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LOTRO: A Temporary Solution
PrebThor
Member UncommonPosts: 452
Let's be honest: The comparison to World of WarCraft (WoW) is inevitable. Why? Simply because Blizzard set the standard. WoW is very easy to get into, especially for anyone new to MMORPGs, and therefore it has succeeded. I'm sure the rock-solid accomplishments in Blizzard's previous releases haven't hurt WoW in gaining acknowledgment as well. Word of mouth, if you will. With that said WoW is aging, it's getting "dated" or even "outdated" (at least graphics-wise), but still continues to recruit new players thanks to WoW: The Burning Crusade, the first (and hopefully the last) expansion pack. There are 7+ million WoW copies sold and the numbers continue to grow.
Along comes Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO), THREE years after the initial release of WoW...
In my opinion LOTRO is, simply put, a dull-colored version of WoW with the humor taken out. As other contributors to the forum have already stated: "Here is your palette: brown, gray and green...GO!" and "...not a single smile." I couldn't say it better myself. The atmosphere gives LOTRO a more mature feel to it, but also a less enjoyable one. Another MMORPG, Archlord, also has this atmosphere and although the game as a whole is a disaster, it does have a rather interesting and mystical environment. It's all a matter of taste, I guess.
LOTRO's landscapes look somewhere between okay and great - nothing spectacular for the most part, but the game does have its moments. The characters look basic - WoW all over again. Haven't 3D models evolved? The gear (armor and weapons) all look the same. Even screenshots from high-end equipment look rather dull; you really can't tell one item from the other, unless inspected, since there are no distinct looks that really stand out. Although the game is still in its early stages and more gear will (hopefully) be added in updates, it's still a bit of a letdown. I know this is Middle-Earth and there's "no stunning glowing effects, etc.", but this is also a game. What's the point in spending an eternity leveling a character, getting the best gear and at the same time not being able to stand out in a crowd? Oh, well. Maybe it's just me again.
Controls and skills, especially, feel unresponsive; slow actually. You'll often end up doing your last moves in thin air since the enemy either died a few seconds ago OR even better; killed you. Character animations look somewhere between okay and good. Enemies, especially animals, look stiff and clumsy.
The interface design looks good for the most part, but fails to deliver fully in functionality and does seem rather half-finished on certain features. Skillbar icons are hard to tell one from another, and the above-mentioned lacking response in using the skills does not exactly help either.
Both item crafting and auction house (yes!) seem stable and varied with nothing new to add - not that it's really needed. Both good systems.
Quests are easy at first and gradually get harder. They also have VERY detailed descriptions for the most part which is a big plus. If you're having trouble finding a quest item or NPC then you've most likely been sloppy or just downright lazy. Blame yourself. Tasks that require teamwork appear at reasonable level, giving you time to "learn the ropes".
Travelling in Middle-Earth is tedious as you need to walk by foot everywhere, unless you want to pay for a overpriced trip (at least at the first 10-15 levels) on a horseback from one place to another. Places with a stable must first be discovered traveling by foot. Same feature as the "Flight Paths" in WoW. There is also a map travel feature in LOTRO that lets you travel back to a "Milestone" when reading your map in inventory (which has a one hour cooldown). A "Milestone" works the same way as an "Inn" in WoW.
Does LOTRO offer ANYTHING "new"? Yes, it does actually. Well, sort of:
-The game's "Monster Play" (PvP) feature is more of a turn-off rather than revolutionary, and seems more like a "timekiller" for those boring moments when you've got nothing better to do in-game.
-The "Deeds", "Titles" and "Traits" features might as well have been "Reputation" in WoW. "Kill enough of those and we're friends and you get a bonus. Yarr!"
-Playing musical instruments and actually composing your own music in-game is an interesting feature. It's fun until you realize that most players are in fact tone-deaf and you're the one who has to suffer from it. Whenever in a city/outpost chances are that at least 3-5 players will pick up their newly acquired instrument and let the torture begin. I'm still looking for the "Turn Musical Instruments OFF"-button in game settings as "Darth Vader Theme" out of tune for the 100th time just might turn me into a wreck of nerves.
-A torch that can be lit up at night will light up a limited area around your character. Neat!
All in all I don't see this game lasting for more than 6 months+; mainly as a "filler" while we wait for the next big thing to come along. Don't get me wrong; LOTRO is not THAT bad, it's just not that THAT good either.
WarHammer Online, anyone?
---
A few observations/suggestions:
Certain icons on the mini-map could have been more self-explanatory. What are they supposed to look like?
Some enemies have blank descriptions in their mouseover-box. Probably just a temporary bug.
The bright yellow color on NPC nametags looks too similar to the players' slighty darker nametag, making the NPC "drown" even in small groups. To top if off enemies a few levels higher than the player will have the EXACT same color on their nametags as NPCs. Priceless!
Along comes Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO), THREE years after the initial release of WoW...
In my opinion LOTRO is, simply put, a dull-colored version of WoW with the humor taken out. As other contributors to the forum have already stated: "Here is your palette: brown, gray and green...GO!" and "...not a single smile." I couldn't say it better myself. The atmosphere gives LOTRO a more mature feel to it, but also a less enjoyable one. Another MMORPG, Archlord, also has this atmosphere and although the game as a whole is a disaster, it does have a rather interesting and mystical environment. It's all a matter of taste, I guess.
LOTRO's landscapes look somewhere between okay and great - nothing spectacular for the most part, but the game does have its moments. The characters look basic - WoW all over again. Haven't 3D models evolved? The gear (armor and weapons) all look the same. Even screenshots from high-end equipment look rather dull; you really can't tell one item from the other, unless inspected, since there are no distinct looks that really stand out. Although the game is still in its early stages and more gear will (hopefully) be added in updates, it's still a bit of a letdown. I know this is Middle-Earth and there's "no stunning glowing effects, etc.", but this is also a game. What's the point in spending an eternity leveling a character, getting the best gear and at the same time not being able to stand out in a crowd? Oh, well. Maybe it's just me again.
Controls and skills, especially, feel unresponsive; slow actually. You'll often end up doing your last moves in thin air since the enemy either died a few seconds ago OR even better; killed you. Character animations look somewhere between okay and good. Enemies, especially animals, look stiff and clumsy.
The interface design looks good for the most part, but fails to deliver fully in functionality and does seem rather half-finished on certain features. Skillbar icons are hard to tell one from another, and the above-mentioned lacking response in using the skills does not exactly help either.
Both item crafting and auction house (yes!) seem stable and varied with nothing new to add - not that it's really needed. Both good systems.
Quests are easy at first and gradually get harder. They also have VERY detailed descriptions for the most part which is a big plus. If you're having trouble finding a quest item or NPC then you've most likely been sloppy or just downright lazy. Blame yourself. Tasks that require teamwork appear at reasonable level, giving you time to "learn the ropes".
Travelling in Middle-Earth is tedious as you need to walk by foot everywhere, unless you want to pay for a overpriced trip (at least at the first 10-15 levels) on a horseback from one place to another. Places with a stable must first be discovered traveling by foot. Same feature as the "Flight Paths" in WoW. There is also a map travel feature in LOTRO that lets you travel back to a "Milestone" when reading your map in inventory (which has a one hour cooldown). A "Milestone" works the same way as an "Inn" in WoW.
Does LOTRO offer ANYTHING "new"? Yes, it does actually. Well, sort of:
-The game's "Monster Play" (PvP) feature is more of a turn-off rather than revolutionary, and seems more like a "timekiller" for those boring moments when you've got nothing better to do in-game.
-The "Deeds", "Titles" and "Traits" features might as well have been "Reputation" in WoW. "Kill enough of those and we're friends and you get a bonus. Yarr!"
-Playing musical instruments and actually composing your own music in-game is an interesting feature. It's fun until you realize that most players are in fact tone-deaf and you're the one who has to suffer from it. Whenever in a city/outpost chances are that at least 3-5 players will pick up their newly acquired instrument and let the torture begin. I'm still looking for the "Turn Musical Instruments OFF"-button in game settings as "Darth Vader Theme" out of tune for the 100th time just might turn me into a wreck of nerves.
-A torch that can be lit up at night will light up a limited area around your character. Neat!
All in all I don't see this game lasting for more than 6 months+; mainly as a "filler" while we wait for the next big thing to come along. Don't get me wrong; LOTRO is not THAT bad, it's just not that THAT good either.
WarHammer Online, anyone?
---
A few observations/suggestions:
Certain icons on the mini-map could have been more self-explanatory. What are they supposed to look like?
Some enemies have blank descriptions in their mouseover-box. Probably just a temporary bug.
The bright yellow color on NPC nametags looks too similar to the players' slighty darker nametag, making the NPC "drown" even in small groups. To top if off enemies a few levels higher than the player will have the EXACT same color on their nametags as NPCs. Priceless!
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Seems to me that LOTRO isnt a radical PvE game, it seems to be WoW 2.0 with many improvements but generally the excact same gameplay. After what I have seen it does seem to be of better quality then WoW, but I agree that it is still a PvE game based on repetition. But it does have one major advantage over WoW, its Lord of the rings. Alot people are also tired of the cartoonish graphics and childish humor and feel that some people think WoW has.
But that said I dont see LOTRO being anymore succesful then WoW and certainly not outliving WoW by a huge margin. Its the same gameplay just made better, but it will just like WoW become old and tiresome in time.
Note that I play neither of these games so I dont care which "wins" as I dont play "pure" PvE games period.
Edit- hmm why doesn my thread keep splitting up in two different colors?
"I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said..Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?...No, but i served in a company of heroes"
Sgt. Mike Ranney E-company 506PIR 101'st airborn
I shan't say much since I couldn't care less about WoW and LoTRO, except this - prepare to be stoned by hundreds of LoTRO lovers. I really don't know why you bothered to write this rather long and, I must give you this, intelligent post. Only time will tell if LoTRO succeeds (I personally think it will, mostly because of its simplicity and name).
I cannot explain the sadness
That's fallen on my breast.
An old, old fable haunts me,
And will not let me rest.
Question came to mind: Wich standard did it set? yours or mine?
I figure if i can get 4-5 months game play enjoy it then it will be worth it to me. If it lasts longer even better.
I have discovered it is much cheaper for me to be involved in a mmorpg then not. If i am floundering i spend lots more on console games and none of them give me the hours of enjoyment a mmorpg does.
Also if pre order do the 9.99 a month and only do a few hours a week every week that again is still cheaper then 49.99 a game when it only may last a while before i finish it or bored else where.
Oh had to ask are there other things coming out that you may be looking forward to???? At any rate i do hope you find something you are looking forward to and enjoy.......
Question came to mind: Wich standard did it set? yours or mine?
I have to say that I dont agee with the OP that WoW set the standard as WoW is a simplified version of pre-WoW PvE games. WoW was in no way the first PvE game.
I have to say that in my opinion that Ultima online set the standard for mmorpgs as it was one of the first, dont actually remember if it was the first, and best.
"I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said..Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?...No, but i served in a company of heroes"
Sgt. Mike Ranney E-company 506PIR 101'st airborn
LOTRO is a mix from old games just like WoW is.
People keep saying that Turbine stole their UI from WoW but it's actually the other way around.
Blizzard stole their UI from Turbines own Asherons call II.
Lookie.
img223.imageshack.us/img223/7075/cap45jp7.jpg
As for LOTRO beeing a WoW clone.
How can LOTRO be a WoW clone when Blizzard borrowed all their ideas from old games?
Here is most of the things that WoW build their game on.
Everything has been used before.
Fishing has been used in Ultima Online.
Mining after resources has been usen in Ultima Online.
Crafting assembly has been seen in uhmm well all games.
Instances has been used Anarchy Online.
Raidsdungeons has been used in Everquest I.
EMail system has been used in SWG.
Playerskinned UIs has been used in Anarchy Online.
Auctionhouse has been used in Everquest I.
Dressingroom has been used in Final Fantasy.
Bankvaults has been used in Ultima Online.
Skilltree system has been used in SWG.
Flying mounts has been used in Anarchy Online(personal Planes).
PVP arenas has been used in Everquest I.
PvP battlegrounds has been used in Dark Age Of Camelot.
Pointsystem for PvP has been used in Dark Age oF Camelot.
UI is very similar to Asherons Call II.
I wish people would accept that all Blizzard did was take a lot of old used ides from other mmorpgs.
Smacked them into Warcrafts comic graphical world and imrpoved some of the old ideas.
Then they opened up for players to skin everything they wanted and allowed players to make mods.
So stop calling LOTRO a WoW clone.
If it's anything it's a mix from almost all the above mixed games.
___________________________________________
I have to agree about the standard comment. WoW is the de-facto standard since it is so clearly taken into account by several developers. It is the most successful MMO ever on the Western hemisphere and it is what made MMO an interesting and extremely lucrative market for the developers.
My strongest fear however is that this gargantuan presence in the MMO market will make more developers go the way of the LotRo developers: To try and duplicate World of Warcraft while adding little innovation. World of Warcraft gained this huge following due to them doing the "Take the best, refine, polish, and present with panache" approach first. If you simply do the same as Blizzard did, maybe even primarily copying the copycat, then you're risking becoming old before you really mature.
Totally agree. I should have wrote that many people think of LOTRO as WoW 2.0 instead of making it sound like its a clone. Apologies.
And does anyone know which game development is older? Just curious thats all.
"I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said..Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?...No, but i served in a company of heroes"
Sgt. Mike Ranney E-company 506PIR 101'st airborn
The early bird gets the worm....but the second mouse gets the cheese.
This is true for most consumer products, very rarely innovations come to the market and are a success, for example in the food industry the flop rate is at over 90%, so its natural that people develop "me-too" products, some businesses copy 1:1 other products some use its core and add a specific unique touch to it.
One reason why WOW is so successful is that they took all the best things, formed it into one product and made this product accessible for the mass.
Turbine took wow as a benchmark, slapped LOTR IP to it added some unique features, eg monster play and music composition.
who me ?
by solareus
who me ?
Not a single good argument aginst this. I personally believe LotRO to be wow 2.0 but had some one mad a good argument i could have honnord that... too bad it did not occur.
Currently , i am playign eve was i not i would try out LotRO becuase hey it looks like a game that is put together well. But i do not feel it is > than wow in ANYWAY. But it is new and iffernt so i would try it.
But in the end it is nother other than a Temp. solution and hardly that.
"Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one ..." - Thomas Paine
who me ?
"I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said..Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?...No, but i served in a company of heroes"
Sgt. Mike Ranney E-company 506PIR 101'st airborn
Here is my Favorite response so far to the OP statement:
....................................................................................................................
"
Some of the complaints in the review are valid, and hopefully will be addressed. But people seem to forget that these days, most games are released unfinished, having many of the same problems with the character movement, UI, etc., and are fixed up after release (what is the point of "criticizing" the UI in beta?). I'm told that this was the case for WoW too. I expect LotRO to be improved in the same way -- it's standard procedure -- therefore I'm waiting until I get deep into the game before presuming to dismiss it as a failure. But people like the reviewer who dismiss it now are, through their own lack of objectivity and perspective, just robbing themselves of an opportunity, and being grossly unfair to a game that has great potential to be THE next big game.
Many of the complaints in that review are voiced from an "it's not like WoW" point of view, and I worry that this attitude is having an overall detrimental effect on LotRO as viewed by the general public. It appears that everyone is so used to WoW, that anything done differently is criticized as being of inferior quality. In some cases that might be true (remember, though, that WoW is a finished game), but in other cases, it's not.
Take the game world colors, for example. I think some people just keep forgetting -- despite being constantly reminded -- that the game world is Middle-earth, which in the books is portrayed as a more or less realistic place, very much resembling our real life world (apparently it's analogous to northwest Europe). Therefore these complaints I'm seeing about how, in effect, the colors aren't as vibrant and interesting as WoW, are just blatantly unfair, and frankly make that person seem not very bright. Considering that it's a realistic, Earth-like world, the colors are indeed vibrant and beautiful, the best I've ever seen. I mean, do you want Middle-earth, or do you just want another cartoon world? Grrrrr.
Again -- not all, but much of the review (and others like it) can be chalked up to the reviewer's own misunderstanding about the setting, his failure to remember that the game is still being worked on and will continue so after release, and his lack of perspective about how MMOs are done these days. For me, it all adds up to just not wanting to read this junk anymore.
Don't get me wrong, feel free to criticize the game -- I was angry myself when I heard the first post-NDA reports. But dang it, be fair and objective about it, and criticize it with an experienced eye!"
........................................................................................................................
who me ?
I tend to agree with the OP in some areas, disagree with others. I don't mind that LotRO doesn't bring a lot of new things to the table, I enjoy the game for what it is..and really only expect it to last 6 months for me. (not because game is bad or anything, I have a short attention span and am really looking forward to WAR...no game could hold me back from it)
"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
That is a huge problem with betas right now. The lack of information from everyone regarding the games they are testing. No matter how small or unimportant you think your opinion is ,Turbine wants to here from everyone playing the game. Even if it is just one post in "first impressions" area, Every peice of data they have to look at from the players point view can make LotRO that much better. Please consider posting on the Official boards about your first impression.
Sorry to use you as an example Kyleran , but you made me ,
who me ?
by solareus
who me ?
RIP Orc Choppa
And to the op, you are one of the people who somehow managed to survive past childhood because of helmet laws, to breed more stupidity into the gene pool. Comparing these two games is such utter stupidity really.
I played Warcraft since it's inception, it's supposed to be full of humor and colorful.
And I have read the books and saw the LOTR movies, they were not full of humor, or supposed to be flamboyant.
So quit comparing apples and oranges, really. Get over it, and quit generalizing.