orc unique with their own traits; this adds depth to encounters as they remember past interactions.

Progressing Through Challenges

A trophy called "Better Luck Next Time" requires meeting an enemy who has survived previous encounters.

Upgrading gems and completing challenges enhances survivability while focusing on collectibles simplifies navigation through game areas.

Major Story Events

After upgrades, players can tackle more formidable foes like Warchiefs during story missions.

A significant moment occurs when Talion helps free Castamir from captivity amidst ongoing battles against Sauron’s forces.

Game Progression and Key Events

Encounter with Elario

The protagonist expresses concern about losing a critical moment, indicating high stakes in the gameplay.

Elario, an elf assassin working for Gadriel, rescues the protagonist from danger and plays a significant role in their escape.

The Ring's Dilemma

Elario urges the destruction of the ring, while Battalion argues for its use against Sauron, highlighting differing perspectives on power and sacrifice.

With Act One completed, players gain access to multiple side quests and story missions essential for progressing towards the endgame.

Trophy Achievements

Players can earn trophies by completing various tasks such as disabling outposts and avenging fallen allies through vendetta missions.

Online Vendetta missions allow players to seek revenge on orcs that have killed other players, enhancing community engagement within the game.

Siege Missions Overview

New abilities are unlocked allowing players to dominate orcs to fight alongside them; this is crucial for preparing for Siege missions.

Siege missions require extensive preparation involving recruiting orcs and taking down War Chiefs to weaken defenses before attacking forts.

Capturing Fortresses

During siege attempts, players must capture multiple points within a fort with assistance from their recruited army.

A new Overlord is promoted after defeating the previous one; this introduces strategic elements regarding leadership among orc forces.

Finalizing Map Exploration

Players aim to unlock all fast travel points by tracking down Hadier locations, which contributes to overall map exploration.

Gameplay Mechanics and Challenges

Encountering Game Mechanics

The player expresses frustration with the game's mechanics, noting that while some aspects are enjoyable, others can be annoyingly pointless.

Acknowledges being underleveled (19 vs. 21), which adds to the challenge of defeating an opponent.

Engaging in Combat

The player discusses using fire breath and wing flaps for speed boosts, highlighting the importance of precise timing for maximum effectiveness.

An enemy is spotted, described as "flammable," leading to a humorous moment where they plan to roast him.

Dominating Opponents

After successfully defeating an enemy, the player reflects on how this victory compensates for previous frustrations with the game.

Plans are made to recruit defeated enemies as spies for future missions.

Mission Objectives and Strategy

Trophy Achievements

The player receives a trophy without needing to win a specific battle, indicating that certain objectives can be achieved through strategic gameplay rather than direct confrontation.

Conquest Missions

Discusses starting a conquest mission with war chiefs as allies; emphasizes the need for strategy given their varying levels of power.

Risky Decisions

A character named Ball must prove himself against an unknown captain in combat; there's uncertainty about his chances due to level differences.

Unexpected Outcomes and Side Quests

Surprising Victories

Despite being lower-level, Ball defeats a higher-level opponent, showcasing unexpected outcomes in gameplay dynamics.

Completing Objectives

The player initiates a mission despite low expectations of winning but aims primarily at achieving trophies rather than outright victory.

Exploring Storylines and Collectibles

Shadow of the Past Missions

Engaging in side quests related to Kalibr and More's past helps unlock new upgrades while also contributing towards trophy achievements.

Finalizing Collectibles

Completion of collectible trophies involves finding hidden artifacts during missions; this adds depth to exploration within the game world.

Character Interactions and Combat Dynamics

Character Development

Intense Gameplay and Mission Challenges

Engaging in Combat

The player expresses concern over a challenging situation, indicating that a character is injured and they need to escape while still remaining in the mission area.

A sense of urgency arises as the player desperately seeks healing during an intense battle, highlighting the brutal nature of the fight.

After a tough encounter, the player celebrates completing a significant challenge, receiving a silver trophy for their efforts.

Encountering Powerful Creatures

The narrative shifts to battling against formidable creatures alongside an ally named Carin, emphasizing teamwork in epic missions.

The player navigates through dangerous situations, showcasing strategic thinking while avoiding falling debris during combat.

Strategy and Adaptation

As battles continue to escalate, the player reflects on their strategy and adaptability in facing increasingly difficult foes.

There’s confusion about how to effectively damage an enemy; the player contemplates survival tactics rather than direct confrontation.

Tactical Execution

The gameplay involves executing specific commands at precise moments; players must find optimal angles for attacks to succeed.

Players are encouraged to weaken enemies enough for special moves while managing health carefully throughout prolonged fights.

Progression and Rewards

Achievements such as trophies are celebrated after overcoming challenges; players feel rewarded for their efforts with new upgrades available.

Transitioning into siege missions introduces new objectives involving recruiting orc followers, marking progression within the game.

Facing New Challenges

The player prepares for tougher opponents but realizes they may not be adequately equipped for upcoming siege missions.

A quest involving an orc named Bruise unfolds; past interactions with this character set up future confrontations that require strategic planning.

Final Quest Preparations

Completing quests leads to significant rewards; players reflect on their journey as they gear up for final challenges related to Carin's storyline.

Gameplay Challenges and Strategies

Frustrations with Repetitive Gameplay

The player expresses disbelief at having to repeatedly endure the same gameplay segments, highlighting a sense of frustration with the lack of progress despite defeating enemies.

Tactical Approaches in Missions

The player discusses strategies for managing enemy numbers, aiming to reduce them to three before proceeding, indicating a preference for stealth and careful planning.

Stealth Mechanics and Combat

A focus on stealth is emphasized as the player plans to damage an enemy without being detected, showcasing tactical gameplay elements like crawling and purifying objectives.

Health Management During Battles

The importance of health management is highlighted as the player requests healing from a teammate while engaging in combat, demonstrating teamwork dynamics in gameplay.

Achievements and Progression

The unlocking of the "undeath" silver trophy signifies a major milestone after overcoming significant challenges, reflecting on the difficulty level of quests within the game.

Trophy Hunting and Game Difficulty

Trophy Acquisition Strategies

The player outlines various trophies they aim to achieve, including making followers fight each other and causing captains to betray their kin, illustrating complex game mechanics.

Difficulty Adjustments for Enjoyment

After struggling with grave walker difficulty during siege missions, the player decides to lower it to nemesis difficulty for improved enjoyment while maintaining challenge levels.

Siege Mission Challenges

Confronting overlords in siege missions proves difficult; summoning allies becomes crucial as players strategize against powerful foes within confined spaces.

Overcoming Obstacles in Gameplay

Unexpected Setbacks During Combat

An unexpected defeat occurs when an ally is quickly taken out by enemies, emphasizing unpredictability in battle scenarios that can lead to rapid changes in momentum.

Continuous Upgrades Needed

The necessity for character upgrades becomes apparent as players face increasingly tough challenges; this highlights ongoing progression systems within the game.

Relief After Hard-Fought Victories

Upon finally defeating a challenging fortress after numerous attempts, there’s a mix of relief rather than joy due to the arduous journey leading up to this point.

Final Thoughts on Game Experience

Emotional Toll of Gameplay

The emotional strain from repeated failures during siege missions leads players to adjust their approach; admitting that some difficulties were overwhelming reflects on personal gaming experiences.

Fun Resurgence with Lowered Difficulty

Engaging with the Drake and Trophy Hunting

Strategies for Defeating the Drake

The player discusses waiting for a flying creature, the Drake, to land in order to attack it effectively. They consider using frost breath as a potential strategy.

The player reflects on whether they need to kill the Drake while riding a Grog, indicating that successful attacks can be achieved through parries.

After defeating Helm Hammerhand, the player expresses excitement about progressing in the game and mentions wanting to replay the first installment due to nostalgia.

Combat Dynamics and Challenges

The player notes difficulty adjusting to control inputs during combat, particularly when expecting one button but needing another.

As they enter a chaotic battle against Sauron's army, there is an emphasis on recruiting allies amidst confusion.

Confronting Sauron’s Forces

Recruitment and Strategy

The player successfully recruits an ally during battle but expresses frustration at their NPC allies not assisting effectively.

A significant moment occurs where the protagonist confronts Sauron’s hold over others, emphasizing themes of domination and alliance against evil forces.

Plot Developments

A twist reveals that an important character has received power from a previously defeated foe, leading to questions about loyalty and intentions.

Final Boss Encounter

Unexpected Twists in Gameplay

The player realizes they are facing what appears to be the final boss unexpectedly; this leads them into intense combat scenarios requiring quick reflexes.

There is uncertainty regarding combat mechanics as players navigate through various attacks without clear indicators of required actions.

Climax of Conflict

As health dwindles during battle with Kell Brimboar, strategies shift towards dodging attacks while attempting counterattacks.

Themes of Betrayal and Power Struggles

Moral Dilemmas in Battle

The player contemplates moral implications surrounding alliances formed with former enemies as they question if these characters will truly improve their situation.

Conclusion of Events

Unlocking Trophies in Shadow of War

Overview of Trophy Unlocking Process

The player discusses the completion of main trophies after defeating the Witch King and Sauron, with only DLC trophies remaining.

A trophy titled "Death is Not the End" is unlocked by resurrecting fallen captains, showcasing a unique gameplay mechanic.

To achieve the "Rough Rider" trophy, players must ride every type of beast, including rare elemental grogs which require extensive exploration to find.

Challenges Faced During Gameplay

Completing fight pit missions involves sending Orcs into one-on-one battles against rivals, likened to Pokémon mechanics but with Orc characters.

The "Trolling" trophy requires killing a captain while riding an Olog; timing is crucial as Ologs have limited riding duration.

Siege Defense Missions

Players need to set up defenses and upgrade their fortifications for siege defense missions; understanding enemy strengths and weaknesses is essential for success.

After completing several defense missions, players encounter a significant issue where progress does not reflect correctly despite successful completions.

Technical Issues Encountered

A critical moment arises when the player realizes that despite defending regions successfully, no trophies are awarded due to potential glitches in the game.

Frustration mounts as players attempt various strategies to resolve what appears to be a bug preventing progression from 75%.

Community Insights and Solutions

The player references community discussions on Reddit regarding similar issues faced by others, indicating this may be a widespread problem within the game.

Attempts are made to recruit powerful Orc captains during sieges; however, challenges arise due to their strength and abilities.

Final Attempts at Resolution

As battles continue, players focus on thinning out enemy ranks rather than targeting specific captains directly for better chances of victory.

DLC Trophy Challenges and Gameplay Insights

Overview of DLC Gameplay Experience

The player discusses their approach to completing necessary quests on normal difficulty in a DLC area, expressing uncertainty about trophy requirements and potential bugs affecting trophy progression.

A mention of a community member who resolved similar issues by replaying the entire game, indicating that some trophies may require extensive gameplay to unlock.

The player reflects on the excitement surrounding the upcoming platinum trophy video, despite acknowledging the possibility of needing to replay missions multiple times for trophy completion.

Achievements and Trophy Unlocking

The player successfully unlocked the "Such Great Heights" trophy by reaching Captain rank in online Conquest, emphasizing that high attack and defense scores are crucial rather than solely playing online.

They recount efforts to achieve 100% completion, including tackling two major DLC add-ons featuring characters Altariel and Baranor. The order of play was noted as potentially reversed.

Baranor's Storyline and Trophies

In Baranor's storyline, players assist him in taking down forts while utilizing new abilities like gliding and grappling hooks. Most trophies are story-related, enhancing narrative engagement.

Key trophies include "No Way Out," "Belly of the Beast," and others related to collectibles. Players must also complete specific challenges involving crossbow kills while gliding.

Completing Challenging Missions

To earn challenging trophies such as "Shadows of the Sand," players must revisit main game missions with gold ratings under Nemesis difficulty—an endeavor described as manageable after prior experiences.

The final tasks involve completing all missions quickly while maintaining high performance standards; this is framed positively given previous difficulties faced during gameplay.

Elario's DLC Journey

Transitioning into Elario’s storyline, players engage in cooperative dynamics with Talion while navigating through siege missions without excessive preparation work required compared to earlier content.

Unique abilities tied to Elario’s character allow for strategic gameplay against Orc enemies. Several non-story trophies focus on defeating large numbers of Orcs using light traps or blinding techniques.

Final Mission Dynamics

The climax involves a confrontation between Elario and Talion, highlighting themes of betrayal within their complex relationship.

Trophy Hunting Journey in Middle Earth: Shadow of War

The Challenge of Completing the Game

The player discusses returning to the main game for an online Conquest Mission using an Elario skin, which feels odd after getting accustomed to the DLC.

Despite doubts about whether pursuing the Platinum trophy was worth it, the player reflects on their motivation as a Trophy Hunter and decides to restart from scratch.

The determination to overcome challenges is highlighted, emphasizing the drive that keeps players engaged in trophy hunting.

Navigating Obstacles and Setbacks

The player expresses frustration at being stuck at 88% completion despite defending key areas like Gorgoth and Sagos, questioning if all tasks must be completed for progress.

A sense of urgency builds as they strategize for a final stand, indicating that this may be their last chance to achieve their goal.

Final Moments of Truth

As they attempt to recruit allies during gameplay, there’s tension around whether they can convert enough characters to succeed in their mission.