TLOTR Gollum Review: An Ambitious Journey with Missed Opportunities

Last Updated on June 15, 2023 by Jake

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, developed by Daedalic Entertainment, takes players on an ambitious journey through Middle-earth from the perspective of the iconic character, Gollum. While the game offers a unique angle on the beloved franchise, it falls short in several key areas, preventing it from reaching its full potential.

One of the glaring issues with The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is its outdated gameplay mechanics. The platforming elements feel clunky and imprecise, often resulting in frustrating moments. Combat, while not the game’s main focus, lacks depth and fails to deliver satisfying encounters. Additionally, the stealth sections, a crucial aspect of Gollum’s character, feel restrictive and scripted, limiting player creativity and hindering immersion.

Visually, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum fails to impress. Character models lack the level of detail expected in a modern game, leaving them feeling somewhat dated. While certain environments offer atmospheric moments, the overall presentation lacks the polish and attention to detail found in other contemporary titles. It’s a missed opportunity to truly bring the rich and vibrant world of Middle-earth to life.

Technical issues further mar the experience, with frequent frame rate drops, texture pop-ins, and occasional glitches. These performance hiccups disrupt the flow of gameplay and hinder immersion, making the game feel unpolished and unfinished.

One of the game’s main selling points is the promise of an untold story about Gollum’s journey. Unfortunately, the narrative fails to captivate and falls flat. The storytelling feels disjointed, lacking a compelling narrative arc or meaningful character development. The voice acting and dialogue, while serviceable, often lack the emotional depth needed to truly connect with the players.

While The Lord of the Rings: Gollum explores the intriguing perspective of one of Middle-earth’s most iconic characters, it falls short in execution. The linear level design limits exploration and alternative paths, leaving players wanting more freedom in their exploration of this fantastical world. The lack of challenge and consequence in the stealth mechanics diminishes the stakes and reduces the impact of Gollum’s stealthy nature.

Despite its shortcomings, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum may still appeal to die-hard fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, offering a nostalgic experience reminiscent of early 2000s movie adaptations. Exploring Gollum’s perspective and his journey through Middle-earth is undeniably intriguing, and the game does provide some enjoyable moments and glimpses into the lore of this beloved universe.

In the end, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum showcases ambition but falls short in several critical areas. While it captures some aspects of Gollum’s character and the world of Middle-earth, its outdated gameplay mechanics, lackluster visuals, technical issues, and underwhelming storytelling prevent it from being a standout entry in the Lord of the Rings gaming library. With future adaptations, we hope to see a more immersive and engaging experience that does justice to the depth and grandeur of Tolkien’s universe.

One of the standout aspects of Lord of the Rings Gollum is its captivating story. Set within J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary universe, the game presents a new narrative that delves deep into the tortured psyche of Gollum. The writing is superb, providing a fresh perspective on the events leading up to The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The characters in Lord of the Rings Gollum are expertly crafted, with Gollum himself taking center stage. The split-personality dynamics of Sméagol and Gollum are brilliantly portrayed, allowing players to immerse themselves in the complex psyche of this iconic character. Supporting characters like Gandalf and Shelob make appearances and add depth to the game’s rich lore.

The atmospheric presentation of Lord of the Rings Gollum further enhances the immersion. The dark and dangerous world of Middle-earth is meticulously realized, with detailed environments that evoke a sense of awe. The sound design complements the visuals, effectively capturing the essence of the franchise and adding depth to every step taken.

However, technical issues mar the overall experience of Lord of the Rings Gollum. From bugs to performance hiccups, the game’s launch has been marred by frustrating obstacles that hinder gameplay enjoyment. These technical shortcomings tarnish an otherwise compelling journey through Middle-earth.

Another downside of Lord of the Rings Gollum is its tendency towards repetitive gameplay. While the stealth and exploration mechanics are commendable, they can become monotonous over time. The lack of variety in objectives, primarily centered around traversal and enemy encounters, may leave players craving more diverse challenges.

In conclusion, Lord of the Rings Gollum is a flawed gem within the expansive Middle-earth universe. Its engrossing story, well-developed characters, and atmospheric presentation offer glimpses of brilliance. However, the technical hurdles and repetitive gameplay hold it back from achieving greatness. Fans of the Lord of the Rings franchise will find moments to cherish, but those seeking a polished and varied experience may be left wanting more.

Recommended for enthusiasts of the Lord of the Rings universe, fans of stealth and exploration games, and players seeking fresh narratives set in Middle-earth. However, caution is advised for those expecting a flawless and bug-free experience, as well as players desiring a wide array of gameplay diversity.