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Black Gate Blues

     Hey, everyone. I have recently bought the hugely popular game called Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor. I am having a huge time with it. It has depth, challenge and the best graphics I have ever seen on a game. I am still learning my craft as an Orc killer but let me share some early impressions.
     Okay, my character is upset with the Orcs, Orluks, whatever. The crude and rude rascals killed his family before his eyes and they killed him too, I suppose. He seems to have a wraith-like state as well as a blood and bone existence. In this manner, if he is killed in the numerous sword-fights, he returns to fight again. He is like the Bill Murray of Mordor, without the sense of humor.
      Unfortunately, if an Orc kills him, the Orc becomes more powerful, like a Captain of Orcs. This title would seem to be something less than desirable to me but they certainly covet it. To make matters worse, the victorious Orcs trash-talk worse than an NFL defensive back. I can scarcely abide their lack of sportsmanship. Ha, ha.
      Also, you have a bow and arrows but the game is tight with the arrow supply. The game is also tight-fisted with healing. The healing is acquired by flowers or, if you have a certain rune stone in the hilt of your sword, you can get healed by killing people. I find it quite noble of my enemies to die for my well-being. Perhaps I have misjudged them? Nahhhhhhh. I think not.
     Be careful not to kill the slaves. They don't light up with a red target so it shouldn't be a problem. These evil Orcs treat the slaves quite shabbily. They beat the tar out of them and I hate to spread gossip, but I think I overhead one Orc intimate that the slaves could be eaten. Yuck!
      Don't get caught out in the open by a group of the Orcs. They have little sense of fair play and will assuredly mob you. I prefer to stand above them on a cliff and shoot them with arrows. Put your sight on them and hold the aim until your force is fully charged. In this manner, you will oft be able to kill with a single arrow. This is desirable because of the scarcity of arrows.
      When I killed a 'captain' I took some of his machismo or whatever and took my power level up by whatever strength he possessed. Plus, he kept his mouth shut in death, a feat he never managed in life. Oh, I have to tell you about the "e" button. During a fight, you can hold down the E button and you use some weird astral force which radiates from your left hand. It seems to spectrally squeeze their ugly heads until they die. I have always wanted to have the ability to do this to Orcs. Because they are as ugly as an unmade bed and have big feet and bad breath. This ability breaks up the sword fighting dynamic and keeps the game fresh.
     Another stratagem of mine is to hide in bushes next to a path. When Orcs approach, I tap the G button which attracts the malicious and curious creatures. They can't see me because the bushes give me stealth. When they get close I use the E button to put the coup de grace on them. It is advisable to fight these guys one at a time. Be prepared to climb a wall or a cliff and effect your escape.
       There are various missions which will yield nice rewards. "M" is something you can use to buy upgrades. I earned 100 M by killing three spiders.( I think they use this M title as an Homage to my character's wife, which is touching.) Heck, I would have killed the spiders for nothing.
      I had just earned a cool, more powerful sword with my exploits, then I was defeated by a 'captain' and I guess I lost that prize. Heck, that sword was so much better, I could kill Orcs swiftly. Sigh.
     This game is really good and I recommend it. It is still new enough to be a little pricey but it was on sale at steam temporarily for $29.99 and I had a gift card so I bought it. If I could be  a little better at the battles then I would be very happy. I have learned that the 'captains' are tough enough and you should only fight them one on one and make sure your health meter is full. Heck, an arrow in the head prior to the sword fight can't hurt. Plus, flash that big E button on their skanky butts as well. Ha, ha.
      By the way, you can use the F button for a final kill now and then. It is quite dramatic as your character holds the Orc upright with one hand and gives him the kiss of steel with the other. Great fun.
      Well, most of you have probably played this game already and are far better than me at it, but this is my impression, here at the author's green retreat. I'm CE Wills, lurking around the area of the Black Gate, here in Mordor.

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