10 Promising Video Games Totally Ruined By Microtransactions

2014’s Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor was a Game of the Year contender which proved that Warner Brothers could still push out some quality content following the lackluster Batman: Arkham Origins of the previous year. Notable for its combat and unique gameplay elements, Shadow of Mordor is perhaps the best Tolkien-related game release since 2007’s The Lord of the Rings Online.

Well known for its nemesis system by which players could target and build relationships around antagonizing orc NPCs, consumers had a reason to be excited about the game's 2017 sequel Middle-Earth: Shadow of War.

Unfortunately, Warner Brothers decided to meddle with the series’ flagship system by tying it to a universally-panned loot box mechanic. Now, instead of forming enemies organically, players encountered them entirely through an in-game gambling system which prioritized purchases with real-world currency.

The publisher has since made an attempt to save face by removing these unwanted microtransaction mechanics in early 2018, and the game is now much more enjoyable. That said, the damage has already been done, and WB is forever to be distrusted in the eyes of the gaming public.