History TearJerker / MiddleEarthShadowOfMordor

Due to its location, [[HurtingHero colorful]] [[AntiHero cast]] [[ByronicHero of characters]], and [[ItsPersonal driving plot]], you can expect ''Shadows of Mordor'' to have at least a few [[TearJerker Tear Jerkers]] scattered throughout the game.

* The ultimate fate of the Wraith's family, though viewed in a flashback, is ''heartwrenching'' to watch. After having his home invaded and being taken prisoner along with his wife and daughter, Celebrimbor is forced to assist Sauron in further shaping The One Ring, likely after being broken by a combination of MindRape and threats made against his family. Celebrimbor is able to snatch the One Ring and make his escape, only to later return and attempt to lead an army of enslaved Orcs against Sauron to rescue his wife and daughter. The battle spirals out of control as the Ring betrays Celebrimbor and returns to Sauron, who in turn delivers a devastating NoHoldsBarredBeatdown that renders Celebrimbor insensate. When the flashback resumes, a badly beaten Celebrimbor is chained on his knees, his hands chained to the wall behind him so that they rest at the level of his eyes. His wife has already been slain, and we're made to watch through Celebrimbor's eyes as Sauron - in his Dark Lord form, no less - stalks menacingly over to Celebrimbor's daughter. The girl screams twice before Sauron swings his mace at her, and our GoryDiscretionShot comes at the price of watching and hearing Celebrimbor ''scream out'' as his daughter is slain, then falling limb in his bindings as his features completely drain of all emotion. The voice acting and animation here are absolutely spot-on, nailing the scene down as one of the most tragic in the entire game.

* The ultimate fate of the Wraith's family, though viewed in a flashback, is ''heartwrenching'' to watch. After having his home invaded and being taken prisoner along with his wife and daughter, [[spoiler:Celebrimbor is forced to assist Sauron in further shaping The One Ring, likely after being broken by a combination of MindRape and threats made against his family. Celebrimbor is able to snatch the One Ring and make his escape, only to later return and attempt to lead an army of enslaved Orcs against Sauron to rescue his wife and daughter. The battle spirals out of control as the Ring betrays Celebrimbor and returns to Sauron, who in turn delivers a devastating NoHoldsBarredBeatdown that renders Celebrimbor insensate. When the flashback resumes, a badly beaten Celebrimbor is chained on his knees, his hands chained to the wall behind him so that they rest at the level of his eyes. His wife has already been slain, and we're made to watch through Celebrimbor's eyes as Sauron - in his Dark Lord form, no less - stalks menacingly over to Celebrimbor's daughter. The girl screams twice before Sauron swings his mace at her, and our GoryDiscretionShot comes at the price of watching and hearing Celebrimbor ''scream out'' as his daughter is slain, then falling limb in his bindings as his features completely drain of all emotion.]] The voice acting and animation here are absolutely spot-on, nailing the scene down as one of the most tragic in the entire game.
* The confrontation between Talion and Celebrimbor after [[spoiler: the Tower of Sauron reveals Celebrimbor deliberately took Talion as a host body, rather than them being bound together by coincidence, is this, particularly when Talion's voice falters when he accuses Celebrimbor's actions of denying him the chance to be reunited with Ioreth and Dirhael]].
-->'''Talion''': [[spoiler: You said we were cursed. [[WhatTheHellHero You deceived me]].]]
-->'''Celebrimbor''': [[spoiler: It [[NeverMyFault was Sauron's doing]].]]
-->'''Talion''': ''[furious]'' This was ''YOUR'' doing! ''[voice breaking]'' [[TogetherInDeath I should have died with my family]].

* [[spoiler: While Bruz did betray Talion, it’s nonetheless pretty hard to watch the utterly broken, sobbing wreck he becomes after Talion and Celebrimbor Shame him to the point of breaking his mind. Especially since they denied him the position of Overlord in Nurnen in the first place.]]

* The ShipTease between Talion andf Lithariel. She's attracted to him, and he has to ShooTheDog at Celebrimbor's insistence.

-->'''Talion''': [[spoiler: You said we were cursed. [[WhatTheHellHero You deceived me]].

* Monolith executive producer Mike Forgey [[http://www.develop-online.net/news/shadow-of-mordor-exec-producer-michael-forgey-passes-away/0217581 passed away]] from a rare cancer (glioblastoma) in 2016, after the developer had organized a [=#ForForgey=] donation drive to help him. In his honor, a new DLC will be released for ''Shadow of War'' focusing around a MysteriousStranger named Forthog, which was Forgey's nickname. 75% of the funds go to his family -- and the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-15muasKW58 trailer]] for the DLC is stirring and sad.

* Monolith executive producer Mike Forgey [[http://www.develop-online.net/news/shadow-of-mordor-exec-producer-michael-forgey-passes-away/0217581 passed away]] from a rare cancer (glioblastoma) in 2016, after the developer had organized a #ForForgey donation drive to help him. In his honor, a new DLC will be released for ''Shadow of War'' focusing around a MysteriousStranger named Forthog, which was Forgey's nickname. 75% of the funds go to his family -- and the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-15muasKW58 trailer]] for the DLC is stirring and sad.

* The first playable portion of the game is a flashback to the moments leading up to the deaths of Talion and his wife and son. After enjoying a basic tutorial played out through a pair of happy memories (specifically, we learn basic combat by helping Talion train Dirhael, then learn stealth by having Talion sneak up on Ioreth to surprise her with a hug and a flower,) we're shoved into the attack on the Black Gate, where Talion and his family are swiftly and violently taken captive by the Enemy. They're later used as [[HumanSacrifice human sacrifices]] in an attempt to call the Wraith to the Black Hand of Sauron. Watching and listening as Talion frantically attempts to soothe his son's terror, and then ''again'' as Ioreth tearfully assures Talion that they will soon be together forever in death, is an absolute GutPunch that effectively sets the tone of the whole game and amps the player up to seek revenge just as ferociously as Talion.
* The ultimate fate of Celebrimbor's family, though viewed in a flashback, is ''heartwrenching'' to watch. After having his home invaded and being taken prisoner along with his wife and daughter, Celebrimbor is forced to assist Sauron in the creation of the One Ring, likely after being broken by a combination of MindRape and threats made against his family. Celebrimbor is able to snatch the Ring and make his escape, only to later return and attempt to lead an army of enslaved Orcs against Sauron to rescue his wife and daughter. The battle spirals out of control as the Ring betrays Celebrimbor and returns to Sauron, who in turn delivers a devastating NoHoldsBarredBeatdown that renders Celebrimbor insensate. When the flashback resumes, a badly beaten Celebrimbor is chained on his knees, his hands chained to the wall behind him so that they rest at the level of his eyes. His wife has already been slain, and we're made to watch through Celebrimbor's eyes as Sauron - in his Dark Lord form, no less - stalks menacingly over to Celebrimbor's daughter. The girl screams twice before Sauron swings his mace at her, and our GoryDiscretionShot comes at the price of watching and hearing Celebrimbor ''scream out'' as his daughter is slain, then falling limb in his bindings as his features completely drain of all emotion. The voice acting and animation here are absolutely spot-on, nailing the scene down as one of the most tragic in the entire game.

-->'''Ugakuga''': ''[[SayMyName STOMPY]]! [[BigNo NO!]] My... [[BerserkerRage ME ONLY FRIEND! I SMASH YOU FOR THIS! SMASH until DEAD!]]''

* [[spoiler:The ultimate fate of Celebrimbor's family, though viewed in a flashback, is ''heartwrenching'' to watch. After having his home invaded and being taken prisoner along with his wife and daughter, Celebrimbor is forced to assist Sauron in the creation of the One Ring, likely after being broken by a combination of MindRape and threats made against his family. Celebrimbor is able to snatch the Ring and make his escape, only to later return and attempt to lead an army of enslaved Orcs against Sauron to rescue his wife and daughter. The battle spirals out of control as the Ring betrays Celebrimbor and returns to Sauron, who in turn delivers a devastating NoHoldsBarredBeatdown that renders Celebrimbor insensate. When the flashback resumes, a badly beaten Celebrimbor is chained on his knees, his hands chained to the wall behind him so that they rest at the level of his eyes. His wife has already been slain, and we're made to watch through Celebrimbor's eyes as Sauron - in his Dark Lord form, no less - stalks menacingly over to Celebrimbor's daughter. The girl screams twice before Sauron swings his mace at her, and our GoryDiscretionShot comes at the price of watching and hearing Celebrimbor ''scream out'' as his daughter is slain, then falling limb in his bindings as his features completely drain of all emotion. The voice acting and animation here are absolutely spot-on, nailing the scene down as one of the most tragic in the entire game.]]
* A bit {{YMMV}} on this one, but killing Ugakuga Graug Rider, one of the Beastmaster Warchiefs from the ''Lord of the Hunt'' DLC, is this. Mainly due to the fact that before you face him you have to kill his pet Graug [[FluffyTheTerrible Stompy]]. Doesn't seem too bad, but it's his reaction to his pet's death that makes it a TearJerker.
--->'''Ugakuga''': ''[[SayMyName STOMPY]]! [[BigNo NO!]] My... [[BerserkerRage ME ONLY FRIEND! I SMASH YOU FOR THIS! SMASH until DEAD!]]''

* A bit {{YMMV}} on this one, but killing Ugakuga Graug Rider, one of the Beastmaster Warchiefs from the ''Lord of the Hunt'' DLC, is this. Mainly due to the fact that before you face him you have to kill his pet Graug [[FluffyTheTerrible Stompy]]. Doesn't seem too bad, but it's his reaction to his pet's death that makes it a TearJerker

* A bit {{YMMV}} on this one, but killing Ugakuga Graug Rider, one of the Beastmaster Warchiefs from the ''Lord of the Hunt'' DLC, is this. Mainly due to the fact that before you face him you have to kill his pet Graug [[FluffyTheDestroyer Stompy]]. Doesn't seem too bad, but it's his reaction to his pet's death that makes it a TearJerker

* [[spoiler:The ultimate fate of Celebrimbor's family, though viewed in a flashback, is ''heartwrenching'' to watch. After having his home invaded and being taken prisoner along with his wife and daughter, Celebrimbor is forced to assist Sauron in the creation of the One Ring, likely after being broken by a combination of MindRape and threats made against his family. Celebrimbor is able to snatch the Ring and make his escape, only to later return and attempt to lead an army of enslaved Orcs against Sauron to rescue his wife and daughter. The battle spirals out of control as the Ring betrays Celebrimbor and returns to Sauron, who in turn delivers a devastating NoHoldsBarredBeatdown that renders Celebrimbor insensate. When the flashback resumes, a badly beaten Celebrimbor is chained on his knees, his hands chained to the wall behind him so that they rest at the level of his eyes. His wife has already been slain, and we're made to watch through Celebrimbor's eyes as Sauron - in his Dark Lord form, no less - stalks menacingly over to Celebrimbor's daughter. The girl screams twice before Sauron swings his mace at her, and our GoryDiscretionShot comes at the price of watching and hearing Celebrimbor ''scream out'' as his daughter is slain, then falling limb in his bindings as his features completely drain of all emotion. The voice acting and animation here are absolutely spot-on, nailing the scene down as one of the most tragic in the entire game.]]