There have been a number of companion apps released alongside console and PC games which offer a variety of different benefits, but the Palantir companion app for the upcoming Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor takes things to a whole new level. As Joystiq reports, Palantir is a collaborative effort between Warner Bros. and Wikia, and will function like many other companion apps in its “Reader" mode, offering a portal into the information about the game curated by Wikia’s community. That will include player-written guides and background information about the characters and lore in the game.

However, a “Sync" mode will offer a new way of obtaining information about Shadow of Mordor. While in this mode, the Palantir app will actually be listening to the audio coming out of the game and will automatically bring up information associated with the part of the game you’re currently at. That’s either incredibly creepy or incredibly clever depending on how you look at it. Or both, I guess.

The Palantir app will initially launch later this month for iPad, though its functionality will obviously be limited until the actual game comes out at some point this year. More platforms for the companion app are in consideration as well. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is currently in development for Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS4, PS3 and PC and is schedule to launch at some point in 2014.

Update: That didn’t take long! The Palantir app is now available and you can grab it by mashing this link or the normal link below as soon as that propagates.

[Joystiq]