The first full-fledged game set in Middle-earth in quite some time is at last confirmed for this year. LOTR: Gollum, or The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, has a release date for early September. Gollum, unlike more traditional games set in author J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy world, presents a different style of gameplay. It eschews swords and sorcery, favoring a more sneaksy approach.
Granted, you could sneak around in the Middle-earth: Shadow games, but it’s more of the focus here. Gollum, while not completely weak, can’t match up to the larger threats found in The Lord of the Rings. The game hinges on you staying alive by stealthily exploring areas and avoiding most dangers. Gollum uses his acrobatics to climb and grapple up walls, swing across chasms, and, of course, squat down in bushes to keep from being spotted.
We finally know a bit more about LOTR: Gollum, now with its release date for September 1 in the books. Gollum isn’t all about slipping through enemy lines and climbing stuff. He doesn’t fight, but he can assassinate some enemies if you get behind them. So, I guess you can think of Gollum as a creepy, fish-slurping Sam Fisher. Actually, don’t do that. There are also narrative choices, which play on his dual personalities. Gollum and Sméagol fight for control, and it’s up to you to choose which makes the most sense.
Filthy hobbitses
The story of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum takes place after the titular character’s run-in with Bilbo. As told in The Hobbit novel and movie, Bilbo tricks Gollum before making off with the precious One Ring. In the game, Gollum sets off on Bilbo’s trail, which takes him from dark, Mordor dungeons to the green canopies of Mirkwood and beyond. Sad to say, we all should know how this story ends.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum sneaks onto PC starting on September 1.
