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MONSTER

The Lord of the Rings - Gollum

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of The Lord of the Rings - Gollum
Item: The Lord of the Rings - Gollum
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2023

GenresAdventure, Action, Third Person Perspective, Stealth, Single Player

AvailableMay 25, 2023

PlatformXbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X

DeveloperDaedalic Entertainment

Overview

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is a story-driven action adventure. Take on a perilous journey as Gollum, chasing the only thing that is precious to him. Gollum is skillful and cunning, but also torn by his split personality. One mind, two egos - you decide!

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Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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TL;DR

Critics have mixed opinions on The Lord of the Rings - Gollum story. Some praise its exploration of Gollum's journey, while others criticize its lack of depth and uninspired narrative. Overall, the consensus is divided, with some finding it intriguing and others deeming it monotonous. Personal player experiences may vary.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

14%

Mixed (50-79)

28%

Negative (0-49)

59%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of The Lord of the Rings - Gollum are quite varied. Some critics, such as But Why Tho? and Movies Games and Tech, find the story to be interesting and fitting within the overall narrative of Middle Earth. They appreciate the exploration of the untold story of Gollum between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring. Additionally, Wccftech praises the well-told story and the complex personality given to the main character, Gollum. These positive opinions highlight the potential of the story to captivate players and provide a deeper understanding of Gollum's journey. However, there are several critics who express negative opinions about the story. GameGrin criticizes the poor design of the story, stating that the narrative stalls as soon as the action starts. Guardian and PCGamesN describe the story as boring, lacking tension, and uninspired. Digitally Downloaded criticizes the lack of thematic depth and plot, stating that it fails to capture the complexity and symbolism of Gollum's character from The Lord of the Rings. These negative opinions suggest that the story may not engage players or offer a compelling narrative experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed reception of the story in The Lord of the Rings - Gollum. While some critics appreciate the exploration of Gollum's untold story and find it interesting, others criticize the monotonous and uninspired nature of the narrative. The lack of tension, depth, and meaningful exploration of the Lord of the Rings universe are common criticisms. It is important to note that the opinions of the critics are subjective, and individual players may have different experiences and preferences when it comes to the story of the game.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Gameplay Mechanics

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TL;DR

Critics have mixed feelings about the gameplay of The Lord of the Rings - Gollum. Positive aspects like well-developed platforming and stealth mechanics are noted, but the negatives, such as repetitive and dated gameplay with basic mechanics, overshadow the positives. Overall, critics find the gameplay underwhelming, lacking innovation, challenge, and creativity, making it a disappointing and unengaging experience.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

21%

Negative (0-49)

79%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of The Lord of the Rings - Gollum are quite varied. However, there are a few positive aspects that some critics mention. GameGrin praises the well-developed platforming and climbing mechanics, while COGconnected highlights the focus on action stealth and moving through the environment. Additionally, Gamers Heroes appreciates the emphasis on sneaking, platforming, and stealth kills. These positive aspects suggest that the game does have some redeeming qualities in terms of its gameplay mechanics. On the other hand, the negative opinions of the critics outweigh the positives. Several critics, such as But Why Tho?, Guardian, and Movies Games and Tech, criticize the gameplay for being repetitive and lacking innovation. The climbing and sneaking mechanics are described as basic, frustrating, and inconsistent by But Why Tho?. Meanwhile, TheGamer and PCGamesN mention the dull and dated nature of the gameplay, with janky platforming mechanics and repetitive sections. Siliconera suggests that the game should have focused more on stealth-killing and implemented a morality system, indicating a lack of depth in the gameplay mechanics. These negative aspects highlight the shortcomings and lack of creativity in the gameplay experience of The Lord of the Rings - Gollum. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of The Lord of the Rings - Gollum is underwhelming and lacks innovation. The repetitive quests, basic mechanics, and lack of challenge are commonly mentioned as major drawbacks. Critics like Digitally Downloaded and Twinfinite describe the gameplay as bland, basic, and lacking in uniqueness. The dated and frustrating nature of the platforming and stealth mechanics is also a recurring criticism, as mentioned by several critics including Inverse and Push Square. The overall sentiment suggests that the gameplay of The Lord of the Rings - Gollum falls short of expectations and fails to deliver an engaging and enjoyable experience.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Graphics and Visual Design

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TL;DR

Critics are split on The Lord of the Rings - Gollum's graphics. Some praise its Middle Earth environments, while others slam its outdated appearance and poor textures. Most critics express disappointment, citing muddy visuals, low-quality character models, and lackluster design. The game is criticized for not leveraging modern hardware capabilities, with some even calling its graphics shocking and unworthy of release. Issues with facial animations, textures, and physics are highlighted, along with game-breaking bugs and loading problems.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

29%

Negative (0-49)

71%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of The Lord of the Rings - Gollum are quite divided. Some critics, such as But Why Tho? and Wccftech, praise the game's environments, stating that they capture the essence of Middle Earth and are gorgeous and eye-catching. These critics appreciate the attention to detail and the faithful representation of the characters from the films. Additionally, COGconnected mentions that some environments pay respectful, detailed homage to the books and lore. However, the majority of critics express disappointment with the game's graphics and visual design. Many critics, including GameGrin, Guardian, and Siliconera, criticize the muddy and outdated appearance of the game. They mention issues with poor textures, low-quality character models, and muddy environments. TheGamer and Digitally Downloaded specifically highlight contorted facial animations, flat textures, and unrealistic physics as major drawbacks. Metro GameCentral goes as far as calling the visual design shocking and not worthy of release. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Lord of the Rings - Gollum falls short in terms of its graphics and visual design. While a few critics appreciate certain aspects, such as the environments and character representations, the majority express disappointment with the outdated appearance, poor textures, and low-quality character models. The game is often compared to older generation consoles and criticized for not taking advantage of the capabilities of current hardware, such as the PlayStation 5. The visuals are described as muddy, lacking polish, and failing to utilize the power of modern technology. Critics like TheXboxHub and TheSixthAxis even mention game-breaking bugs and issues with loading environments, further detracting from the overall experience.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Music and Sound Design

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TL;DR

Critics have mixed opinions on the Sound Design and Music of The Lord of the Rings - Gollum. Some praise the score and voice acting for capturing the essence of Tolkien's world, while others criticize the sound mixing and flawed design. Overall, it's a divisive aspect of the game with both positive and negative feedback.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

27%

Mixed (50-79)

33%

Negative (0-49)

40%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of The Lord of the Rings - Gollum are quite varied. Some critics, such as But Why Tho? and COGconnected, praise the musical score for its ability to capture the tone of Tolkien's work and evoke the same emotions as Howard Shore's legendary movie score. They appreciate the quality of the soundtrack and find it interesting. Additionally, the voice acting is commended by critics like Movies Games and Tech and Wccftech, who believe it adds to the immersive experience and makes players feel like they are in the Lord of the Rings universe. The voice performances, particularly for Gollum, are highlighted as being on-point and enjoyable. However, there are also negative opinions expressed by several critics. Game Informer mentions that the sound mixing often makes voices hard to hear, which can be frustrating for players. Metro GameCentral criticizes the flawed sound design, stating that music cues often don't work, characters don't appear where they should, and scripted events regularly fail to happen. They believe that these issues contribute to the broken state of the game. Gfinity describes the music as unremarkable and the audio design as a mesh of hard-to-identify sounds and low-quality noise. Player 2 criticizes the audio for its stilted voice acting, basic sound effects, and poor implementation. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While some appreciate the quality of the soundtrack and voice acting, others find the sound design and music underwhelming. Positive aspects, such as the ability to evoke emotions and the solid voice performances, are acknowledged. However, negative aspects, such as sound mixing issues, flawed sound design, and unremarkable music, are also mentioned. It is clear that the Sound Design and Music of The Lord of the Rings - Gollum is a divisive aspect of the game, with both positive and negative opinions expressed by the critics.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Voice Acting

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TL;DR

Critics are split on the voice acting in The Lord of the Rings - Gollum. Some praise Gollum's voice as immersive and accurate, while others criticize it as lacking impact and effectiveness. The consensus is divided, with some finding the performances promising and others underwhelming. Ultimately, the voice acting's success seems to vary depending on individual preferences.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

21%

Mixed (50-79)

36%

Negative (0-49)

43%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in The Lord of the Rings - Gollum has received mixed reviews from critics. Several reviewers, such as Movies Games and Tech and Wccftech, praise the voice acting, particularly for Gollum, stating that the performances are accurate, well-done, and contribute to the immersive experience. Press Start Australia also appreciates the voice work for Gollum, noting that it does justice to his warring personalities. These positive opinions highlight the strength of the voice acting in bringing the characters to life and capturing the essence of their personalities. However, there are also critics who express negative views towards the voice acting in the game. Digitally Downloaded criticizes Gollum's voice, describing it as a cosplayer's best effort at an Andy Serkis impersonation. They also mention that minor roles are poorly performed. Guardian criticizes the dialogue, stating that it is mostly boring and lacks delicate moral nuance. Gaming Age finds the voice-over work in The Lord of the Rings - Gollum to be underwhelming, suggesting a lack of impact and effectiveness in the performances. These negative opinions highlight areas where the voice acting falls short and fails to meet the expectations of the critics. Overall, the consensus among the critics is somewhat divided. While some reviewers appreciate the voice acting, particularly for Gollum, others find it lacking or underwhelming. GameStar mentions that the elvish voice acting being behind a paywall suggests it is not well-received. Metro GameCentral suggests that the voice acting, while adequate, pales in comparison to Andy Serkis, which raises questions about the necessity of making the game in the first place. However, Noisy Pixel considers the voice acting, especially for Gollum, to be quite good and promising for the overall experience. The mixed opinions indicate that the voice acting in The Lord of the Rings - Gollum is a subjective aspect that may resonate differently with each individual player.

TL;DR

voice acting

Technical Performance

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TL;DR

The Lord of the Rings - Gollum faced major technical challenges on PC and PS5, with widespread complaints of glitches, crashes, poor mechanics, and unfinished states. Critics agree that the game's technical performance hindered the overall experience, leading to disappointment and frustration among players.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

96%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the Technical Performance of The Lord of the Rings - Gollum, it is evident that the game faced significant challenges across different gaming platforms. Starting with the positives, there were a few critics who did not explicitly mention any technical issues on certain platforms. For example, GameGrin played the game on PC and did not provide any specific technical complaints. Additionally, Digitally Downloaded played the game on PS5 and noted that the launch version was less buggy than the review build, while also praising the auto-save system for preventing significant progress loss. These positive remarks indicate that there were some instances where the game performed adequately without major technical hindrances. Moving on to the negatives, the majority of critics highlighted various technical issues across all gaming platforms. On PC, reviewers such as Guardian, Movies Games and Tech, New Game Network, Shacknews, Siliconera, Slant Magazine, TheGamer, and Wccftech all pointed out problems such as glitches, crashes, camera control issues, clunky movement, and texture loading problems. These issues were consistently mentioned, indicating a widespread problem with the game's technical performance on PC. Similarly, on PS5, critics like COGconnected, Game Informer, Gamers Heroes, Gaming Age, Gfinity, God is a Geek, Inverse, Metro GameCentral, Player 2, Press Start Australia, Push Square, TheSixthAxis, Twinfinite, and WellPlayed all reported numerous technical issues. These included bugs, crashes, poor mechanics, game-breaking glitches, checkpointing problems, and graphical and animation shortcomings. The game on PS5 was described as broken, unfinished, and in an appalling state, with some reviewers unable to finish the game due to technical issues. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Lord of the Rings - Gollum suffered from significant technical problems across all gaming platforms. The game was plagued by recurring glitches, crashes, camera control issues, clunky movement, and various other bugs and glitches. These technical issues negatively impacted the overall experience and hindered the enjoyment of the game. Critics like Metro GameCentral even went as far as stating that the game should not have been released in its current state. With a multitude of reviewers highlighting these technical shortcomings, it is clear that the game's Technical Performance was a major area of concern and disappointment for players on both PC and PS5 platforms.

TL;DR

technical performance

Replay Value

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TL;DR

Critics slam The Lord of the Rings - Gollum for its lack of fun gameplay, linear nature, and absence of meaningful choices, resulting in minimal replay value. The game offers little incentive for multiple playthroughs, with simplistic missions and no upgrades or exploration motivation. While there are minor branching paths, overall, critics find the experience shallow and repetitive, leaving players unengaged and disappointed.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

13%

Negative (0-49)

88%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of The Lord of the Rings - Gollum are predominantly negative. New Game Network and TheGamer both highlight the lack of fun gameplay as a major factor contributing to the game's limited replay value. They mention issues with the game's mechanics and the absence of meaningful choices, which make replaying the game unappealing. Metro GameCentral further emphasizes the preposterously linear nature of the game, with simplistic mission objectives and repetitive gameplay, leading to a shallow and repetitive experience. Noisy Pixel adds that there are no upgrades or motivation to explore, further diminishing any reason to replay the game. On the positive side, COGconnected mentions that the game does have some minor branching paths, which could potentially offer a slight variation in subsequent playthroughs. However, they also note that fans of open-world games with a plethora of choices will be disappointed by the lack of options in crafting their experience. Overall, the critics' consensus is that The Lord of the Rings - Gollum lacks replay value. The game's linear and repetitive gameplay, coupled with the absence of meaningful choices and limited freedom in tackling challenges, contribute to a lackluster experience. The critics express doubts about the game's ability to engage players for multiple playthroughs, with some even stating that there is no reason to replay the game at all. The negative aspects highlighted by the critics outweigh the minor positives, leading to a general sentiment of disappointment and a lack of enthusiasm for replaying The Lord of the Rings - Gollum.

TL;DR

replay value

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

24%

Negative (0-49)

76%

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Overall Verdict of The Lord of the Rings - Gollum are quite varied. Some critics, such as But Why Tho? and Wccftech, acknowledge the game's potential and appreciate its love for the flawed character of Gollum and the rich Tolkien lore. They mention the interesting story, solid voice acting, and score as positive aspects. However, these positives are overshadowed by the negative opinions of the majority of the critics. Many critics, including GameGrin, GameStar, New Game Network, PCGamesN, Siliconera, and TheGamer, express disappointment with the game. They criticize its poor gameplay mechanics, dull and unenjoyable gameplay, technical issues, and lack of polish. These critics highlight the game's flaws, such as gloomy world design, terrible visuals, and game-breaking bugs. They argue that The Lord of the Rings - Gollum fails to live up to its potential and feels outdated compared to other Lord of the Rings games. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Lord of the Rings - Gollum is a disappointing and flawed game. Critics like Guardian, Digitally Downloaded, Game Informer, Metro GameCentral, and Push Square strongly advise against playing the game and suggest picking up other Lord of the Rings games instead. The majority of critics emphasize the game's lack of innovation, broken mechanics, and dated feel. They argue that even diehard fans of The Lord of the Rings franchise would not find much enjoyment in this game. The negative reception is further reinforced by critics such as COGconnected, Inverse, and Twinfinite, who describe the game as a product of poor development, lacking artistry, and representing the worst side of video games. In conclusion, while a few critics appreciate The Lord of the Rings - Gollum for its love for the character and lore, the overwhelming sentiment is negative. The game is criticized for its disappointing gameplay mechanics, technical issues, lack of polish, and outdated feel. The majority of critics advise against playing the game and suggest exploring other Lord of the Rings games instead. Overall, The Lord of the Rings - Gollum fails to meet the expectations of both fans of the franchise and video game enthusiasts.

TL;DR

Critics have mixed opinions on The Lord of the Rings - Gollum. Some praise its potential and love for Gollum, while many others slam it for poor gameplay, technical issues, and lack of polish. The consensus is that the game is disappointing, outdated, and not worth playing, with critics advising fans to try other Lord of the Rings games instead.

MONSTER

Reviews

145 reviews found

Wccftech

May 25, 2023