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First Impressions
2hawks
Member UncommonPosts: 104
update: 4/5: adding more thoughts and first impressions of Monster Play
update 4/2/07: fleshing out the bones of this skeleton impression review a bit.
Started playing open beta - have one char to level 8 and 3 others all level 3 or less.
#1 - the graphics are amazingly beautiful. Often times I am stopping and just looking around.
Something that can impress me in a game is lighting. When done well, it can be one of the most intense mood setters (along with music) that a game can convey. I am extremely impressed with this element of LOTRO.
Take this and juxtapose it with the inspired (and inspiring) environmental graphics, add a little bloom and BAM - this works tremendously for me.
I love the fact that early on in the game with my first character I was running around amazed by the flowering trees when I was peripherally distracted (in game) by movemnet in the sky... well, I looked up and laughed to see a large flock of birds wheeling across the beautful sky... as I watched them spin and weave their way into the distance I was literally blinded momentarily as I turned into the sun which had that dazzling glare effect (I forget the term for that when it refracts or whatever).
I could go on for a bit about the amazing water etc. But you get the idea.
All of this said, the night sky, while nice, didn't impress me as much. It seem a bit over loaded and somewhat lacking in the vast depth that the day sky inspired. Another graphical element that may just be my settings is fires in urns (et.al) - mediocre. Although campfires seem fine.
#2 - interesting from the start... the intro quest and stories are great!
I have four characters at this point. Each of them had a unique starting quest that was somehow hinged to the LotR saga. I found this engaging and fun.
As to questing in general, there is the kill n of x, or bring x to y element in many that I have seen so far but, for me, the story line with most of these has been engaging enough to not sense a 'grind'.
For one example, a guy is looking for his son and through the small chain he has you: 1)find his sons companion to inquire 2) check some ruins where he has been know to explore (where you find his backpack but not body) 3) kill some goblins and a named in retaliation for the assumed demise of his son.
#3 - no bugs... uhm seriously I have not run into one bug, snag, glitch or disconnect.
What else can I say here. While this seems refreshing and 'extra special' it really is what we, as consumers of this form of entertainment, should expect to see in general - well thought out and tested code. SOE should really take note with this one (considering they had 5 years and 100 people working)
The only reason I mention SOE is because my current frame of reference for judging games is Vanguard and WOW (although I have played lots more all the way back to early UO).
As to lag, I have not really experienced much other than my own system limitations and desire to run the graphics at a setting that one more GB of ram would help to smooth out.
Turbine did a great job coding and testing this game as far as I can report so far.
#4 character animations are a million time better than vg
While I think there is room for some improvement here - overall the character models are smooth and the animations are great. The reason I compare this to VG is because I consider VG to be a prime example of nice textures (relatively) on wooden looking models with god-awful animations. I think the WOW models are fine for what they are and their animations are great.
LOTRO models are only slightly more stiff feeling than WOW but miles over VG.
#5 crafting is great and has lots of options
This is really still in early impression stages for me as I haven't done a tone of crafting yet. It appears deeper and more interesting than WOW but not as click intesive as VG. I like what I have seen so far.
#6 Monster play
I had been looking forward to hitting 10 with my main to try Monster Play. Well, I hit 10 before the servers were supposed to be going down for a patch and had to run from Thorin's Gate to Bree... problem was I kept seeing Rowan Branches along the way and had to stop and get them for my crafting. At some point I realised I could no longer stop for these as time was coming close to server down so I high-tailed it on.
I made it to Bree with about 15 minutes before server down and then had to run about to find the Scryer Pool (which thanks to some people didn't take too long note: it is in the SW area of town near the edge).
Once you click on the Scyer Pool you are presented with a window and the ability to choose out of I think 5 character types, including a few orc or orc hybrids, a spider thing, and a wolf... I chose the Orc Archer type, gave him a name and then found myself (in orc form standing in the middle of some encampment). So I ran around a a bit (only a few minutes to server down) and came to an interesting realization...
This Monster Play is essentially a game within the game and (in addtition to your normal character, when they get high enough level) you can have up to 5 (at this point) monsters that are essentially just like 5 more characters - in the 'zone' of MP (which is HUGE btw encompasing many towns and open spaces and villages and more open spaces with critters galore) your monsters can quest, collect items, gain talents and points and upgrade gear and all that attack npcs and other players and more. What a blast and what a great idea!
So, with the 5 main type chars you get per server you get 5 monster chars for each so for each server you can thoeretically have up to 25 characters. I don't think you can craft with monster characters.
I had been going back and forth on even pre-ordering it. I am so glad I did. If you are on the fence I would suggest you go for it. This truly has been a complete blast so far. If you tried VG and were less than satisfied (as I was) you wont regret getting in on this one.
If you really tried to like VG (as I did) but were left feeling empty (even after the annoyance of crashes and bad code wore off) I think you will be happy here and see how a game should be released (even to open Beta!).
For those who say this is a WOW clone I would completely disagree. If it was I wouldn't consider dumping WOW for it - which I am seriously thinking about.
Again, this is still all early impressions but it really feels good playing this game and it is hard as hell to log out when reality calls all too often. 
I continue to remain impressed with this game and am having a real internal battle about going the $199 route for lifetime or dumping wow and just playing this. I am sure I will playing LotRO long enough to pay off my investment.
Comments
I wasnt going to try the game as I am a bit worn out on the whole orc/elf play, but after reading a bit here and on the LOTR forums I have changed my mind. I pre-ordered online and am awaiting my key.
It sounds like a lot of fun and its a win/win in my book. Like it I get some special perks, dont like it I cancel my pre-order and am out 0 dollars. Truely cant wait to play!
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Maybe it's because alot of people like WoW? Obviously.
Oh and alot of people care how their character moves and how animations look.
Currently Playing: Everything but MMORPGs
Cancelled: L2, FFXI, VSoH, LotRO, WAR, WoW
Looking Forward To: SW:TOR
1) I dont know how old all you guys are that are saying "wow-clone" this "wow-clone" that, i'm merely 26 But been playing games way way before Wow came out. If going with your so-called "clone theory" isnt Wow a "clone" based on other things? What exactly about wow hasnt been done by previous games (except 8mill subs) that makes everything that came after it a "wow-clone"?
2)Perhaps because this is a game thats close to retail and we want to play a game now?
3)Aoc, from what i've seen looks promising aswell, but such a "different" set-up from Lotro, imho no real point in comparing games with such obvious difference's (same goes for wow vs other games).
4) Unlike You, I Dont like Pirates
5)Crafting, you "heared" it sucked, i and many others actually "tested/played" the game alrdy. No the crafting isnt way up there, but it isnt Bad either and suits Well in a game thats imo is designed to be Easy-going.
My thing with this game is, pretty much the same as 2hawks, before closed beta (been reading up some on this game ) i honestly didnt get why people where excited about this game, but after testing in beta.....Im Glad i found a game thats Fun, relaxing, Easy-going...That even my GF decided to Pre-order
Edit: Spelling (yea im from Holland
)
1) I dont know how old all you guys are that are saying "wow-clone" this "wow-clone" that, i'm merely 26 But been playing games way way before Wow came out. If going with your so-called "clone theory" isnt Wow a "clone" based on other things? What exactly about wow hasnt been done by previous games (except 8mill subs) that makes everything that came after it a "wow-clone"?
2)Perhaps because this is a game thats close to retail and we want to play a game now?
3)Aoc, from what i've seen looks promising aswell, but such a "different" set-up from Lotro, imho no real point in comparing games with such obvious difference's (same goes for wow vs other games).
4) Unlike You, I Dont like Pirates
5)Crafting, you "heared" it sucked, i and many others actually "tested/played" the game alrdy. No the crafting isnt way up there, but it isnt Bad either and suits Well in a game thats imo is designed to be Easy-going.
My thing with this game is, pretty much the same as 2hawks, before closed beta (been reading up some on this game ) i honestly didnt get why people where excited about this game, but after testing in beta.....Im Glad i found a game thats Fun, relaxing, Easy-going...That even my GF decided to Pre-order
Edit: Spelling (yea im from Holland
)
All im saying if you post reasons and I know its his opinion. but to say better then VG and crafting is great and not say why it just leaves me to belive you are trying to hype a game and not doing it well the only reasons other then reason # 2 are not a selling point to me sorry just my opinion here
You really don't strike me as the ... ahm... well, the edu-ma-cated type. But that's ok. Always fun to see the clown ride by on the oversized trike. But all kidding aside, I understand this quick post of mine is not very detailed but that is why it is title "first impressions" . And I have been playing mmos since day one of catskills in UO and know quite a bit about crafting systems etc.
You really don't strike me as the ... ahm... well, the edu-ma-cated type. But that's ok. Always fun to see the clown ride by on the oversized trike.damn should I start talking about your mother now just because i think this game isnt as good as other games comeing out ? this was my opinion take it or leave it it will not be better then AoC .
When I died earlier , I was so annoyed, I was like " Gosh Darn it !!!!!!!! "It truly annoyed me that I died cause I knew i couldn't get that next titlte for no deaths. What did I do ? Reroll LOL . The titles as simple as they are , are going to drive people like myself insane , to try and get them all.
I'm a meleep player, but for some reason I been pulled towards hunter, they are simply fun to play. That is a first for me, as well as playing a rogue like a burglar . I do like the tanks but I just want to try something different and the hunter class is sweet. Lots of cool tricks like setting traps and stuff.
I was waiting for AoC but just have a funny feeling in my gut about that game , so I will wait until it is released.
who me ?
You really don't strike me as the ... ahm... well, the edu-ma-cated type. But that's ok. Always fun to see the clown ride by on the oversized trike.damn should I start talking about your mother now just because i think this game isnt as good as other games comeing out ? this was my opinion take it or leave it it will not be better then AoC .
no no ... that was mostly tongue in cheek jabs... you are obviously entitled to your opinion. I think the discconect with your opinion for me was when you suggesetd I never played a game with a good crafting system... how the @#$% would you know that? That is why i gave you the sort of dumb clown poke. Additionally for you to say that 'you heard' the crafting system sucks would suggest you again don't really know what you are talking about as you haven't had the chance to try it out for youreself yet.
As to it being better or not than AoC I would point to the likely fact that you haven't played either yet, so you ... *sigh* ... again don't really know what you are talking about.
I completely appreciate that you are totally looking forward to AoC (I want to try it too!) I would suggest that you try LotRo for a short while to get a taste of it. I am enjoying it a lot.
Interesting. I would really be interested in knowing what you consider to be good or 'not dated' - graphically speaking.
I had heard that AC2 had used this graphics engine and there was a comparison between the two. Having never played AC2 I am unable to determine this. So it could be quite dated in the case that it is true. However, I played VG and had occasional moments of thinking it was graphically beautiful ( I still think its skies are) but overall found it to be drab and uninspired. The graphics in LOTRO are truly inspiring to me. Much beauty is in the eye of the beholder for sure so it could just come down to taste (as well as system power).
As to gameplay, it took me only a short while to get accustomed to it and it feels pretty smooth to me at this point. The combat feels pretty good to me in terms of animations and general feel. I would agree in part reagarding the combat audio and actually even some of the environmentcharacter interaction audio - I think they need to work on getting the walking in water sound, including the initial splash when you jump in, better. The combat audio while not bad is not the best (by combat audio I mean the character grunts and such.)
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Kyleran,
Wondering if you can give me some more detail on what you are experiencing with crafting...
If I have remembered correctly you have played WOW and Vanguard, yes? Would you mind giving a quick overview of LotRO in comparison to those two? Also, one thing I haven't figured out yet... probably dumb question ... but... where the heck do I find the ingredients to start growing pipeweed?
I, ultimately, love to have a nail biting adventure with the prospect of somewhat interesting crafting in between times...
I agree with almost all your points, as an artist myself I am very pleased to see someone point out things like lighting rather then blanket it as "art direction". Indeed lighting, texel density, cool vs warm pallets, saturated vs desaturated, and all those things really set the mood.
One comment I have is that SOE did not make Vangaurd, Sigil did. Although I believe every company should take a tip from a game which is very stable and lacking bugs even in closed beta
I just am not a fan of Sigil flying low on the radar for their work on Vanguard while SOE takes the flack for their poor art/code. Woe unto us if Sigil makes another product and we forget about Vanguard thinking SOE made it.
-Arioc
Arioc Murkwood
Environment Artist
Sad but true.
I agree with almost all your points, as an artist myself I am very pleased to see someone point out things like lighting rather then blanket it as "art direction". Indeed lighting, texel density, cool vs warm pallets, saturated vs desaturated, and all those things really set the mood.
One comment I have is that SOE did not make Vangaurd, Sigil did. Although I believe every company should take a tip from a game which is very stable and lacking bugs even in closed beta
I just am not a fan of Sigil flying low on the radar for their work on Vanguard while SOE takes the flack for their poor art/code. Woe unto us if Sigil makes another product and we forget about Vanguard thinking SOE made it.
-Arioc
Point well taken regarding SOE and actually that was me not really paying attention to my acronyms. I think I off-handedly thought I was refering to Sigil.LOTR is an evolution over WOW, and WOW is just another EQ clone tuned for the mindless mass of CS players too dumb to play an actual challenging game.
I guess it would be hard for a WOW fanboi to enjoy LOTRO because the it actually require grade 6 reading skills