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

It is an action-adventure game set in the Middle-earth universe where players take on the role of a ranger with wraith-like powers. Players can stealthily eliminate Sauron's Captains for extra damage. This DLC enhances the stealth execution mechanics from the base game.

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Genres:
Action
Adventure
Tags:
Action
Adventure
Likely Inspirations:
Assassin's Creed
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
Dishonored
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Steam Review Analysis – Total (updated Mar 25, 2025, 8:15 PM)
Disclaimer: This analysis is independently conducted and is not affiliated with Valve or Steam.
Review Summary - 110
50%
Mixed

33

32

59%

Purchased on Steam

23

22

41%

Purchased Elsewhere

0% Primarily Play on Deck

Conclusion

The reviews for the Hidden Blade Rune DLC highlight significant dissatisfaction among players, primarily due to its limited content and the perception of it being a cash grab. While some players appreciate its utility in early gameplay, the overwhelming sentiment is that it should have been included in the base game, with many expressing disappointment over the DLC practices.

Strongly Positive
Positive
Early Game Utility

Some players find the rune useful in the early stages of the game, enhancing stealth attacks against captains.

~7%
Value for Money

A few reviews suggest that the DLC is worth it if obtained as part of the Game of the Year edition, rather than purchased separately.

~5%
Gameplay Enhancement

The rune is seen as a minor enhancement to gameplay, particularly for players who enjoy stealth mechanics.

~5%
DLC Accessibility

Some players mention that the rune is easily accessible through the GOTY edition, making the standalone purchase unnecessary.

~5%
Neutral / Mixed Opinions
Mixed Feelings on Usefulness

While some players find the rune beneficial, others believe it becomes obsolete quickly as better runes are found in-game.

~5%
Negative
Strongly Negative
General Disappointment

Overall, many players express disappointment with the DLC, feeling it does not meet expectations.

~7%
Pay-to-Win Concerns

Several reviews express frustration over the DLC being perceived as a pay-to-win feature that disrupts the game's balance.

~6%
Should Be Base Game

A common sentiment is that the rune should have been included in the base game rather than sold as a separate DLC.

~6%
Limited Content

Many players feel that the Hidden Blade Rune DLC offers minimal content, primarily just a single rune.

~5%
Negative Reception of DLC Practices

Players criticize the practice of selling minor content as DLC, viewing it as a cash grab.

~5%
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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Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor - Hidden Blade Rune Analysis on Niklas Notes