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Entertainment • Video games

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is an action-adventure video game developed by Daedalic Entertainment and based on J.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is an action-adventure Video game developed by Daedalic Entertainment and based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. It follows Gollum in a story set between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring. The game was released in 2023 for multiple platforms and was widely criticized in reviews.

Gameplay

The Video game is presented as a third-person action-adventure title and is often described as story-driven. It focuses on stealth, traversal, and choices related to Gollum’s dual personality.

Plot and setting

The story of the Video game takes place in Middle-earth between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring. It follows Gollum as he searches for the One Ring, visiting locations such as Mordor, Mirkwood, and Cirith Ungol.

Development and release

The Video game was developed by Daedalic Entertainment, with Nacon also listed as publisher. It was announced in March 2019, delayed from earlier release plans, and released on 25 May 2023.

Reception

The Video game received strongly negative critical attention at launch. Major review outlets described it as one of the least successful uses of a licensed property in recent memory.

Key facts

  • The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is an official adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s works.
  • It is set between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring.
  • Players control Gollum in a third-person action-adventure format.
  • The game was released on 25 May 2023 for multiple platforms.
  • It received strongly negative reviews.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Lord of the Rings: Gollum?
It is an action-adventure video game based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, with Gollum as the main character.
When was it released?
It was released on 25 May 2023.
Who developed it?
Daedalic Entertainment developed the game.
What kind of game is it?
It is a third-person action-adventure game with a strong emphasis on story and stealth.
What period of Tolkien’s story does it cover?
It is set between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings:_Gollum
    Supports: Developer, genre, setting, gameplay perspective, announcement, and general description.
  2. Steam — https://store.steampowered.com/app/1265780/The_Lord_of_the_Rings_Gollum/
    Supports: Official adaptation, genre, and description of the game’s setting relative to The Fellowship of the Ring.
  3. Tolkien Gateway — https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings:_Gollum
    Supports: Developer, publishers, platforms, release date, and delayed release information.
  4. IGN — https://www.ign.com/games/the-lord-of-the-rings-gollum/gameplay
    Supports: Release date, genre, developers/publishers, and description of the game as narrative-focused.
  5. Metacritic — https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-lord-of-the-rings-gollum/
    Supports: Platforms, release date, developer, publisher, and summary of the game’s premise.
  6. GameSpot — https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-lord-of-the-rings-gollum-review-we-dont-wants-it-we-dont-needs-it/1900-6418070/
    Supports: Critical reception and negative review context.