Screenshots from Daedalic Entertainment’s upcoming action game Lord of The Rings: Gollum revealed a stylized and unsettling protagonist. The character is best known for Andy Serkis’ take on the wretched creature in The Lord of The Rings films and has become a beloved figure in pop-culture.
Serkis’ version of the creature shifts easily from endearing to horrifying, and the film version of Gollum is wildly expressive as a result, becoming both the subject of many memes and the most iconic representation of a critical Lord of the Rings figure. Despite the immense pressure of re-imagining the character now, Daedalic Entertainment has presented a Gollum who is not totally unlike Serkis’ character while still managing to set themselves apart.
These screenshots from German games site GameStar (via PCGamer) reveal many of Gollum’s familiar features but with a cartoonish twist. Taking control of such an agile character in The Lord of the Rings: Gollum will no doubt make for interesting traversal of the varied landscapes found in Middle-earth. Still teeming with towering iron gates, spikes, and machinery, Mordor now boasts vibrant reds and moody flames. There looks to be a fantastic variety of environments from the foot of Mt. Doom to what appears to be the beautiful countryside of either Hobbiton or Rivendell. The most peculiar of the screenshots displays internal dialog options. It will be interesting to see how in-depth this decision-making aspect goes and how far Daedalic Entertainment will let players explore Gollum’s psyche.
The roster of Gollum’s strengths does not extend much beyond survival, stealth, and speed. Enemy types like Orcs and Spiders will likely lend to cinematic escapes and terrifying exploration segments. Not much was confirmed about the game’s direction until the release of these new screenshots. Announced back in March 2019, the team seems to be making steady progress despite financial setbacks. The game is set to release on Xbox Series X, PS5, and PC sometime in 2021.
Considering the upcoming Netflix series will be a prequel to The Lord of the Rings and may not include Gollum, Daedalic Entertainment’s adaptation could become the face of the character for a new generation. The period between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring is unexplored territory for both films and games of the franchise. Bridging this gap in the plot through the unnerving beady eyes of Gollum will no doubt attract fans. With a distinctive new look at the series’ most beloved creep The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is prepped to offer an entirely unique addition to the Tolkien canon.
