Middle-Earth: Shadow Of Mordor - 10 Reasons It's Your First Essential Next-Gen Title

10. It Beats Assassin's Creed At Its Own Game

What's the one thing the AC games have gradually been getting worse at - yet it used to be at the core of their appeal and marketing? Stealth, of course. Back when we played as the hooded Altair in the first title combat was mostly avoided due to a focus being on marking and taking down targets one by one with meticulous planning. Whilst that title ended up turning some away due to an overall feeling of repetition, each subsequent entry has edged further and further towards an all-out action approach. From part three onwards it's meant you're essentially a one-man army brushing soldiers aside for fun. In Shadow that pendulum-swing of power versus vulnerability is back and in full force, and through the genius inclusion of a distraction mechanic that means you can target specific enemies to lure your way, picking through an encampment is a total joy, along with being one of the ways the game encourages you to play.