9 Sandbox games like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor that you should try

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.