The sudden closure of Monolith Studios by Warner Bros has created ripples of shock among gamers in more ways than one. It’s not just the loss of what could have been an excellent take on Wonder Woman from the studio that created Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War either.
The Nemesis System that Monolith had developed for its Lord of the Rings-based titles that was set to appear in Wonder Woman is now locked away until at least 2036, considering that WB Games now holds the patent to it and is unlikely to allow its use in externally developed titles.
Wonder Woman Will Have to Wait for Her Gaming Debut
Fans of Monolith’s work may have been quite excited to see what the American studio may have had in mind for one of the Justice League’s most prominent members but those hopes are now dashed after WB Games’ latest move. The Nemesis System would have been an excellent addition to the game’s premise, allowing Wonder Woman to be a superhero title that may have managed to surpass Rockssteady’s take on Batman.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Shadow of Mordor, Monolith Studio’s compelling take on events before The Lord of the Rings films saw players take on the role of Talion, a Gondorian ranger who found himself “banished from death” by the spirit of Celebrimbor, the elf smith who helped Sauron forge the rings of power.
Talion’s long list of abilities included the power to dominate Orcs and bend them to his will, amassing an army to rival that of Mordor. However, the Nemesis System was where things got tricky for the Ranger and his elven stowaway.
An Innovative, Intuitive, and Immersive Addition to Modern Gaming
The Nemesis System made Shadow of Mordor and its sequel Shadow of War very interesting considering that Orcs who found themselves at the pointy end of Talion’s blade could survive their encounter with him and remember the circumstances of said encounters, returning for revenge in various ways and when Talion least expected it on several occasions.
Monolith’s clever implementation of this unique mechanic meant that Talion was both the hunter and hunted as he stalked the lands of Mordor in search of an advantage over Sauron, backed up by Celebrimbor and a supporting cast that remains memorable even today.
The Nemesis System allowed Talion’s enemies to learn and adapt to his tactics, coming back stronger and determined to teach him a lesson for the things he did to them over the course of the game. It’s scope for improving player immersion cannot be denied considering how it made each playthough of either game unique and subtly thrilling every time.
Sadly, it is likely to be locked away for nigh on eleven years, with Monolith fading away into the annals of gaming history following its closure. However, the experience it provided is sure to stay with gamers who have had the good fortune to experience the many thrilling moments it brought to the lands of Mordor.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, check out how Assassin’s Creed Shadows might be a thorn in Ubisoft’s side or our review of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.
Amazon Could Rue Shocking Decision for The Wheel of Time Game Adaptation
Even The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered isn't Stopping the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Hype T...
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Finally Has Something in Common with Margot Robbie
The Last of Us Season 2 Callback to 2016 Pulls at the Heartstrings
With a passion for gaming that is equaled only by his love for writing, Varun has either a controller, keyboard, or a guitar in his hands when he is not out exploring the middle of nowhere on a motorcycle. Soulslikes, RPGs, and action-adventure titles keep him awake at night and get him out of bed in the morning. He will never stop lamenting the lack of a Bloodborne sequel even as he spends another couple of hours exploring the Lands Between in Elden Ring.
