Summary
- The Nemesis System creates dynamic, memorable rivals for players with intense virtual enemies.
- Warner Brothers patented the system, leading to its absence in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy.
- The Nemesis System could have enhanced games like Metal Gear Solid 5, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Marvel's Spider-Man.
The Nemesis System, first featured in Warner Brothers' Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is a fantastic game mechanic that dynamically produces rival Orcs for the player throughout their campaign. These rivals remember the player's actions, in defeat or victory, adapting to tactics and rising through the ranks, leading to some memorable moments all the way through Talion's campaign against Sauron and his minions.
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Unfortunately, Warner Brothers found a way to patent the Nemesis System back in 2021, and the brilliant open-world mechanic has been forgotten after Shadow of Mordor's sequel, Shadow of War. With WB's Wonder Woman game canceled, it is unlikely that it will ever show up again. In a world where more studios had access to this revolutionary feature, gamers could have been cultivating intense virtual enemies left, right, and center. These games specifically would have been the perfect fit for the Nemesis System.
6 Cyberpunk 2077
Night City's Missing Gang Warfare
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
Cyberpunk 2077 presents a world in which societal atomization, wearable technological advancements, and individualism are taken to their logical conclusions. Competition rules the streets, regular people are forced to accept gruesome cybernetic upgrades to complete. What better way to punctuate this reality than by introducing a few Nemesis-System-style adversaries for V to contend with?
A lowly mook that V finished off with ease earlier in the game could return as a borderline cyber-psycho on a one-track mission to take revenge. Whole gangs, like the Tyger Claws or the Maelstrom, could adopt anti-V tactics, undermining the player's build and forcing them into considering more exotic and unusual implants from the ripperdoc.
5 Pokemon Scarlet And Violet
Raising The Stakes In Any Pokemon Championship
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
- Released
- November 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Rival Pokemon trainers have been with the series from the very beginning but with the series' foray into the open-world genre, Scarlet & Violet's could have been a great opportunity to introduce dynamic competition out in the Pokemon world. At the very least, it would have been nice as a trainer to feel like there were other trainers out there on their journey.
Players could change the training path of random Pokemon trainers as they journey, but there could have been a scenario where the Elite Four, made up of all the player's most difficult opponents, could test the player right as they get to the top of their game.
4 Hogwarts Legacy
Kindling Rivalries Between The Houses
Hogwarts Legacy
- Released
- February 10, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Both in the books and in the games, the Harry Potter universe promotes the idea of inter-house rivalry. Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor work against each other in class (and in the corridors) to take one another down. Of course, this leads to spats between students, and when magic is involved, things can get messy.
The nemesis system in Shadow of War relied on the plot point of the player dying and returning to life, but there is plenty of non-lethal magic besides the crowd-evaporating spells that the player could be hit with to cultivate these dynamic rivalries. Infuriatingly, Hogwarts Legacy was published under the umbrella of Warner Brothers, which means that Avalanche could have used the Nemesis System if they had wanted.
3 Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Creating Long-Term Enemies On The Battlefield
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
- Released
- September 1, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Action, Open-World
As one of the most innovative game developers in the genre's history, Hideo Kojima is no stranger to innovative gameplay features. In fact, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is full of boundary-pushing mechanics similar to the Nemesis System. For example, if players use one tactic too often, such as executing their missions at night, soldiers will start adopting countermeasures by using night-vision goggles or flashlights.
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A Nemesis-System-style boss could crank this adaptation up and give Venom Snake a foe to be reckoned with and more of a reason to use any of the deadly equipment from Mother Base's R&D team. These special rival soldiers could make it their lives' missions to study Snake's stealth abilities and randomly appear during main or side missions, forcing players to suddenly change tactics and adopt a more chaotic style.
2 Red Dead Redemption 2
Outlaws With A Score To Settle
Between bounty hunting, robberies, and bar fights, it's easy to see how Arthur Morgan might have left a few long-term grudges in his time adventuring across the frontier. Bounties that are taken alive could return to haunt Arthur later after sharpening their shooting skills. The Orcish titles that Shadow of Mordor uses would lend itself well to rival outlaws, who could adopt wild-west names like "Rattlesnake Jake" or "Ironside Sally."
A two-bit thief the player hogtied and delivered alive might escape custody, returning as “The Hangman’s Hound” with a noose scar and a preference for ambushing Arthur near the gallows. Rivals might infiltrate the camp in a similar fashion to Micah, but dynamic, leading to interesting moral quandaries, kidnapping, or showdowns at high noon.
1 Marvel's Spider-Man
A Minor Villain Who Can Rise Through The Ranks
Marvel's Spider-Man
- Released
- September 7, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Open-World
Some of Spider-Man's most compelling moments have been seeing members of his rogue's gallery rise to power, and with Nemesis-System-powered game, players would be able to see their own custom baddies ride from ambitious henchmen to supervillains. Any superhero game with a dynamic antagonist pairing would be an excellent candidate, but Spidey's potential for quips, mockery, and banter put Marvel's Spider-Man at the top of the wishlist.
A rival could emerge on their own after being beaten up, or in spectacular comic book fashion, a superpowered criminal could be created by accident as Spidey is fighting them (think the classic "falling into a pit of experimental, radioactive goo" scenario. Additionally, Spider-Man is famous for adapting against different enemies: using an insulated suit against Electro or sonic dampeners against Shocker. Players could have experienced the thrill of having to science their way to a winning combination and putting down a villain of their own creation.
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