So I gave the Game a try

Maverick123w

  I'm currently playing Vanguard, and after playing for a few hours I decided to start downloading LOTR since I got an invite forever ago and never used it. 

  I just played for about an hour and it was all I could take unfortunately.  I really really wanted to like this game, but I was ready to stop 20 minutes in.  I don't know what it was, but it felt odd... I can't really put my finger on it.  I didn't like the character animations or the way to game "moved".

  On the upside this game looks fantastic.  I love VG's graphics and this just blows Vanguard away.  It also runs great too.  I have an e6400@ 3.2Ghz 7900gtx 2gigs ram etc. and I ran it w/o a hitch at the highest settings.  I wish I could say the same for Vanguard 

  If I had to sum up both games, in my own opinion... and thats all it is, Vanguard came out unfinished but is much richer.  LOTR came out as a slick finished project but seems kind of hollow.  I know I only played for an hour... but I'm usually pretty good at getting a feel for a game pretty quickly.  Like I said I came in wanting this to be great, but It's just not for me, I hope people enjoy it though.

Cheers

BIGMICK

Maybe  try a bit longer in game...Sounds like you never got out of the starting area........In the larger world the game rocks...after you hit level 15 and above....Give it another go sometime before you  give up...you know it makes sense lol

 

Mars505

Getting through the newbie can seem like the entire game,  but once you get to travel around and see more, it really opens up , at least it did for me, and knowing that more content is going to be added just makes all the better. Hopefully if you give it another go , or find something you like in future, either way , good luck

Kethrym

OP i agree 100% something in the game doesnt feel right.  The fanclub will no doubt point out your "stupidity" for talking bad about their game.  They already did it to me.   Regardless of the number of flames you get just remember that your opinion (while it wont be popular) is shared by others. 

Demz2

I also agree, played the game and it is just missing something overall, just dosnt have that x factor.

Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Kethrym


OP i agree 100% something in the game doesnt feel right.  The fanclub will no doubt point out your "stupidity" for talking bad about their game.  They already did it to me.   Regardless of the number of flames you get just remember that your opinion (while it wont be popular) is shared by others. 

Nah, this OP conveyed  the game just wasn't for them in a constructive way, without resorting to name calling (toward the game) and bashing it. You'd be surprised in the different responses you get depending on your presentation. I mean, going into a game's forums and ripping on it, you can't seriously believe you'll get a warm fuzzy response, now do ya?

Ahiles

Graphics-Same as DDO maybe a bit better

Fun- if this isnt the most boring game ive played besides DDO, i dont know what is.

Sound- standard music like every other mmo, nothing special, NOT speacial like a micheal jackson thriller album.

Community-  Must say nice community, most ive met seem to be mature, like op  said, could be due to its beta.  Another reason the game is heavily RP orientated like ddo, which always brings a more mature consumer.

Performance-  It performs as though its a relased game atm, vanguard designers and evryone assoicated should feel ashamed.  Good performance, nothing bad to add here.

PVM- Just another word for pve, do not be fooled by the word "Monster play".  This is NOT PVP.

To all the people that say this is like wow.  Do not belive them, this game has nothing in similarity with wow.  The game is just missing something, it just dosnt have the Xfactor., it all just seemed a little to boring. Ive played beta for just over 3 weeks now, so please dont start flaming saying ive never played it.  The chracater ability animations, also leave alot to be desired.  Very hard to tell if u are using any abilities at all tbh.  I played guardian to lvl 28, maybe its just guardians. 

Overall its an ok game, not great not bad, i would give it a 7.   This game will appeal to imo ddo fans, Rp gamers,  and or casual part time gamers, who want to get away from wow for a few hours.  If anything turbine have pumped out another Bore fest like DDO. 

Edit: Word of caution though, they have significantley increased the amout of XP needed to gain levels, therefore the game has dramtiaclly turned into a grind fest game from what it was before the XP patch.  Kept reminding me of Archlord grinding fater the patch.

 

Kethrym

Originally posted by Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Kethrym


OP i agree 100% something in the game doesnt feel right.  The fanclub will no doubt point out your "stupidity" for talking bad about their game.  They already did it to me.   Regardless of the number of flames you get just remember that your opinion (while it wont be popular) is shared by others. 

Nah, this OP coveyed  the game just wasn't for them in a constructive way, without resorting to name calling (toward the game) and bashing it. You'd be surprised in the different responses you get depending on your presentation. I mean, going into a games forums and ripping on it, you can't serious believe you'll get a warm fuzzy response, now do ya?



I've never been one to tap dance on the line of "being nice".  I'll gladly tell you exactly what I'm thinking.   I don't have to worry about someone reading into my post when it's there in black and white. 

Terminus-Est

I think it was a mistake by Turbine to have an introduction/newbie area that is instanced separately from the gameworld. A lot of people seem to think that it is the game proper, when it is actually quite different. And I understand why - I too wasn't terribly sure about the game up until about level 8 or so, just after the separete instance, but then the game world opens out and I just couldn't help exploring.



In other words, one of LOTRO's strengths is that it is a world you want to explore. But that is not even allowed (nevermind encouraged ) until you finish the starting area.



I would urge anyone who contemplates quitting before getting into the world proper, to give it a wee while longer.

Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Kethrym

Originally posted by Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Kethrym


OP i agree 100% something in the game doesnt feel right.  The fanclub will no doubt point out your "stupidity" for talking bad about their game.  They already did it to me.   Regardless of the number of flames you get just remember that your opinion (while it wont be popular) is shared by others. 

Nah, this OP coveyed  the game just wasn't for them in a constructive way, without resorting to name calling (toward the game) and bashing it. You'd be surprised in the different responses you get depending on your presentation. I mean, going into a games forums and ripping on it, you can't serious believe you'll get a warm fuzzy response, now do ya?



I've never been one to tap dance on the line of "being nice".  I'll gladly tell you exactly what I'm thinking.   I don't have to worry about someone reading into my post when it's there in black and white. 

And that's absolutely cool. I'm just saying if you're going to take that approach then expect people you differ in opinion with to post back. Their opinions are just as valid as yours and just because they like the game there's no need to call them "fanboys" or say that they have blinders on. You may like your coffee black, I may like mine with cream and sugar. Neither one of us is wrong and we don't have to like the same things.

Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Terminus-Est

I think it was a mistake by Turbine to have an introduction/newbie area that is instanced separately from the gameworld. A lot of people seem to think that it is the game proper, when it is actually quite different. And I understand why - I too wasn't terribly sure about the game up until about level 8 or so, just after the separete instance, but then the game world opens out and I just couldn't help exploring.



In other words, one of LOTRO's strengths is that it is a world you want to explore. But that is not even allowed (nevermind encouraged ) until you finish the starting area.



I would urge anyone who contemplates quitting before getting into the world proper, to give it a wee while longer.

I think the instancing is the "flavor of the week"  as far as beginning experiences. I know that Age of Conan, last I heard was doing the single player instance for the first 20 levels or so. *shrug* I know I for one wouldn't want to play the first 20 levels like that. Here you don't even play 1 level that way. After Amdir gets attacked by the Black Rider (for the human starting area) you are ported to Archet and there are other players around. You can group at that point, it's just that most people choose not to. *shrug*

Terminus-Est

Even though there are other characters present in Archet, it still feels restricted. It is not representative of the game proper until Archet had burnt to the ground.



Having said that, I like how the world dynamically changes as you progress. (A lot of people complain that the world is small, but they forget to realize that the same areas are reused for different content.)

mstrsrevati

I feel everyone is entitled to their own opinion on any game after all it's YOUR hard earned dollars you spend on buying the game and monthly paying fees so I in no way am flaming anyone here. 

I was just wondering if when you did play if you did any of the epic or chapter quests?  I ask this because I find these to be so much fun and really bring the game to life.  Last night I was with a fellowship of my kinsmen and we entered the book iv chapter 8 quest where we had to help Legolas fight wood trolls etc.  I have to say this quest was so engaging and challenging.  We didn't  conquer the last boss, he was a double elite 37k health and he had a group of normal 8k elites helping him.  We were so close but in the end we were defeated.  Even though we didn't win we all left the instance in awe and can't wait to go back again.  This quest is for players that are level 38+ .  However I have found since the beginning of the game the chapter quests are fun, I'd also like to say that LOTR is still in beta and we just received a very large patch adding and changing things around some for the better some we didn't like because of course they are balancing the game out.  You have to remember this game isn't finished.  At least they aren't releasing it and telling you it's done..like other games have done that I keep reading about. 

If you play and don't like it there's nothing wrong with that at all.  If everyone loved the same game there wouldn't be such a vast market.  My problem is when people flame the game and compare it to WoW.  This game isn't anything like WoW.   I played WoW for a year and finally quit when I realized that in the end we were all just running through the same raid instances trying to find the armor sets so we can move up to bigger instances.  This to me was bland, who wants to look like every other hunter, mage, warrior out there.  That's exactly what happens though when you are forced to wear the same exact thing in order to do the very best you can in your class.  Talk about lacking the xfactor. 

In conclusion LOTR may not be the game for you but then again it's NOT finished and the devs continue to add and tweak the content.

 

Khalathwyr

I know what you mean about Archet yet personally I'm ok with it.

I really dig that the world can be changed like that. The cool thing I've been thinking about is that, since we know their technology allows for a dynamic world, and with Turbine's proven track record of not being afraid to let the players influence really, truly changing the world through major Live team events, I would hope that we would also get that chance in some way. Not to change the existing lore, mind you. I don't want to open that can of bees. But Turbine has a little leeway to create some content that isn't in the books, and maybe creating a sub-commander under the Witch-King who controls a keep (in the PvE areas) and hosting a huge battle (like the Shadow invaision in AC1) where the outcome determines if the keep stands and has other benefits...I don't know. Just sounds interesting to me. *shrug* Oh, and fully letting there be the possibility of different outcomes on different servers.

Jackdog

every shoe does not fit every foot. There have been a lot of popular games I did not care for such as EQ1, WoW and COH. Does not mean they were not good games they just were not my style.

Ruthgar

The first two times I tried to play LOTRO, I agreed with the OP.

However, since I was a beta tester at the beginning of beta 1, I decided I should grit my teeth and play.



I have told my friends that they should pre-order the game and just bear with the first 15-20 levels.

I think the game shines by the time you get to the Lonelands.



LOTRO just didn't hook me to begin with like some MMOs I've tried. Usually I like them until I get a few levels in.



My advice is to keep playing it. Go to the Shire, walk up to the Lonelands.

Krogg

Originally posted by Maverick123w


   If I had to sum up both games, in my own opinion... and thats all it is, Vanguard came out unfinished but is much richer.  LOTR came out as a slick finished project but seems kind of hollow.  I know I only played for an hour... but I'm usually pretty good at getting a feel for a game pretty quickly.  Like I said I came in wanting this to be great, but It's just not for me, I hope people enjoy it though.
Cheers

BETA  BETA  BETA  BETA

This is why people should NOT play beta unless they are here to test.  Sure, you may 'know' it's beta, but people acting like this is the final product ready to ship... Still 7 weeks kids!!

 

Sovrath

Originally posted by Ruthgar

The first two times I tried to play LOTRO, I agreed with the OP.

However, since I was a beta tester at the beginning of beta 1, I decided I should grit my teeth and play.



I have told my friends that they should pre-order the game and just bear with the first 15-20 levels.

I think the game shines by the time you get to the Lonelands.



LOTRO just didn't hook me to begin with like some MMOs I've tried. Usually I like them until I get a few levels in.



My advice is to keep playing it. Go to the Shire, walk up to the Lonelands.

I have to agree with this. The game really starts to become interesting around 15+ (for me). This is somewhat unfortunate as it obviously turns people off. Though I have head that the human/hobbit starter instance is more interesting than the dwarf/elf instance.



I've actually stopped beta testing as enthusiastically because I am lvl 25 and don't want to ruin the rest of the game for myself. I still haven't seen a lot of place (well, most places I imagine) and that has some merit going into the release (or open beta as I have preordered.)

thinkingbear

Originally posted by Krogg


BETA  BETA  BETA  BETA
This is why people should NOT play beta unless they are here to test.  Sure, you may 'know' it's beta, but people acting like this is the final product ready to ship... Still 7 weeks kids!!

I totally agree.  I think Turbine is a victim of their own success here.  The game has looked so good and polished for so long they forget it is BETA and are comparing it to retail releases.

Verisol

I had the same feeling when I first started trying the game that the movement felt strange and the combat after playing for awhile and getting out of the starter area I'm really enjoying the game and the overall atmosphere of the areas. There is something about it that makes me want to play it and I'm not sure what it is.

Maverick123w

Well I guess I'll give it another try... I still want to play it as I've loved the LOTR books etc. but I'm worried the basic operations of the game (movement, animation etc.) will annoy me.  Something feels off to me.

virtuella

I'm ingame until the game closes.

I bought the lifetime account

Maverick123w

Originally posted by Krogg

Originally posted by Maverick123w


   If I had to sum up both games, in my own opinion... and thats all it is, Vanguard came out unfinished but is much richer.  LOTR came out as a slick finished project but seems kind of hollow.  I know I only played for an hour... but I'm usually pretty good at getting a feel for a game pretty quickly.  Like I said I came in wanting this to be great, but It's just not for me, I hope people enjoy it though.
Cheers

BETA  BETA  BETA  BETA

This is why people should NOT play beta unless they are here to test.  Sure, you may 'know' it's beta, but people acting like this is the final product ready to ship... Still 7 weeks kids!!

 

Whats wrong with comparing a game people say is still a beta(VG:SOH) to a game that really still is beta that everyone says is so polished etc.?  I'm just comparing LOTR to the game I'm currently playing.

I'm liking vanguard alot despite the bugs (I've only run into about 5 so far and most quest realted, though I know for a fact some people have run into horrid horrid bugs) and just wanted to make sure it wasn't because I havent played mmo's in a year (WoW left a bad taste in my mouth), thats why I gave LOTR a shot. 

Sovrath

Originally posted by Maverick123w

Originally posted by Krogg

Originally posted by Maverick123w


   If I had to sum up both games, in my own opinion... and thats all it is, Vanguard came out unfinished but is much richer.  LOTR came out as a slick finished project but seems kind of hollow.  I know I only played for an hour... but I'm usually pretty good at getting a feel for a game pretty quickly.  Like I said I came in wanting this to be great, but It's just not for me, I hope people enjoy it though.
Cheers

BETA  BETA  BETA  BETA

This is why people should NOT play beta unless they are here to test.  Sure, you may 'know' it's beta, but people acting like this is the final product ready to ship... Still 7 weeks kids!!

 

Whats wrong with comparing a game people say is still a beta(VG:SOH) to a game that really still is beta that everyone says is so polished etc.?  I'm just comparing LOTR to the game I'm currently playing.

I'm liking vanguard alot despite the bugs (I've only run into about 5 so far and most quest realted, though I know for a fact some people have run into horrid horrid bugs) and just wanted to make sure it wasn't because I havent played mmo's in a year (WoW left a bad taste in my mouth), thats why I gave LOTR a shot. 

Well, to be honest, LOTRO is in the WoW family as opposed to Vanguard which seems to be a bit everquest like. I would almost say that it is probably what a lot of people thought EQII was going to be (someone can correct me on that but that's my general feeling).



Vanguard has a lot going for it.



But my god, it is buggy. And also temperamental.

Ciredric

If you played the game for an hour, you really have no clue what you are talking about. 

Then to top it off you mentioned you play Vanguard.  Now really. after playing the alpha build of Vanguard anything would have to be better even a MUD. 

 

Krogg

Originally posted by Maverick123w

Originally posted by Krogg

Originally posted by Maverick123w

   If I had to sum up both games, in my own opinion... and thats all it is, Vanguard came out unfinished but is much richer.  LOTR came out as a slick finished project but seems kind of hollow.  I know I only played for an hour... but I'm usually pretty good at getting a feel for a game pretty quickly.  Like I said I came in wanting this to be great, but It's just not for me, I hope people enjoy it though.

Cheers

BETA  BETA  BETA  BETA

This is why people should NOT play beta unless they are here to test.  Sure, you may 'know' it's beta, but people acting like this is the final product ready to ship... Still 7 weeks kids!!

 

Whats wrong with comparing a game people say is still a beta(VG:SOH) to a game that really still is beta that everyone says is so polished etc.?  I'm just comparing LOTR to the game I'm currently playing.

I'm liking vanguard alot despite the bugs (I've only run into about 5 so far and most quest realted, though I know for a fact some people have run into horrid horrid bugs) and just wanted to make sure it wasn't because I havent played mmo's in a year (WoW left a bad taste in my mouth), thats why I gave LOTR a shot. 

Problem is this.

Yes it looks finished, but it is still in beta, and people who are going to log in and play through it should be there to help beta test, not to 'give it a shot'.  There are too many people wasting beta spots just to see if they like the game, when it still needs a bit of polishing.  Players need to be checking out the dark corners of the game and helping /bug everything they can, especially now, not just playing for an hour to see if they want to preorder.  I have no problem with that though, if the person at least does a bit of testing while they're there.

If you only want to 'give it a shot', wait another 19 days for open.  It will be a bit closer to what the final game will look like.