LOTR: Gollum - Before You Buy

TL;DR

The Gollum game fails to deliver engaging gameplay and suffers from technical flaws.

Transcript

(bright tones) - [Jake] Hey, and we're back with another episode of Before You Buy, that show where we give you some straight up gameplay and our first impressions of the latest games releasing. And today, we're talking about Gollum. Yeah, this is a strange one. It's a game about Gollum, or Smeagol, from the Lord of the Ring Series. Now, you might ... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 Gollum is a highly complex character, but the game fails to effectively portray that complexity in its mechanics or story.
• 🖤 The gameplay suffers from overly simplistic actions, resulting in a monotonous experience lacking in excitement.
• 👾 Technical issues contribute significantly to the game's flaws, with visual glitches and outdated graphics detracting from immersion.
• 🥺 Stealth mechanics are poorly executed, leading to unchallenging scenarios that frustrate players seeking a thrilling experience.
• 👻 Dialogue choices provide a small positive element, allowing players to engage with Gollum's personality, but it's not enough to save the game.
• 🎮 Comparisons to previous Lord of the Rings games highlight the significant drop in quality and engagement in Gollum's gameplay.
• 😥 Fans are advised to consider price points before purchasing, as the game does not meet expectations for full-priced titles.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does the reviewer find the game dull?

The reviewer finds the game dull primarily due to its simplistic gameplay mechanics and lack of engaging content. They describe it as a "slave simulator," where most actions involve running around and completing mundane tasks. The reviewer expected a more dynamic approach, considering Gollum's complex character, but instead faced a monotonous experience with low challenge levels.

Q: How does the game portray Gollum's character?

Gollum's character is portrayed as complex, reflecting both his scrappy and volatile nature. However, the game's execution fails to translate this complexity into engaging gameplay. While the dialogue choices allow players to interact with characters as Gollum or Smeagol, the overall experience feels flat and uninspired, lacking depth that fans of the character would expect.

Q: What are the technical issues highlighted in the review?

The reviewer mentions various technical issues, including flat textures, awkward animations, and glitches throughout the game. Gollum's character may show emotive expressions, but the overall visual quality is deemed lacking. These issues contribute to a poor gaming experience, raising concerns about the game's development quality and execution, especially given its long-awaited release.

Q: Is there any aspect of the game that the reviewer appreciated?

One aspect the reviewer appreciated is the dialogue choices that allow players to role-play as Gollum or Smeagol. This element adds a level of character interaction that's somewhat enjoyable, enabling players to engage with the story in a unique way. However, this positive note does not overshadow the overall negative impression of the gameplay experience.

Q: What does the reviewer suggest for potential players?

The reviewer suggests that potential players, especially die-hard Lord of the Rings fans, might consider waiting for a price drop or bargain bin before purchasing the game. They emphasize that despite some appealing visuals and the lore featured, the overall lack of engaging gameplay and technical shortcomings make it not worth the full price.

Q: How does the game compare to past Lord of the Rings games mentioned?

The reviewer recalls past Lord of the Rings games from the PS2 era fondly, indicating that those titles had their charm, unlike Gollum, which feels lackluster. They express disappointment that a game about such a rich character could have ended up feeling so monotonous and uninspired, contrasting starkly with expectations based on prior titles.

Q: What are the game's major gameplay mechanics?

Major gameplay mechanics include basic platforming, stealth, and decision-making. However, the reviewer notes that the platforming is exceptionally easy and lacks challenge, while the stealth mechanics are poorly designed, leading to unengaging trial-and-error encounters. Overall, these mechanics fail to create an interesting or satisfying experience for players.

Q: What criticisms does the reviewer have regarding enemy AI?

The reviewer criticizes the enemy AI for being mindless and ineffective. Enemies behave in a predictable and non-threatening manner, often getting stuck or failing to provide a genuine challenge during gameplay. This lack of intelligent design undermines the tension and engagement expected from stealth mechanics, resulting in a disappointing experience when trying to navigate the game world.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The game revolves around Gollum from the Lord of the Rings series, focusing on his backstory and character. However, it disappointingly lacks depth and engaging gameplay mechanics.

• The gameplay is criticized for being overly simplistic with unchallenging platforming and stealth elements, leading to a dull experience that fails to utilize Gollum's complex character.

• While the dialogue choices provide a minor positive aspect, the game ultimately feels outdated and underwhelming, failing to justify its full-priced status.