even having only dabbled in it at launch I can tell you that is absolutely not true
The vibe is just totally different, if anything WoW tried to be more like LOTRO with the WOTLK /DK quests (focus on storyline, you, and how YOU are involved in it)
But this wasn't a thread about LOTRO Vs _____. So back to topic:
Anyone recommend me a server? Last time i check I think brandywine was the most popular?
Unless there is more then one person running around here with your avatar it seems like nothing can please you.
Hold on Snow Leopard, imma let you finish, but Windows had one of the best operating systems of all time.
If the Powerball lottery was like Lotro, nobody would win for 2 years, and then everyone in Nebraska would win on the same day. And then Nebraska would get nerfed.-pinkwood lotro fourms
AMD 4800 2.4ghz-3GB RAM 533mhz-EVGA 9500GT 512mb-320gb HD
Originally posted by anakinsella I have no problem with linear questlines in an MMO - from someone who grew up on MMOs that just expected you to go out and kill beasts for hours and hours, I'll take any storyline, so long as it's good. I don't expect LOTRO to be a sandbox game. I just want the writing to be good and be immersive, something WoW lacks. You get immersed in the grind of WoW and every little thing you feel like you have to rush to finish, but I never actually felt immersed in the story, nor cared about what was going on.
Well I was lucky enough to snag a free trial, and I think my fiancee is getting me Mines of Moria for Xmas After reading about the expansion stuff, I'm pretty excited. Warden sounds like a blast.
The interesting point: Will you still be paying to play in 3 months?
All my regular gaming circle friends and I try out all new MMOs and Lord of the Rings: Online is fun (as is all new games) for the first two to six weeks. Then the novelty wears off and you start to see the game for what it really is, you look at gameplay, you look at content and the natural impulse for comparing with previous experiences pops up.
For most of my friends and me, Lord of the Rings: Online was an average four weeks romp and then nothing. Two of my friends re-subbed a month or so back and went away in four days, slow, uninspiring gameplay with storyline tracks being so apparent they blind you, caused them to simply not bother.
I'll be very interested to see if you're still in the game come mid March.
I'm interested to see too. I never look at an MMO purchase as a waste though, even if I quit after a month or two - because I know it will always be there for me when I get that urge. FFXI is the *ONLY* MMO that I canceled after the fist month and NEVER returned to since.
And even though I got the trial, I've decided to hold off on playing it till I get Moria from the fiancee on Christmas. I want to make a Warden bad.
Originally posted by anakinsella I'm interested to see too. I never look at an MMO purchase as a waste though, even if I quit after a month or two - because I know it will always be there for me when I get that urge. FFXI is the *ONLY* MMO that I canceled after the fist month and NEVER returned to since. And even though I got the trial, I've decided to hold off on playing it till I get Moria from the fiancee on Christmas. I want to make a Warden bad.
True. And it is always best to form your own oppinion. I respect that.
On the other hand, if people ask about a game that I have tried I will offer my oppinion expecting full well that the person asking will know that's only one oppinion among many.
I expect I'm a bit like you in that I really don't care if a game only gives me the first month of entertainment. For me there was two games that I never went back to, Tabula Rasa (which is now closed) and Lord of the Rings: Online. A quick count on the shelves behind me show 21 MMOs and I have tried at least 4 more that were available as downloads.
Currently I play City of Heroes and World of Warcraft but I'm contemplating re-starting my Warhammer: Age of Reckoning subscription to see what the 1.1 patch can do.
Well, I played my main to 50 and an alto to 30. My main problem with the game was the shear lack of loot, endgame content, and any reason to group other than take down the Balrog. That, and the grind was RETARDED. That being said, I have played WOW, extensively, and saying that LOTRO is WOW Reskinned is like saying that your mom isn't a whore. It's just so untrue it's laughable.
I'm interested to see too. I never look at an MMO purchase as a waste though, even if I quit after a month or two - because I know it will always be there for me when I get that urge. FFXI is the *ONLY* MMO that I canceled after the fist month and NEVER returned to since.
And even though I got the trial, I've decided to hold off on playing it till I get Moria from the fiancee on Christmas. I want to make a Warden bad.
True. And it is always best to form your own oppinion. I respect that.
On the other hand, if people ask about a game that I have tried I will offer my oppinion expecting full well that the person asking will know that's only one oppinion among many.
I expect I'm a bit like you in that I really don't care if a game only gives me the first month of entertainment. For me there was two games that I never went back to, Tabula Rasa (which is now closed) and Lord of the Rings: Online. A quick count on the shelves behind me show 21 MMOs and I have tried at least 4 more that were available as downloads.
Currently I play City of Heroes and World of Warcraft but I'm contemplating re-starting my Warhammer: Age of Reckoning subscription to see what the 1.1 patch can do.
The way I see it, even if you just get the first free month of enjoyment - it's still not a bad $:hours-of-entertainment ratio, especially compared to single player console games these days ($60 ~7 hours of entertainment)
I totally forgot TR, that's another I have never gone back to - I had nothing against it really, was actually better than people give it credit, but it wasn't my bag.
I recently resubbed to check out 1.1 in WAR. I played a lot the first few days, but haven't played in a few days now. It still has performance problems, in RVR especially. Game will run fine one second, then hitch the next. The oRVR rewards really influenced (no pun) a ton of oRVR around the battlefield objectives. Quite fun.
Well, I played my main to 50 and an alto to 30. My main problem with the game was the shear lack of loot, endgame content, and any reason to group other than take down the Balrog. That, and the grind was RETARDED. That being said, I have played WOW, extensively, and saying that LOTRO is WOW Reskinned is like saying that your mom isn't a whore. It's just so untrue it's laughable.
I know for sure, my mom is not a whore. BTW how much does yours charge per hour?
And if u say LOTRO is so similar to WOW (LOTRO before Moria) What is then so different in WOW hehe?
Originally posted by Mentor73 nitefly ... but you do consider that gameplay of any mmorpg may change. Luckly in LOTRO for better.
Ofcourse. And I once in a while read up on a few of the games I'm not currently playing and as I wrote previously I have a circle of friends who are also into MMOs and they will read up on something as well. Every once in a while we (or only me) will start a subscription again. Started City of Heroes again recently for the latest update for instance.
Problem for me in Lord of the Rings: Online is that Character customization is one of my key elements in any MMO and Lord of the Rings: Online has none that is interesting. Not compared to World of Warcraft (Talents and the effects of Enchanting/Jewelcrafting and now Inscription as well) or EverQuest2 (Achievements, I really like that system) or Dungeons & Dragons: Online (that is sheer bliss for a player like me).
Lord of the Rings: Online is too similar to many other fantasy titles, without being spectacular enough in their own niche areas that I personally feel entertained.
But it's not like I have made a solemn vow NEVER to go back to Lord of the Rings: Online no matter what, but right now Lord of the Rings: Online has no unique qualities for me - outside of the music system which is a lot of fun.
To me this middle earth never was immersive, as it limits me far too much - the quests are linear with no options choices or sidewalks. I only felt like a spectator, never like an actor in this story. At the end it was just another grind.
This is kinda how I felt....The first time I did one of the books I enjoyed it but the quests get boring very quikckly....I came to LoTRO after I quit WoW and really it jsut felt like a continuation of the same game but with different lore.......I was never thrilled with any of my characters and all the running in the game drove me crazy after awhile..... My highest character got to 38 before I couldnt stand logging in anymore and left with over 3 months of unplayed time left on my sub........By the time I finished LoTRO I never wanted to see another quest again....it is just too quest driven and there is zero incentive to go find a camp in this game..... If you are a huge fan of the books/movies then you may really enjoy and have a game for a long time but beware alot of people burn out on this game fairly quickly........Not only myself but many of my friends left also.
I think that's because people play the game in a way that is just incongrous to the playstyle of the game.
I might stretch my tolerance to agree with you here - but still: if a game forces a certain playstyle and only rewards this certain playstyle it is not open anymore, it is forced.
I remember when the game went live and I saw so many people just grinding levels on mobs. I was surprised.
Why? i think it is normal to test out your characters abilities and skills on mobs nearby and try to see what you can kill and what you cant. I see nothing surprising in this behaviour.
I saw so many people rush through to the top and then blink and realize there was nothing there. It's as if players have attributed previous mmo game playstyles to LOTRO.
Well if the devs know there is no end game waiting then they should not make leveling to max such a walk in the park. They should have stretched their precious "journey" longer.
Sure, you could grind to the top but what are you going to do? How many times are you going to do the few raids that are in the game. And Monster Play doesn't appeal to people who want hardcore pvp and it doesn't appeal to people who don't want to pvp.
The pioneer players want to uncover what the game has to offer, as soon as it was clear that certain deeds gave certain bonus people grinded away just to find out what the bonus did for their toon. If these things where not so obviously given and more a hidden thing that you dont imediatly understand then people would not have grinded deeds like no tomorrow.
This game really is about the journey.
correct, and that is why it is not an open world, you follow THIS linear journey or you are not rewarded. Do a simple quest, gain 5000 exp or kill 20 very hard mobs for 280 exp each with the danger to die and have repair costs.
There are many different ways to quest up and I suppose you could just grind up if you want. But if you can't immerse yourself in the smaller stories or make up stories on your own then players will be at a loss.
I think the only worthwhile way is to quest-grind up. At release there where certain level ranges that did not have enough solo quests to level up and the official forums where full with demands for more solo quests.
I can't tell you how many times I've enjoyed just going into goblin town solo and seeing how far I could get. Now I have Moria to do that with.
I think if a players is to play LOTRO they need to understand the strengths and weaknesses and they need to know why they are playing.
I think you try to tell people that LOTRO is an open world just because you cant admit that your precious game is not. It is a forced game you describe it yourself. Play the given journey - do not expect the world to offer more possible journeys.
An open world offers unlimited routes to the end Lotro offers 1 and a second that is already a pain in the ...
nitefly ... but you do consider that gameplay of any mmorpg may change. Luckly in LOTRO for better.
Ofcourse. And I once in a while read up on a few of the games I'm not currently playing and as I wrote previously I have a circle of friends who are also into MMOs and they will read up on something as well. Every once in a while we (or only me) will start a subscription again. Started City of Heroes again recently for the latest update for instance.
Problem for me in Lord of the Rings: Online is that Character customization is one of my key elements in any MMO and Lord of the Rings: Online has none that is interesting. Not compared to World of Warcraft (Talents and the effects of Enchanting/Jewelcrafting and now Inscription as well) or EverQuest2 (Achievements, I really like that system) or Dungeons & Dragons: Online (that is sheer bliss for a player like me).
Lord of the Rings: Online is too similar to many other fantasy titles, without being spectacular enough in their own niche areas that I personally feel entertained.
But it's not like I have made a solemn vow NEVER to go back to Lord of the Rings: Online no matter what, but right now Lord of the Rings: Online has no unique qualities for me - outside of the music system which is a lot of fun.
EDIT: Typo
- all deeds are stored in book (killing, exploration, hobbies, upgraded skills ...)
- outfits that enable more customization
- new trait system - yep specialization for classes
- legendary weapons that gain experience and lvl - they have legacies that effect skills, buffs etc
- scenario instances
- one of biggest dungeons both on horizontal and vertical direction ...
Originally posted by Mentor73 - all deeds are stored in book (killing, exploration, hobbies, upgraded skills ...) - outfits that enable more customization - new trait system - yep specialization for classes - legendary weapons that gain experience and lvl - they have legacies that effect skills, buffs etc - scenario instances - one of biggest dungeons both on horizontal and vertical direction ... - rune keeper and warden It seems you missed a lot.
Deeds stored are just statistics. They are not part of gameplay and (in my view) they don't add anything of substance to the game experience.
Outfits are just visuals. It is the same superficial system as is available in EverQuest2 where your Character is wearing one thing but looks like it is wearing something else. It is not even used intelligently such as in Vanguard where you could wear several outfits that was then automatically used for the task at hand (adventuring set, crafting set, diplomacy set).
Trait system is not customization and it can only be called specialization if you have never played another MMO. The changes done are minor compared to what is available in other games which is why it fails to interest me. It is not my claim that there is NO customization at all, but that the customization that is available is so shallow and uninvolving that it pales compared to other games.
Legendary weapons is essentially watered down Enchantment/Slotting/Inscription from World of Warcraft that only applies to weapons. On the up side the weapons earn these when you adventure (you don't have to keep them updated by buying new enchants/gems) on the down side it is weapons only.
Scenario instances are just scripted event instances. Most MMOs have those.
Biggest dungeons? Compared to what?
New classes, neither of which will address the gripe I have with the game: Character classes are extremly closely defined by Developers and my [Insert Class name] will, apart from minor differences, be EXACTLY like any other Player's [Insert Class name].
Let me give you a few examples of what I mean:
In Dungeons & Dragons: Online I can create a Character and make him a Rogue/Fighter multiclass that uses Feats to become insanely good at fighting with two weapons and putting all my skill points into finding and dismantling traps. Or I could become a Wizard as well, learning spells of both offense and defense. I could create another Rogue/Fighter in light armour, specialized in stealthing around and backstabbing while also focusing heavily on Use Magic Device that would enable me to use nearly any magical item I would find. Massive changes.
In World of Warcraft I could make a Priest and specialize him in Holy Talents that would make for a very powerful Healer, welcome in any party and with several extra Abilities that I would otherwise never get. Or I could become a Shadow Priest, wreathed in darkness, with no healing powers readily available apart from those based on the vampiric abilities, but again with several new abilities I would otherwise not get.
In City of Heroes I could create my Energy Blaster and run around solving Missions. If I wanted to be a strong damagedealer I could slot all my powers for Damage and Accuracy, I could fire extremely powerful attacks but would propably run out of Energy quickly. On the other hand I could focus on having my attacks being ready again quickly and not be as costly in Endurance, or perhaps focus on the Knockback effect available in my powers. All depending on those choices, the overall Class (Blaster) would play very differently.
In these static games with no real player interaction (all modern MMOs) the only element you can reasonably expect to be able to customize is your Character. In Lord of the Rings: Online, a game that is just as static as any of the other titles, they have given the player no individual control over anything, including their own Characters.
So I don't really think I have missed anything because there really isn't all that much to miss in this game.
Quite interesting to see that recent payment model changes in EQ2 and WOTLK being a rehash of same old have made LotRO a threat to the said games, at least in the eyes of the rabid fanbois.
Can't see another reason really for the sudden influx of them to LotRO forum, spewing things they really don't know anything about...
LotRO is NOT immersive. Middle Earth Online, was an immersive sandbox, but then Turbine had to go and revamp it into LotRO. LotRO is an over zoned, over instanced game, with little magical hills everywhere you can't climb, funneling you through the level grind. There are massive hordes of BOARS as far as the eye can see. Want to happily walk across the shire? Can't. Random hills and horrible biting beasts in every direction.
The game does the story telling quite well, but it is far from immersive.
Originally posted by anakinsella Which leads to my question - how is the story/plot in LOTRO? I've dabbled in LOTRO around release a year ago - I loved the graphics and the combat actually felt pretty tight, but I was also in the mindset of GRIND GRIND GRIN, GET GET GET, so I know there is a whole other side of the game that I'm sure I missed - and seeing as how the story is what they really stress in LOTRO (duh, it's freaking LOTR) I really think I did a diservice to the game by just brisking through the levels and playing it in that grindy manner. So how is the story, how are the quests (is the dialogue actually worth reading or is it subpar like Warhammer.....boooring) That said - if any of you have a buddy/trial key to spare, yours truly would LOVE to give this game another shot. If you need my email just message me or ask for it and I'll message you. If you read my spiel, thanks haha.
LoTRO without a doubt is probably the best PvE MMORPG.
If you still haven't received a buddy key, send me a PM and I'll set you up with one.
nitefly Didn't you get with WOTLK kind of a book similar to WAR or LOTRO?
Define watered? Have you even tried to lvl legendary weapons or see how mechanics works to be so sure?
Trait system allows me to make my minstrel more powerful healer, buffer or to make him dps oriented. Other classes have their own unique specialization paths . There are benefits for each specialization.
Can make runekeeper that can be dps-er or healer.
But kind of agree that it is not same as for example in Guild Wars.
As for dungeons, Moria is one big multiplatformed dungeon. And what a dungeon it is. Great work Turbine.
SignusM at what chapter did you stop playing LOTRO?
Originally posted by Mentor73 nitefly Didn't you get with WOTLK kind of a book similar to WAR or LOTRO?
You mean like the Tome of Knowledge in Warhammer: Age of Reckoning? There is a list of Achievements (including kills and so on) in World of Warcraft if that's what you mean? It was included in patch 3.x so it's in the game regardless of owning Wrath of the Lich King or not.
Actually of those three I find the solution made in Warhammer to be the best thought out since it has lots of possibilities for going from subject to subject easily.
I bundle things like that in the same un-imaginative pile that is also comprised of City of Heroes Badges (both Accolades and Exploration) as well as some of the Achievement categories for EverQuest2 although I still feel the latter the best implementation of a character-involving/altering system derived from various sources (exploration, quest completion, collections, etc.)
- all deeds are stored in book (killing, exploration, hobbies, upgraded skills ...)
- outfits that enable more customization
- new trait system - yep specialization for classes
- legendary weapons that gain experience and lvl - they have legacies that effect skills, buffs etc
- scenario instances
- one of biggest dungeons both on horizontal and vertical direction ...
- rune keeper and warden
It seems you missed a lot.
Deeds stored are just statistics. They are not part of gameplay and (in my view) they don't add anything of substance to the game experience.
Outfits are just visuals. It is the same superficial system as is available in EverQuest2 where your Character is wearing one thing but looks like it is wearing something else. It is not even used intelligently such as in Vanguard where you could wear several outfits that was then automatically used for the task at hand (adventuring set, crafting set, diplomacy set).
Trait system is not customization and it can only be called specialization if you have never played another MMO. The changes done are minor compared to what is available in other games which is why it fails to interest me. It is not my claim that there is NO customization at all, but that the customization that is available is so shallow and uninvolving that it pales compared to other games.
Legendary weapons is essentially watered down Enchantment/Slotting/Inscription from World of Warcraft that only applies to weapons. On the up side the weapons earn these when you adventure (you don't have to keep them updated by buying new enchants/gems) on the down side it is weapons only.
Scenario instances are just scripted event instances. Most MMOs have those.
Biggest dungeons? Compared to what?
New classes, neither of which will address the gripe I have with the game: Character classes are extremly closely defined by Developers and my [Insert Class name] will, apart from minor differences, be EXACTLY like any other Player's [Insert Class name].
Let me give you a few examples of what I mean:
In Dungeons & Dragons: Online I can create a Character and make him a Rogue/Fighter multiclass that uses Feats to become insanely good at fighting with two weapons and putting all my skill points into finding and dismantling traps. Or I could become a Wizard as well, learning spells of both offense and defense. I could create another Rogue/Fighter in light armour, specialized in stealthing around and backstabbing while also focusing heavily on Use Magic Device that would enable me to use nearly any magical item I would find. Massive changes.
In World of Warcraft I could make a Priest and specialize him in Holy Talents that would make for a very powerful Healer, welcome in any party and with several extra Abilities that I would otherwise never get. Or I could become a Shadow Priest, wreathed in darkness, with no healing powers readily available apart from those based on the vampiric abilities, but again with several new abilities I would otherwise not get.
In City of Heroes I could create my Energy Blaster and run around solving Missions. If I wanted to be a strong damagedealer I could slot all my powers for Damage and Accuracy, I could fire extremely powerful attacks but would propably run out of Energy quickly. On the other hand I could focus on having my attacks being ready again quickly and not be as costly in Endurance, or perhaps focus on the Knockback effect available in my powers. All depending on those choices, the overall Class (Blaster) would play very differently.
In these static games with no real player interaction (all modern MMOs) the only element you can reasonably expect to be able to customize is your Character. In Lord of the Rings: Online, a game that is just as static as any of the other titles, they have given the player no individual control over anything, including their own Characters.
So I don't really think I have missed anything because there really isn't all that much to miss in this game.
Good lord, the list of "Wrong" goes on and on. I still do not think you have even played the game.
---------- "Anyone posting on this forum is not an average user, and there for any opinions about the game are going to be overly critical compared to an average users opinions." - Me
"Hello person posting on a site specifically for MMO's in a thread on a sub forum specifically for a particular game talking about meta features and making comparisons to other titles in the genre, and their meta features.
LotRO is NOT immersive. Middle Earth Online, was an immersive sandbox, but then Turbine had to go and revamp it into LotRO. LotRO is an over zoned, over instanced game, with little magical hills everywhere you can't climb, funneling you through the level grind. There are massive hordes of BOARS as far as the eye can see. Want to happily walk across the shire? Can't. Random hills and horrible biting beasts in every direction. The game does the story telling quite well, but it is far from immersive.
Hmm seems liek you never played that game, you can walk through the shire without being attacked by mobs after lvl 15 (when you have 8 or 9 lvl above a creature its wont aggro you just like that).
Please try a game for more than 20 mins before throwing shit at it.
I'm not a no life that sits in front of his computer all day long, I'm an intern that sits in front of his computer all day long.
Originally posted by beaverz Originally posted by SignusM LotRO is NOT immersive. Middle Earth Online, was an immersive sandbox, but then Turbine had to go and revamp it into LotRO. LotRO is an over zoned, over instanced game, with little magical hills everywhere you can't climb, funneling you through the level grind. There are massive hordes of BOARS as far as the eye can see. Want to happily walk across the shire? Can't. Random hills and horrible biting beasts in every direction. The game does the story telling quite well, but it is far from immersive.
Hmm seems liek you never played that game, you can walk through the shire without being attacked by mobs after lvl 15 (when you have 8 or 9 lvl above a creature its wont aggro you just like that). Please try a game for more than 20 mins before throwing shit at it. Isn't that a bit of a non-statement? All MMOs are like that, if you reach a point where the mobs are either non-aggressive towards you or harmless you can pass them by without worry.
The point being made was propably more that until you reach that point there is a very restrictive feeling pervading Lord of the Rings: Online.
LotRO is NOT immersive. Middle Earth Online, was an immersive sandbox, but then Turbine had to go and revamp it into LotRO. LotRO is an over zoned, over instanced game, with little magical hills everywhere you can't climb, funneling you through the level grind. There are massive hordes of BOARS as far as the eye can see. Want to happily walk across the shire? Can't. Random hills and horrible biting beasts in every direction.
The game does the story telling quite well, but it is far from immersive.
Hmm seems liek you never played that game, you can walk through the shire without being attacked by mobs after lvl 15 (when you have 8 or 9 lvl above a creature its wont aggro you just like that).
Please try a game for more than 20 mins before throwing shit at it.
Isn't that a bit of a non-statement? All MMOs are like that, if you reach a point where the mobs are either non-aggressive towards you or harmless you can pass them by without worry.
The point being made was propably more that until you reach that point there is a very restrictive feeling pervading Lord of the Rings: Online.
Considering that going from lvl 6 to 16 can be done in less than an hour if you have a clue about what youre doing, i'd say thats no big deal. And please lets think for 2 secs, what the hell would you do in the shire if there wer no mobs, this aint hello kitty online!
I'm not a no life that sits in front of his computer all day long, I'm an intern that sits in front of his computer all day long.
Originally posted by beaverz Originally posted by nitefly
Originally posted by beaverz
Originally posted by SignusM
LotRO is NOT immersive. Middle Earth Online, was an immersive sandbox, but then Turbine had to go and revamp it into LotRO. LotRO is an over zoned, over instanced game, with little magical hills everywhere you can't climb, funneling you through the level grind. There are massive hordes of BOARS as far as the eye can see. Want to happily walk across the shire? Can't. Random hills and horrible biting beasts in every direction. The game does the story telling quite well, but it is far from immersive.
Hmm seems liek you never played that game, you can walk through the shire without being attacked by mobs after lvl 15 (when you have 8 or 9 lvl above a creature its wont aggro you just like that). Please try a game for more than 20 mins before throwing shit at it. Isn't that a bit of a non-statement? All MMOs are like that, if you reach a point where the mobs are either non-aggressive towards you or harmless you can pass them by without worry.
The point being made was propably more that until you reach that point there is a very restrictive feeling pervading Lord of the Rings: Online.
Considering that going from lvl 6 to 16 can be done in less than an hour if you have a clue about what youre doing, i'd say thats no big deal. And please lets think for 2 secs, what the hell would you do in the shire if there wer no mobs, this aint hello kitty online! Get immersed in the atmosphere and the story instead of playing whack-a-mole in the Middle Earth themepark? I don't know, I quit as I couldn't find anything of interest, what keeps you interested? Killing random mobs?
Comments
LOTRO = WoW reskinned
-------------------------
even having only dabbled in it at launch I can tell you that is absolutely not true
The vibe is just totally different, if anything WoW tried to be more like LOTRO with the WOTLK /DK quests (focus on storyline, you, and how YOU are involved in it)
But this wasn't a thread about LOTRO Vs _____. So back to topic:
Anyone recommend me a server? Last time i check I think brandywine was the most popular?
Iwinbutton.com | Gaming / MMO Blog
Unless there is more then one person running around here with your avatar it seems like nothing can please you.
Hold on Snow Leopard, imma let you finish, but Windows had one of the best operating systems of all time.
If the Powerball lottery was like Lotro, nobody would win for 2 years, and then everyone in Nebraska would win on the same day.
And then Nebraska would get nerfed.-pinkwood lotro fourms
AMD 4800 2.4ghz-3GB RAM 533mhz-EVGA 9500GT 512mb-320gb HD
All my regular gaming circle friends and I try out all new MMOs and Lord of the Rings: Online is fun (as is all new games) for the first two to six weeks. Then the novelty wears off and you start to see the game for what it really is, you look at gameplay, you look at content and the natural impulse for comparing with previous experiences pops up.
For most of my friends and me, Lord of the Rings: Online was an average four weeks romp and then nothing. Two of my friends re-subbed a month or so back and went away in four days, slow, uninspiring gameplay with storyline tracks being so apparent they blind you, caused them to simply not bother.
I'll be very interested to see if you're still in the game come mid March.
I'm interested to see too. I never look at an MMO purchase as a waste though, even if I quit after a month or two - because I know it will always be there for me when I get that urge. FFXI is the *ONLY* MMO that I canceled after the fist month and NEVER returned to since.
And even though I got the trial, I've decided to hold off on playing it till I get Moria from the fiancee on Christmas. I want to make a Warden bad.
Iwinbutton.com | Gaming / MMO Blog
On the other hand, if people ask about a game that I have tried I will offer my oppinion expecting full well that the person asking will know that's only one oppinion among many.
I expect I'm a bit like you in that I really don't care if a game only gives me the first month of entertainment. For me there was two games that I never went back to, Tabula Rasa (which is now closed) and Lord of the Rings: Online. A quick count on the shelves behind me show 21 MMOs and I have tried at least 4 more that were available as downloads.
Currently I play City of Heroes and World of Warcraft but I'm contemplating re-starting my Warhammer: Age of Reckoning subscription to see what the 1.1 patch can do.
Well, I played my main to 50 and an alto to 30. My main problem with the game was the shear lack of loot, endgame content, and any reason to group other than take down the Balrog. That, and the grind was RETARDED. That being said, I have played WOW, extensively, and saying that LOTRO is WOW Reskinned is like saying that your mom isn't a whore. It's just so untrue it's laughable.
A witty saying proves nothing.
-Voltaire
On the other hand, if people ask about a game that I have tried I will offer my oppinion expecting full well that the person asking will know that's only one oppinion among many.
I expect I'm a bit like you in that I really don't care if a game only gives me the first month of entertainment. For me there was two games that I never went back to, Tabula Rasa (which is now closed) and Lord of the Rings: Online. A quick count on the shelves behind me show 21 MMOs and I have tried at least 4 more that were available as downloads.
Currently I play City of Heroes and World of Warcraft but I'm contemplating re-starting my Warhammer: Age of Reckoning subscription to see what the 1.1 patch can do.
The way I see it, even if you just get the first free month of enjoyment - it's still not a bad $:hours-of-entertainment ratio, especially compared to single player console games these days ($60 ~7 hours of entertainment)
I totally forgot TR, that's another I have never gone back to - I had nothing against it really, was actually better than people give it credit, but it wasn't my bag.
I recently resubbed to check out 1.1 in WAR. I played a lot the first few days, but haven't played in a few days now. It still has performance problems, in RVR especially. Game will run fine one second, then hitch the next. The oRVR rewards really influenced (no pun) a ton of oRVR around the battlefield objectives. Quite fun.
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nitefly ... but you do consider that gameplay of any mmorpg may change. Luckly in LOTRO for better.
Well, I played my main to 50 and an alto to 30. My main problem with the game was the shear lack of loot, endgame content, and any reason to group other than take down the Balrog. That, and the grind was RETARDED. That being said, I have played WOW, extensively, and saying that LOTRO is WOW Reskinned is like saying that your mom isn't a whore. It's just so untrue it's laughable.
I know for sure, my mom is not a whore. BTW how much does yours charge per hour?
And if u say LOTRO is so similar to WOW (LOTRO before Moria) What is then so different in WOW hehe?
Problem for me in Lord of the Rings: Online is that Character customization is one of my key elements in any MMO and Lord of the Rings: Online has none that is interesting. Not compared to World of Warcraft (Talents and the effects of Enchanting/Jewelcrafting and now Inscription as well) or EverQuest2 (Achievements, I really like that system) or Dungeons & Dragons: Online (that is sheer bliss for a player like me).
Lord of the Rings: Online is too similar to many other fantasy titles, without being spectacular enough in their own niche areas that I personally feel entertained.
But it's not like I have made a solemn vow NEVER to go back to Lord of the Rings: Online no matter what, but right now Lord of the Rings: Online has no unique qualities for me - outside of the music system which is a lot of fun.
EDIT: Typo
This is kinda how I felt....The first time I did one of the books I enjoyed it but the quests get boring very quikckly....I came to LoTRO after I quit WoW and really it jsut felt like a continuation of the same game but with different lore.......I was never thrilled with any of my characters and all the running in the game drove me crazy after awhile..... My highest character got to 38 before I couldnt stand logging in anymore and left with over 3 months of unplayed time left on my sub........By the time I finished LoTRO I never wanted to see another quest again....it is just too quest driven and there is zero incentive to go find a camp in this game..... If you are a huge fan of the books/movies then you may really enjoy and have a game for a long time but beware alot of people burn out on this game fairly quickly........Not only myself but many of my friends left also.
I think that's because people play the game in a way that is just incongrous to the playstyle of the game.
I might stretch my tolerance to agree with you here - but still: if a game forces a certain playstyle and only rewards this certain playstyle it is not open anymore, it is forced.
I remember when the game went live and I saw so many people just grinding levels on mobs. I was surprised.
Why? i think it is normal to test out your characters abilities and skills on mobs nearby and try to see what you can kill and what you cant. I see nothing surprising in this behaviour.
I saw so many people rush through to the top and then blink and realize there was nothing there. It's as if players have attributed previous mmo game playstyles to LOTRO.
Well if the devs know there is no end game waiting then they should not make leveling to max such a walk in the park. They should have stretched their precious "journey" longer.
Sure, you could grind to the top but what are you going to do? How many times are you going to do the few raids that are in the game. And Monster Play doesn't appeal to people who want hardcore pvp and it doesn't appeal to people who don't want to pvp.
The pioneer players want to uncover what the game has to offer, as soon as it was clear that certain deeds gave certain bonus people grinded away just to find out what the bonus did for their toon. If these things where not so obviously given and more a hidden thing that you dont imediatly understand then people would not have grinded deeds like no tomorrow.
This game really is about the journey.
correct, and that is why it is not an open world, you follow THIS linear journey or you are not rewarded. Do a simple quest, gain 5000 exp or kill 20 very hard mobs for 280 exp each with the danger to die and have repair costs.
There are many different ways to quest up and I suppose you could just grind up if you want. But if you can't immerse yourself in the smaller stories or make up stories on your own then players will be at a loss.
I think the only worthwhile way is to quest-grind up. At release there where certain level ranges that did not have enough solo quests to level up and the official forums where full with demands for more solo quests.
I can't tell you how many times I've enjoyed just going into goblin town solo and seeing how far I could get. Now I have Moria to do that with.
I think if a players is to play LOTRO they need to understand the strengths and weaknesses and they need to know why they are playing.
I think you try to tell people that LOTRO is an open world just because you cant admit that your precious game is not. It is a forced game you describe it yourself. Play the given journey - do not expect the world to offer more possible journeys.
An open world offers unlimited routes to the end Lotro offers 1 and a second that is already a pain in the ...
Problem for me in Lord of the Rings: Online is that Character customization is one of my key elements in any MMO and Lord of the Rings: Online has none that is interesting. Not compared to World of Warcraft (Talents and the effects of Enchanting/Jewelcrafting and now Inscription as well) or EverQuest2 (Achievements, I really like that system) or Dungeons & Dragons: Online (that is sheer bliss for a player like me).
Lord of the Rings: Online is too similar to many other fantasy titles, without being spectacular enough in their own niche areas that I personally feel entertained.
But it's not like I have made a solemn vow NEVER to go back to Lord of the Rings: Online no matter what, but right now Lord of the Rings: Online has no unique qualities for me - outside of the music system which is a lot of fun.
EDIT: Typo
- all deeds are stored in book (killing, exploration, hobbies, upgraded skills ...)
- outfits that enable more customization
- new trait system - yep specialization for classes
- legendary weapons that gain experience and lvl - they have legacies that effect skills, buffs etc
- scenario instances
- one of biggest dungeons both on horizontal and vertical direction ...
- rune keeper and warden
It seems you missed a lot.
Analyzer ... you will feel better in Darkfall.
Deeds stored are just statistics. They are not part of gameplay and (in my view) they don't add anything of substance to the game experience.
Outfits are just visuals. It is the same superficial system as is available in EverQuest2 where your Character is wearing one thing but looks like it is wearing something else. It is not even used intelligently such as in Vanguard where you could wear several outfits that was then automatically used for the task at hand (adventuring set, crafting set, diplomacy set).
Trait system is not customization and it can only be called specialization if you have never played another MMO. The changes done are minor compared to what is available in other games which is why it fails to interest me. It is not my claim that there is NO customization at all, but that the customization that is available is so shallow and uninvolving that it pales compared to other games.
Legendary weapons is essentially watered down Enchantment/Slotting/Inscription from World of Warcraft that only applies to weapons. On the up side the weapons earn these when you adventure (you don't have to keep them updated by buying new enchants/gems) on the down side it is weapons only.
Scenario instances are just scripted event instances. Most MMOs have those.
Biggest dungeons? Compared to what?
New classes, neither of which will address the gripe I have with the game: Character classes are extremly closely defined by Developers and my [Insert Class name] will, apart from minor differences, be EXACTLY like any other Player's [Insert Class name].
Let me give you a few examples of what I mean:
In Dungeons & Dragons: Online I can create a Character and make him a Rogue/Fighter multiclass that uses Feats to become insanely good at fighting with two weapons and putting all my skill points into finding and dismantling traps. Or I could become a Wizard as well, learning spells of both offense and defense. I could create another Rogue/Fighter in light armour, specialized in stealthing around and backstabbing while also focusing heavily on Use Magic Device that would enable me to use nearly any magical item I would find. Massive changes.
In World of Warcraft I could make a Priest and specialize him in Holy Talents that would make for a very powerful Healer, welcome in any party and with several extra Abilities that I would otherwise never get. Or I could become a Shadow Priest, wreathed in darkness, with no healing powers readily available apart from those based on the vampiric abilities, but again with several new abilities I would otherwise not get.
In City of Heroes I could create my Energy Blaster and run around solving Missions. If I wanted to be a strong damagedealer I could slot all my powers for Damage and Accuracy, I could fire extremely powerful attacks but would propably run out of Energy quickly. On the other hand I could focus on having my attacks being ready again quickly and not be as costly in Endurance, or perhaps focus on the Knockback effect available in my powers. All depending on those choices, the overall Class (Blaster) would play very differently.
In these static games with no real player interaction (all modern MMOs) the only element you can reasonably expect to be able to customize is your Character. In Lord of the Rings: Online, a game that is just as static as any of the other titles, they have given the player no individual control over anything, including their own Characters.
So I don't really think I have missed anything because there really isn't all that much to miss in this game.
Quite interesting to see that recent payment model changes in EQ2 and WOTLK being a rehash of same old have made LotRO a threat to the said games, at least in the eyes of the rabid fanbois.
Can't see another reason really for the sudden influx of them to LotRO forum, spewing things they really don't know anything about...
Playing: AC2
Played: UO, DaoC, Horizons, Ryzom, WAR, LotRO, Eve, VG...
LotRO is NOT immersive. Middle Earth Online, was an immersive sandbox, but then Turbine had to go and revamp it into LotRO. LotRO is an over zoned, over instanced game, with little magical hills everywhere you can't climb, funneling you through the level grind. There are massive hordes of BOARS as far as the eye can see. Want to happily walk across the shire? Can't. Random hills and horrible biting beasts in every direction.
The game does the story telling quite well, but it is far from immersive.
Darkfall Travelogues!
LoTRO without a doubt is probably the best PvE MMORPG.
If you still haven't received a buddy key, send me a PM and I'll set you up with one.
Fuhyo
That would go to Vanguard or EQ.
Darkfall Travelogues!
nitefly Didn't you get with WOTLK kind of a book similar to WAR or LOTRO?
Define watered? Have you even tried to lvl legendary weapons or see how mechanics works to be so sure?
Trait system allows me to make my minstrel more powerful healer, buffer or to make him dps oriented. Other classes have their own unique specialization paths . There are benefits for each specialization.
Can make runekeeper that can be dps-er or healer.
But kind of agree that it is not same as for example in Guild Wars.
As for dungeons, Moria is one big multiplatformed dungeon. And what a dungeon it is. Great work Turbine.
SignusM at what chapter did you stop playing LOTRO?
Actually of those three I find the solution made in Warhammer to be the best thought out since it has lots of possibilities for going from subject to subject easily.
I bundle things like that in the same un-imaginative pile that is also comprised of City of Heroes Badges (both Accolades and Exploration) as well as some of the Achievement categories for EverQuest2 although I still feel the latter the best implementation of a character-involving/altering system derived from various sources (exploration, quest completion, collections, etc.)
Deeds stored are just statistics. They are not part of gameplay and (in my view) they don't add anything of substance to the game experience.
Outfits are just visuals. It is the same superficial system as is available in EverQuest2 where your Character is wearing one thing but looks like it is wearing something else. It is not even used intelligently such as in Vanguard where you could wear several outfits that was then automatically used for the task at hand (adventuring set, crafting set, diplomacy set).
Trait system is not customization and it can only be called specialization if you have never played another MMO. The changes done are minor compared to what is available in other games which is why it fails to interest me. It is not my claim that there is NO customization at all, but that the customization that is available is so shallow and uninvolving that it pales compared to other games.
Legendary weapons is essentially watered down Enchantment/Slotting/Inscription from World of Warcraft that only applies to weapons. On the up side the weapons earn these when you adventure (you don't have to keep them updated by buying new enchants/gems) on the down side it is weapons only.
Scenario instances are just scripted event instances. Most MMOs have those.
Biggest dungeons? Compared to what?
New classes, neither of which will address the gripe I have with the game: Character classes are extremly closely defined by Developers and my [Insert Class name] will, apart from minor differences, be EXACTLY like any other Player's [Insert Class name].
Let me give you a few examples of what I mean:
In Dungeons & Dragons: Online I can create a Character and make him a Rogue/Fighter multiclass that uses Feats to become insanely good at fighting with two weapons and putting all my skill points into finding and dismantling traps. Or I could become a Wizard as well, learning spells of both offense and defense. I could create another Rogue/Fighter in light armour, specialized in stealthing around and backstabbing while also focusing heavily on Use Magic Device that would enable me to use nearly any magical item I would find. Massive changes.
In World of Warcraft I could make a Priest and specialize him in Holy Talents that would make for a very powerful Healer, welcome in any party and with several extra Abilities that I would otherwise never get. Or I could become a Shadow Priest, wreathed in darkness, with no healing powers readily available apart from those based on the vampiric abilities, but again with several new abilities I would otherwise not get.
In City of Heroes I could create my Energy Blaster and run around solving Missions. If I wanted to be a strong damagedealer I could slot all my powers for Damage and Accuracy, I could fire extremely powerful attacks but would propably run out of Energy quickly. On the other hand I could focus on having my attacks being ready again quickly and not be as costly in Endurance, or perhaps focus on the Knockback effect available in my powers. All depending on those choices, the overall Class (Blaster) would play very differently.
In these static games with no real player interaction (all modern MMOs) the only element you can reasonably expect to be able to customize is your Character. In Lord of the Rings: Online, a game that is just as static as any of the other titles, they have given the player no individual control over anything, including their own Characters.
So I don't really think I have missed anything because there really isn't all that much to miss in this game.
Good lord, the list of "Wrong" goes on and on. I still do not think you have even played the game.
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"Anyone posting on this forum is not an average user, and there for any opinions about the game are going to be overly critical compared to an average users opinions." - Me
"No, your wrong.." - Random user #123
"Hello person posting on a site specifically for MMO's in a thread on a sub forum specifically for a particular game talking about meta features and making comparisons to other titles in the genre, and their meta features.
How are you?" -Me
Hmm seems liek you never played that game, you can walk through the shire without being attacked by mobs after lvl 15 (when you have 8 or 9 lvl above a creature its wont aggro you just like that).
Please try a game for more than 20 mins before throwing shit at it.
I'm not a no life that sits in front of his computer all day long, I'm an intern that sits in front of his computer all day long.
Hmm seems liek you never played that game, you can walk through the shire without being attacked by mobs after lvl 15 (when you have 8 or 9 lvl above a creature its wont aggro you just like that).
Please try a game for more than 20 mins before throwing shit at it.
Isn't that a bit of a non-statement? All MMOs are like that, if you reach a point where the mobs are either non-aggressive towards you or harmless you can pass them by without worry.
The point being made was propably more that until you reach that point there is a very restrictive feeling pervading Lord of the Rings: Online.
Landroval is pretty populated
Hmm seems liek you never played that game, you can walk through the shire without being attacked by mobs after lvl 15 (when you have 8 or 9 lvl above a creature its wont aggro you just like that).
Please try a game for more than 20 mins before throwing shit at it.
Isn't that a bit of a non-statement? All MMOs are like that, if you reach a point where the mobs are either non-aggressive towards you or harmless you can pass them by without worry.
The point being made was propably more that until you reach that point there is a very restrictive feeling pervading Lord of the Rings: Online.
Considering that going from lvl 6 to 16 can be done in less than an hour if you have a clue about what youre doing, i'd say thats no big deal. And please lets think for 2 secs, what the hell would you do in the shire if there wer no mobs, this aint hello kitty online!
I'm not a no life that sits in front of his computer all day long, I'm an intern that sits in front of his computer all day long.
Hmm seems liek you never played that game, you can walk through the shire without being attacked by mobs after lvl 15 (when you have 8 or 9 lvl above a creature its wont aggro you just like that).
Please try a game for more than 20 mins before throwing shit at it.
Isn't that a bit of a non-statement? All MMOs are like that, if you reach a point where the mobs are either non-aggressive towards you or harmless you can pass them by without worry.
The point being made was propably more that until you reach that point there is a very restrictive feeling pervading Lord of the Rings: Online.
Considering that going from lvl 6 to 16 can be done in less than an hour if you have a clue about what youre doing, i'd say thats no big deal. And please lets think for 2 secs, what the hell would you do in the shire if there wer no mobs, this aint hello kitty online!
Get immersed in the atmosphere and the story instead of playing whack-a-mole in the Middle Earth themepark? I don't know, I quit as I couldn't find anything of interest, what keeps you interested? Killing random mobs?