The Lord of the Rings: Gollum

The main pros of the game

• Story and Atmosphere: Many players appreciated the narrative focus on Gollum's character and the internal conflict between Gollum and Smeagol, which adds a unique storytelling element. The game captures some aspects of the lore from Tolkien's works.
• Visuals and Art Style: Some users found the art style and environments, particularly in the Elf Forest sections, to be visually appealing. The hand-drawn stills and certain atmospheric elements were also praised.
• Soundtrack and Voice Acting: The music and some voice performances, especially that of Gollum, received positive feedback, adding to the overall experience.
• Stealth Mechanics: A few players enjoyed the stealth elements and climbing mechanics, finding them engaging when they worked correctly.

The main cons of the game

• Gameplay Mechanics: The controls were widely criticized as clunky and inconsistent, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. Platforming and stealth mechanics often felt poorly executed, resulting in frequent deaths and confusion about where to go next.
• Technical Issues: Numerous bugs, crashes, and performance problems were reported, including infinite death loops and game-breaking glitches. Many players found the game unplayable at times due to these issues.
• Graphics Quality: Many reviews noted that the graphics were subpar for a 2023 release, with character models and animations often described as outdated or poorly designed.
• Repetitive Gameplay: The gameplay loop was considered monotonous, with many players feeling that the game lacked variety in missions and objectives.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Skill Trees and Upgrades: Players expressed a desire for a skill tree or upgrade system to enhance Gollum's abilities, such as stamina or inventory management, which could have added depth to the gameplay.
• Meaningful Choices: Some reviews mentioned that the choices between Gollum and Smeagol did not have significant impacts on the story or gameplay, making the decision-making feel inconsequential.
• Combat Mechanics: The absence of a robust combat system was noted, with many players wanting more action-oriented gameplay rather than just stealth and platforming.
• Customizable Graphics Settings: A lack of options for adjusting graphics settings for better performance was highlighted, particularly for players on lower-end systems.

Conclusion

Summary

• Overall, while The Lord of the Rings: Gollum™ had some redeeming qualities in its narrative and atmosphere, it was largely criticized for its gameplay mechanics, technical issues, and outdated graphics. Many players felt that the game had potential but ultimately failed to deliver a polished and enjoyable experience.

Summary generated on: October 29, 2025