NextGameLike
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

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

Games like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor · Find similar →

Looking for games like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor? The NextGameLike editorial team 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 95/100, followed by the rest of the list.

NextGameLike87/ 100

Did you find what you were looking for?

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG
Tags
DarkNarrativeSolo
Year 2014Dev Monolith Productions

Quick answer

The closest game to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim — scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and Fable: The Lost Chapters follow close behind.

🗳️

Help us build the best rankings

Community powered

Vote on each result below — good match or not. Every vote directly shapes how we rank similar games for everyone.

Top games similar to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

50 similar games foundUpdated May 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.

1

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

95
NGL91
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Closest overall match
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloStealthMagicMeleeRangedNarrativeDarkOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyMedievalExplorationSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2011Dev Bethesda Game Studios · Bethesda SoftworksPlaytime ~46hOn PC · PS · Xbox

It shares the essentials of what Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and stealth mechanics. Both also lean on fantasy world and single-player focus. The distance is in visuals and progression — its own ground is crafting mechanics and a first-person view.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Tone100Setting100World81
2

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

94
NGL90
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Closest on world
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloMagicMeleeRangedNarrativeDarkOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyMedievalExplorationSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2006Dev Bethesda Game Studios · 2K GamesOn PlayStation 3 · PC

What brings it close to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and magic-based combat, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and tone. The common ground extends to fantasy world and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and setting: historical setting and a first-person view.

It predates Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100World100Progression82Combat75
3

Fable: The Lost Chapters

94
NGL89
Fable: The Lost Chapters
Closest on visuals
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloMeleeMagicRangedNarrativeDarkOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2005Dev Big Blue Box · Microsoft Game StudiosOn PC · Mac

What brings it close to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and tone. The common ground extends to fantasy world and single-player focus. Where they diverge is setting.

It predates Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100World100Visuals100Progression79
4

Gothic 3

92
NGL75
Gothic 3
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloMeleeMagicRangedNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyMedievalExplorationSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2006Dev Piranha Bytes · Aspyr MediaOn PC

It shares the essentials of what Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. Both also lean on fantasy world and single-player focus. The distance is in tone and visuals — its own ground is crafting mechanics and a first-person view.

It predates Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100World100Combat75Progression69
5

Gothic

88
NGL88
Gothic
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloStealthMagicRangedMeleeNarrativeDarkOpen WorldFantasyMedievalExplorationLootSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2001Dev Piranha Bytes · JoWooD Entertainment AGOn PC

It shares the essentials of what Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and stealth mechanics. To that it adds fantasy world and single-player focus. They part company on tone: this one brings punishing difficulty.

It predates Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor by 13 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals100World89Progression86
6

Fable

86
NGL90
Fable
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloMagicMeleeRangedNarrativeDarkSandbox WorldOpen WorldFantasyMedievalExplorationThird Person
Year 2004Dev Big Blue Box · Microsoft Game Studios

What brings it close to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is strong narrative focus, a sandbox world and magic-based combat, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and tone. Both also lean on fantasy world and single-player focus. The distance is in progression — its own ground is historical setting.

It predates Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100World100Visuals100Setting76
7

Prototype

89
NGL78
Prototype
Closest on progression
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloMeleeStealthDarkNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldExplorationLootSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2009Dev Activision · Activision BlizzardPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

Matches like this one are rare: it meets Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor on genre, game mode and tone. Both also lean on a third-person camera and single-player focus. The distance is in setting — its own ground is horror setting.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100World100Progression100Visuals100
8

UOS Prototype

89
NGL78
UOS Prototype
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloMeleeStealthDarkNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldExplorationLootSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2009Dev Activision · Activision BlizzardPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

Of everything here, this is the nearest thing to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor — the two agree on genre, game mode and tone. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in setting — its own ground is horror setting.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100World100Progression100Visuals100
9

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

83
NGL94
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloMagicMeleeNarrativeDarkOpen WorldFantasyMedievalExplorationThird Person
Year 2015Dev CD PROJEKT REDPlaytime ~43hOn PC · PS · Xbox

Of everything here, this is the nearest thing to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor — the two agree on genre, game mode and tone. Both also lean on fantasy world and single-player focus. The distance is in combat and progression.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting100Visuals100World90
10

Final Fantasy XII

84
NGL91
Final Fantasy XII
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloMagicMeleeRangedSandbox WorldOpen WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2006Dev Square Enix Product Development Division 4 · Square Enix

If Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor worked for you because of a sandbox world, magic-based combat and fantasy world, the same is here. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is setting: turn-based strategy.

It predates Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100World100Visuals100Progression81Combat74
11

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines

84
NGL86
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloMagicMeleeStealthNarrativeDarkOpen WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2004Dev Troika Games · Activision BlizzardPlaytime ~2hOn PC

It comes from the same genre as Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and shares strong narrative focus, open world exploration and magic-based combat. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. They part company on setting and visuals: this one brings horror setting and a first-person view.

It predates Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100World88Combat86Progression81
12

Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™

84
NGL83
Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloMeleeStealthMagicDarkNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyMedievalExplorationThird Person
Year 2017Dev Warner Bros. InteractivePlaytime ~13hOn PC · PS · Xbox

On paper it is what Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is — dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and melee combat — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in progression and visuals — its own ground is a first-person view.

Released 3 years after Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor.

Genre100Tone100World90Game mode85Setting84Combat80
13

Risen

84
NGL81
Risen
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloMagicRangedMeleeNarrativeDarkOpen WorldFantasyExplorationThird Person
Year 2009Dev Piranha Bytes · Deep SilverOn PC

What brings it close to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and magic-based combat, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and tone. Both also lean on a third-person camera and fantasy world. The distance is in progression and setting — its own ground is crafting mechanics.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Visuals100World89Combat74
14

Assassin's Creed III: Liberation

89
NGL59
Assassin's Creed III: Liberation
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloMeleeStealthOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyExplorationLootSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2012Dev Ubisoft Milan · Ubisoft Entertainment

If Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor worked for you because of open world exploration, melee combat and fantasy world, the same is here. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in setting — its own ground is historical setting.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Visuals100Combat81
15

Hogwarts Legacy

83
NGL84
Hogwarts Legacy
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloMagicMeleeNarrativeDarkOpen WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2023Dev Avalanche Software · Warner Bros. InteractivePlaytime ~30hOn PC · PS · Xbox

It shares the essentials of what Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and magic-based combat. Both also lean on fantasy world and single-player focus. The distance is in combat — its own ground is puzzle design.

Released 9 years after Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Visuals100World90Progression84

More similar-games lists to keep going

Found one on the list you already love? Open its own list: the games that play most like it, ranked, with the reason for each.

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

If Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor left you wanting more, this is where you narrow it down. Was it the action RPG or the sandbox that hooked you? There is a list of just that. And if you play on PC, PlayStation and Xbox, filter by platform and skip the games you could not play anyway.

Rankings in the same genre

Sometimes what you want is not a Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor look-alike but simply the best Third-Person Action RPGs there are. That is what these rankings are for: no comparison to anything, just the highest-rated games. And if you feel like widening the net, the RPG Games ranking is a good way to run into something you were not expecting.