Shadows of Mordor: Game two of Lord of the Rings

About

Shadows of Mordor is a 1987 text adventure game that follows Frodo and Sam’s journey through The Two Towers. Played in real time, the game demands quick decisions, linger too long and enemies shift locations or events unfold without you. Choices stick to the book’s storyline, with illustrations for major settings. Input commands to navigate, avoid orcs, and manage resources as the story progresses. What stands out is the real-time pressure, which was rare for text adventures at the time. The game’s age shows in its simplicity, but the Tolkien lore and branching scenarios kept players engaged in the 1980s. Available on a range of 8-bit systems, it’s a relic of early interactive fiction that still offers a brisk challenge.