What had been you doing on Might 25, 2023? For those who’re something like me, you most likely can’t keep in mind what you bought as much as on the weekend, by no means thoughts a random Thursday (sure, I checked) a yr in the past. Whereas I can’t pinpoint my precise location, I do know that I spent days following The Lord of the Rings: Gollum launch date watching a full playthrough of the creepy little creature’s weird journey – it was, in some ways, like watching a automotive crash in sluggish movement; I couldn’t look away. With the current announcement of the brand new Gollum film, morbid curiosity despatched me to the sport’s Steam web page to see if one thing – something – had modified within the yr since launch. What I discovered was a sport frozen in time.
Whereas I wasn’t anticipating a Cyberpunk 2077 redemption arc, the entire lack of even a current occasions and information tab on Steam makes it clear poor Gollum’s been deserted, which maybe isn’t too shocking given Daedalic shuttered its improvement division not lengthy after the sport’s rocky launch. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum was at all times a bizarre concept that appeared destined to be finest remembered for the mockery it endured, even when Smeagol’s inner bickering might have lent itself nicely to a memorable RPG yarn.
I’ve at all times cherished videogames the place decisions have an effect on the narrative – in Fable 2, I rocked my satan horns and varied scars, and in Baldur’s Gate 3, I pushed many a domino and watched complete cities collapse consequently. What would occur if Gollum at all times wins? Does Smeagol simply disappear? Or can he stand up and make Gollum “go away” for good? Questions I’ve turned again and again in my thoughts.
However that isn’t what we acquired with LotR Gollum. As a substitute, we acquired the worst-rated sport of 2023, full with Comedian Sans-style textual content, a sluggish and dreary story the place your decisions have little affect, an alleged AI apology, and the unlucky closure of Daedalic’s improvement division.
But, for some weird motive, I nonetheless need to like it. I questioned if the current announcement of The Hunt for Gollum might need piqued some curiosity. Possibly the sport’s anniversary would set off one thing? Alas, its 30-day peak at the moment sits at a measly 18 gamers, and its official Twitter account didn’t even have fun its first anniversary, with its most up-to-date – and seemingly last – tweet being the aforementioned apology.
This feels very very similar to an obituary for LotR: Gollum, which can probably proceed to collect mud in Steam libraries till the tip of time – and, given the value level nonetheless sits at a hefty $49.99 / £42.99, I don’t see foresee a sudden resurgence anytime quickly. For those who love one thing, it is best to set it free; goodbye, LotR Gollum, I’ll at all times keep in mind you.
With Gollum firmly within the grave, now we have an inventory of all the very best fantasy video games which can be usually, in some ways, impressed by Tolkien’s work. Or, if you happen to’re searching for the stealth-driven exploration that Gollum promised, now we have a rundown of all the very best stealth video games, too.
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