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Play Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor first, then Middle-earth: Shadow of War. The sequel continues the story the first game starts, so starting with it would leave you without the setup it depends on. The story add-ons are a separate question. Each one is easiest to follow when it comes after the main campaign it belongs to, and the order below shows where each fits.
Start with the two main campaigns
Shadow of War is the direct follow-up to Shadow of Mordor, so the main campaigns are played in release sequence: first Shadow of Mordor, then Shadow of War. Playing the sequel first is not a good idea, because its story assumes you know how the first game ends.
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Recommended order for a first playthrough
- Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. Finish the main campaign.
- The Bright Lord and The Lord of the Hunt. These are optional Shadow of Mordor story missions. Play them once the main campaign is done.
- Middle-earth: Shadow of War. Finish the main campaign, which continues the first game’s story.
- The Blade of Galadriel. An optional story expansion starring Eltariel that runs alongside Shadow of War.
- The Desolation of Mordor. An optional story expansion starring Baranor and set in a new region.
The two Nemesis expansions for Shadow of War, Slaughter Tribe and Outlaw Tribe, are not separate story campaigns. They add enemies, followers, missions and gear, so you can fold them into your Shadow of War playthrough whenever you like.
Shadow of Mordor’s story missions
WB Games lists The Bright Lord and The Lord of the Hunt as part of the definitive version and the Game of the Year Edition of Shadow of Mordor. The product pages establish that they are included, but they do not say when in the story they take place, so the order below is a practical choice rather than a confirmed chronology.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
The Bright Lord
The Bright Lord is a story mission for Shadow of Mordor. Its exact place in the story is not stated on the product pages. Because it is tied into the wider Mordor storyline, playing it after the main campaign avoids spoiling the first game’s plot for yourself.
The Lord of the Hunt
The Lord of the Hunt is the second Shadow of Mordor story mission. Like The Bright Lord, it is optional for understanding how the first game leads into Shadow of War. Playing it after the main campaign is the least confusing choice for a first run.
Rank #2
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
Shadow of War’s story expansions
The Steam store listing for the Middle-earth: Shadow of War DLC describes the Story Expansion Pass as including two campaigns: The Blade of Galadriel and The Desolation of Mordor. Each has its own release date and story role.
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The Blade of Galadriel is a story campaign starring Eltariel. Its story runs parallel to the main Shadow of War campaign and intersects with events involving the Bright Lord. Because it reveals material tied to the main story, playing it after the Shadow of War campaign is the safer order. Steam lists its release date as February 6, 2018.
Rank #3
- Versatile compatibility: supports Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X/S consoles and PC Win10 and above (including the game platform Steam).
- Precise control: features Hall joysticks and Hall triggers for a comfortable feeling, long service life and improved game accuracy.
- Plug and Play Convenience: Wired USB connection (removable) for easy setup and instant play without the need for additional drivers.
- Customizable experience: Includes 2 custom backbuttons that allow users to eliminate false triggers and improve their gaming experience.
- Impressive gameplay: Provides a pulsating vibration trigger and an asymmetric vibration grip motor for intense tactile feedback.
The Desolation of Mordor
The Desolation of Mordor is a separate story campaign with Baranor and a new region. Steam lists its release date as May 8, 2018, which is after The Blade of Galadriel. The official listings do not establish a precise in-world sequence between the two expansions, so the release order is the practical guide here.
Why this is spoiler-conscious order, not strict chronology
The route above is designed for a new player who wants the main story first and wants to avoid spoilers from the expansions. It does not reconstruct the in-universe timeline. The official material confirms that The Blade of Galadriel parallels the main Shadow of War story and intersects with Bright Lord events, but it does not place every expansion in a complete timeline. If you care about strict chronological order, treat the expansion placements as approximate.
Rank #4
- XBOX WIRELESS CONTROLLER + USB-C CABLE — Includes the XBOX Wireless Controller in Carbon Black and a 9' USB-C cable. Play wirelessly or plug in for a wired gaming experience, right out of the box.*
- WIRED OR WIRELESS, YOUR CALL — Connect the included 9' USB-C cable for zero-setup wired play on console and PC. Go wireless when you want the freedom to play from the couch, the desk, or anywhere in between.
- PC READY. NO EXTRAS NEEDED — Plug the USB-C cable into your Windows PC and you're playing instantly. No adapters, no Bluetooth pairing, no additional purchases required. Works across the XBOX app, Steam, and more.*
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience sculpted surfaces and refined geometry designed around how you actually hold a controller. Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grip on the triggers, bumpers, and back case.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of wireless battery life on standard AA batteries. When the batteries run low, plug in the included cable and keep playing without missing a beat.*
Order at a glance
| Title | Type | Attached to | Store release date | Where to play it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor | Main campaign | Base game | Not stated on the product pages reviewed | First |
| The Bright Lord | Story mission | Shadow of Mordor | Not stated on the product pages reviewed | After the Shadow of Mordor main campaign |
| The Lord of the Hunt | Story mission | Shadow of Mordor | Not stated on the product pages reviewed | After the Shadow of Mordor main campaign |
| Middle-earth: Shadow of War | Main campaign | Base game | Not stated on the product pages reviewed | Second |
| Slaughter Tribe and Outlaw Tribe | Nemesis expansions (gameplay additions) | Shadow of War | Not stated on the product pages reviewed | Any time during or after the Shadow of War campaign |
| The Blade of Galadriel | Story expansion | Shadow of War | February 6, 2018 (Steam) | After the Shadow of War main campaign |
| The Desolation of Mordor | Story expansion | Shadow of War | May 8, 2018 (Steam) | After The Blade of Galadriel |
Carrying Nemeses from the first game
The Xbox store’s bundle page states that players can no longer transfer Nemeses from Shadow of Mordor to Shadow of War. If you want the first game’s Nemeses in your sequel, that transfer is not available, so you should decide whether to replay the first game for its story and gameplay on its own terms.
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The same Xbox listing shows a bundle containing Shadow of Mordor: Game of the Year Edition, Shadow of War and the listed expansions. That confirms the bundle exists on that storefront. It does not establish availability on other platforms or other stores.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
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