The Lord of the Rings: Gollum was one of the most anticipated Middle-earth games in recent years. Fans were intrigued by the idea of experiencing Tolkien’s world through the eyes of one of its most tragic and complex characters. Unfortunately, when the game finally launched, it became known more for its technical problems than its storytelling ambitions.
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In this complete guide, we’ll cover the Lord of the Rings: Gollum release date, platforms, gameplay, reviews, pricing, voice actors, and whether it’s worth buying in 2025 or 2026.
What Is the Lord of the Rings: Gollum Game? (Quick Overview)
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is a stealth-adventure game centered around Sméagol/Gollum and his journey through Middle-earth before the events of The Fellowship of the Ring.
Developed by Daedalic Entertainment and published by Nacon, the game focuses heavily on stealth, platforming, and narrative choices rather than combat. Players experience famous locations and encounter iconic characters while witnessing Gollum’s struggle between his SmĂ©agol and Gollum personalities.
It’s important not to confuse this game with The Hunt for Gollum (2026 film), which is a separate project.
Lord of the Rings Gollum — Game at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
| Full Title | The Lord of the Rings: Gollum |
| Developer | Daedalic Entertainment |
| Publisher | Nacon |
| Genre | Stealth / Action-Adventure / Platformer |
| Release Date | May 25, 2023 |
| Platforms | PS4, PS5, PC (Steam/Epic Games), Xbox Series X|S |
| Price (Standard) | ~$49.99 USD |
| ESRB Rating | T (Teen) |
| Game Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
Gollum Game Release Date — When Did It Come Out?
Official Lord of the Rings: Gollum Game Release Date
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum officially launched on May 25, 2023, for PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.
The Xbox Series X|S version followed shortly after launch. A Nintendo Switch version was announced but experienced multiple delays and has remained uncertain.
Development Timeline:
- First revealed in 2019
- Originally planned for 2021
- Delayed into 2022
- Delayed again into 2023
- Released May 25, 2023
Why Was the Gollum Game Delayed?
Daedalic cited additional development time and polish requirements as reasons for the delays.
Unfortunately, despite the extra development time, the final release still suffered from:
- Performance issues
- Animation bugs
- Visual glitches
- Unpolished gameplay systems
These problems heavily influenced critic and player reception after launch.
Gollum Game Platforms — PS4, PS5, PC & More
Is Lord of the Rings: Gollum on PS5?
Yes. The game is available on PlayStation 5.
Compared to the PS4 version, the PS5 edition offers:
- Higher resolution
- Better texture quality
- Improved loading times
- More stable frame rates
The game also supports some DualSense functionality, though implementation is relatively limited.
Is the Gollum Game on Steam?
Yes. The game is available on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Players can purchase either the Standard Edition or the Precious Edition. Steam reviews quickly became infamous due to the overwhelmingly negative reception, resulting in a “Very Negative” overall rating.
To download:
- Open Steam.
- Search “The Lord of the Rings: Gollum.”
- Purchase the preferred edition.
- Install and launch.
Platform Availability
| Platform | Available | Version Notes |
| PC (Steam) | âś… Yes | Standard + Precious Edition |
| PC (Epic Games) | âś… Yes | Available at launch |
| PlayStation 5 | âś… Yes | PS5 optimized version |
| PlayStation 4 | âś… Yes | Base version |
| Xbox Series X|S | âś… Yes | Released post-launch |
| Nintendo Switch | ⚠️ Delayed | Status uncertain |
Gollum Game Price — How Much Does It Cost?
Standard Edition vs. Precious Edition — What’s Included?
The Standard Edition launched at approximately $49.99 USD.
The Precious Edition included:
- Additional lore content
- Emotes
- Voice-over extras
- Art and soundtrack materials
Many players criticized these bonuses for offering limited value.
Is the Gollum Game Worth the Price?
At launch, many reviewers felt the game’s quality did not justify its premium price.
Today, frequent discounts often reduce the price significantly. At deep sale prices, Tolkien enthusiasts may find some value, but most players should avoid paying full retail price.
Lord of the Rings Gollum Game Review — My Honest Take
First Impressions — Does the Game Deliver on Its Premise?
The premise is genuinely fascinating.
Exploring Middle-earth through Gollum’s perspective offers something different from typical fantasy action games. The atmosphere captures Tolkien’s world reasonably well, and the internal struggle between SmĂ©agol and Gollum is an interesting narrative concept.
Unfortunately, execution falls short.
Gameplay Mechanics — Stealth & Platforming Breakdown
The core gameplay revolves around:
- Sneaking past enemies
- Climbing environments
- Solving simple traversal challenges
- Making dialogue choices
The stealth systems become repetitive quickly. Enemy AI often behaves unpredictably, making stealth feel frustrating rather than rewarding.
Platforming sections are similarly inconsistent, with awkward controls and unreliable jumps. Players looking for deeper stealth mechanics and more rewarding open-world progression may prefer Assassin’s Creed Origins, which offers far greater freedom and combat variety.
Story & Narrative Quality
The narrative is arguably the game’s strongest feature. Fans of immersive fantasy worlds may also enjoy reading our Hogwarts Legacy Review, which explores another narrative-focused adventure filled with exploration and lore.
Set between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, it explores Gollum’s captivity, survival, and obsession with the Ring.
The Sméagol vs. Gollum choice system occasionally influences dialogue and character interactions, though consequences are usually minor.
Tolkien fans may appreciate the lore references and world-building.
Graphics, Visuals & Art Direction
Environment design is surprisingly strong in places. If environmental storytelling and world design are important to you, our Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Review highlights a fantasy adventure that excels in those areas.
Locations inspired by:
- Barad-dûr
- Mirkwood
- Mordor
help establish a recognizable Middle-earth atmosphere.
However, character animations, facial expressions, and visual polish often feel outdated compared to modern AAA standards.
Performance, Bugs & Technical Issues
Technical issues became the game’s defining problem.
Launch issues included:
- Frequent glitches
- Animation bugs
- Frame rate instability
- Texture pop-in
- AI failures
Following heavy criticism, Daedalic issued a public apology and released patches, but many players felt the damage to the game’s reputation had already been done.
Pros and Cons of the Lord of the Rings: Gollum Game
If you enjoy story-driven adventure games with stronger gameplay systems and exploration, check out our Shadow of the Tomb Raider Review for another modern action-adventure experience.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Unique Gollum-centric narrative perspective | Severely repetitive stealth gameplay |
| Faithful Middle-earth atmosphere and lore | Poor AI and enemy behavior |
| Interesting Sméagol/Gollum moral choice system | Weak platforming controls and responsiveness |
| Licensed LOTR world with recognizable locations | Significant technical bugs at launch |
| Niche appeal for hardcore Tolkien fans | Very low Metacritic and Steam review scores |
| Distinct art style in some environments | Short campaign length for the price |
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum Reviews — What Critics and Players Say
Metacritic Score & Aggregate Review Ratings
Professional reviews were largely negative.
Review Score Summary
| Platform | Metacritic Score | User Score | Verdict |
| PC | ~40/100 | Very Negative | Generally Unfavorable |
| PS5 | ~45/100 | Mixed | Generally Unfavorable |
| PS4 | ~44/100 | Mixed | Generally Unfavorable |
Critics commonly cited repetitive gameplay, technical issues, and lack of polish.
Steam User Reviews — What Players Think
Most common complaints include:
- Poor optimization
- Weak stealth mechanics
- Technical bugs
- Repetitive mission design
Some players praised:
- Tolkien atmosphere
- Lore references
- Character-focused storytelling
Is Lord of the Rings: Gollum a Good Game?
For most players, the answer is no.
While there are glimpses of a compelling narrative adventure, the gameplay and technical shortcomings prevent it from reaching its potential.
Hardcore Tolkien fans may find some enjoyment, but action-focused players should look elsewhere.
Gollum Lord of the Rings Gameplay — What Do You Actually Do?
Core Gameplay Loop Explained
Typical gameplay follows this structure:
- Stealth section
- Narrative choice
- Platforming challenge
- Story progression
The Sméagol/Gollum system allows players to influence conversations and certain decisions.
Key Gameplay Features
- Eavesdropping mechanics
- Environmental interaction
- Simple crafting elements
- Narrative choices
- Puzzle-lite traversal
Average completion time ranges from 10–15 hours.
Gollum Game — “My Precious” Mechanic
The Ring’s influence appears throughout the story.
Certain decisions force players to choose between SmĂ©agol’s compassionate side and Gollum’s selfish instincts. While the system adds flavor, it rarely creates major branching outcomes.
PC System Requirements — Can You Run the Gollum Game?
Minimum & Recommended PC Specs
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-4770 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 | Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD RX 480 | NVIDIA RTX 2080 / AMD RX 6800 XT |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 13 GB | 13 GB SSD |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 12 |
Performance Tips for Low-End PCs
For smoother gameplay:
- Lower shadow quality first
- Disable unnecessary background apps
- Use upscaling features where available
- Reduce draw distance settings
- Install on an SSD if possible
Who Voices Gollum in the Lord of the Rings Game?
Gollum Voice Actor in the 2023 Game
The game’s Gollum performance was provided by Wayne Forester.
His portrayal attempts to balance SmĂ©agol’s vulnerability and Gollum’s darker personality while maintaining a distinct interpretation separate from the films.
Andy Serkis as Gollum — The Original Actor
Andy Serkis famously portrayed Gollum through performance capture in Peter Jackson’s film trilogy and The Hobbit movies.
He is not involved in the 2023 game.
However, Serkis is returning as Gollum for The Hunt for Gollum and is also directing the upcoming film.
Gollum Actors Across Media
| Medium | Actor | Year |
| The Lord of the Rings films (trilogy) | Andy Serkis | 2001–2003 |
| The Hobbit films (trilogy) | Andy Serkis | 2012–2014 |
| The Lord of the Rings: Gollum (game) | Wayne Forester | 2023 |
| The Hunt for Gollum (film) | Andy Serkis | 2026 |
The Hunt for Gollum (2026) — Movie vs. the Video Game
What Is The Hunt for Gollum 2026 Movie?
The Hunt for Gollum is an upcoming Lord of the Rings film produced by Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema.
Andy Serkis will direct and star as Gollum.
The movie is expected to expand Middle-earth’s cinematic universe and explore events surrounding Gollum’s pursuit before the War of the Ring.
Is the 2026 Movie Connected to the Daedalic Video Game?
No.
The film and game are completely separate productions with no shared continuity.
Search results often confuse them because both prominently feature Gollum.
Hunt for Gollum (Film) vs. Gollum Game
| Feature | The Lord of the Rings: Gollum (2023 Game) | The Hunt for Gollum (2026 Film) |
| Medium | Video Game | Feature Film |
| Developer/Director | Daedalic Entertainment | Andy Serkis |
| Gollum Performer | Wayne Forester | Andy Serkis |
| Release | May 2023 | 2026 |
| Studio | Nacon (Publisher) | Warner Bros. / New Line |
| Reception | Very Negative | TBA |
Alternatives to the Lord of the Rings: Gollum Game
Better LOTR Games Worth Playing Instead
| Game | Platform | Genre | Reception | Best For |
| Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor | PC, PS4, Xbox | Action-RPG | Very Positive | Open-world combat fans |
| Middle-earth: Shadow of War | PC, PS4/5, Xbox | Action-RPG | Mostly Positive | Story + Nemesis system fans |
| LEGO Lord of the Rings | PC, Console | LEGO Adventure | Positive | Casual/family players |
| The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003) | PS2, Xbox, GBA | Action | Nostalgic/Positive | Classic LOTR game fans |
About The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is a stealth-adventure game developed by Daedalic Entertainment and set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth universe. Instead of playing as a traditional hero, players take control of Gollum, one of the most iconic and tragic characters in The Lord of the Rings. The story takes place between the events of The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, following Gollum’s dangerous journey across Middle-earth as he searches for his precious Ring.
Gameplay focuses on stealth, climbing, exploration, and story-driven choices rather than direct combat. Players must sneak past enemies, navigate challenging environments, and make decisions that reflect the ongoing conflict between Gollum’s darker personality and his former self, SmĂ©agol. While the game received criticism for technical issues and repetitive gameplay, it offers a unique perspective on Tolkien’s world and may still appeal to dedicated Lord of the Rings fans interested in Gollum’s story.
Minimum System Requirements
| Component | Minimum |
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-4770 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD Radeon RX 480 |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 13 GB Available Space |
| DirectX | Version 11 |
Recommended System Requirements
| Component | Recommended |
| OS | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 2080 / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 13 GB SSD |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
Final Verdict — Should You Buy the Lord of the Rings: Gollum Game?
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum deserves credit for attempting something unique. A character-focused stealth adventure starring Gollum could have been a memorable addition to the LOTR gaming library. For a polished action-adventure experience with stronger storytelling, exploration, and stealth mechanics, read our Ghost of Tsushima Review & Rating.
Unfortunately, repetitive gameplay, technical issues, and underwhelming execution prevent it from achieving that goal.
If you’re a dedicated Tolkien fan and find it heavily discounted, it may be worth experiencing for the lore and atmosphere alone.
Most players, however, will have a better experience with Shadow of Mordor, Shadow of War, or classic LOTR titles.
Final Score Breakdown
| Category | Score /10 |
| Story & Narrative | 6/10 |
| Gameplay Mechanics | 4/10 |
| Graphics & Performance | 4/10 |
| Voice Acting | 7/10 |
| Value for Money | 3/10 |
| Overall Score | 4.8/10 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Lord of the Rings: Gollum a good game?
Generally no. Critics and players largely criticized its gameplay, technical issues, and lack of polish.
What platforms is the Gollum game available on?
PS4, PS5, PC (Steam/Epic Games Store), and Xbox Series X|S.
Who plays Gollum in the Lord of the Rings game?
Wayne Forester voices Gollum in the game, while Andy Serkis portrays the character in the films.
Is the Gollum game related to The Hunt for Gollum 2026 movie?
No. They are separate productions with no shared continuity.
When did the Lord of the Rings: Gollum game come out?
May 25, 2023.
Is the Gollum game on Steam?
Yes. It is available on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
How long is the Gollum game?
Most players finish the campaign in approximately 10–15 hours.
Why did Daedalic apologize for the Gollum game?
The studio apologized following widespread criticism regarding bugs, performance issues, and overall quality.
Is the Gollum game worth buying in 2025/2026?
Only if purchased at a significant discount and primarily for Tolkien-related interest.
Can a low-end PC run the Gollum game?
Yes, provided it meets the minimum specifications, though lowering graphics settings is recommended for smoother performance.
