Warner Bros. has moved the release date of "Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor" forward. It will now have a release date of September 30 in North America and in the rest of the world on October 2.

According to a press release, Warner Bros is releasing the game earlier "based on hearing fans' excitement." It may also have something to do with the number of high-profile games releasing on the game's original street date of October 7. "Dragon: Age Inquisition" has already abandoned the October 7 for November, but the date's still home to the likes of "Alien: Isolation," "Driveclub" and "NBA 2K15."

Monolith Productions' open-world orc-stalker is coming to PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. For more on what makes the game an exciting bridge between J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, check out the Joystiq preview: Trailing and Trolling Orcs in Shadow of Mordor.

"Shadow of Mordor" is a moody third-person action game set in The Lord of the Rings fiction, with a sandbox world you're invited to mess with. Think of yourself as a cat toying with your prey - that's by design.

You're like Batman in Rocksteady's Arkham series, another of Warner's licenses, sewing fear among the enemy who are intimidated by your power. Those enemies can run and hide and spread fear further, or, if you let them kill you (you're immortal), can level up and become leaders in their own right, offering much bigger spoils the next time you meet. 

Shadow of Mordor is being made by Monolith, a studio that found fame rather a long time ago now with F.E.A.R., a genuinely chilling shooter. It's coming out on older-gen consoles as well as new, and there's a PC version too.

IGN describes the game by saying:

"Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is an action-packed adventure-RPG inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Exploring an original story of vengeance and redemption, the game puts players in the role of Talion, a valiant ranger whose family is slain in front of him the night Sauron and his army return to Mordor -- moments before his own life is taken. Resurrected by a Spirit of vengeance and empowered with Wraith abilities, Talion ventures into Mordor and vows to destroy those who have wronged him. Through the course of his personal vendetta, Talion uncovers the truth of the Spirit that compels him, learns the origins of the Rings of Power and ultimately confronts his true nemesis.

Every enemy that players face is a unique individual, differentiated by their personality, strengths and weaknesses. Through the Nemesis System, enemy relationships and characteristics are shaped by player actions and decisions to create personal archenemies that remember and adapt to the player and are distinct to every gameplay session. Gamers are able to craft their own battles, enemies and rewards within the dynamic world that remembers and adapts to their choices, delivering a unique experience to every player."

Until October 2nd Comes around, enjoy this gameplay trailer.