10 Worst Things Warner Bros. Games Have EVER Done

While DC is a major part of Warner Games’ output, it isn’t everything, as they also have (or have recently had) the rights to some other hot properties, including The Lord of the Rings. Now, unlike many other film-adjacent or -inspired game series, LOTR has done fairly well over the years, being graced with both movie tie-in and expanded universe titles that have been fun and playable, and that have jelled with the overall tone and feel of the franchise.

From 2010 to 2022, Warner helmed the gaming output for LOTR with seemingly a genuine interest in providing multiple formats and points of access, including the LEGO series and, of course, the Middle-earth games. The latter kicked off with Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, an Assassin’s Creed-esque action-adventure game that introduced the Nemesis System, which allows AI characters to remember their interactions with you and react accordingly in subsequent encounters.

This made for truly killer single-player gaming, and expectations were high for the sequel, Middle-earth: Shadow of War.

While the game itself didn’t disappoint, offering up smarter enemies, more involved mechanics, large and varied territories to roam, and other neat surprises, there was one major wrong turn: aggressive, post-release monetisation. That’s right, Warner decided to introduce microtransactions and lootboxes, totally undermining the Nemesis System - the game’s USP. All in the name of an additional payday, which after fan backlash they ended up having to walk back anyway.