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Cancelling My Pre-order, Thanks for the Good Time
Daedalus732
Member Posts: 589
After giving it some thought with my fiancee, we've decided not to go with LOTRO, despite being huge Tolkien fans. While certainly economics comes into play for us, we both simply aren't ready to leave EQ2 for a game like LOTRO. My reasons for this are not meant to be a flame of this game, and at best, help other people articulate why they find something lacking.
I've been following LOTRO off and on for at least a couple of years now. While I suppose we all have self-inflicted expectations, I was really hoping for something more when it came to a game using such a rich lore. Instead, I feel like I received WoW reboxed and repainted with a LOTR skin. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but for me, I was looking for something more. Something unpolished, yet ambitious that would try to break some new ground. Sadly, no matter how you slice it, that's simply not what LOTRO offers its players.
From the simplistic character creation screens to the small number of race and class choices forward, I never really felt like I was in Middle Earth. I found myself looking at the map to remind myself just where I was, trying to inspire some sense of loyalty to the world. But I would always end up forgetting in the sea of "Find this person", "Kill so many of X mob", and "Make X items" quests that dominate the game. In a world so massive as Middle Earth, I was really hoping to have my hand held a lot less. But of course, you HAVE to do quests if you want to level at any reasonable speed. While some people might enjoy this method, I've done this too many times to still find it interesting. I struggled to read the text of the quests to try and get into them, but I knew that in the end, the NPC would just ask me to kill a bunch of some type of creature and come back for an XP reward.
The community I encountered was pretty good with a few exceptions, like a few gold sellers that came onto the scene in the days before launch, or people who "tapped" my claimed monsters for whatever reason. Other than that, the community struck me as pretty strong.
At the end of the day though, LOTRO doesn't offer enough to keep me interested. I do hope that those of you who find the game enthralling enjoy your game. I'm sure you'll have a blast in what is a polished and good looking game.
I've been following LOTRO off and on for at least a couple of years now. While I suppose we all have self-inflicted expectations, I was really hoping for something more when it came to a game using such a rich lore. Instead, I feel like I received WoW reboxed and repainted with a LOTR skin. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but for me, I was looking for something more. Something unpolished, yet ambitious that would try to break some new ground. Sadly, no matter how you slice it, that's simply not what LOTRO offers its players.
From the simplistic character creation screens to the small number of race and class choices forward, I never really felt like I was in Middle Earth. I found myself looking at the map to remind myself just where I was, trying to inspire some sense of loyalty to the world. But I would always end up forgetting in the sea of "Find this person", "Kill so many of X mob", and "Make X items" quests that dominate the game. In a world so massive as Middle Earth, I was really hoping to have my hand held a lot less. But of course, you HAVE to do quests if you want to level at any reasonable speed. While some people might enjoy this method, I've done this too many times to still find it interesting. I struggled to read the text of the quests to try and get into them, but I knew that in the end, the NPC would just ask me to kill a bunch of some type of creature and come back for an XP reward.
The community I encountered was pretty good with a few exceptions, like a few gold sellers that came onto the scene in the days before launch, or people who "tapped" my claimed monsters for whatever reason. Other than that, the community struck me as pretty strong.
At the end of the day though, LOTRO doesn't offer enough to keep me interested. I do hope that those of you who find the game enthralling enjoy your game. I'm sure you'll have a blast in what is a polished and good looking game.
Comments
It is a shame that this is not the game for you but hey we all have our taste,
Good luck in your journey to find the right place for you.
Interesting, I too went back to EQ2 in spite of LOTRO launch. I gave LOTRO another try with the expectations that they would use the time to add some more variety and immersiveness. My hope was in vain, I still feel pressed into a strickle and just cant get the LOTR feeling, I miss the "going into the wilds" (cit after Aragon) feeling. The exploration aspect is lacking greatly as the game size is tiny and stuffed with identical delivery and kill missions, flavoured with escort missions. In spite of having these kind of missions in other mmorpgs the amount of them squeezed onto a small space reduces the value of experience.
On a plus the textures with the high-res client are nice but do no way equalize the stiff-clunky animations. Also, what kept me playing and probably still this weekend is the community on the European RP server, even though I am an American I must say you brits sure can roleplay
and we can learn a lot from you (hardly any puberty l33t dudes) Excellent experience with you guys!
Thank you for your politely written post.
I am curious however as to what you wanted the content of LOTRO to be. Your post primarily lists specific things you didn't care for, but gives no concrete suggestions as to what would have pleased you.
While I enjoy the game as it is, there are several things I would have liked to see at launch.
-- Fishing
-- Player housing
-- More choices for character customization at character creation
-- Removal of the 'Grape' masquerading as 'Indigo' color
What did you want?
When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest or treaty, and there is nothing to fear from them, then he is always stirring up some war or other in order that the people may require a leader.
-- Plato
Which FF Character Are You?
I feel that EQII is a perfect example of this. Getting the house itself is very cheap, but you can spend hours crafting items for your room/house and then just placing them. Its very important for a lot of role players and gives something else to work on.
Totally depends on the playstyle however, what is useless to some is a huge feature to others.
That's a good point. I would have liked all of those things you listed, but mainly I suppose with LOTR being such a popular franchise, I really hoped Turbine would use their already guaranteed huge player base to take a few chances, such as a different take on the combat system, a crafting system that would be almost a game in of itself, and a departure from trying to make me, as an individual, feel like I'm somehow important to the quest to destroy the One Ring.
Mounts before level 35 would have been nice too. But that's not a deal-breaking issue of course.
In my opinion, yes. Player housing can provide the player with a strong feeling of connection to the game world. This is particularly important in games based on popular IPs, as the lack of housing can reduce the game world to a mere 'theme park' where each player is just a temporary visitor rather than a citizen.
While I enjoy LOTRO very much, lack of player housing at launch was nearly a deal breaker for me. I don't like playing a homeless Hobbit. If turbine fails to add housing in the near future I shall probably move on to AoC or return to EQ2.
When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest or treaty, and there is nothing to fear from them, then he is always stirring up some war or other in order that the people may require a leader.
-- Plato
Type (1) games tend to appeal to smaller numbers of players. Turbine knows this because they took a lot of design risks recently in DDO and it mostly backfired on them. Vanguard is another example of a game that was trying to "push it", but didn't quite pull it off in the eyes of most players, despite its small but dedicated fanbase. Many players will not overlook a lack of polish (particularly when polished games are being produced), and even more players will disagree with deviations from established gameplay mechanics which are, to some degree, questionable.
Type (2) games tend to appeal to larger numbers of players because they follow the established and familiar paradigm that these players are used to -- the main issue is whether the game pulls it off well and is polished.
Turbine decided to make a Type (2) game when designing LOTRO. Having done that, of course they would alienate people who are looking for something next gen or cutting edge or terribly innovative -- but that was the design price they were willing to pay to design a Type (2) game that would have a greater degree of mass appeal. So clearly for the folks who are looking for something cutting edge, out there, or innovative, you won't find it in LOTRO, because that's not what they were trying to do. In fact, very similar to what Blizzard was trying to do with WoW, LOTRO attempts to take established MMO paradigms and present them in a polished, smooth, well-functioning world with a storyline that is familiar and popular in itself. As a result, LOTRO will likely be very successful, but will not be liked by people who are looking for the next innovative, paradigm-shattering game.
It's a classic case of "you can't please all the people, all the time".
No game is for everyone.. and at least you gave it a try to find out you didn't like it.
Funny how everyone has different tastes. Mine are the opposite of yours. I found LOTRO to be the game for me and have no desire to ever load EQ2 on my computer again.
Good luck to you!
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JonMichael
Currently: AION, an MMO Beta under NDA
Played: WAR, LOTRO, Hellgate: London, CoX, GW, SotNW, DAOC, EQ2, SWG, WoW, AO, Horizons, Second Life, There, TSO
Beta'd: There, Second Life, EQ2, DAOC:LotM, LOTRO, Tabula Rasa, Gods and Heroes, Hellgate: London, Requiem:Bloodymare, AoC, WAR, DDO, Fallen Earth
That's a good point. I would have liked all of those things you listed, but mainly I suppose with LOTR being such a popular franchise, I really hoped Turbine would use their already guaranteed huge player base to take a few chances, such as a different take on the combat system, a crafting system that would be almost a game in of itself, and a departure from trying to make me, as an individual, feel like I'm somehow important to the quest to destroy the One Ring.
Mounts before level 35 would have been nice too. But that's not a deal-breaking issue of course.
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If I read you correctly, it sounds like you were looking for more of a 'sand box' type experience and less of a 'story driven' experience. I too would like to see greater freedom to, if you will, write your own story. I also believe that with some imaginative development that the 'sand box' and the 'grand story' can thrive side by side.
I agree that a basic mount at level 10 would have been nice, but would have made the game world feel smaller than it already is. I think that once we get a couple of commercial expansions Turbine may be able to improve that situation.
On your note about Turbine being able to take chances, I don't think they really felt like they could. Whatever their individual merits, AC2 was a complete failure and DnDO has been a poor performer. I think Turbine believed they had to play it safe, particularly given the popularity of the LOTR IP.
When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest or treaty, and there is nothing to fear from them, then he is always stirring up some war or other in order that the people may require a leader.
-- Plato
That's a good point. I would have liked all of those things you listed, but mainly I suppose with LOTR being such a popular franchise, I really hoped Turbine would use their already guaranteed huge player base to take a few chances, such as a different take on the combat system, a crafting system that would be almost a game in of itself, and a departure from trying to make me, as an individual, feel like I'm somehow important to the quest to destroy the One Ring.
Mounts before level 35 would have been nice too. But that's not a deal-breaking issue of course.
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If I read you correctly, it sounds like you were looking for more of a 'sand box' type experience and less of a 'story driven' experience. I too would like to see greater freedom to, if you will, write your own story. I also believe that with some imaginative development that the 'sand box' and the 'grand story' can thrive side by side.
I agree that a basic mount at level 10 would have been nice, but would have made the game world feel smaller than it already is. I think that once we get a couple of commercial expansions Turbine may be able to improve that situation.
On your note about Turbine being able to take chances, I don't think they really felt like they could. Whatever their individual merits, AC2 was a complete failure and DnDO has been a poor performer. I think Turbine believed they had to play it safe, particularly given the popularity of the LOTR IP.
Yes, I strongly agree. Turbine needs LOTRO to be a cash cow for them, so they made it as smooth and as easy to get into and start playing as they could. As a primarily exploration oriented player, I found the game to be terribly small, and being tied down to doing quests in order to level at a decent rate just bores the Tolkien out of me. *Find my brother. Explain to him such and such. Go back to my brother and tell him blah. Back and forth, blah blah blah.* Tedious.
I really miss the early days of AC.
We're all Geniuses. Most of us just don't know it.
Rinse and repeat?
But back to the OP.... LotRO isn't for everyone of course, if you were expecting new and exciting, with revolutionary new game concepts, this game is not for you. But if you enjoy a good story and trust me...the world isn't that small, (if you actually take the time to explore ever part of it like I do), the people I've met are pretty nice and there are a whole bunch of us having a good time.
"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
*gasp*
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TheCore
Sorry but lvl 8 is like 2-3 hours of game play if even that. You aren't even out of the low lvl areas. If you are elf or dwarve you never made it out of ered luin. Hobbit you never made it out of the shire, Man you never made it out of combe. Of course these areas seem boring and repetitious. It is the low areas. Most people are still getting a feel for the game at this stage of the game. Now when you hit the barrow downs and that creepy music starts to play or the old forest and that haunting music plays. Or the first time you see weathertop looming in the distance.
There is no MMO to date that is a fantasy MMO that you can't point to and see the similiarities that all MMO's have. I have no idea what magical wonderful new thing all of you are expecting. It has all basically been done before. With the exception of darkfall wich is going away from the standard class system i don't see any other game doing that. Unfortunately this is not a sandbox game and no gaming company is really willing to gamble on one after the debacle known as SWG.
In my opinion, yes. Player housing can provide the player with a strong feeling of connection to the game world. This is particularly important in games based on popular IPs, as the lack of housing can reduce the game world to a mere 'theme park' where each player is just a temporary visitor rather than a citizen.
While I enjoy LOTRO very much, lack of player housing at launch was nearly a deal breaker for me. I don't like playing a homeless Hobbit. If turbine fails to add housing in the near future I shall probably move on to AoC or return to EQ2.
to me player housing shouldnt be important, you're an adventurer you shouldnt have time to go to a house sit and relax...you're suppose to travel the world do quests kill things...and if you're tired you go to a pub sit, relax, drink beer, and sleep. then wake up go out adventuring again...when you're having so much fun in a fantasy world who would ever want to come home?
its jsut like when we were little kids having fun outside playing tag or cops and robbers etc... then our moms would tell us to go home and we would whine and complain about staying out longer...
I would add:
-- Built in Player2Player Card Game
-- add: card trading game(ingame)
-- crafting (i.e. FFXI) but not so... "huge"? <getting wood, metal & sum blueprint = object> or refining.. it really is endless
I have seen mining in a few Asian MMO's but thats about it
Games I've Played: SilkRoad, Flyff, NeoCron, PlanetSide, Rapplez, UpshiftRacer, Drift City, TB, Kwonho, ArchLord, AoA, Exteel, WolfTeam, Shaiyan, WoKF, FFXIV, STO, KoTR, ESO, Defiance, Mabinogi
Games I'm Playing: Warframe/STO
Games I'm Pondering: The Secret World
Level 8?
Did you even get out of the newbie areas?
_________________________________
JonMichael
Currently: AION, an MMO Beta under NDA
Played: WAR, LOTRO, Hellgate: London, CoX, GW, SotNW, DAOC, EQ2, SWG, WoW, AO, Horizons, Second Life, There, TSO
Beta'd: There, Second Life, EQ2, DAOC:LotM, LOTRO, Tabula Rasa, Gods and Heroes, Hellgate: London, Requiem:Bloodymare, AoC, WAR, DDO, Fallen Earth
Rinse and repeat?
No. Grinding was a by-product of all of the level fanatics that felt they needed to be the highest level around. I liked to explore. The quests in AC1 were typically short, and at the end of them you got some cool new weapon or armor piece. Of course as soon as a new quest came out you had auctioners selling the new items for ridiculus amounts of money, but I didn't get into that kind of thing. Mostly I played solo and enjoyed the wide expanse of area that even at mid level I could explore. There was always the danger of losing all of your good equipment dying out in the middle of nowhere, but that was half the fun. Lately these new gen MMO's have a very limited area in terms of level...the level difference between mobs seems to make the game seem like a big circle with seperate rings for every five levels or so. These nothing to explore because there's nothing there. No mystery.