The Lord of the Rings: Gollum – A Riveting Adventure in Middle-earth
The Lord of the Rings franchise has captured the imaginations of millions around the world with its rich storytelling and immersive world-building. Now, fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic universe have something new to look forward to: The Lord of the Rings: Gollum. This highly anticipated game brings the tormented character of Gollum to the forefront, offering players a unique and thrilling adventure set in Middle-earth.
The action-oriented aspects of the game exhibit some functionality, yet they lack refinement. Gollum’s appearance as a grimy and gaunt character fails to convincingly portray the likes of Nathan Drake or Sam Fisher. Furthermore, his success in reaching a ledge or meeting an instant demise feels arbitrary at times. Control inputs occasionally fail to register, and while both the stealth and platforming sections are generously checkpointed, straying from the designated path leads to death. Although the game manages to function, if this was its sole offering, I would likely have abandoned it.
Fortunately, the narrative component of the game carried Gollum for me. When it isn’t functioning as a stealth-focused platformer, Gollum captivated me as an interactive piece of Tolkien-inspired fanfiction, akin to 2021’s Guardians of the Galaxy, with its blend of exploration and dialogue-driven moments interspersed with action. Similar to Guardians, the game features stunning environments, although the character animations, particularly during dialogues, can be somewhat stiff. Nevertheless, the script held my attention throughout. It delves into Gollum’s character and explores why he remains an outsider despite his own efforts and potential friendships.
Although the choices rarely have a significant impact, there are frequent prompts reminiscent of Telltale games where players can choose whether Gollum or Sméagol responds during dialogues. I particularly enjoyed the tense scenes that required me to take a side and argue in favor of either personality, trying to convince the opposing half. Thematically, the game is also divided. Set after Bilbo steals Gollum’s ring, the first half of the game revolves around Gollum’s struggle for survival in the slave pits beneath Mordor, highlighting his neurodivergent nature and occupation as a miner. It depicts his arduous, improvised, and often flawed escape plan.
Embracing Gollum’s Perspective
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum takes a refreshing approach by putting players in the shoes (or rather, bare feet) of one of the franchise’s most intriguing characters. Gollum, known for his internal struggles and dual personality, presents a captivating narrative opportunity. The game delves into Gollum’s past, exploring his journey and the events that led him to become the tortured creature we know from the books and movies.
The Power of Choice
One of the standout features of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is its emphasis on player choice. Throughout the game, players must navigate Gollum’s internal conflicts, making decisions that will shape his path. These choices not only affect the story but also impact Gollum’s character development and relationships with other characters in the game. This interactive element adds depth and replayability, as players can explore different outcomes and story branches.
Stealth and Agility Gameplay
As Gollum, stealth and agility are key to survival. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum incorporates stealth gameplay mechanics, challenging players to navigate treacherous environments and avoid detection from enemies. Gollum’s unique abilities, such as his nimbleness and ability to climb walls, open up exciting gameplay possibilities. The game strikes a balance between intense stealth sequences and exploration, keeping players engaged and on their toes.
Immersive Middle-earth Environments
One of the highlights of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is its attention to detail in recreating the breathtaking landscapes of Middle-earth. From the eerie depths of the Misty Mountains to the lush forests of Mirkwood, each environment is meticulously crafted, immersing players in the world of Tolkien’s imagination. The game’s visuals and art direction capture the essence of Middle-earth, transporting players to a familiar yet awe-inspiring realm.
Captivating Storytelling and Voice Acting
A strong narrative and compelling voice acting are integral to The Lord of the Rings: Gollum’s immersive experience. The game brings together talented voice actors who bring Gollum and other iconic characters to life, adding emotional depth to the story. With a focus on Gollum’s internal struggles and the overarching events of Middle-earth, players can expect a captivating and emotionally charged storytelling experience.
Pit stop
The depiction of Mordor in the game is unexpectedly dark and brutal, contrasting with the cartoonish heavy metal aesthetics of Middle-Earth: Shadow of War, which featured eccentric orcs and a seductive Shelob. This portrayal of Mordor is characterized by gruesome details, including intricately carved black steel, stretched and bloodied hides, and copious amounts of slick, flowing blood and dark water. While explicit violence is limited, the unsettling aftermath creates a vivid and haunting atmosphere.
The game seizes the opportunity to delve into the mechanics and politics of Mordor. In addition to his mining duties, Gollum works in the orc breeding pits, revealing how Sauron’s armies are bred like belligerent creatures. Gollum feeds these larval orcs a concoction of magically enhanced gore, nurturing them until they grow into the pale humanoids we are familiar with, and are all too eager to stab. The game also sheds light on the rival factions of humans in Sauron’s service, with a scheming sorcerer known as The Candle Man utilizing Gollum as an informant and lackey, delivering captivating performances.
The orcs in the game possess a distinctive visual style compared to other Lord of the Rings games. They are less bulky and sport armor with rounded, insectoid features, held together by a patchwork of leather and chainmail. Apart from Gollum’s design and character portrayal, the game does not heavily rely on Peter Jackson’s film adaptations. This deviation becomes even more apparent in the latter half of the 10-12 hour campaign, which takes place in elven lands. These realms are brighter and less steeped in murder, yet tension lingers, with a constant sense that either Gollum or the elves could snap at any moment. The elves depicted here are scruffy, lanky, and condescending, diverging from the typical portrayal of ethereal and graceful beings. It is an intriguingly flawed depiction, especially with the inclusion of sullen and sassy elven teenagers whom Gollum finds himself under the watchful eye of.
The integration of these two story halves didn’t seamlessly align in the middle as I had hoped, but they both managed to captivate my attention. Despite the inevitable outcome of the story (Gollum surviving to bring endless torment to Frodo), I became emotionally invested in its personal stakes. Gollum is a shattered character, torn between a desire to assist or betray, depending on which personality takes control. He grapples with the challenge of forming relationships and trusting others, and his peculiar behavior raises doubts and widens the rifts between characters.
Although the game may stumble as a platformer or stealth experience, I am delighted to discover a compelling narrative that stands apart from the interpretations of Middle-Earth by Jackson and Bakshi. Just like its bug-eyed protagonist, one half of the game is pragmatic but prickly, occasionally displaying cruelty, while the other half is starry-eyed and eager to please. Fortunately, the combination of these contrasting elements transcends their individual shortcomings, resulting in a satisfying whole.
Conclusion
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum promises to be an exciting addition to the beloved franchise, offering a fresh perspective on Gollum’s story and the world of Middle-earth. With its emphasis on player choice, stealth gameplay mechanics, immersive environments, and captivating storytelling, the game is poised to captivate both fans of the series and newcomers. Prepare to embark on a riveting adventure as Gollum and unravel the mysteries of Middle-earth like never before.
FAQs
- Is The Lord of the Rings: Gollum a single-player game? Yes, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is a single-player game that focuses on Gollum’s personal journey and experiences in Middle-earth.
- Will other iconic characters from The Lord of the Rings franchise appear in the game? While Gollum is the central character, players can expect encounters with other iconic characters from The Lord of the Rings franchise. These interactions will contribute to the overall narrative and Gollum’s development.
- Can players expect references to events from The Lord of the Rings books and movies? Yes, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum will feature references to events from the original books and movies, offering fans a deeper connection to the wider lore of Middle-earth.
- When is the expected release date for The Lord of the Rings: Gollum? As of now, the specific release date for The Lord of the Rings: Gollum has not been announced. Fans eagerly await further updates from the developers regarding the game’s availability.
- Where can players find more information about The Lord of the Rings: Gollum? For more information and updates on The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, players can visit the official game’s website and follow the official social media channels.