Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 2/5
“The Lord of the Rings: Gollum” is a game that, unfortunately, fails to capitalize on the potential of its intriguing concept, primarily due to its poor graphical quality. Much like its title character, the game is described as compromised, inelegant, and a bit of an eyesore1.
Graphically, the game is described as a technical disaster on PC, with awkward visuals and frame drops that never seem to stop being a problem, even when using a controller2. This consistent instability contributes to a game that feels profoundly unstable. Attempts to pan the camera to get a better view of the environment resulted in violent trembling, reinforcing the impression of a game on the brink of collapse2.
The game is criticized for its flat, awkward visuals and wooden performances1, with sequences that look like something you’d expect to play in a title released two generations ago1. This perception is further exacerbated by a muddy art direction that often leaves players unsure of where they’re supposed to be going2.
Despite the game being set against gorgeous backdrops, characters are often animated stiffly, especially during dialogues3. The animation work for Gollum is praised as creepily fluid and nimble, but this does not redeem the overall poor graphical quality and execution2.
In addition to the graphical issues, the game also suffers from numerous bugs and glitches. These range from Gollum refusing to grab onto ledges, leading to sudden deaths, to frequent crashes and progression-breaking bugs forcing players to roll back to earlier saves3.
Moreover, the game’s stealth gameplay is described as shallow and buggy, with Gollum’s character not convincingly rendered, failing to truly escape the shadow of Andy Serkis’ iconic performance in Peter Jackson’s films1.
In conclusion, “The Lord of the Rings: Gollum” is a game that disappoints with its poor graphical quality, various technical issues, and underwhelming gameplay. Despite its promising concept, the game’s execution leaves much to be desired. It’s an example of how poor graphics and technical glitches can significantly undermine a player’s gaming experience.