35 Games like Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ on PlayStation that you should try

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ worked for you because of strong narrative focus, open world exploration and stealth mechanics, the same is here. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is setting and tone: a mythological setting.

The genre is the same as Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™’s, and with it strong narrative focus, open world exploration and magic-based combat. The common ground extends to a third-person camera and fantasy world. Where the two diverge is setting and progression: skill tree progression.

Same family as Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™: dark, oppressive atmosphere, melee combat and fantasy world. The common ground extends to single-player focus and a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: a sci-fi setting.

If Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ worked for you because of strong narrative focus, open world exploration and single-player focus, the same is here. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. Where the two diverge is progression and tone: loot and gear systems.

Same family as Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™: dark, oppressive atmosphere, melee combat and single-player focus. The common ground extends to a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is combat and visuals: shooting mechanics.