Shadow of War is set within the world introduced by J. R. R Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings but includes a new story that runs alongside it and features some characters from Tolkien’s novels. Players assume control over Talion, who has been resurrected by Celebrimbor for one last mission: to the destruction of Sauron.

Players can use stealth and other skills to complete missions, as well as the ability to dominate Orc commanders—a new feature in this game that allows players to dispatch foes with a variety of strengths and weaknesses by breaking their will. The Nemesis System introduced in Shadow of Mordor returns; it creates procedurally generated Orangers as Uruks who have distinct personalities and behaviors that can be altered by placing them in certain positions on the battlefield. They may also talk to other characters, such as Nemeses, which affects their moods and attitudes.