Top 10 Stunning Locations in The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
#10: Shadow Mountains
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The very beginning of Gollum's journey makes a huge impression with the mountains of Cirith Ungol. Here, Gollum has dwelled for many years, hiding from many looming threats such as the Wraiths and Shelob, a giant Spider he both worships and fears. While it appears almost uninhabitable, this dark and desolate area is also home to the Orcs and their stronghold, causing Gollum to have many close encounters with them. Perhaps the most frightening part of the Shadow Mountains is that certain parts of it are under the watchful Eye of Sauron, meaning Gollum can never be too careful.
#9: The King’s Chamber & Garden
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In order to break the spell on the blind elf known as Mell’s door, Gollum must venture into the King’s Chambers and recover the silver bell. The chambers themselves are certainly more than fit for a king, with beautiful wooden sculptures surrounding its walls. At the top is a stunning rotating structure, where Gollum finds the bell he needs. Afterwards Gollum must make his way through the King’s Garden. These lavish grounds which are filled with ruins from a past era are complete with an incredible aerial view of the mountains beyond.
#8: The Bell Tower
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Following their escape from the Elven King’s Halls, Gollum and Mell are tasked with following the hidden paths through the majestical woods in order to reach the border. During this scenic journey, the two come across multiple large bells all before reaching the structure known as the Bell Tower. Inside here, the walls are plastered with incredible Elvic artwork, detailing many moments throughout their storied past.
#7: Riverpath
Once Gollum gets involved with the Elves, in stark contrast to the areas at the beginning of the game, Gollum finds himself in stunning picturesque locations. One such spot is the Riverpath, an underground cavern full of rivers and ravines. As Gollum makes his way through this beautiful landscape, you’ll see Elfic settlements in the distance surrounded by scenic lighting. This leads to the Queens Waterfall, the biggest cascade of water in the game surrounded by incredible Elfic architecture.
#6: Mirkwood - The Breach
As Gollum and Mell continue their long journey together, they finally reach the border of the woodland realm. Here the two travel through a fantastical forest filled with gorgeous vegetation and flora all before coming across an unusual large tree. This tree at the circle of stones stands out not just for its size but for its very distinct color. At this spot it’s up to Gollum to figure out which elf once stood at which of the various ritual stones.
#5: Gates of the Dark Tower
When Gollum catches the Candleman’s interest, he finds himself within the Dark Tower itself. This allows him to slowly climb up the ladder, and after gaining their trust he finally finds the opportunity for freedom. During his escape, Gollum finds his way through the dark caverns, home to deadly spiders and abandoned industries all before arriving at the gates of the dark tower. Guarded by many Orcs, this wide open area is surrounded by tools for war. As well as the Dark Tower itself, the gates are home to massive structures all under the gloomy yet phenomenal sky of Mordor.
#4: The King’s Grove
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While trying to find the hidden clue in the big tree, Gollum comes across a charming Wood Elven settlement within the forest. The Wood Elves here are preparing for their midsummer feast, and are surprisingly friendly to our protagonist, something we’re not too used to at all. This gives him the freedom to explore the whole area of this whimsical camp, complete with gorgeous Elfic housing and an incredible lighting display. It was certainly nice to enjoy this brief calmness before the storm ahead.
#3: Shelob’s Lair
After escaping from the Dark Tower, Gollum once again returns to the Shadow Mountains, but this time he must help guide fellow escapee Grashneg through Shelob’s Lair. As one of the most beautiful areas in the game, this luminous cavern is enchanting despite the obvious threat lying in wait. As one of the most perilous areas in the game, it is covered in silk web from where Shelob’s victims hang. Further in you’ll find a captivating entrance to Shelob’s nest, where after entering this is where the real danger begins. Gollum will find himself being chased down by the gigantic spider in what feels like a never ending tunnel.
#2: The Ruins
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As both the Orcs and Elves battle against each other, Gollum makes it through the insane chaos by fleeing south to the ruins of Caras Mindon. This old Elven King Summer palace was where Gollum had hoped to find the Riddlemaster at the source of the haze. Outside, the gate of these ruins are two large connected towers of observation, overlooking the labyrinth below. Inside the ruins contains architecture of eras past, complete with a majestic orb that is the source of the haze, floating at the center of the hall.
#1: Halls of Grond
After being interrogated by the Dark Lord himself, Gollum is condemned to black pits underneath the dark tower known as Barad-dur. Here, he is forced into slavery where he must perform various dangerous tasks within the claustrophobic pits and mines. Surrounded by lava and iron works, the only respite for Gollum is the barracks, which has the perfect view of the imposing tower overlooking this bleak area. The most impressive section however is the hall that houses the giant wolf head known as Grond, the one hundred-foot long battering ram that appeared in The Return of the King.
