The Best Action-Adventure Game Feature Has Been Locked Away for 10 Years

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Action-adventure games often feel very similar to each other, making it hard for any one game to truly be unique. When a feature does become popular with players, you’d think other developers would quickly copy it. But surprisingly, some of the best features in popular games are so closely guarded by their creators that they’re rarely seen in other titles.

As a gamer, I’m really frustrated by this growing trend of companies trying to trademark basic game features. It feels like it’s been happening for ages, but the recent drama with Nintendo and the developers of Palworld really brought it to light. They’re fighting over things like being able to catch creatures in a game – something Pokémon made popular, sure, but it shouldn’t be something only they can do! It reminds me of Sega trying to claim directional arrows, or BioWare with dialogue wheels, and even EA’s ping system. It’s like they’re trying to own the ideas themselves, not just their games, and it’s just… annoying. These mechanics should be available for everyone to build on, not locked down like they’re some exclusive product.

Middle Earth: Shadow Of Mordor’s Nemesis System Was Patented By Warner Bros. In 2016

One of the most well-known cases of a trademarked game mechanic comes from the action-adventure games Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War, developed by Monolith Productions. Though these games offer exciting exploration and combat, they’re best known for the Nemesis System. This unique feature affects the enemies you fight, causing them to evolve and change based on how you interact with them – they can become more powerful, weaker, and even remember your previous encounters.

The Nemesis System creates truly unforgettable experiences in the game. For example, an Orc enemy you previously injured might return seeking revenge, now as a more powerful leader. Enemies react to you based on your past encounters – some will taunt you if you lose to them, while others will show fear. This system essentially builds a unique cast of characters whose personalities and actions are shaped by your gameplay. It features special conversations, impacts enemy hierarchies, and other clever design choices that still feel groundbreaking today.

Warner Brothers patented the innovative Nemesis System in 2016, which unfortunately prevented other games from using it. This means popular titles like Ghost of Tsushima, Red Dead Redemption 2, and the newer God of War games couldn’t include this feature. It’s a shame for gamers, as the Nemesis System had the potential to become a truly legendary and memorable element in action-adventure games.

The Nemesis System Allowed Every Enemy You Faced To Remember Your Actions

The Nemesis System was incredibly complex, and it became even more so in Middle-Earth: Shadow of War. The sequel introduced a wider range of enemy types and more detailed interactions, where your choices significantly impacted them. One example was the ability to “shame” enemies by branding them – this kept them alive but lowered their rank and power within Mordor’s forces.

You could publicly humiliate your enemies, but doing so had severe consequences beyond just weakening them. Eventually, those you shamed would give up on revenge, descending into madness and becoming incoherent. Whatever treatment you gave your enemies – whether cruel, mocking, savage, or merciful – would always come back to affect you later in the game, as the Nemesis System constantly tracked and responded to your actions.

Dynamic Enemy Interactions Are Not Allowed As Long As WB Holds The Patent

Because Warner Bros. owns the patent for the Nemesis System, other game developers can’t use it. This limits the feature to Warner Bros. games, much like Nintendo’s exclusive use of Pokémon. However, Warner Bros. releases fewer games overall, so we don’t get to see this system used very often.

With the cancellation of Monolith Productions’ Wonder Woman game – the same studio behind Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War – the future of their innovative Nemesis System is now uncertain. Many gamers are frustrated with Warner Bros.’ recent decisions, particularly because the Wonder Woman game was in development for years and cancelled abruptly after significant investment.

Honestly, it’d be a huge loss if we never saw a system like Nemesis again. It totally made Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War something special – the enemies felt genuinely alive and memorable. I think action games could really level up by having more immersive worlds where NPCs actually remember you and react to your choices. It’s not quite the same as a story-focused game like those Telltale titles, but it could create a really personalized experience, which is awesome.

As a huge fan, I’m really hoping we see something like the Nemesis System again in future games! What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments, or head over to the ComicBook Forum to discuss it with everyone!

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2026-01-20 18:12