The preload for Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor hasn't been officially announced yet, but a few glimpses of it can already be seen now that reviews are out in full bloom. YouTuber Cryaotic posted a tweet just recently showing his download of the latest LOTR game.
In the tweet, you can clearly see the download size of Shadow of Mordor clocking in at a hefty 33.9 GB (and Cry's speedy download rate of 11 MB/s). So far, the game is well reviewed by Polygon, IGN, Joystiq, and many more outlets. Based on word through the grapevine, a Saturday or Sunday preload availability looks likely.
Pre-order offers have also heated up now that the game is in full-blown hype mode as we near release date next Tuesday. The Steam Store is offering a bundled "Premium Edition" of the game that includes the Season Pass at 10% off. Deals are significantly better if you go with other digital retailers offering the same Steam key:
- Get Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor for $37.50
- Get Shadow of Mordor Season Pass for $18.25
- Get Shadow of Mordor "Premium Edition" for $56.24
- Use coupon: DEALZO-N25OFF-SEPT14
The pre-order bonus includes the "Dark Ranger DLC" which is a playable character skin, whereas the Season Pass is bundled with hours of additional gameplay via two additional DLCs, challenge modes, and an "exclusive" Guardians of the Flaming Eye Orc Warband mission. (This is the currently confirmed additional content, with the caveat that more add-on content will also be made available in the Season Pass.)