The first trailer for Deadalic Entertainment’s Lord of the Rings: Gollum is out. Though the video was short, at just over one minute, it did give a good glimpse of the former ring bearer in all his pale and hairy glory.
While the trailer did feature a look at Gollum’s home beneath the Misty Mountains, Deadalic has yet to show off any gameplay. The trailer began with a slow zoom on several dead fish littering the formerly named Sméagol’s cave. From there are glimpses of paintings perhaps showing Sméagol fighting his cousin Déagol. Before another passes by showing an eye or the One Ring with a slain figure next to it.
What other details they did release focused on how the game will play. In an interview with IGN, lead game designer Martin Wilkes explains it will feature similar stealth mechanics to that of Prince of Persia.
If you want a reference you might think of it as similar to Prince of Persia. It is mostly a non-combat game, but Gollum will be able to stealthily take out enemies. However, this will not be easy and always come with big risks. We want players to carefully weigh these encounters. After all, Gollum’s strengths lie in cunning not combat.”
Players will also have the chance to play through scenarios as both Gollum or Sméagol.
Also, the decisions you make affect the way the game feels. You always either play as Sméagol or as Gollum as the ‘dominant’ persona and that can influence animations, soundscapes, certain gameplay situations, and in-game dialogue.”
It sounds like it won’t be fully open-world but instead follow in the footsteps of Shadow of War. Players will be able to visit hubs or smaller levels that are linear while others will be larger and fully explorable.
Earlier this year Senior Producer Kai Fiebeg said in a statement that this version of Gollum looks a bit different than the movie adaptation for a reason. The developers took what Andy Serkis did with the character and made him their own.
We have more storytelling possibilities than the movies ever had, and for us, it was very important to show a different set of emotions. We need somebody you could almost love, and on the other hand somebody you can really be afraid of. And at some points, trust me, you will fear him.”
Lord of the Rings: Gollum is set to release sometime in 2021.