Are the Middle-earth Shadow Games Canon?
The Middle-earth Shadow games, including Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Middle-earth: Shadow of War, are non-canonical to the Tolkien-verse, meaning they do not officially fit into the Lord of the Rings lore as written by J.R.R. Tolkien. The games are set in the late Third Age, between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, but introduce non-canonical characters and storylines that diverge from the original Tolkien narrative.
Understanding the Middle-earth Shadow Games
The Middle-earth Shadow games are a series of action-adventure games set in Middle-earth, a fictional world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. The games follow the story of Talion, a non-canonical character, and his quest for revenge against Sauron. While the games are not part of the official Tolkien canon, they do draw inspiration from the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and feature many canon characters, such as Gollum and Celeborn.
Canon vs. Non-Canon
It’s essential to understand the difference between canon and non-canon when discussing the Middle-earth Shadow games. Canon refers to the official storyline and characters created by J.R.R. Tolkien, as written in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Non-canon, on the other hand, refers to storylines, characters, or events that are not part of the official Tolkien narrative. The Middle-earth Shadow games fall into the latter category, as they introduce new characters and storylines that are not found in the original Tolkien books.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Talion a canon character?: No, Talion is a non-canonical character created for the Middle-earth Shadow games.
- Is Celebrimbor canon?: Yes, Celeborn is a canon character in the Lord of the Rings, but his portrayal in the Middle-earth Shadow games is non-canonical.
- Can I play Shadow of War before Shadow of Mordor?: Yes, the story of Shadow of War is designed to be accessible to new players, and you don’t need to play Shadow of Mordor to understand the story.
- How does Shadow of War fit into the Lord of the Rings timeline?: Shadow of War is set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, in the late Third Age.
- Is Isildur a Nazgul in canon?: No, Isildur is not a Nazgul in the canon Lord of the Rings narrative, but he is portrayed as one in the Middle-earth Shadow games.
- Can Talion beat Sauron?: In the Middle-earth Shadow games, Talion is able to defeat Sauron with the help of Celebrimbor.
- What do the orcs call Talion?: The orcs refer to Talion as “the Tark“.
- Is Shadow of Mordor worth playing in 2023?: Yes, Shadow of Mordor is still a great game worth playing, even in 2023.
- Can you turn off blood in Middle Earth Shadow of War?: No, you cannot turn off blood in Middle Earth Shadow of War, but the blood is black in most cases.
- Is Celebrimbor using Talion?: Yes, Celebrimbor is using Talion as a host body in the Middle-earth Shadow games.
- Why did Celebrimbor betray Talion?: Celebrimbor betrays Talion in order to overthrow Sauron and take control of Middle-earth.
- Is Talion related to Boromir?: No, Talion is not directly related to Boromir, but his character is inspired by him.
- What happened to Talion after Shadow of Mordor?: Talion succumbs to the corruption of Isildur’s Ring and becomes a Nazgul, but ultimately dies with the destruction of Sauron and the One Ring.
- Are the Middle-earth Shadow games part of the Lord of the Rings canon universe?: No, the Middle-earth Shadow games are not part of the official Lord of the Rings canon universe, but they do draw inspiration from it.
- Will Talion ever be canon?: No, Talion will never be considered a canon character in the Lord of the Rings universe, as he was created for the Middle-earth Shadow games and not by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Middle-earth Shadow games are non-canonical to the Tolkien-verse, but they offer a unique and engaging storyline that draws inspiration from the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. While Talion and other characters may not be part of the official canon, they are still worth exploring for fans of Middle-earth and action-adventure games. By understanding the difference between canon and non-canon, fans can appreciate the Middle-earth Shadow games for what they are – an alternate take on the Lord of the Rings universe.