31 Melee games like Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ that you should try

On paper it is what Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ is — dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and melee combat — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. The common ground extends to fantasy world and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is progression and visuals: loot and gear systems.

Same family as Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and stealth mechanics. To that it adds a medieval setting and single-player focus. They part company on progression and visuals: this one brings loot and gear systems.

Genre puts it alongside Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™, and so does open world exploration, stealth mechanics and fantasy world. Both also lean on a third-person camera and single-player focus. The distance is in progression and visuals — its own ground is loot and gear systems.

If Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ worked for you because of strong narrative focus, open world exploration and magic-based combat, the same is here. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. Where the two diverge is setting: horror setting.

Same family as Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and stealth mechanics. Both also lean on a third-person camera and fantasy world. The distance is in world and progression — its own ground is a sandbox world and crafting mechanics.

The genre is the same as Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™’s, and with it strong narrative focus, open world exploration and stealth mechanics. The common ground extends to fantasy world and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is setting and progression: loot and gear systems, and a sci-fi setting.

Genre puts it alongside Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™, and so does open world exploration, melee combat and historical setting. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is setting and progression: loot and gear systems.

It shares the essentials of what Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ does: dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and melee combat. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. They part company on visuals.

What brings it close to Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ is dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and tone. To that it adds fantasy world and multiplayer gameplay. They part company on setting and visuals: this one brings a sci-fi setting.

What brings it close to Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ is open world exploration, melee combat and a medieval setting, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and setting. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. The distance is in combat and world — its own ground is a sandbox world and ranged combat.

If Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ worked for you because of strong narrative focus, open world exploration and magic-based combat, the same is here. To that it adds fantasy world and single-player focus. They part company on combat and visuals.

Shelved next to Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ for good reason: open world exploration, melee combat and fantasy world. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. They part company on visuals and combat: this one brings 3D presentation.

The genre is the same as Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™’s, and with it strong narrative focus, open world exploration and stealth mechanics. The common ground extends to a third-person camera and historical setting. Where the two diverge is setting and tone: loot and gear systems.

What brings it close to Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ is dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, tone and world. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. They part company on setting and visuals.

Genre puts it alongside Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™, and so does strong narrative focus, open world exploration and magic-based combat. To that it adds fantasy world and single-player focus. They part company on combat and visuals: this one brings skill tree progression.