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Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor - Orc Slayer Rune Header Image
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor - Orc Slayer Rune
DLC
(released 10 years ago)
Monolith Productions, Inc.
WB Games
TL;DR

It is a downloadable content (DLC) for Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor that enhances the player's ability to deal damage to Sauron's Captains with special attacks. In other words, it’s a power-up for those who enjoy slaying orcs with a bit more flair. Think of it as a cheat sheet for orc extermination, but without the actual cheating.

View on Steam

Genres:
Action
Adventure
Tags:
Action
Adventure
Likely Inspirations:
Assassin's Creed
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Dark Souls
God of War
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Steam Review Analysis – Total (updated Aug 2, 2025, 2:41 PM)
Disclaimer: This analysis is independently conducted and is not affiliated with Valve or Steam.
Review Summary - 114
51%
Mixed

35

33

60%

Purchased on Steam

24

22

40%

Purchased Elsewhere

0% Primarily Play on Deck

Conclusion

The reviews for the Orc Slayer Rune DLC highlight significant concerns regarding its value and content quality, with many players feeling it should have been part of the base game. However, there is some appreciation for its utility in early gameplay, leading to a mixed sentiment overall.

Strongly Positive
Recommendation for GOTY Edition

Many players recommend purchasing the Game of the Year Edition instead of buying this DLC separately.

~4%
Positive
Positive Rune Experience

Some players enjoy the addition of the rune and find it enhances their gameplay experience.

~8%
Early Game Utility

The rune is considered useful in the early stages of the game, helping players against Orc captains.

~7%
DLC Accessibility

Players appreciate that the rune is included in the GOTY edition, making it more accessible without additional cost.

~3%
Neutral / Mixed Opinions
Rune Effectiveness

While the rune is acknowledged as powerful, it is often noted that it becomes less effective as players progress.

~3%
Negative
Single Item DLC Frustration

Players express frustration over the prevalence of single-item DLCs, feeling they detract from the overall experience.

~4%
Gameplay Balance

Some reviews mention that the rune can disrupt gameplay balance, making early encounters too easy.

~4%
Strongly Negative
DLC Value

Many players feel that the Orc Slayer Rune DLC is not worth the price, especially when it should have been included in the base game.

~13%
Cash Grab Accusations

Several reviews accuse the DLC of being a cash grab, suggesting that it exploits players for additional money.

~6%
Overall Content Quality

The DLC is criticized for lacking substantial content, with many reviews stating it offers little beyond the rune itself.

~4%
This analysis is powered by OpenAI’s language models and may occasionally contain inaccuracies. For the most precise details, please consult the reviews directly on the official Steam store page.

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