19 Games like Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ on Xbox 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ worked for you because of dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and melee combat, the same is here. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. They part company on combat and visuals: this one brings deep simulation.

Same family as Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™: fantasy world, single-player focus and a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: a sci-fi setting.