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The first chapter ofThe Lord Of The Rings: Gollumserves as the game’s tutorial. You’ll be able to get used to the controls and learn the core stealth and climbing mechanics in the shadowy hills of Cirith Ungol. There are still plenty of chances to fall to your death or get brutalized by orcs, though, so don’t expect this part do be a walk in the park!
Related:The Lord Of The Rings: Who Is Sauron?
This step-by-step walkthrough will take you through the opening stages of Gollum’s journey. Whether you’re not sure of the correct route to take, or can’t quite slip past the orcs, we’ve got you covered.
How To Reach Gollum’s Cave
When Gollum emerges from the rocks, follow the path forward, jumping to get over ledges, pits, and other obstacles, until you reach a cave. Climb up the platform in front of you, thenjump to the hanging ledgeagainst the far wall.
Climb along the wall to the right until you can drop down on the other side, then use a running jump to reach the ledge to the right. Climb the lichen on the wall, jumping as needed to reach the top.
After climbing the lichen course, you’ll see two paths; one that leads straight ahead at ground level, and a raised path to the left that you can reach by jumping. Follow the upper route, and you’ll find a small hole that you can crawl through; inside is theWhetstone, the area’s only collectible.
Return to the bottom and take the straight path to another climbing section. Take a right at the top anddrop down the other sideto reach the next path along the cliffside. After a short cutscene, you’ll be able tocontinue climbing to the rightalong the edge of the cliff, then up to Gollum’s cave.
How To Catch The Bird
Inspect the drawing on the rock in the middle of the pool, then the one on the stalagmite ahead and to the right Finally,look at the carving on the far wall.
When Gollum hears a noise, look for asmall tunnel to the left of the Shelob shrine.Crawl through, thenclimb the wall that you find on the other side.
Make your way around so that you’re above the tunnel that you just came through, thenrun at the wall with the vertical etchingsto reach the top. Follow the course, using your new wall run ability to follow the bird.
When you reach the edge of a cliff,turn rightto find the next climbable area. Near the top, you’ll be able tojump backwardto reach a ledge and continue. Just before you reach the top, you’ll hear apair of orcs talking.
Move into the grass to hide from the orcs. Slowly make your way to the right, toward the spiderweb, to find a path away from them. A running jump will put you back on track to follow the bird, but be careful - you’ll soon come to a ledge with anorc waiting belowwho will catch you if you make too much noise.
To get past the orc,jump over his headin the direction that the bird flew; run and jump across the chasm when he gives chase. Continue along the course until you reach the birds, when a cutscene will trigger.
Once the cutscene finishes,follow the orcsat a safe distance. Crawl to stay low, and stay in the tall grass whenever possible. The orcs aren’t actually looking for you, so they won’t notice as long as you don’t make noise or get in front of them.
When the orcs reach the gate,climb the tower to the rightinstead of following them through. Walk across the roof to a climbable wall, and use it totrail the orcs from above.
When you reach the end of the lichen,wait for the orcs to passthen drop down behind them to continue following them at ground level.
As the orcs approach the spider tunnel,hide in the grass to the right.One will go ahead to get a torch; while he’s gone,sneak up behind the otherto eliminate him. Don’t let go of the attack button until the orc is dead; otherwise he’ll recover and kill you.
After Gollum and Smeagol finish talking,crawl forwardand pick up stones against the stalagmite just inside the tunnel. You can carry up to five, so fill up.
Stay behind the stalagmite andthrow a rock at the lantern. You’ll know you have the right angle when theaiming cursor turns green.Another cutscene will play, and you’ll encounter your first argument between Smeagol and Gollum. It doesn’t matter which outcome you choose, as either way you’ll end up in a cavern below.
Related:Middle-Earth: Shadow Of War - Where To Find Every Shelob Memory
Escaping The Nazgul
You won’t be able to move very fast due to the injury Gollum has sustained. Move forward until you seethree mushrooms, which you can pick and eat to replenish your health. WIth your mobility restored, keep going forward andenter the abandoned tunnels.
The tutorial will show you how to use Gollum’s heightened senses to help find objectives. This way, you can find the correct path through the tunnels:right, left, right.
At the fourth fork,both paths are blocked by a Nazgul.They’ll slowly move toward you, but there’s no escaping them. When Gollum is apprehended by the Ring-Wraiths, the chapter ends.
