The hit open world action-Adventure Video Game "Middle-earth: Shadow of War" is a sequel to the award-winning video game of the same genre, "Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor." Both games have been developed by Monolith Productions and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The games have introduced an original concept into the open world action-adventure video game genre by introducing the "Nemesis System."

The Nemesis System allows the game's artificial intelligence to remember the deaths of NPC's (Non-Playable Characters) in the game, this allows the game to behave and act accordingly based on the action and results of the player's interaction with the game's NPC's.

The Nemesis System is a core feature of the "Middle Earth" games, though the "Middle Earth" titles have brought its own original flavor to the action-adventure category it once had its fair share of contentious controversy.

Back in 2014 "Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor" was accused by former Ubisoft employee Charles Randall. Monolith was accused of using assets from "Assassin's Creed II." The stealth and combat system seen and used in the "Middle Earth" games are arguably analogous to the "Assassin's Creed" franchise's protagonist-animations. In spite of all the accusations Monolith remains adamant and states that all their resources were established and developed from scratch.

A silent nod

Players have recently discovered a reference to "Assassin's Creed" in "Middle-earth: Shadow of War." Keen observers would hear two Orcs chatting, one Orc will say "I'm an assassin," and get “We’re all assassins, it’s like a creed!” as a reply.

The video below show's the unique Easter Egg, probably intended as an inside joke. A courteous gesture as Monolith positively takes comparison and criticism.

Shame

It seems that the chatting Orcs were not the only reference to the AC franchise. The latest Easter Egg refers to the Creed's maxim and can be found in the game's trophies and achievements list.

The maxim is the code and the guiding philosophy of the Assassin Order, it has been handed down orally from generation to generation. "Nothing is true, everything is permitted" is the Creed's maxim and primary guideline. In "Middle-earth: Shadow of War," players will be able to unlock an achievement called "Everything is permitted" by “shaming an Assassin until he becomes deranged.”

An Assassin is an enemy class in "Shadow of War," and long-time players are accustomed to shaming an adversary.

Shaming causes the enemy to flee in terror and lower their rank. Many interpretations of the Easter Egg have surfaced, with some fans seemingly interpreting the shaming part as throwing some serious shade at the AC franchise.

"Middle-earth: Shadow of War" is out now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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