Daedelic Entertainment's Lord of the Rings: Previously released for PC and next-gen Xbox Series X and PS5 consoles, the aesthetic of the game appears to have been greatly improved.

Previously, a number of screenshots were released, giving us a glimpse of what the next installment will look like, but they fell short of what many players were expecting. Now, the developer has released a teaser trailer, revealing the full scope of the next-generation title.

The minute-long trailer is short but sweet, and a clear improvement over what we've seen in the past. At this point, it is unclear which console the game is running on (or if it is simply rendered via PC), but as we see the towering Gollum heading into the burning Mordor, it is It is clear that special attention was paid to achieve this cinematic game look.

Early screenshots of the Gollum-centric adventure featured colorful, fantastical environments and sneak peeks of dialogue and gameplay. However, the final product looked more like it was going to be released on the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, with current-gen graphics; in addition to releasing an exclusive new trailer via IGN, Daedalic revealed some additional information about the game. The game combines the stealth action familiar from the "Prince of Persia" series with a branching narrative that players will shape throughout the game. It also develops what "Lord of the Rings" author J.R.R. Tolkien had already established about Gollum, with a juicy new storyline intended to match the original book.

Additional footage of the Gollum-centric title will not be released until 2021, but Daedalic shared some interesting details about what will be seen when further gameplay comes into view. According to lead designer Martin Wilkes, Gollum is described as a "non-combat game" because of its ability to defeat enemies by stealth.

This requires relying on "special allies" (familiar faces from "Lord of the Rings" lore, according to lead narrative designer Tilman Shannen) and items that Gollum can use to distract his enemies and move in for the kill. During these segments, Gollum must make important dialogue decisions, and you will be playing as either the persona of Gollum or Sméagol. What choices you make will affect additional dialogue, animations, and gameplay situations.

These choices constitute a kind of moral system that "naturally falls within a certain range," according to Shannen, but given that this story is a prequel, it does not change the original story of The Lord of the Rings. Gollum heads to Mordor in search of the Ring and Bilbo Baggins. When he is captured by Sauron's minions, that is where the game begins.

The game is divided into levels and hubs, with open world exploration, alternate routes, and secret passages to explore. Expect an emphasis on vertical parkour and lush environments inspired by Tolkien's vision of Middle-earth. Overall, Daedalic's team worked closely with Middle-earth Enterprises to honor Tolkien's original story.

"The Lord of the Rings": Gollum is currently scheduled for release in 2021 on the Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and PC. As we get closer to its release, we should be able to get a more concrete glimpse of Gollum's journey, and his motivations.