The recent Lord of the Rings game has become a disaster amid a storm of criticism following this Daedalic Entertainment title The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, which became hastily released on 25th May.
The game captures a landscape resembling grey scenes of boggy, flooded cavernous ruins. This swamp-like atmosphere that emanates constructs an atmosphere that doesn’t quite resonate with the movies.
While this is, of course, a game that follows the snivelling cave-dwelling character of Gollum. It becomes questionable why they came to want to base an entire game around the fellow. He is an interesting enough character in his own right. However, establishing anything around them seems absurd.
Throughout, the game feels dreary and dull. As if you’re forever stuck at the beginning of one that has the potential to reveal itself to you. However, this continues for about eight hours or so.
In the mechanics, we can see that it expects players to rely heavily upon sneaking. Which has become incorporated into many popular franchises over the years. However, this has also become scrutinised. In how unrealistic and effortless it remains to bypass enemies searching eyes in the game. Furthermore, there is little need to be sneaky as characters often remain oblivious of their movements only a few feet ahead of them.
The world is also incredibly restricted, leaving little room for creativity in playthroughs. It’s almost as if there is only one way to play the game. Though in the setting of a cave, the linear nature is, of course, suitable. Though it doesn’t make for an exciting game in the first place, I would say.
As well as this, the character design and general graphics are remarkably lacking. There is remaining a character that is, of course, complex and rouses interest with his intent in recovering the sacred ring. However, all the most critical aspects of the game can and have become utterly scrutinised.
Furthermore, fans have displayed their frustrations. Popular video game player Muselk citing the game’s low Metascore rating aired this in a tweet reading, “I know our expectations were low… BUT HOLY SH*T.” And user @JeremyPenter stated simply the “Lord of the Rings Gollum isn’t precious.” Many felt it right also to mention the graphical state of the game. Some fans asking whether it could perhaps be a “PS2 Title?”
And to top it off, household game critics, IGN, have rated the release a measly 4/10 and demonstrate similar feelings of disappointment with it, describing it as “filled with dull stealth, bad platforming, and a pointless story.” Moreover, with a £50 price for an unpolished game, it’s no wonder why people feel ripped off.
Overall the release has been bombarded with many disgruntled players. Unfortunately, it will disappoint many, with even fewer games now that explore the majesty of the movie and books.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is now available now on Xbox, PlayStation and PC.
Words by Taylor Green
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