Bobb Starling

The sets and musical scores are breathtaking. You can really feel the budget that has been put into the show. Unfortunately, what is happening on screen feels almost completely divorced from the source material. There's a modernity in its design and themes that feels alien to middle earth. And this has absolutely nothing to do with casting, as I feel most of the actors are doing a decent enough job that I wouldn't put any of the performers in my list of complaints about this show but rather as one of its strengths. My chief concern lies in its loose storytelling and poor pacing. It uses lazy storytelling to drag its undeveloped characters from place to place with no real development or motivation. The attention to detail, or lack thereof, in regards to both lore and plot leave the characters floundering in reactive situations that tell us very little about the them aside from the most basic surface level descriptions of them. I was looking forward to this show with more trepidation than actually anticipation, and I have yet to find much that stirs great emotion - positive or negative - from this show thus far. There is still time for things to turn themselves around and tell a compelling story, even if it sadly is never going to be considered canon. However, as most of my problems with the show feel like foundational flaws in the premise and execution from a writing and conceptual level, I have very little hope. As they say, "I give hope to men, I leave none for myself."

This is a real joy to play. Its completely narrative driven, so you have to be looking for that kind of experience - just as it would be churlish to play a battle royale game and complain about lack of character development. But if you're looking for an engaging story that gives you discovery and agency while still holding to its central themes, then here you go! It's long enough for me to feel satisfied with the level of content, especially including the live action episodic side story that runs concurrent with the game - and changes to reflect your decisions. But it is also short enough that it doesn't discourage repeat playthroughs. And this only drives home the overarching theme of the entire game as you see the results of your different choices. Color me impressed.