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What I Think About LotRO
pablo0713
Member Posts: 78
Thank you, Turbine, for this great game, LotRO.
I've just started playing a hobbit hunter and am currently level 14. This is the first MMO where leveling is the LAST thing on my mind. I am having such a great time in The Shire that I haven't even really thought about exploring outside of the area. There is so much to do and see here. I am really impressed with the level of detail that went into the area. Everything feels so homely, like I would never want to leave the place. Turbine definitely captured the feeling of The Shire as portrayed in the books. Fantastic job on actually making NPCs do something other than just stand around. It is nice to see them sitting on tables, having (very limited) conversations with each other. Go into a tavern and there's a hobbit mother reading to her kids who are lying on the floor around a fire. Walk into some fields, and you might see one ore two hobbits tending to them. I love this detail and love Turbine's attempt to make The Shire as alive as possible. I can't wait to see what the rest of the game looks like. I have patience though, not leaving until every single task is complete in The Shire.
And this leads me to the next thing I love about LotRO. The quests are very relaxing. They are not monotonous although they do follow the standard: kill x this, collect X that, fed-ex item to x location. Despite this, the rich narratives do a great job in keeping me engaged. I find that the pacing of the quests are quite relaxing and it is more like watching a story unfold. Furthermore, I feel like I am actually being of service to The Shire. With titles like "Protector of the Shire", this game directly appeals to the inner-child geek inside of me and adds a vital emotional link to the game. I'm participating in a story and having an impact on the lives of the hobbits in The Shire. Being a part of that experience removes the very notion of "leveling" in that it is not at the forefront of my mind (and this is surprising since I've tended to be a fast leveler/HC raider type). For me, this is a definite evolution from previous MMOs.
Along with completing quests, not only do players get the usual quest rewards like cash, equipment, and experience, but they also get rewards in the form of traits and titles. I'm only level 14, but I have to assume that there are probaly 100s of titles in this game. I think already I have about 10 of my own and there are about another 10 to collect before I leave The Shire. Having multiple titles is nice because I'm not limited to one title at a time. I can change it based on my whim. The great thing about titles is that if you are a mob grinder type person, you are rewarded for grinding by getting titles for killing X number of mobs. Much of the killing of mobs are directly tied to quests - so, in effect, you don't even really have to grind for most of the titles. Nice idea and another great mechanism for keeping the thought of "must level" out of the player's head.
The graphics are top notch. No other MMO compares (suck it, Vanguard, you don't even have AA support). I really thought the game was going to look too much like WoW. But, I was quite surprised. The world is simply beautiful. The landscapes look real and using an older engine affords Turbine the opportunity to add much more detail to the game. There is flora everywhere. The trees and flowers look natural. Every time I come across a field of white flowers, I just stop and drool for a bit. The same goes with the water. It moves like water should and has the best reflections I've personally ever seen in a game. I have all graphical settings as high as they can go and only occasionally get a brief stutter here and there (but I suspect that is due more to server pops in the evening time since I do not experience the same kind of stutter during the day).
You know, I wanted to stay away from this game. Even though I'm a fan of Tolkien, I had made up my mind that this was going to be a WoW clone (it is nothing but!) and after playing WoW for over two years, I have had enough of that kind of experience. I joined the Vanguard camp and stuck to my guns on it being the next greatest thing that ever happen to MMOs. Boy, was I wrong on that. So, finally, I came to LotRO because I couldn't ignore the constant good things I kept hearing about the game. I am so very glad I did. It really has changed the perception of how MMOs should be designed and how to make an MMO to appeal to all types of gamers.
I've played enough MMOs to realize that they all, for the most part, follow a basic design. You are grinding to increase an attribute. Whether or not that attribute is a level, a stat, a skill, a trait. The basic idea of MMOs is that a player takes something (a living being or spaceship) and nurtures it and directs its growth. In my humble opinion, LotRO does it in the most polished way to date. You can argue that this is not a sandbox game, but then again, nobody is forcing you to stay in one place or do any of the quests. The fact of the matter is, Turbine produced enough great content that players are compelled to stay in one place and do everything there is to do because the experience is simply so much fun. Sure, it is a level based system, and you are who you are - but at least Turbine included the traits system to allow for player customization. From what I've seen of it so far, it seems more flexible in that you can add/remove traits without a huge penalty (Is there even one? I haven't tried yet).
Anyway, to close, I am so very happy I decided to check out LotRO. I haven't spent too much time in the game, but for the week that I have, its been a blast. I really can't wait to check out the rest of the game and eagerly look forward to years worth of content ahead. I think this is the kind of MMO that can be fit into anyones schedule. You can easily log in for one hour a day and accomplish much. In the end, I'd rather be a part of an MMO that tries to draw in all types of players as opposed to an MMO that appeals to a specific kind of player (whatever that may be). This game does it. It is truly wonderful, a masterpiece, a work of art!
Vihk, Protector of The Shire, Brandywine.
I've just started playing a hobbit hunter and am currently level 14. This is the first MMO where leveling is the LAST thing on my mind. I am having such a great time in The Shire that I haven't even really thought about exploring outside of the area. There is so much to do and see here. I am really impressed with the level of detail that went into the area. Everything feels so homely, like I would never want to leave the place. Turbine definitely captured the feeling of The Shire as portrayed in the books. Fantastic job on actually making NPCs do something other than just stand around. It is nice to see them sitting on tables, having (very limited) conversations with each other. Go into a tavern and there's a hobbit mother reading to her kids who are lying on the floor around a fire. Walk into some fields, and you might see one ore two hobbits tending to them. I love this detail and love Turbine's attempt to make The Shire as alive as possible. I can't wait to see what the rest of the game looks like. I have patience though, not leaving until every single task is complete in The Shire.
And this leads me to the next thing I love about LotRO. The quests are very relaxing. They are not monotonous although they do follow the standard: kill x this, collect X that, fed-ex item to x location. Despite this, the rich narratives do a great job in keeping me engaged. I find that the pacing of the quests are quite relaxing and it is more like watching a story unfold. Furthermore, I feel like I am actually being of service to The Shire. With titles like "Protector of the Shire", this game directly appeals to the inner-child geek inside of me and adds a vital emotional link to the game. I'm participating in a story and having an impact on the lives of the hobbits in The Shire. Being a part of that experience removes the very notion of "leveling" in that it is not at the forefront of my mind (and this is surprising since I've tended to be a fast leveler/HC raider type). For me, this is a definite evolution from previous MMOs.
Along with completing quests, not only do players get the usual quest rewards like cash, equipment, and experience, but they also get rewards in the form of traits and titles. I'm only level 14, but I have to assume that there are probaly 100s of titles in this game. I think already I have about 10 of my own and there are about another 10 to collect before I leave The Shire. Having multiple titles is nice because I'm not limited to one title at a time. I can change it based on my whim. The great thing about titles is that if you are a mob grinder type person, you are rewarded for grinding by getting titles for killing X number of mobs. Much of the killing of mobs are directly tied to quests - so, in effect, you don't even really have to grind for most of the titles. Nice idea and another great mechanism for keeping the thought of "must level" out of the player's head.
The graphics are top notch. No other MMO compares (suck it, Vanguard, you don't even have AA support). I really thought the game was going to look too much like WoW. But, I was quite surprised. The world is simply beautiful. The landscapes look real and using an older engine affords Turbine the opportunity to add much more detail to the game. There is flora everywhere. The trees and flowers look natural. Every time I come across a field of white flowers, I just stop and drool for a bit. The same goes with the water. It moves like water should and has the best reflections I've personally ever seen in a game. I have all graphical settings as high as they can go and only occasionally get a brief stutter here and there (but I suspect that is due more to server pops in the evening time since I do not experience the same kind of stutter during the day).
You know, I wanted to stay away from this game. Even though I'm a fan of Tolkien, I had made up my mind that this was going to be a WoW clone (it is nothing but!) and after playing WoW for over two years, I have had enough of that kind of experience. I joined the Vanguard camp and stuck to my guns on it being the next greatest thing that ever happen to MMOs. Boy, was I wrong on that. So, finally, I came to LotRO because I couldn't ignore the constant good things I kept hearing about the game. I am so very glad I did. It really has changed the perception of how MMOs should be designed and how to make an MMO to appeal to all types of gamers.
I've played enough MMOs to realize that they all, for the most part, follow a basic design. You are grinding to increase an attribute. Whether or not that attribute is a level, a stat, a skill, a trait. The basic idea of MMOs is that a player takes something (a living being or spaceship) and nurtures it and directs its growth. In my humble opinion, LotRO does it in the most polished way to date. You can argue that this is not a sandbox game, but then again, nobody is forcing you to stay in one place or do any of the quests. The fact of the matter is, Turbine produced enough great content that players are compelled to stay in one place and do everything there is to do because the experience is simply so much fun. Sure, it is a level based system, and you are who you are - but at least Turbine included the traits system to allow for player customization. From what I've seen of it so far, it seems more flexible in that you can add/remove traits without a huge penalty (Is there even one? I haven't tried yet).
Anyway, to close, I am so very happy I decided to check out LotRO. I haven't spent too much time in the game, but for the week that I have, its been a blast. I really can't wait to check out the rest of the game and eagerly look forward to years worth of content ahead. I think this is the kind of MMO that can be fit into anyones schedule. You can easily log in for one hour a day and accomplish much. In the end, I'd rather be a part of an MMO that tries to draw in all types of players as opposed to an MMO that appeals to a specific kind of player (whatever that may be). This game does it. It is truly wonderful, a masterpiece, a work of art!
Vihk, Protector of The Shire, Brandywine.
Lets Eat It!
Comments
Quite a reply from someone that's only spent a few hours in the game.
Let us know how you feel after you've played for three months and actually know how the game plays - that'll be the post that counts.
Everyone is love with their game for the first few weeks, usually.........
Also, opinions do have a right to change over time. Perhaps my opinion will change for better or worse or just stay the same. Who cares. It's all about the moment, now, and talking about how games affect us now, not in three months. Sounds like you don't like the game after playing three months. Maybe I won't either, but until that road is crossed...
...this game rocks!
Lets Eat It!
no, you misunderstand me - I'm not playing it at all.
But we all see these glowing posts from someone that hasn't been in-game for very long. No one buys a MMO to play it for just two weeks, it's ability to keep you interested long term is the important part.
And no one can comment on that yet, so the "blinded by love" inital posts just aren't that meaningful.
Sorry, but that's the truth ( not flaming, just pointing out the reality of the situation, no insult made towards you or the game )
I dislike the game.
But the original poster hasn't said anything I disagree with. There are quite a few nice things about LOTRO.
However, I don't think it's an MMO. To me it plays like an online single-player game. A good online single-player game, but a single-player game nonetheless.
I had reservations, but saw the 8.5 rating here and thought maybe it was worth trying. Unfortunately it was a big waste of money for me
I agree with the original post about the Shire. Turbine definitely had their finger on the pulse about the feeling of the Shire from the books and translated it nicely into the game. They also did a great job with Rivendell. The quests in the Shire are fun and IMHO have a very Hobbit-like feel. I was never able to really get a feeling of the Dwarven lands from the books so I can't say how they translate, but Thorin's Gate (the Dwarven starting area) is very impressive.
I like this game!!
Good day, sir!
Lets Eat It!
And some still love it months later....
I've been playing since mid January and still love the game as much as I did then.
_________________________________
JonMichael
Currently: AION, an MMO Beta under NDA
Played: WAR, LOTRO, Hellgate: London, CoX, GW, SotNW, DAOC, EQ2, SWG, WoW, AO, Horizons, Second Life, There, TSO
Beta'd: There, Second Life, EQ2, DAOC:LotM, LOTRO, Tabula Rasa, Gods and Heroes, Hellgate: London, Requiem:Bloodymare, AoC, WAR, DDO, Fallen Earth
Well, an opinion that takes up half a page of text for a few hours of playtime is excessive. And we see this *all the time* for new games. It's a pattern that's become a cliché.
And that's my opinion.
If you don't want people to judge what you post, you might not find forums a good outlet for your writing. Don't be so sensitive, this isn't an attack, it's just pointing out the obvious. Enjoy your game and relax, really!
Well, an opinion that takes up half a page of text for a few hours of playtime is excessive. And we see this *all the time* for new games. It's a pattern that's become a cliché.
And that's my opinion.
If you don't want people to judge what you post, you might not find forums a good outlet for your writing. Don't be so sensitive, this isn't an attack, it's just pointing out the obvious. Enjoy your game and relax, really!
you have to be careful saying anything about lotro on this site no matter how good your intentions are. they're really sensitive and don't think mentioning it in another forum is safe because they scan all post looking for mention of they're beloved game and race to defend it.If you start a thread extoling the virtures of any game... you are "throwing down the gauntlet", in effect challenging others to either agree or disagree with you. These are forums built for discussion, and you will get people opinions posted here, both positive and negative.
Yes, they will attack you for posting an opinion with limited play time, they are free to do so..and remember, you invited their comments by creating your original post. (one reason why you'll see I've started about 5 threads in my time here, I don't really care to troll for other opinions)
I like LotRO, I play it and agree with many of your points...but expect pepole to come right back and mention all the reasons why the game isn't for them...or how a feature that you enjoy is a horror to them.
These are opinion-based forums, they're not really here to trade information about how to play the game (that's for the official forums), they are here for our amusement and for most of us, we enjoy debating,arguing and yes, on some occasions, even flaming each other.
Back on topic.... there's a lot to like about LotRO... for a player like myself. There's a few things I don't care for...like farming for deeds (no, I can't skip them..I refuse to play a mediocre character), a lack of a clear direction on the end game (or perhaps, maybe I'm not sure if I'll like what I find when I get there) and I really hate the fact that 3 classes wear heavy armor (I'm a Guardian) and that in reality, armor factor doesn't do nearly as much good as it should (try switching between medium and heavy armor sets and you'll see what I mean)
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
If you start a thread extoling the virtures of any game... you are "throwing down the gauntlet", in effect challenging others to either agree or disagree with you. These are forums built for discussion, and you will get people opinions posted here, both positive and negative.
Yes, they will attack you for posting an opinion with limited play time, they are free to do so..and remember, you invited their comments by creating your original post. (one reason why you'll see I've started about 5 threads in my time here, I don't really care to troll for other opinions)
I like LotRO, I play it and agree with many of your points...but expect pepole to come right back and mention all the reasons why the game isn't for them...or how a feature that you enjoy is a horror to them.
These are opinion-based forums, they're not really here to trade information about how to play the game (that's for the official forums), they are here for our amusement and for most of us, we enjoy debating,arguing and yes, on some occasions, even flaming each other.
Back on topic.... there's a lot to like about LotRO... for a player like myself. There's a few things I don't care for...like farming for deeds (no, I can't skip them..I refuse to play a mediocre character), a lack of a clear direction on the end game (or perhaps, maybe I'm not sure if I'll like what I find when I get there) and I really hate the fact that 3 classes wear heavy armor (I'm a Guardian) and that in reality, armor factor doesn't do nearly as much good as it should (try switching between medium and heavy armor sets and you'll see what I mean)
QFT! Even with loads of play time under your belt your subject to heated debates. To be blunt, that's just how it is and I kinda like it.
Actually, I've been playng since alpha, and I'm still enjoying it. So it has the ability to keep players interested long term.
_____________________________
Currently Playing: LOTRO; DDO
Played: AC2, AO, Auto Assault, CoX, DAoC, DDO, Earth&Beyond, EQ1, EQ2, EVE, Fallen Earth, Jumpgate, Roma Victor, Second Life, SWG, V:SoH, WoW, World War II Online.
Games I'm watching: Infinity: The Quest for Earth, Force of Arms.
Find the Truth: http://www.factcheck.org/
"Anyone who can say that the graphics in WoW or EQ1 are better has simply never played the game. Look, just because your PC sucks, don't come here and dog on a great game like VG. Don't be jealous of the people who CAN and DO enjoy this game as well as the graphics.
No content? Empty shell? Obviously, you have not played this game. This big world has more content than any other MMO upon release and it will only get better as this game matures.
How can you lie and say that there is no content in this game when there are THREE continents which offer any player three choices to level from 1 - 20, then two choices to level from 20-40, and then back to having the option of going to all three continents to adventure from 40-50?
How can you lie and say that there is no content in this game when there are multiple starting areas/cities that are race based and have their own quest lines?
How can you lie and say that there is no content in this game when I am CONSTANTLY having to remove quests in order to pick up new ones?
No content? Go ahead and take a look at this dungeon finder web site: http://www.whitetalon.com/dungeonfinder2/default.aspx
This is just content from dungeons alone. You're comments about having no content is simply bullsh!t!!
Vanguard is going to die? HAHAHAHAHA, Yeah, if I could only show you screen shots of my server's ACTIVE population. Docks are filled with boats, all the areas to quest for shadow hounds and unicorns are filled with people. Go to any crafting area, again, you will see lots of people. Boat and house orders are 1 to 2 weeks backed up. Chat is always lively with people always asking questions and chatting. But, yeah, I guess this game is gonna die!!!!! (run to the hills)
It never ends. I leave this web site for a couple of weeks and there are still trollers here with 1 or 2 post counts talking crap about a game that they've never played. Give it a rest already.
Games like WoW and LotRO suck major ass, but you don't see me on those message boards hating the games that other people enjoy. No, I'd rather leave the forums to the fans to talk about aspects of the game they like, or don't like. I wish you'd VG trollers, obsessed over Brad weirdos would just give it a rest! Go outside, smell the flowers, go play your EQ1 and live in the past. Whatever, just quit talking about a game you don't play on a daily basis so you don't know what the hell you're talking about!!!!!"
http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/post/1349779#1349779
Pardon me if I don't take you seriously...
Equal opportunity troll.
That criticism was based on my feeling the overall quest design is poor. There are lots of them, and for single players they're good but most of them open up at a very narrow level range (eg. many open up when you hit that quest's level) and/or are quest chains.
If they wanted to encourage grouping, those few quests which require fellowships wouldn't be at the end of quest chains. You'd be able to pick them up first when entering a new zone. That way you could be carrying them around while doing the solo quests, and looking for that group while you do.
Instead I found myself working on all the quest chains, and getting to those few group ones just as I was ready to leave a zone. And it was easier to leave and come back after putting on a few levels and solo them than hang around trying to find others who happened to have finished those chains and were also hanging around.
Good single player design - but discourages grouping.
Even if the guy only gets 2 months from the game that is a hell of a lot more entertainment than I have gotten from at least 50 % of the single player games sitting on the shelf above my desk
never played past level 10 I see. great thing about the game is you can choose to play however you want, there are tons of group quests but can solo to 50. I solo 60% group 40% and at level 31 I have probably 15 group quests and a equal number of solo quests in my quest log.
I miss DAoC
That's how I feel about it as well. If I get even a month (so far i've gotten about 60 hours of fun out of it in 2 weeks) that's more than most games i've played. I cant begin to list the money i've wasted on games and gotten 6 hours of play out of it (*cough S.T.A.L.K.E.R. *cough). I'm just still confused on why people bother to surf this area of the boards when they dislike a game so much. Makes me think you like to troll. I dislike D&D:Online, notice how i don't post there. I don't care for ArchLord, notice how I never post there? If you dislike the game, simply go away
EVE - Sharvala
FFXI - Shazamalicious
Guild Wars - Xavier Lucifer & Charlize the Necro
"Ranged...stuck...tree...15 random words... suck... noob fanboy... I MAKE GUIDE!"
I think the trolls over here fall into 3 categories.
(1) Fans from the old MEO forums that wanted a Koster style game without a game sandbox and just cannot grasp why Turbine decided on a diku level based game. (2) a small amount of players from other games that are seeing a migration of their games population to LoTRO. (3) A few who just like to play "forum warrior" more than they like playing MMORPgs
The bottom line is that this is a good game just like the OP said. It's by nop means perfect however it is just plain out fun which is all I can ask for in a game.
I miss DAoC
In some ways, the problem is the setting. Middle Earth is just not that interesting a place. There is no high magic, there are no big cities (we are restricted to Eriador), there are not really any competing factions (just good guys and bad guys, and we are restricted to one side of that battle), and no-one is allowed to stand out for fear of overshadowing the 'real heroic story'. Indeed, everyone looks the same, so that isn't much of a possibility.
Also, since ME is so well documented, nothing is a surprise. I know pretty much where everything is already so there is not much sense of exploration. The land areas in game right now is pretty small, but hopefully that will change with time.
So, despite having a lifetime sub, I don't think this will stop me trying out other MMOs as they come on the market.
I miss DAoC
In beta, I logged on to LotRO and immediately logged off because I assumed very stupidly that it was a WoW clone. Again, I was bedazzled by Brad McQuaid and other VG fans.
As time went on and and LotRO was released, I had played enough of Vanguard to realize it was a sinking ship. Even from day one of playing that game, it felt incomplete and far too buggy. The performance was appalling. But, still, I blindly played hoping things would get better.
The more I played Vanguard (up to level 48), the more I realized how bad the game was. And, not for lack of content either, but everything else (as I've mentioned above). After continuously hearing great things about LotRO, I as a FAN of MMOs, had to give it a serious try.
It was my plan to play LotRO and Vanguard concurrently, but after what went on over at Sigil during the last week and all the fallout from what happened, I could not morally and in good conscious support the mess that became Vanguard. All the while, I have been playing LotRO more and more and being genuinely surprised at how good this game is.
Being a Vanboi was the first and only time I've ever been totally taken by a development company. I bought the empty promises hook-line-and-sinker and did what I could to combat all the haters who, in hindsight, were absolutely right. As a result, I've learned my lesson. I will never EVER blindly support a game as well as make one MMO the only MMO I play.
As a true fan of MMOs, I've made it my duty to be more causal with my playing so that I can play more MMOs instead of just picking one and being obsessed about it.
My initial review of LotRO is how I feel about the game now. If you want to try and discredit me because I said in one previous post that LotRO sucks, then so be it. Call me a hypocrite. I really don't care. I'm enjoying the game and hope others enjoy it also.
Lets Eat It!
Sony Online Entertainment Steals Customers Money
Equal opportunity troll.