Having trouble understanding Shadows of Mordor. Please explain to me.

[Mistersprinkles]

1. Loving Shadows of Mordor. Need help with mechanics. Please explain to me

   I sort of get this game. I love it, don't get me wrong. But how does it progress?
   
   PLEASE answer all questions. I know it's a lot. 
   
   I get that you:
   
   Eat herbs for health
   climb to new towers who only wraith mode can see to unlock new parts of the map and new fast travel points
   find white things on the map and pick them up in wraith mode
   do challenges listed on the map in white or yellow
   kill orc captains
   
   But what is the main PURPOSE of the game?
   Is the purpose to wipe out all the orc captains?
   How do you actually progress?
   Is it worth randomly picking fights with orcs I see on the way to my destinations? Will it help me level up faster?
   
   How do I fight the lion beast monster things. They're like a bull bear lion monster, you know the ones. They always kill me. And they're everywhere.
   
   Is there a way to put this game on an easier difficulty level? I'm getting smoked here...
   
   THanks.

 

[nanox760]

Kill orcs, have fun, you dont kill the beasts you mount them.

[Dmon]

There are missions. You can do the missions to progress.

 

The bull/bear-lions can be killed by hitting, rolling and repeat.

[SeanBond]

Have you not played the story? You find the plot there which basically explains why any game takes place. And to have fun of course.

[Mistersprinkles]

How do I mount the beasts? I have unlocked the ability but I can not mount them.