I realize this is 3 months late but just replying because I too am a huge AC fan . I didn ' t expect to like AC 1 when I started playing it years ago not usually much of a hack and slash or action gaming fan but to my complete surprise I got completely sucked in . Shadows of Mordor is a similar story I didn ' t get it till a year or so after release because I didn ' t realize they were even similar , so imagine my surprise as I started playing . I pretty much fell in love with it in the first 30 minutes it was the AC 45 I actually wanted . Surprised for that reason you didn ' t like it . agree the combat is samey but I always enjoyed the fluidness of it , similar to AC 2 . Something fun and a little mesmerizing about the flow of battle . All I can say is if the combat alone isn ' t doing it for you , slowly building up your brainwashed orc army is enjoyable and gives you something to focus on if you ' re not interested in the story . I did get tired of this game after ~ 30 hours but definitely feel like I got my money ' s worth and coming back to it now for another round . Not everyone has to like everything but maybe at least give it a shot till you get the Brand skill and start converting captains , since you were such a fan of AC ? Also I ' d be curious if there are other games out there you think scratch the AC itch I always hear Arkham but I just can ' t seem to get into them . Not really sure why , but that ' s how it goes . Maybe that ' s how you feel with SoM .