I will give you my opinion. The average age of gamers is in their 30s and that means most of them have read at least the Hobbit, if not the whole series. That means the world actually has meaning to a lot of people. I have played every single MMO since UO beta and I haven't cared about the lore of a single game until this one. Not a single game before this in my opinion did a good job of incorporating their lore and storyline into the character's world.
Second the game is much much much more casual friendly then any other game on the market. I remember some people finished the endgame dungeon of Car Dum in closed beta and they said it took them a few hours to complete. Even Warcraft (which is supposed to be casual) takes a lot longer then that to finish a raid dungeon. I remember when my guild was learning MC we would take 3 hours a day for 2 days working on that dungeon.
Third, The classes and party dynamics are quite different and so there is always a spot for every type of class. That means so far no one is being left out with their supposed gimped class they chose. That is a huge problem in a lot of other MMO games, but nothing in Beta indictated it would be a problem here.
Last, Not every person who writes a good review for the game is getting paid. I would rate this game as the best game on the market currently and it is my second or third favorite game of all time. (Along with AC1 and DAoC).
Since the person is comparing to EQ2, I personally do not like EQ2's style of graphics. The characters have always looked like they had no life and were plastic to me. Also, I hated the zoning system in that game. In LOTRO I can avoid zoning pretty much for a whole night of playing if I want, but even if I do zone its really quick and painless into a building or an instance for a quest. EQ2 had me zoning literally dozens of times in an hour of play time and that really turned me off to the game. I hated zoning while doing quests in the main city (forget the name of it now).
I would agree with several others that overall LOTRO has the best graphics on the market currently, but that is just opinion. It all depends on what style you like the best.
Currently playing: LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too: Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
I hear the word clone alot.. how is any game a clone..lets think about this for a few
clone meaning exact replica
WoW is a cartoony game based off of warcraft ..ok
LoTRO more realistic look. based off of Lord of the rings
ok so were do we get clone
well things in common
They both have an interface ..ok.. every game does
There both mmorpgs ok there are alot of them
they both have wasd move controls well so do alot of games
for some reason im not seeing a clone anywere here
if your going to use the word clone make sure you know what it means first!
No need to argue semantics. People use the term "clone" loosely. Anyone looking objectively at today's MMORPG's can easily see the similarities. Although this argument is probably lost on one with an obvious lack of... debate experience...
I hear the word clone alot.. how is any game a clone..lets think about this for a few
clone meaning exact replica
WoW is a cartoony game based off of warcraft ..ok
LoTRO more realistic look. based off of Lord of the rings
ok so were do we get clone
well things in common
They both have an interface ..ok.. every game does
There both mmorpgs ok there are alot of them
they both have wasd move controls well so do alot of games
for some reason im not seeing a clone anywere here
if your going to use the word clone make sure you know what it means first!
No need to argue semantics. People use the term "clone" loosely. Anyone looking objectively at today's MMORPG's can easily see the similarities.
Eve has a button interface, is WoW a clone of EvE. UO had mages and melee classes, was EQ1 a UO clone? Get over it Stan all these game are played on a computer and there are only so many ways of doing things due to the hardware and software limitations. As you yourself point out all MMORPGs will have similarities. The biggest thing WoW and LoTRO have in common is an abundance of quests, and I suppose that is because their research showed that was a popular design feature. God forbid that a designer puts something in his product because people seem to like that feature.
Eve has a button interface, is WoW a clone of EvE. UO had mages and melee classes, was EQ1 a UO clone? Get over it Stan all these game are played on a computer and there are only so many ways of doing things due to the hardware and software limitations. The very fact they are graphical MUDs will ensure that they have things in common, your arguments are moot.
I dont know whether to laugh at or feel sorry for this argument, Jackdog. Wait, no.. I do. Definitely the latter.
Eve has a button interface, is WoW a clone of EvE. UO had mages and melee classes, was EQ1 a UO clone? Get over it Stan all these game are played on a computer and there are only so many ways of doing things due to the hardware and software limitations. The very fact they are graphical MUDs will ensure that they have things in common, your arguments are moot.
I dont know whether to laugh at or feel sorry for this argument, Jackdog. Wait, no.. I do. Definitely the latter.
I find it humorous when people refer to LOTRO as a clone. What is it a clone of exactly? Is it a clone of the right things that work in the genre? Then yes of course it is. Is it a clone of any particular game? No, of course not. It doesn't have the same art direction or style of any other game. It doesn't use the same story or lore of any other game. It doesn't use the same classes in the same way as any other game. It doesn't have the same pvp system as any other game. It doesn't use the same character customizing system as any other game. So what does it have that is the same? Well it is a Fantasy game. IT does have an in game map and compass. It does have quests. IT does use button pressing combat. (but of course every video game uses button pressing, at least until they create VR machines ). It does have an auction house. It does use a mailbox system. It does use levels to advance your characters. So which of those features that it has in common are found in only one other game that is supposedly cloned?
Currently playing: LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too: Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
Eve has a button interface, is WoW a clone of EvE. UO had mages and melee classes, was EQ1 a UO clone? Get over it Stan all these game are played on a computer and there are only so many ways of doing things due to the hardware and software limitations. The very fact they are graphical MUDs will ensure that they have things in common, your arguments are moot.
I dont know whether to laugh at or feel sorry for this argument, Jackdog. Wait, no.. I do. Definitely the latter.
Know what is funny Stan. I feel sorry for you. You know a long time ago on a t shirt I saw something that changed the way of looking at life. It said"living well is the best revenge", which I took to mean that nothing pisses off your enemies more than to see you succeed. Instead of channeling your hate in a negative direction, use it as fuel to power your own success. take it for what it's worth but it has sure worked for me. You are wasting your time here Stan, the game is still number 1 over at EB games and will be MMORPG of the year if not overall game of the year. Judging from my personal observations, eight out of ten people who try the game, love it. As my daddy used to say, you're just pissing into the wind boy.
Know what is funny Stan. I feel sorry for you. You know a long time ago on a t shirt I saw something that changed the way of looking at life. It said"living well is the best revenge", which I took to mean that nothing pisses off your enemies more than to see you succeed. Instead of channeling your hate in a negative direction, use it as fuel to power your own success. take it for what it's worth but it has sure worked for me. You are wasting your time here Stan, the game is still number 1 over at EB games and will be MMORPG of the year if not overall game of the year. Judging from my personal observations, eight out of ten people who try the game, love it. As my daddy used to say, you're just pissing into the wind boy.
If you feel sorry for me, then you need to look up the psychological term "projection".
I neither need nor asked for any personal "life advice". See to it that you keep it to yourself in the future.
Now, on to actual debate. Just because a game is a number 1 seller doesn't mean its great, or even selling that well. You have to understand that a sales list is relative. You can be #1 on the saleslist during a time when not many games are selling. I'm sure you've seen the overused movie advertisement scheme where they state "Such and Such is the #1 Family Drama in America". It doesn't mean that movie did relatively well, it just means it topped a list at that particular time.
Will LOTRO get an MMORPG of the Year award? How many other MMORPG's have been, or will be released this year? TBC... um... that's all I can think of off the top of my head. Again, its relative. If only 2 games are competing for a reward, its not much of a competition.
Will LOTRO get an Overall Game of the Year award? Now that I highly doubt. Just off the top of my head, God of War 2 would easily take this title.
Look Jackdog, its obvious you are a fan of the game. But no matter how much you like it, it doesn't mean its as good to everyone as you feel it is for yourself. If you don't believe me, feel free to read what others have to say as well...
Know what is funny Stan. I feel sorry for you. You know a long time ago on a t shirt I saw something that changed the way of looking at life. It said"living well is the best revenge", which I took to mean that nothing pisses off your enemies more than to see you succeed. Instead of channeling your hate in a negative direction, use it as fuel to power your own success. take it for what it's worth but it has sure worked for me. You are wasting your time here Stan, the game is still number 1 over at EB games and will be MMORPG of the year if not overall game of the year. Judging from my personal observations, eight out of ten people who try the game, love it. As my daddy used to say, you're just pissing into the wind boy.
If you feel sorry for me, then you need to look up the psychological term "projection".
I neither need nor asked for any personal "life advice". See to it that you keep it to yourself in the future.
Now, on to actual debate. Just because a game is a number 1 seller doesn't mean its great, or even selling that well. You have to understand that a sales list is relative. You can be #1 on the saleslist during a time when not many games are selling. I'm sure you've seen the overused movie advertisement scheme where they state "Such and Such is the #1 Family Drama in America". It doesn't mean that movie did relatively well, it just means it topped a list at that particular time.
Will LOTRO get an MMORPG of the Year award? How many other MMORPG's have been, or will be released this year? TBC... um... that's all I can think of off the top of my head. Again, its relative. If only 2 games are competing for a reward, its not much of a competition.
Will LOTRO get an Overall Game of the Year award? Now that I highly doubt. Just off the top of my head, God of War 2 would easily take this title.
Look Jackdog, its obvious you are a fan of the game. But no matter how much you like it, it doesn't mean its as good to everyone as you feel it is for yourself. If you don't believe me, feel free to read what others have to say as well...
First off God of War 2 won't be competing against LOTRO. One is a console single player game and the other is an MMO. Secondly it has been the number 1 seller for months on EBgames and Gamestop. Thirdly there are more then two games competing for the MMO of the year award. There will be TBC, Vanguard, LOTRO, as well as sword of the new world, and I believe one of the pirates games is supposed to release this year. What did WoW compete against the year it won? EQ2 and City of Heroes and that was about it.
I don't understand what people dislike about the game so much? Unless all they played was to about level 6 or so and never got to see much of the world. The game is very well made (much more so then any MMO I have played). I have never crashed in the game, the worst bug I have encountered is my herald getting stuck on terrain (on that note I had bugs to the day I quit WoW, including the game stopping loot bug where I would have to exit the game and reenter to be able to do anything, or the equally annoying vanish bug where I would be stuck in the vanish animation). While the Graphics aren't the technically great, but equally empty EQ2 graphics or the extremely well done art style, but low technical quality of WoW, they are a happy medium. The scenery is the best I have seen in a game so far, the armor texture is very well done and very realistic. The characters in some aspects leave a lot to be desired, yet you can do great things with the in game emotes such as character mood. The weapons are actually pretty cool in a real manner.
If anything I don't understand how someone who likes EQ2 or WoW can not like LOTRO, unless they don't like the lore. The game is a much more polished version of either of those two games with all of the good and none of the bad to either game. IMO the only people that I can see hating this game are either:
1. the sandbox players who want a world to play in and no linear gameplay
2. the "hardcore" PVPer or the Ganker. They want world PVP and nothing less
3. the "hardcore" Raider, they want their uber loot from their long raids and they don't want others to have equal gear.
That is about it. Anyone who enjoys playing a storyline, or enjoys doing quests, or loves to RP, or just wants a nice fun casual game will love this game. I personally place this as a tie for number 2 best game of all time.
1. Asheron's Call 1 (after UO, which I hated, this was my first MMO love)
2. Dark Age Of Camelot / Lord of the rings online ( I can't really choose which one I like better, both have had great moments)
4. World of Warcraft (here on the strength of the 1-59 game play and the small group stuff, if I was rating it just on raids it would be one of the bottom games)
5. I can't really think of another game that I really enjoyed. I played the top 4 here (except LOTRO of course) for at least 18 months each, with AC1 at 4 years and DAoC for 3 years as the most played.
Currently playing: LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too: Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
First off God of War 2 won't be competing against LOTRO. One is a console single player game and the other is an MMO. Secondly it has been the number 1 seller for months on EBgames and Gamestop. Thirdly there are more then two games competing for the MMO of the year award. There will be TBC, Vanguard, LOTRO, as well as sword of the new world, and I believe one of the pirates games is supposed to release this year. What did WoW compete against the year it won? EQ2 and City of Heroes and that was about it.
First off, I was specifically referring to an Overall Game of the Year category. Games from all platforms and genre's are considered. Secondly, the vast majority of sales of games come from retail outlets, not online outlets. Even though this wasn't my point... Thirdly, my mistake, I didn't realize there were a whole 3 more games to be included. You know, perhaps thats a bit too many. I say we make a new category of Best LOTR Themed MMORPG. I'm sure LOTRO will win it , then.
I don't understand what people dislike about the game so much?
Perhaps you should read a little more closely then.
Unless all they played was to about level 6 or so and never got to see much of the world.
From what I have read, it seems that players have the same complaints, regardless of their level or what part of the game world they are in.
The game is very well made (much more so then any MMO I have played). I have never crashed in the game, the worst bug I have encountered is my herald getting stuck on terrain (on that note I had bugs to the day I quit WoW, including the game stopping loot bug where I would have to exit the game and reenter to be able to do anything, or the equally annoying vanish bug where I would be stuck in the vanish animation).
I don't think anyone is complaining about the games stability or seeming lack of bugs at this point.
While the Graphics aren't the technically great, but equally empty EQ2 graphics or the extremely well done art style, but low technical quality of WoW, they are a happy medium. The scenery is the best I have seen in a game so far, the armor texture is very well done and very realistic. The characters in some aspects leave a lot to be desired, yet you can do great things with the in game emotes such as character mood. The weapons are actually pretty cool in a real manner.
/shrug.
If anything I don't understand how someone who likes EQ2 or WoW can not like LOTRO, unless they don't like the lore.
Just because you don't understand something, doesn't invalidate it as an argument.
The game is a much more polished version of either of those two games with all of the good and none of the bad to either game. IMO the only people that I can see hating this game are either:
1. the sandbox players who want a world to play in and no linear gameplay
2. the "hardcore" PVPer or the Ganker. They want world PVP and nothing less
3. the "hardcore" Raider, they want their uber loot from their long raids and they don't want others to have equal gear.
You forgot option 4. People who want good gameplay.
That is about it. Anyone who enjoys playing a storyline, or enjoys doing quests, or loves to RP, or just wants a nice fun casual game will love this game.
Perhaps you overestimate the amount of people who enjoy those things you mentioned.
I personally place this as a tie for number 2 best game of all time.
1. Asheron's Call 1 (after UO, which I hated, this was my first MMO love)
2. Dark Age Of Camelot / Lord of the rings online ( I can't really choose which one I like better, both have had great moments)
4. World of Warcraft (here on the strength of the 1-59 game play and the small group stuff, if I was rating it just on raids it would be one of the bottom games)
5. I can't really think of another game that I really enjoyed. I played the top 4 here (except LOTRO of course) for at least 18 months each, with AC1 at 4 years and DAoC for 3 years as the most played.
Neat, but meaningless. You have no credentials with which to lend any clout to your arbitrary list.
First off God of War 2 won't be competing against LOTRO. One is a console single player game and the other is an MMO. Secondly it has been the number 1 seller for months on EBgames and Gamestop. Thirdly there are more then two games competing for the MMO of the year award. There will be TBC, Vanguard, LOTRO, as well as sword of the new world, and I believe one of the pirates games is supposed to release this year. What did WoW compete against the year it won? EQ2 and City of Heroes and that was about it.
First off, I was specifically referring to an Overall Game of the Year category. Games from all platforms and genre's are considered. Secondly, the vast majority of sales of games come from retail outlets, not online outlets. Even though this wasn't my point... Thirdly, my mistake, I didn't realize there were a whole 3 more games to be included. You know, perhaps thats a bit too many. I say we make a new category of Best LOTR Themed MMORPG. I'm sure LOTRO will win it , then.
I don't understand what people dislike about the game so much?
Perhaps you should read a little more closely then.
Unless all they played was to about level 6 or so and never got to see much of the world.
From what I have read, it seems that players have the same complaints, regardless of their level or what part of the game world they are in.
The game is very well made (much more so then any MMO I have played). I have never crashed in the game, the worst bug I have encountered is my herald getting stuck on terrain (on that note I had bugs to the day I quit WoW, including the game stopping loot bug where I would have to exit the game and reenter to be able to do anything, or the equally annoying vanish bug where I would be stuck in the vanish animation).
I don't think anyone is complaining about the games stability or seeming lack of bugs at this point.
While the Graphics aren't the technically great, but equally empty EQ2 graphics or the extremely well done art style, but low technical quality of WoW, they are a happy medium. The scenery is the best I have seen in a game so far, the armor texture is very well done and very realistic. The characters in some aspects leave a lot to be desired, yet you can do great things with the in game emotes such as character mood. The weapons are actually pretty cool in a real manner.
/shrug.
If anything I don't understand how someone who likes EQ2 or WoW can not like LOTRO, unless they don't like the lore.
Just because you don't understand something, doesn't invalidate it as an argument.
The game is a much more polished version of either of those two games with all of the good and none of the bad to either game. IMO the only people that I can see hating this game are either:
1. the sandbox players who want a world to play in and no linear gameplay
2. the "hardcore" PVPer or the Ganker. They want world PVP and nothing less
3. the "hardcore" Raider, they want their uber loot from their long raids and they don't want others to have equal gear.
You forgot option 4. People who want good gameplay.
That is about it. Anyone who enjoys playing a storyline, or enjoys doing quests, or loves to RP, or just wants a nice fun casual game will love this game.
Perhaps you overestimate the amount of people who enjoy those things you mentioned.
I personally place this as a tie for number 2 best game of all time.
1. Asheron's Call 1 (after UO, which I hated, this was my first MMO love)
2. Dark Age Of Camelot / Lord of the rings online ( I can't really choose which one I like better, both have had great moments)
4. World of Warcraft (here on the strength of the 1-59 game play and the small group stuff, if I was rating it just on raids it would be one of the bottom games)
5. I can't really think of another game that I really enjoyed. I played the top 4 here (except LOTRO of course) for at least 18 months each, with AC1 at 4 years and DAoC for 3 years as the most played.
Neat, but meaningless. You have no credentials with which to lend any clout to your arbitrary list.
Lol I don't need any credentials its my opinion and that is why its called an opinion.
Gameplay is very subjective. I know people who love to just sit and grind on mobs all day. I know people that hate PVE with a passion. So gameplay isn't exactly a cut and dry category. Different people like different things, just like different people like different graphics in their game. I know some people who love WoW's Graphics and hail them as the best on the market (and they actually believe they are the best).
Edit: And the point about the amount of games it was competing against for MMO of the year is because every year that is how it is. There are never dozens of MMO games launched in a single year.
Currently playing: LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too: Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
Lol I don't need any credentials its my opinion and that is why its called an opinion.
Oh, pardon me then. I mean, here I was under the impression reading your list of "best games of all time" that you took the time to make, that you thought your view was somehow significant. At least we both agree it isnt.
Gameplay is very subjective. I know people who love to just sit and grind on mobs all day. I know people that hate PVE with a passion. So gameplay isn't exactly a cut and dry category. Different people like different things, just like different people like different graphics in their game. I know some people who love WoW's Graphics and hail them as the best on the market (and they actually believe they are the best).
And some people like to pretend to smoke pipeweed while walking barefoot in the shire, practicing their elvish prose and generally lallygagging about. This is the type of "gameplay" that LOTRO is well suited for. I've said this on several occasions. What is significant though, is that players who like this type of RP environment would have the rest of us believe the game deserves a 9.5ish rating because of this. But didn't I just say that?
Edit: And the point about the amount of games it was competing against for MMO of the year is because every year that is how it is. There are never dozens of MMO games launched in a single year.
In other words, trying to brag about an MMO winning an MMO competition is really meaningless. Thats pretty much what I was saying... yet again.
Lol I don't need any credentials its my opinion and that is why its called an opinion.
Oh, pardon me then. I mean, here I was under the impression reading your list of "best games of all time" that you took the time to make, that you thought your view was somehow significant. At least we both agree it isnt.
The point here was that everything I say of course is just an opinion. Doesn't matter if I am me, or if I am a Game Developing "God" like Will Wright. It is till an opinion. I don't care how many credentials you have Video Games are too subjective for anyone's opinion to actually matter.
Gameplay is very subjective. I know people who love to just sit and grind on mobs all day. I know people that hate PVE with a passion. So gameplay isn't exactly a cut and dry category. Different people like different things, just like different people like different graphics in their game. I know some people who love WoW's Graphics and hail them as the best on the market (and they actually believe they are the best).
And some people like to pretend to smoke pipeweed while walking barefoot in the shire, practicing their elvish prose and generally lallygagging about. This is the type of "gameplay" that LOTRO is well suited for. I've said this on several occasions. What is significant though, is that players who like this type of RP environment would have the rest of us believe the game deserves a 9.5ish rating because of this. But didn't I just say that?
Well its not only great for RPing. I personally can't stand RPing in a game (other then messing with my wife when she is playing as well) I think the game has great combat, the fellowship manuevers are a great added feature. I love the fact that the game isn't designed so heavily on healing. The group I was in the other night finished quite a lot of quests together and I was the main tank and the main/only healer in the group (as a Captain). I really love the storyline of the game. I personally think that MMO games are going to become more and more like single player RPGs. Where each individual character (or small group) feel like they are the hero of the story being told. I see this as where the genre is going. I think the days are long past of grinding out mobs and open "sandbox" style worlds. I think sandbox style games are going to be an extreme niche of the genre.
Edit: And the point about the amount of games it was competing against for MMO of the year is because every year that is how it is. There are never dozens of MMO games launched in a single year.
In other words, trying to brag about an MMO winning an MMO competition is really meaningless. Thats pretty much what I was saying... yet again.
Yes its as pointless as any game winning an award. They are meaningless. Really this isn't the Oscars, the game isn't going to get a better paying job by winning awards and in most cases neither are the designers.
Currently playing: LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too: Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
I'm really wracking my brain here trying to figure out what you are trying to do. In fact, I can't. According to you, no one's opinion matters and game awards are meaningless.
I'm really wracking my brain here trying to figure out what you are trying to do. In fact, I can't. According to you, no one's opinion matters and game awards are meaningless.
So uh, why are you posting here?
Does that mean we shouldn't talk about it? I read an article the other day that scientists believe they found a world that might have a similar environment as earth does. And so might be able to hold life or may already hold life. But it is light years away. We can't reach it so the information really has no meaning. But people still try to figure it out. Knowledge is powerful and knowing as much as you can possibly know is a good thing. But when asking someone about something that is so very much subjective it is hard to actually get a good review. Same goes for movies, art, books, music, etc. Yes everyone of those categories has critics and reviewers, but does that mean they can actually have a quality review?
Example:
Critics Reviews Average Grade: B-
Source Brief Review Grade*
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie "...the film is a disappointment overall." more... C+
Boston Globe
Wesley Morris "The movie has the curious effect of leaving you over-fulfilled." more... B
Chicago Sun-Times
Richard Roeper "...I was so disappointed by the meandering storylines, sub-par performances and lackluster bad guys..." more... C
Chicago Tribune
Michael Phillips "...the franchise machinery doesn't entirely flatten the latest installment." more... B-
E! Online
Alex Markerson "M.J. sings, Spidey dances, everybody cries and there's a suitable amount of punching." more... B
Entertainment Weekly
Owen Gleiberman "Spider-Man 3 is product, but it's a machine that tickles your eyes." more... B-
filmcritic.com
Sean O'Connell "...definitely appears overstuffed." more... C
Hollywood Reporter
Michael Rechtshaffen "...there's plenty to enjoy here..." more... B+
New York Post
Lou Lumenick "This overstuffed treat...drags in spots." more... B
New York Times
Manohla Dargis "...mostly just plods and plods along..." more... C
ReelViews
James Berardinelli "...this one is a misfire..." more... C-
Rolling Stone
Peter Travers "...uneven, ungainly and frayed at the edges but there's lively mischief in it still." more... B
San Francisco Chronicle
Mick LaSalle "... it's not a difficult movie to sit through. It's just difficult to enjoy." more... C-
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
William Arnold "...suffers the waning of inspiration that so frequently infects the third installments of great series..." more... B
USA Today
Claudia Puig "...an action-packed tale with the emotional heft and humor we've come to expect from the series." more... B
Do the C- and Cs really carry any weight at all for the new Spiderman movie? Especially after it shattered the opening weekend with over 148million dollars in sales? Reviews really only carry weight with that particular reviewers fans and then really only if you agree with the reviewer
Currently playing: LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too: Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
As a member of this forum for quite some time, I have always held the opinion that the game "ratings" at this website (www.mmorpg.com) are paid for by the particular gaming company who wants a high rating in order to boost sales.
As for me, personally, after beta testing the game I agree the graphics are superb. However, the game is rather boring, and I think it is actually much easier than WoW (although I never thought that could happen). I just dont care for games that have an "always on" EZ button. Also, since I have watched the movies, and read the books, the world isnt very interesting for me. Oh well, plenty of other titles coming along to try.
Its like the who's on first, what's on second gag.
What are ya asking me for? You're the one saying it doesn't matter!
So I'll try to get things back on track. Would anyone consider it significant if LOTRO beat out Vanguard for the title of Best MMORPG of 2007? I doubt it. How about if the contest was Best MMORPG of all Time? Now that would be something to talk about. Best Game of all Time? Anarchy.
All I'm trying to do is put things in perspective.
Vesavius I believe that the main reasonings for the game rating that most people are going to, in one form or another, convey.
Firstly, because the MMORPG.com community has seen its shares of dreadfully launched games, most of the community seems to hold that moment as a make or brake deal. Games like Dark and Light, Face of Mankind, To some degree vanguard, and even way back to AC2 have had either completely botched and incomplete launches, to chunks of promised content being missing. Largely people hold a game to it's promised word, they don't see the potential, but what it is. I'm not discuraging, nor condoning this philosophy, as both sides have very good points, however this probably the single biggest influince on what kind of a rating a new game is going to recieve.
In addition, while honostly it does have less races and classes than many other fantacy MMO's, the classes themselves are a bit more creatively handled than in other MMOs. Almost every single class is, in one form or another, a hybred. You DO have a rogue, however it is less of a rogue that you see in most MMOs as a form of quick DPS fighters and more of the primary debuffer. He is also gifted with being the ONLY class that can start a fellowship ability (Think sort of like EQ2's group attacks, accept much more powerful). There's the ranger, which instead of being just another rogue is the main DPS in the game. He is also able to fight in close combat decently, as apposed to other games that use mages as their main DPS source. Their 'pet class' (while quite honostly I feel that they have reduced their pet's officiency a bit too much since beta. I agree that it was too powerful at first, but now it's far too weak) or 'mage' is very different than in other games. For one it's not the main source of DPS as a mage, and it has a large number of control abilities. Being the primary and only real 'caster' in the game, it is a very large leap for them to have it function as a controller where all other games who only have one source of a caster will turn them into the DPS. Guardians are very similar to all tanks in other games, however the champion is raised much higher in use than in other MMO's offensive fighter because they are made the second largest source of DPS, next to the hunter. Most games, again, the offensive fighter does good damge, but because you have a super nuking mage and a boatload of other damage dealing classes, they usualy get the shaft. I could say more about the rest of the classes but the point is made.
Furthermore, while the IP does in fact (for reasons we'll see) add to the possitive reviews, it can also just as easly brake a game. SWG screwed up not only because it kept braking promices and (for the majority's opinion) becoming worse in gameply, it was the fact that it was a widely popular IP that was being let down and in turn letting down all of the IP fans. Yet, LOtRO is doing good in ratings thus far, because it does an amazing implamentation of the IP. They followed the books for the majority of all the discriptions given for places and characters. Quests, while some are very tedious, tend to have interesting stories behind them. Plus, they have deeper purposes as they often help you work towards unlocking tittles and traits.
As far as your comparison with EQ2, if you recall EQ2 only had two towns for a long time, while LOtRO has 4 major ones and several minor ones inbetween. While Vanguard has a lot of races and classes, and honostly some nice lore, some of its locations where largely overlooked (compare the shady Dark Elf city, which does not reflect their attitude of grandure, compared to the detail given to the huge dwarven city). Every game has its faults, LOtRO surely does as well, but they've done a good job over all, it's more complete of a product than other MMOs of late have been. I may not play it myself forever, as I can see how it could become boring in the area of having only a few main progressing storylines that are quite linear, and the lack of classes could become boring. I do still believe it to be a solid game with a bit of everything to satisfy most gamers and keep them interested through storyline.
Its like the who's on first, what's on second gag.
What are ya asking me for? You're the one saying it doesn't matter!
So I'll try to get things back on track. Would anyone consider it significant if LOTRO beat out Vanguard for the title of Best MMORPG of 2007? I doubt it. How about if the contest was Best MMORPG of all Time? Now that would be something to talk about. Best Game of all Time? Anarchy.
All I'm trying to do is put things in perspective.
I would probably say LotR SHOULD beat VG in the yearly poll, but of course I am hoping AoC, or even WAR, will beat them both hands down. I like what I am seeing in both, though I only play 1 MMORPG at a time and AoC is way ahead for me personally for a raft of reasons that I won't go into here
Best MMORPG of all time so far? Hrm.. well... probably DAoC for me, again, personally.
Vesavius I believe that the main reasonings for the game rating that most people are going to, in one form or another, convey.
Firstly, because the MMORPG.com community has seen its shares of dreadfully launched games, most of the community seems to hold that moment as a make or brake deal. Games like Dark and Light, Face of Mankind, To some degree vanguard, and even way back to AC2 have had either completely botched and incomplete launches, to chunks of promised content being missing. Largely people hold a game to it's promised word, they don't see the potential, but what it is. I'm not discuraging, nor condoning this philosophy, as both sides have very good points, however this probably the single biggest influince on what kind of a rating a new game is going to recieve.
Yeah, I can see what you are saying here, though a solid launch dosent carry a very standard cut'n'paste game for me beyond the free month... LotR will need more in the long run I think then being solid or stable at launch.
The reason this game delivers on it's promise is because it actually promises very little beyond the IP... Something like Vangaurd overrpromised, sure, but thats because they wanted to achieve something epic and great. It didn't work out for them, as we all know, but I am thinking it's better to try and fail then not to bother trying at all...
In addition, while honostly it does have less races and classes than many other fantacy MMO's, the classes themselves are a bit more creatively handled than in other MMOs. Almost every single class is, in one form or another, a hybred. You DO have a rogue, however it is less of a rogue that you see in most MMOs as a form of quick DPS fighters and more of the primary debuffer. He is also gifted with being the ONLY class that can start a fellowship ability (Think sort of like EQ2's group attacks, accept much more powerful). There's the ranger, which instead of being just another rogue is the main DPS in the game. He is also able to fight in close combat decently, as apposed to other games that use mages as their main DPS source. Their 'pet class' (while quite honostly I feel that they have reduced their pet's officiency a bit too much since beta. I agree that it was too powerful at first, but now it's far too weak) or 'mage' is very different than in other games. For one it's not the main source of DPS as a mage, and it has a large number of control abilities. Being the primary and only real 'caster' in the game, it is a very large leap for them to have it function as a controller where all other games who only have one source of a caster will turn them into the DPS. Guardians are very similar to all tanks in other games, however the champion is raised much higher in use than in other MMO's offensive fighter because they are made the second largest source of DPS, next to the hunter. Most games, again, the offensive fighter does good damge, but because you have a super nuking mage and a boatload of other damage dealing classes, they usualy get the shaft. I could say more about the rest of the classes but the point is made.
Hmm... not sure about this 'creative' thing for the classess... there still is an obvious tank, and an obvious healer, obvious DPS, and a obvious buffer... Sure, others can fill in during the early-mid game pretty nicely, but the preferred classes are obvious. LotR offers pretty much the standard roles tweaked a little and dressed up in new names imho.
Furthermore, while the IP does in fact (for reasons we'll see) add to the possitive reviews, it can also just as easly brake a game. SWG screwed up not only because it kept braking promices and (for the majority's opinion) becoming worse in gameply, it was the fact that it was a widely popular IP that was being let down and in turn letting down all of the IP fans. Yet, LOtRO is doing good in ratings thus far, because it does an amazing implamentation of the IP. They followed the books for the majority of all the discriptions given for places and characters. Quests, while some are very tedious, tend to have interesting stories behind them. Plus, they have deeper purposes as they often help you work towards unlocking tittles and traits.
As far as your comparison with EQ2, if you recall EQ2 only had two towns for a long time, while LOtRO has 4 major ones and several minor ones inbetween. While Vanguard has a lot of races and classes, and honostly some nice lore, some of its locations where largely overlooked (compare the shady Dark Elf city, which does not reflect their attitude of grandure, compared to the detail given to the huge dwarven city). Every game has its faults, LOtRO surely does as well, but they've done a good job over all, it's more complete of a product than other MMOs of late have been. I may not play it myself forever, as I can see how it could become boring in the area of having only a few main progressing storylines that are quite linear, and the lack of classes could become boring. I do still believe it to be a solid game with a bit of everything to satisfy most gamers and keep them interested through storyline.
Some very valid points, but what I was originally asking is why NOW, at this time, would people choose to play LotR over other games out there? At the heart of what I asking is why LotR ranked so highly above, as I have been using it as a yard stick here heavily, EQ2 right now. I am not worried about EQ2 at launch, or indeed what kind of launch it had, but LotR is currently scored higher then many, imho, better games, apperantly on the basis of being 'solid'... Well.. EQ2 is solid, as are a lot of games out there. Why chose LotR on this basis right now?
I am confused what else it offers, beyond it's IP, that elevates it to such heights.
'Solid' is beige. 'Solid' is courdoroy. 'Solid' is boring.
I want to see people using words like aspirational, imaginative, amazing, innovative, original... Noone here really has said any of this for LotR here, which speaks volumes I think.
LOTRO - cleverly done - they have released and gear it enough i feel to steal a large chunk of the WOW and other MMO games out there.
The mmo is stagnant with any groundbreaking mmos and has been for a while, all they had to do with LOTRO is make it half decent and close and they will be onto a winner. And thats what it is HALF decent.
The fact that it has the LOTRO franchise just adds to the appeal but much like SWG dropping in a npc vader and a familar place or two doesnt make it middle earth.
For me personally - its rubbish
models are so poor in design its scary - armour!? give it 2 seconds and u wont be able to see yourself from the hundreds of other toons all looking the same.
HATS! what is it with hats and LOTRO? - i completed kill the queen spider quest and got what i can only descibe as a floppy ski hat in exchane.
Its ok but as said before the game is a very basic - kill 10 of these please, run miles back to npc - oh sorry can you go back and collect some of these in the same place please?
Good ideas - Deeds - these turn a grind into something meaningful and i like them.
But overall its half decent game - its not rocking my world as one of the biggest things for me is to look different or to look like someone you dont wanna mess with...the fact that im wearing purple trousers a pink top and a ski hat - is not the look i was going for.
For me its on the same level as Guild wars - its just a bit better for the scenery and so on but not much - and guild wars is free.
Dont waste u pennies unless you really like LOTRO and looking the same as hundereds of legloas or gimli lookalikes.
As a member of this forum for quite some time, I have always held the opinion that the game "ratings" at this website (www.mmorpg.com) are paid for by the particular gaming company who wants a high rating in order to boost sales.
Not sure about that, but in any case I get the strong impression the ratings are manipulated in one way or another.
AC (retired); EQ (retired); DAoC (retired); Horizons (retired); EQII (retired); CoH (retired); AC II (tested); Lineage II (beta); Neocron (tested); Saga of Ryzom (beta); SWG (retired)...
The only thing this game really has going for it, is the Lord of the Rings brandname/franchise. Take that away...
There's nothing bad about it, but then again, nothing there's nothing really good either.
Even the content/story telling is only mediocre, at best.
For me what "ruins" the experience...
is the static feel of the game world in general and the cities in particular.
The lack of character variety, in appearance, gameplay, etc.
Combat -even at higher levels- getting rather boring fairly quickly.
The fact that the world is on the small side and that everyone already knows how the story will continue,
is another important part why I stopped playing. It's basically the same problem SWG has. Any game you base on
an existing story so detailed as those two, completely lacks the element of surprise and quickly becomes stagnant.
There is simply no room for the game to progress beyond a certain point.
AC was a brilliant example of how a non-franchise game has the advantage. They would introduce a new
"big bad" and when enough people defeated it, the story would develop further. They even updated servers separately, when one server showed more progress than the other.
AC (retired); EQ (retired); DAoC (retired); Horizons (retired); EQII (retired); CoH (retired); AC II (tested); Lineage II (beta); Neocron (tested); Saga of Ryzom (beta); SWG (retired)...
Comments
I will give you my opinion. The average age of gamers is in their 30s and that means most of them have read at least the Hobbit, if not the whole series. That means the world actually has meaning to a lot of people. I have played every single MMO since UO beta and I haven't cared about the lore of a single game until this one. Not a single game before this in my opinion did a good job of incorporating their lore and storyline into the character's world.
Second the game is much much much more casual friendly then any other game on the market. I remember some people finished the endgame dungeon of Car Dum in closed beta and they said it took them a few hours to complete. Even Warcraft (which is supposed to be casual) takes a lot longer then that to finish a raid dungeon. I remember when my guild was learning MC we would take 3 hours a day for 2 days working on that dungeon.
Third, The classes and party dynamics are quite different and so there is always a spot for every type of class. That means so far no one is being left out with their supposed gimped class they chose. That is a huge problem in a lot of other MMO games, but nothing in Beta indictated it would be a problem here.
Last, Not every person who writes a good review for the game is getting paid. I would rate this game as the best game on the market currently and it is my second or third favorite game of all time. (Along with AC1 and DAoC).
Since the person is comparing to EQ2, I personally do not like EQ2's style of graphics. The characters have always looked like they had no life and were plastic to me. Also, I hated the zoning system in that game. In LOTRO I can avoid zoning pretty much for a whole night of playing if I want, but even if I do zone its really quick and painless into a building or an instance for a quest. EQ2 had me zoning literally dozens of times in an hour of play time and that really turned me off to the game. I hated zoning while doing quests in the main city (forget the name of it now).
I would agree with several others that overall LOTRO has the best graphics on the market currently, but that is just opinion. It all depends on what style you like the best.
Currently playing:
LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too:
Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
Equal opportunity troll.
Eve has a button interface, is WoW a clone of EvE. UO had mages and melee classes, was EQ1 a UO clone? Get over it Stan all these game are played on a computer and there are only so many ways of doing things due to the hardware and software limitations. As you yourself point out all MMORPGs will have similarities. The biggest thing WoW and LoTRO have in common is an abundance of quests, and I suppose that is because their research showed that was a popular design feature. God forbid that a designer puts something in his product because people seem to like that feature.I miss DAoC
Here, go read this:
http://vnboards.ign.com/Message.aspx?topic=102731684&brd=5042&start=102732704
Equal opportunity troll.
Here, go read this:
http://vnboards.ign.com/Message.aspx?topic=102731684&brd=5042&start=102732704
I find it humorous when people refer to LOTRO as a clone. What is it a clone of exactly? Is it a clone of the right things that work in the genre? Then yes of course it is. Is it a clone of any particular game? No, of course not. It doesn't have the same art direction or style of any other game. It doesn't use the same story or lore of any other game. It doesn't use the same classes in the same way as any other game. It doesn't have the same pvp system as any other game. It doesn't use the same character customizing system as any other game. So what does it have that is the same? Well it is a Fantasy game. IT does have an in game map and compass. It does have quests. IT does use button pressing combat. (but of course every video game uses button pressing, at least until they create VR machines
Currently playing:
LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too:
Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
Here, go read this:
http://vnboards.ign.com/Message.aspx?topic=102731684&brd=5042&start=102732704
Know what is funny Stan. I feel sorry for you. You know a long time ago on a t shirt I saw something that changed the way of looking at life. It said"living well is the best revenge", which I took to mean that nothing pisses off your enemies more than to see you succeed. Instead of channeling your hate in a negative direction, use it as fuel to power your own success. take it for what it's worth but it has sure worked for me. You are wasting your time here Stan, the game is still number 1 over at EB games and will be MMORPG of the year if not overall game of the year. Judging from my personal observations, eight out of ten people who try the game, love it. As my daddy used to say, you're just pissing into the wind boy.
I miss DAoC
I neither need nor asked for any personal "life advice". See to it that you keep it to yourself in the future.
Now, on to actual debate. Just because a game is a number 1 seller doesn't mean its great, or even selling that well. You have to understand that a sales list is relative. You can be #1 on the saleslist during a time when not many games are selling. I'm sure you've seen the overused movie advertisement scheme where they state "Such and Such is the #1 Family Drama in America". It doesn't mean that movie did relatively well, it just means it topped a list at that particular time.
Will LOTRO get an MMORPG of the Year award? How many other MMORPG's have been, or will be released this year? TBC... um... that's all I can think of off the top of my head. Again, its relative. If only 2 games are competing for a reward, its not much of a competition.
Will LOTRO get an Overall Game of the Year award? Now that I highly doubt. Just off the top of my head, God of War 2 would easily take this title.
Look Jackdog, its obvious you are a fan of the game. But no matter how much you like it, it doesn't mean its as good to everyone as you feel it is for yourself. If you don't believe me, feel free to read what others have to say as well...
http://vnboards.ign.com/lotr_online_general_board/b5042/102707887/p1/?92
Equal opportunity troll.
==================================================
Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!
I neither need nor asked for any personal "life advice". See to it that you keep it to yourself in the future.
Now, on to actual debate. Just because a game is a number 1 seller doesn't mean its great, or even selling that well. You have to understand that a sales list is relative. You can be #1 on the saleslist during a time when not many games are selling. I'm sure you've seen the overused movie advertisement scheme where they state "Such and Such is the #1 Family Drama in America". It doesn't mean that movie did relatively well, it just means it topped a list at that particular time.
Will LOTRO get an MMORPG of the Year award? How many other MMORPG's have been, or will be released this year? TBC... um... that's all I can think of off the top of my head. Again, its relative. If only 2 games are competing for a reward, its not much of a competition.
Will LOTRO get an Overall Game of the Year award? Now that I highly doubt. Just off the top of my head, God of War 2 would easily take this title.
Look Jackdog, its obvious you are a fan of the game. But no matter how much you like it, it doesn't mean its as good to everyone as you feel it is for yourself. If you don't believe me, feel free to read what others have to say as well...
http://vnboards.ign.com/lotr_online_general_board/b5042/102707887/p1/?92
First off God of War 2 won't be competing against LOTRO. One is a console single player game and the other is an MMO. Secondly it has been the number 1 seller for months on EBgames and Gamestop. Thirdly there are more then two games competing for the MMO of the year award. There will be TBC, Vanguard, LOTRO, as well as sword of the new world, and I believe one of the pirates games is supposed to release this year. What did WoW compete against the year it won? EQ2 and City of Heroes and that was about it.
I don't understand what people dislike about the game so much? Unless all they played was to about level 6 or so and never got to see much of the world. The game is very well made (much more so then any MMO I have played). I have never crashed in the game, the worst bug I have encountered is my herald getting stuck on terrain (on that note I had bugs to the day I quit WoW, including the game stopping loot bug where I would have to exit the game and reenter to be able to do anything, or the equally annoying vanish bug where I would be stuck in the vanish animation). While the Graphics aren't the technically great, but equally empty EQ2 graphics or the extremely well done art style, but low technical quality of WoW, they are a happy medium. The scenery is the best I have seen in a game so far, the armor texture is very well done and very realistic. The characters in some aspects leave a lot to be desired, yet you can do great things with the in game emotes such as character mood. The weapons are actually pretty cool in a real manner.
If anything I don't understand how someone who likes EQ2 or WoW can not like LOTRO, unless they don't like the lore. The game is a much more polished version of either of those two games with all of the good and none of the bad to either game. IMO the only people that I can see hating this game are either:
1. the sandbox players who want a world to play in and no linear gameplay
2. the "hardcore" PVPer or the Ganker. They want world PVP and nothing less
3. the "hardcore" Raider, they want their uber loot from their long raids and they don't want others to have equal gear.
That is about it. Anyone who enjoys playing a storyline, or enjoys doing quests, or loves to RP, or just wants a nice fun casual game will love this game. I personally place this as a tie for number 2 best game of all time.
1. Asheron's Call 1 (after UO, which I hated, this was my first MMO love)
2. Dark Age Of Camelot / Lord of the rings online ( I can't really choose which one I like better, both have had great moments)
4. World of Warcraft (here on the strength of the 1-59 game play and the small group stuff, if I was rating it just on raids it would be one of the bottom games)
5. I can't really think of another game that I really enjoyed. I played the top 4 here (except LOTRO of course) for at least 18 months each, with AC1 at 4 years and DAoC for 3 years as the most played.
Currently playing:
LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too:
Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
Equal opportunity troll.
Gameplay is very subjective. I know people who love to just sit and grind on mobs all day. I know people that hate PVE with a passion. So gameplay isn't exactly a cut and dry category. Different people like different things, just like different people like different graphics in their game. I know some people who love WoW's Graphics and hail them as the best on the market (and they actually believe they are the best).
Edit: And the point about the amount of games it was competing against for MMO of the year is because every year that is how it is. There are never dozens of MMO games launched in a single year.
Currently playing:
LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too:
Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
Equal opportunity troll.
Currently playing:
LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too:
Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
I'm really wracking my brain here trying to figure out what you are trying to do. In fact, I can't. According to you, no one's opinion matters and game awards are meaningless.
So uh, why are you posting here?
Equal opportunity troll.
Example:
Critics Reviews Average Grade: B-
Source Brief Review Grade*
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie "...the film is a disappointment overall." more... C+
Boston Globe
Wesley Morris "The movie has the curious effect of leaving you over-fulfilled." more... B
Chicago Sun-Times
Richard Roeper "...I was so disappointed by the meandering storylines, sub-par performances and lackluster bad guys..." more... C
Chicago Tribune
Michael Phillips "...the franchise machinery doesn't entirely flatten the latest installment." more... B-
E! Online
Alex Markerson "M.J. sings, Spidey dances, everybody cries and there's a suitable amount of punching." more... B
Entertainment Weekly
Owen Gleiberman "Spider-Man 3 is product, but it's a machine that tickles your eyes." more... B-
filmcritic.com
Sean O'Connell "...definitely appears overstuffed." more... C
Hollywood Reporter
Michael Rechtshaffen "...there's plenty to enjoy here..." more... B+
New York Post
Lou Lumenick "This overstuffed treat...drags in spots." more... B
New York Times
Manohla Dargis "...mostly just plods and plods along..." more... C
ReelViews
James Berardinelli "...this one is a misfire..." more... C-
Rolling Stone
Peter Travers "...uneven, ungainly and frayed at the edges but there's lively mischief in it still." more... B
San Francisco Chronicle
Mick LaSalle "... it's not a difficult movie to sit through. It's just difficult to enjoy." more... C-
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
William Arnold "...suffers the waning of inspiration that so frequently infects the third installments of great series..." more... B
USA Today
Claudia Puig "...an action-packed tale with the emotional heft and humor we've come to expect from the series." more... B
Do the C- and Cs really carry any weight at all for the new Spiderman movie? Especially after it shattered the opening weekend with over 148million dollars in sales? Reviews really only carry weight with that particular reviewers fans and then really only if you agree with the reviewer
Currently playing:
LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too:
Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
As a member of this forum for quite some time, I have always held the opinion that the game "ratings" at this website (www.mmorpg.com) are paid for by the particular gaming company who wants a high rating in order to boost sales.
As for me, personally, after beta testing the game I agree the graphics are superb. However, the game is rather boring, and I think it is actually much easier than WoW (although I never thought that could happen). I just dont care for games that have an "always on" EZ button. Also, since I have watched the movies, and read the books, the world isnt very interesting for me. Oh well, plenty of other titles coming along to try.
Ciao
Its like the who's on first, what's on second gag.
What are ya asking me for? You're the one saying it doesn't matter!
So I'll try to get things back on track. Would anyone consider it significant if LOTRO beat out Vanguard for the title of Best MMORPG of 2007? I doubt it. How about if the contest was Best MMORPG of all Time? Now that would be something to talk about. Best Game of all Time? Anarchy.
All I'm trying to do is put things in perspective.
Equal opportunity troll.
Firstly, because the MMORPG.com community has seen its shares of dreadfully launched games, most of the community seems to hold that moment as a make or brake deal. Games like Dark and Light, Face of Mankind, To some degree vanguard, and even way back to AC2 have had either completely botched and incomplete launches, to chunks of promised content being missing. Largely people hold a game to it's promised word, they don't see the potential, but what it is. I'm not discuraging, nor condoning this philosophy, as both sides have very good points, however this probably the single biggest influince on what kind of a rating a new game is going to recieve.
In addition, while honostly it does have less races and classes than many other fantacy MMO's, the classes themselves are a bit more creatively handled than in other MMOs. Almost every single class is, in one form or another, a hybred. You DO have a rogue, however it is less of a rogue that you see in most MMOs as a form of quick DPS fighters and more of the primary debuffer. He is also gifted with being the ONLY class that can start a fellowship ability (Think sort of like EQ2's group attacks, accept much more powerful). There's the ranger, which instead of being just another rogue is the main DPS in the game. He is also able to fight in close combat decently, as apposed to other games that use mages as their main DPS source. Their 'pet class' (while quite honostly I feel that they have reduced their pet's officiency a bit too much since beta. I agree that it was too powerful at first, but now it's far too weak) or 'mage' is very different than in other games. For one it's not the main source of DPS as a mage, and it has a large number of control abilities. Being the primary and only real 'caster' in the game, it is a very large leap for them to have it function as a controller where all other games who only have one source of a caster will turn them into the DPS. Guardians are very similar to all tanks in other games, however the champion is raised much higher in use than in other MMO's offensive fighter because they are made the second largest source of DPS, next to the hunter. Most games, again, the offensive fighter does good damge, but because you have a super nuking mage and a boatload of other damage dealing classes, they usualy get the shaft. I could say more about the rest of the classes but the point is made.
Furthermore, while the IP does in fact (for reasons we'll see) add to the possitive reviews, it can also just as easly brake a game. SWG screwed up not only because it kept braking promices and (for the majority's opinion) becoming worse in gameply, it was the fact that it was a widely popular IP that was being let down and in turn letting down all of the IP fans. Yet, LOtRO is doing good in ratings thus far, because it does an amazing implamentation of the IP. They followed the books for the majority of all the discriptions given for places and characters. Quests, while some are very tedious, tend to have interesting stories behind them. Plus, they have deeper purposes as they often help you work towards unlocking tittles and traits.
As far as your comparison with EQ2, if you recall EQ2 only had two towns for a long time, while LOtRO has 4 major ones and several minor ones inbetween. While Vanguard has a lot of races and classes, and honostly some nice lore, some of its locations where largely overlooked (compare the shady Dark Elf city, which does not reflect their attitude of grandure, compared to the detail given to the huge dwarven city). Every game has its faults, LOtRO surely does as well, but they've done a good job over all, it's more complete of a product than other MMOs of late have been. I may not play it myself forever, as I can see how it could become boring in the area of having only a few main progressing storylines that are quite linear, and the lack of classes could become boring. I do still believe it to be a solid game with a bit of everything to satisfy most gamers and keep them interested through storyline.
Top Ten Most Misused Words/Phrases in MMO Industry...
I would probably say LotR SHOULD beat VG in the yearly poll, but of course I am hoping AoC, or even WAR, will beat them both hands down. I like what I am seeing in both, though I only play 1 MMORPG at a time and AoC is way ahead for me personally for a raft of reasons that I won't go into here
Best MMORPG of all time so far? Hrm.. well... probably DAoC for me, again, personally.
ok my 2 cents after im back from my ban
LOTRO - cleverly done - they have released and gear it enough i feel to steal a large chunk of the WOW and other MMO games out there.
The mmo is stagnant with any groundbreaking mmos and has been for a while, all they had to do with LOTRO is make it half decent and close and they will be onto a winner. And thats what it is HALF decent.
The fact that it has the LOTRO franchise just adds to the appeal but much like SWG dropping in a npc vader and a familar place or two doesnt make it middle earth.
For me personally - its rubbish
models are so poor in design its scary - armour!? give it 2 seconds and u wont be able to see yourself from the hundreds of other toons all looking the same.
HATS! what is it with hats and LOTRO? - i completed kill the queen spider quest and got what i can only descibe as a floppy ski hat in exchane.
Its ok but as said before the game is a very basic - kill 10 of these please, run miles back to npc - oh sorry can you go back and collect some of these in the same place please?
Good ideas - Deeds - these turn a grind into something meaningful and i like them.
But overall its half decent game - its not rocking my world as one of the biggest things for me is to look different or to look like someone you dont wanna mess with...the fact that im wearing purple trousers a pink top and a ski hat - is not the look i was going for.
For me its on the same level as Guild wars - its just a bit better for the scenery and so on but not much - and guild wars is free.
Dont waste u pennies unless you really like LOTRO and looking the same as hundereds of legloas or gimli lookalikes.
Not sure about that, but in any case I get the strong impression the ratings are manipulated in one way or another.
AC (retired); EQ (retired); DAoC (retired); Horizons (retired); EQII (retired); CoH (retired); AC II (tested); Lineage II (beta); Neocron (tested); Saga of Ryzom (beta); SWG (retired)...
There's nothing bad about it, but then again, nothing there's nothing really good either.
Even the content/story telling is only mediocre, at best.
For me what "ruins" the experience...
is the static feel of the game world in general and the cities in particular.
The lack of character variety, in appearance, gameplay, etc.
Combat -even at higher levels- getting rather boring fairly quickly.
The fact that the world is on the small side and that everyone already knows how the story will continue,
is another important part why I stopped playing. It's basically the same problem SWG has. Any game you base on
an existing story so detailed as those two, completely lacks the element of surprise and quickly becomes stagnant.
There is simply no room for the game to progress beyond a certain point.
AC was a brilliant example of how a non-franchise game has the advantage. They would introduce a new
"big bad" and when enough people defeated it, the story would develop further. They even updated servers separately, when one server showed more progress than the other.
AC (retired); EQ (retired); DAoC (retired); Horizons (retired); EQII (retired); CoH (retired); AC II (tested); Lineage II (beta); Neocron (tested); Saga of Ryzom (beta); SWG (retired)...