After various delays, Daedalic Entertainment’s The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is set to be released on May 25, 2023. Players get to take on this adventure as the iconic Gollum as we explore the fantasy world of J. R. R. Tolkien.
In The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, players will utilize Gollum’s skills such as sneaking and climbing to navigate dangerous environments of Middle-earth. The game draws heavy inspiration from the books rather than the movies, giving it a more authentic experience preferred by many fans.
LOTR: Gollum release date, platforms, story, characters, and more
The devs had initially scheduled the new The Lord of the Rings game for 2021, which was pushed back to late 2022 and then further delayed. The game seems to be nearly complete, with its release set for May 25, 2023, on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, and Xbox One. While the Switch version has been announced, the date for its release is yet to be confirmed.
PS5 features and Ray-tracing
Daedalic Entertainment seems to be leaving no stone unturned as they plan on taking advantage of the next-gen PS5 technology, utilizing haptic feedback to enhance the player’s immersion. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum will be using the PS5 DualSense’s haptic feedback ability, which will apply more resistance to the triggers when Gollum is tired or otherwise strained. The game also supports Ray-tracing technology, giving realistic and dynamic lighting effects to enhance the gameplay.
Story and setting
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum unfolds alongside the events of the Fellowship of the Ring where players control Gollum as he seeks to gain control of the ‘Precious’. Players get to interact with characters from both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books, as Gollum will be on a desperate quest to prevent the One Ring from falling into Sauron’s hands.
The events of the game are set in the time before the events of The Lord of the Rings. It delves into Gollum’s story before he appears in the books, offering a unique perspective on his character. The game starts in Barad-dur, a Mordor fortress, where Gollum is being held captive. Players will explore various locations beyond Mordor, including the land of the elves, encountering familiar and new characters from Tolkien’s world.
Gameplay mechanics and choices
The game focuses on third-person stealth-based gameplay with abilities and parkouring skills to help travel across Middle-Earth. Although Gollum cannot take enemies head-on, he can sneak up on them and strangle weaker enemies. Players need to remember to not be seen by enemies while attempting a kill as that won’t end well in most cases. His small stature and climbing abilities allow players to utilize multiple paths and strategies to progress through the linear levels.
Gollum’s inner conflict with his Hobbit-self, Smeagol, will play a significant role in the game, with players’ choices affecting the narrative. The game features dialogue decisions that reflect Gollum’s differing personalities, presenting branching opportunities as well as multiple endings.
Characters and locations
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum will have you traveling as Gollum, meeting a range of familiar and new characters, including the Nazgul, King Thranduil, and Gandalf. Players will encounter many characters from Middle-Earth in various locations, such as Mirkwood, Barad-dur, and Cirith Ungol. While meeting many familiar faces, newer characters like Mell and Greshneg will also aid Gollum on his journey.
