Save or Sacrifice: Gollum's Dilemma in The Lord of the Rings Game
In The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, players face a critical decision in the final chapter - whether to spare Little One, Gollum's faithful bird companion, or end its life As Gollum navigates his escape from Mordor and his pursuit of the One Ring, the bird proves to be an invaluable asset, but it remains to be seen whether its survival is worth the risk
Gollum's journey in The Lord of the Rings: Gollum depicts his attempt to escape from Mordor and reclaim the One Ring. Despite his challenging time in Sauron's territory, he was able to acquire a bird from the Candleman, which proved to be a valuable asset during his escape.
Once players breed the carrier bird, they are given the option to name it "Little One." However, for those who do not want to form an emotional attachment to the bird, they can choose to leave it unnamed. As the climax approaches, players will be faced with a difficult decision to make - whether to let the bird live or kill it.
After triumphing over the Candleman in Chapter 10: The Friend, Gollum bids farewell to Mell and embarks on his journey towards the Shire. As he finally emerges from the Mirkwood, he catches sight of his faithful companion, Little One, eagerly awaiting his return.
The player is presented with a decision between two options: Kill Little One or Let Little One live. The prompts appear on the screen as a result of the bird's actions leading Sauron's forces into the Mirkwood. It is understandable why Gollum would seek revenge, especially if the creature was never given a name.
However, if the bird was named "Little One" by the player, Smeagol develops a strong attachment to the creature. In this case, the Let Little One live option may be preferred. Each choice has its own unique outcome, so careful consideration is necessary before making a decision.
In Lord of the Rings: Gollum, what happens if you choose to Let Little One live?
If players choose to side with Smeagol and spare Little One's life, a touching cutscene will play out. Smeagol takes a moment to bid farewell to the small bird, petting it gently before releasing it into the open sky. This act of kindness not only shows a softer side of Smeagol's character but also serves to tie up loose ends in the storyline. Since the bird is not mentioned in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, allowing it to fly away is a natural conclusion to its role in the game.
If players opt to align themselves with Gollum in The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, they will witness a disturbing cutscene. The peculiar protagonist will be seen petting a bird, only to move it out of view and break its neck moments later. Consequently, the shot of the mountains that follows will not show Little One flying away.
No matter which path players take, the subsequent scene will always depict Gollum wandering through Moria, whether he has been spared or not. The decision to spare or kill Little One only impacts this one cutscene, so players are free to choose as they please. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, with a Nintendo Switch release scheduled for later this year.
