6 Open-World Games That Desperately Needed the Nemesis System

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.

In the game “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor” by Warner Brothers, there’s an engaging gameplay element known as the Nemesis System. This system generates adversary Orcs for the player during their journey, and these enemies recall your actions whether you win or lose against them. They learn from these encounters and adjust their tactics accordingly, moving up the ranks, creating a sequence of thrilling moments throughout Talion’s battle against Sauron and his followers.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed when Warner Brothers managed to patent the Nemesis System in 2021. This remarkable open-world mechanic, showcased in games like Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War, has sadly fallen into obscurity since then. With their Wonder Woman game getting canceled, it seems unlikely we’ll see this innovative system again.

Imagine if more studios had the chance to utilize this revolutionary feature! Gamers could have been creating complex virtual adversaries all over the place. Games with such systems would have perfectly complemented the Nemesis System.

6. Cyberpunk 2077

Night City’s Missing Gang Warfare

In Cyberpunk 2077, we delve into a world where extreme individualism, technological advancements worn on one’s body, and the breakdown of society reach their ultimate forms. Survival is a constant struggle, and people are often compelled to undergo harsh cybernetic modifications just to make ends meet. To further emphasize this gritty reality, why not include some adversaries modeled after the Nemesis System for the protagonist, V, to face off against?

A seemingly weak character that V effortlessly defeated earlier in the game might resurface as a nearly cybernetic psychopath, single-mindedly seeking revenge. Entire gangs, such as the Tyger Claws or the Maelstrom, could employ strategies against V, disrupting the player’s strategy and prompting them to explore unconventional and unorthodox implants from the ripperdoc.

5. Pokemon Scarlet And Violet

Raising The Stakes In Any Pokemon Championship

In the early stages of Pokemon, competing trainers have always been part of the experience. With the shift towards an open-world genre in Scarlet & Violet, this could’ve been a fantastic chance to incorporate competitive dynamics across the Pokemon world. At minimum, it would’ve added a sense of realism as a trainer, knowing that others were embarking on their journeys too.

As a dedicated Pokémon trainer, I might fantasize about an alternate scenario where my path isn’t solely dictated by the games, but I can influence the training routes of fellow trainers along the way. However, it would be intriguing if, as I neared the pinnacle of my journey, the Elite Four – a formidable group consisting of all my toughest opponents – suddenly appeared to test me at the very peak of my game.

4. Hogwarts Legacy

Kindling Rivalries Between The Houses

In both the Harry Potter books and games, the Harry Potter world encourages a competitive spirit among its four houses: Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor often compete against each other, not just in class but also in the hallways. This rivalry sometimes escalates into conflicts between students, and since magic is at play, these disagreements can become quite complicated and potentially chaotic.

In the game “Shadow of War,” the Nemesis system utilized a plot device where the player’s character would die and then come back to life. However, there are numerous non-lethal magical abilities other than the destructive spells that the player could encounter, which could have been used to develop engaging rivalries dynamically. Unfortunately, in “Hogwarts Legacy,” the game was developed by Avalanche under Warner Brothers, so they didn’t have the option to incorporate the Nemesis System if they desired.

3. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Creating Long-Term Enemies On The Battlefield

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve always been captivated by the groundbreaking gameplay mechanics that Hideo Kojima, one of the most pioneering game developers in gaming history, has brought to life. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, in particular, is brimming with mechanics that challenge the norm, akin to the Nemesis System. For instance, if I find myself relying on a single tactic too heavily, like conducting missions under the cover of night, the soldiers start to adapt by equipping night-vision goggles or flashlights, making my stealthy approach less effective.

An adversary akin to a Nemesis-type boss could intensify this adaptation by providing Venom Snake with a formidable opponent, thereby motivating the use of the lethal gear developed at Mother Base’s R&D facility. These unique enemy soldiers might obsessively study Snake’s stealth techniques and unexpectedly appear during either main or side missions. This unpredictability would compel players to swiftly adjust their strategies, adopting a less predictable and more chaotic playstyle.

2. Red Dead Redemption 2

Outlaws With A Score To Settle

In his travels across the frontier, Arthur Morgan’s exploits ranged from bounty hunting, robberies, and bar fights. It’s not hard to imagine that he may have left some lingering feuds in his wake. The bounties he captured alive could come back to haunt him later, as they honed their shooting skills. The Orcish titles from the game “Shadow of Mordor” would fit nicely with the rival outlaws he might encounter, who could adopt western-style nicknames such as “Rattlesnake Jake” or “Ironside Sally.

A petty crook that the player subdued and handed over alive could potentially break free from custody, resurfacing as “The Gallows’ Ghost” with a mark from a noose around his neck and a penchant for sneaking attacks on Arthur near the gallows. Other adversaries might gain entry to the camp in a way reminiscent of Micah, adding complexity, resulting in intriguing ethical dilemmas, kidnappings, or midday standoffs.

1. Marvel’s Spider-Man

A Minor Villain Who Can Rise Through The Ranks

Some memorable instances in Spider-Man’s storyline involve his adversaries gaining influence, and with a game featuring the Nemesis System, players can watch their personalized villains evolve from henchmen to supervillains. A superhero game that offers dynamic antagonist relationships is a promising choice, but Marvel’s Spider-Man‘s knack for witty remarks, ridicule, and banter makes it an ideal pick for the wishlist.

1. A potential adversary might arise independently following a brutal encounter, much like in a comic book storyline where an accidental transformation occurs during a battle with Spider-Man (such as the well-known “stumbling into a vat of mutating, radioactive fluid” scenario). Similarly, players may enjoy the excitement of strategizing and discovering the ideal combination to defeat their uniquely crafted villain.

2. Alternatively, an adversary might unexpectedly gain superpowers in the heat of combat against Spider-Man, similar to the classic trope where a villain falls into a vat of experimental, radioactive substance (for instance, the iconic “immersion in a pool of mutagenic, radiating liquid” scenario). In this case, players could relish the challenge of inventing a successful strategy and vanquishing their self-made nemesis.

2025-04-16 01:34