Right that makes sense, thanks for the answer. I guess I should just shut up and go look up the game myself huh? lol Considering it just came out as well. Thanks, I'm thinking about checking this game out!
Right that makes sense, thanks for the answer. I guess I should just shut up and go look up the game myself huh? lol Considering it just came out as well. Thanks, I'm thinking about checking this game out!
Glad to see another person interested in it. It seems for the most part that it's not a game you can sorta like. Either you do or you don't. Hopefully you give it enough time to be able to decide (seems most people play an hour or 2 then quit without even getting into the meat of the game). I have to say if you've not played it for a minimum of 20 hours you really cant get the point of the game.
EVE - Sharvala FFXI - Shazamalicious Guild Wars - Xavier Lucifer & Charlize the Necro "Ranged...stuck...tree...15 random words... suck... noob fanboy... I MAKE GUIDE!"
I too found the game to creep to a boring halt. I leveled a champ to 35 and hit a road block of questless leveling so I went to alts....then I got crazy bored with those as well without breaking level 22. This game discourages a grind fest, but truely to play the game from 1-50 is a tedius grind uninspiring and very very boring. Even in end game, there's nothing 'fun' to do.
I played through closed, pre-order beta and got the game at launch, i bought it, almost the special edition. But i payed for the subscription. Only reason why you hated it after a week is because turbine's grace period was over and you didn't feel like paying for it.
So if you don't like it, don't post about it, don't think about it, and don't go on here telling people they shouldn't play it.
Oh, shut up.
I guess that $199 I sent to Turbine was because I didn't want to pay for it. And where did I say people shouldn't play LOTRO? I ask a simple question, get a retarded answer. I knew there'd be at least one.
As for the rest....I guess there are a few people who saw the decline in community, but that wasn't really the main thing I was asking. Like I said, I thought it was awesome. Paid for a lifetime sub. Tried every class to at least the high teens (a few of them embarrasingly higher over beta and release combined) and just lost interest completely. It's a fun game one time, but there seems to be no replayability and tedium and boredom sets in around level 15 or so...
Guess maybe it is just me
No, you're not the only one. I had that happen to me as well. Wasn't on LOTRO though (am not even playing that) but Anarchy Online, my first MMORPG. The first month was so awesome, I fully enjoyed it and liked the community. Every day I had off from work I'd get up really early when it was still dark outside and load the game. The launch screen played, the music faded up and I was totally immersed. But then I encountered a billing problem and wasn't able to play for a few days and suddenly I wondered what exactly kept me so entertained. I couldn't really think of anything, instead I thought of all the flaws and what bugged me about the game. And then when my account was once again cleared I couldn't motivate myself to play again. I canceled the subscription a month later. I've had this happen to me to in sp games, for a while one is totally addicted and then when one breaks the cycle the fascination is gone.
Originally posted by zeuseason I too found the game to creep to a boring halt. I leveled a champ to 35 and hit a road block of questless leveling so I went to alts....then I got crazy bored with those as well without breaking level 22. This game discourages a grind fest, but truely to play the game from 1-50 is a tedius grind uninspiring and very very boring. Even in end game, there's nothing 'fun' to do.
There are plenty of quests to do at level 35. Go to Trollshaws and Rivendell and level to 38, then go to Misty Mountains until 40-41, then Angmar. And I'm talking solo quests, duoing with a partner or grouping. I haven't thought LOTRO was a grind except for grinding for traits. THAT is a grind. Leveling isn't.
People ...DO THE QUESTS...don't grind on mobs. Exp for just grinding on mobs is horrible.
Also how do you know if the end game is fun or not when you're only 35. Umm..level some more please.
I too found the game to creep to a boring halt. I leveled a champ to 35 and hit a road block of questless leveling so I went to alts....then I got crazy bored with those as well without breaking level 22. This game discourages a grind fest, but truely to play the game from 1-50 is a tedius grind uninspiring and very very boring. Even in end game, there's nothing 'fun' to do.
There are plenty of quests to do at level 35. Go to Trollshaws and Rivendell and level to 38, then go to Misty Mountains until 40-41, then Angmar. And I'm talking solo quests, duoing with a partner or grouping. I haven't thought LOTRO was a grind except for grinding for traits. THAT is a grind. Leveling isn't.
People ...DO THE QUESTS...don't grind on mobs. Exp for just grinding on mobs is horrible.
Also how do you know if the end game is fun or not when you're only 35. Umm..level some more please.
boring quests are jsut as much of a grind as straight killing mobs
Originally posted by Carl132p Originally posted by joejccva
Originally posted by zeuseason I too found the game to creep to a boring halt. I leveled a champ to 35 and hit a road block of questless leveling so I went to alts....then I got crazy bored with those as well without breaking level 22. This game discourages a grind fest, but truely to play the game from 1-50 is a tedius grind uninspiring and very very boring. Even in end game, there's nothing 'fun' to do.
There are plenty of quests to do at level 35. Go to Trollshaws and Rivendell and level to 38, then go to Misty Mountains until 40-41, then Angmar. And I'm talking solo quests, duoing with a partner or grouping. I haven't thought LOTRO was a grind except for grinding for traits. THAT is a grind. Leveling isn't. People ...DO THE QUESTS...don't grind on mobs. Exp for just grinding on mobs is horrible. Also how do you know if the end game is fun or not when you're only 35. Umm..level some more please.
boring quests are jsut as much of a grind as straight killing mobs
Do you actually read the quests, or do you just click accept all over the place, then refer back to the quest log to see which mobs you have to kill and how many?
Also if you think the Book/Chapter questline is boring, then it's either one of 2 things:
1. You aren't a fan of LOTR's lore. 2. You are looking for a "perfect" MMO with everything that suits YOUR needs, hoping that AoC and/or WAR will be the one.
I've had no bad experiences so far, only leve 17 though but playing on the EU Laurelin RP server, great community and I even get grouped in fellowships whenever I want which is handy as I'm a Burglar !
Ace community, really enjoying the game so far although very few power leveling people, most seem more interested in having a laugh.
Suplyndmnd mentioned that most MMORPG's take time to get into. I agree with that, as I am some one looking for a new MMO/MMORPG to get into! I have found a couple that I am not enjoying fully...but I try to give every game a chance...moslty because I think, personaly, that all MMG's take time to fully understand. I think, like Suplyndmnd said, 20 hours is fair....*nods*
For what Zueseason and Sposocke said (sorry should be quoting just being lazy, lol) I understand your pain guys. For me, I am some one who loves to get involved in the "team" aspect of a game, not so much as a solo'er I guess! My point is, is that I too find quests boring....and yes...often click "Accept" to get 'em...then look them 'em up for the goals, without the story line, just to advance in the game....Altough, I do understand why some people would like to keep it solo...keep it simple and have fun with the game!
I personally like good communities....embracing ones I mean.....and finding a good guild, or such equivilant. I have found that a lot of games take on new meaning when you find a good guild...and that games do a lot to encourage guild play! Meaning, your options for gameplay open up when you are working with a "Team!"
...and I just realized I'm off topic..lol...sorry guys! Again, I am one to give all games a try, just to learn the "hard" way and judge for myself! Might do it next week...maybe see you guys in game!
I have to agree with some of what op said and others. I still think its not a bad game at all however im struggling to maintain my interest in it. Im just a kick in the ass off going back to playing wow which i stil enojoy. I also agree i have noticed a change in the community in terms of social interaciton. There are way to many ignorant people in the game whio cant even be assedto say hello when you greet them.
Shame really !!
Greatness is difficult to appreciate from close up. The great mountain on the horizon is only the ground when you are standing on it.
The only place I follow OOC is monster play which by the way seems mostly more mature. That's probably cause everyone knows they can't get a l33t creep. I find monster play a nice diversion and recommend everyone trying it out for a bit. I'm more into playing my monster than my human now. I highly recommend it for people truly looking for a challenge. Just be prepared to be having to use all the strategy you can against the freeps and taking frequent deaths. If not for PvP, then for doing raids against the keeps. If you only want to solo then, then please stay with your hero and either do the quests or don't. You can still get the 1-use craft recipes and get a bit of your gear without questing for it. I started on another server but switched to be with my friends. Now I don't care too much about doing anything but group quests and the epic quest line with my friends when I'm not on monster play. I got 2 communities I love.... my kinship and my creeps.
Ther's no grinding unless u want to, the quests are the mose amazingly done in a mmorpg out there, and about the boredom issue, i'm so sick and tired of reading flames to this game. If u don't like it dont' play it. Extract from ur tiny minds that this is not a WOW clone, if so, EVERY FREAKING GAME SHOULD BE AN "UO" CLONE WITH A 3D GRAPHIC ENGINE!....so get past of stupid excuses to dislike a game and enjoy it. If u don't, that should be your problem not a community wise issue (this last sentence is intended to all the flamers around).
No offense intended... but hell ther's like 2 cheering posts and it seems like ppl only comes to the forums to whine about something.
Game is great, if ur server community sucks you should try another server, over mine ppl are quite nice and helpfull, the server is windfola BTW. Find some friends to play with and u'll be having a blast like some guys stated b4.
I played closed beta and almost ran away in fear when i saw the "crude" version of the game, (i didn't came here and destroyed the game just because of my oppinion on the subject) it was only because of a friend that i rejoined the open beta and saw the changes, and with the release of the full client the things even got better.
So consider some few things after flaming this game.
1.- Name a game that worked like this since release?-------> Anyone?!?! *sound of the void*
2.-Wich game started with a full well based community, the people that writes in forums during beta not necesarily joined the game for a variety of reasons not concerning the game per se.
3.-This game has it own playstile, a very healthy one i migth add (i'm not in the rush to get to 50 in 2 weeks like i did with wow(60)).
4.-Heh reading the professor's (J.R.R.Tolkien) work helps around this game; understanding a lot of things. Tho is not requiered, it gives an extra blast to the game(the kind u get when one of the original creators of fantasy creatures like elves/orcs and such has a well documented history from middle 1900's to support the game and u realize that your playing something that was readed by millions).
So basically this isn't a clone of nothing (u migth actually have to use the brain to enjoy this game).... it's different so you can adapt to it or you can simply go and try to find another game around.
Namárië.
Ps.: A piece of advice, disable the ooc channel.....
I understand your pain guys. For me, I am some one who loves to get involved in the "team" aspect of a game, not so much as a solo'er I guess! My point is, is that I too find quests boring....and yes...often click "Accept" to get 'em...then look them 'em up for the goals, without the story line, just to advance in the game....Altough, I do understand why some people would like to keep it solo...keep it simple and have fun with the game!
gawd, I hate it when I do that. I played WoW for a year but never really bothered reading the storyline, so I can't really remember who I killed, robbed or whatever and why, not that it matters but all the same. I'd only read the storyline if I couldn't find my target or whatever I was meant to do. I guess the problem with most MMORPG's is that while the quests may have a description, background story and all, they often lack any further importance or consequence once one has completed the quest and not seldom do they sound like something some programmer just pulled out of his... sleeve.
PS: This is only in regard to MMORPG's, there are plenty sp games with great and interesting storyline imho.
Oooh look this is like my first every post or pretty low.. this topic brought me out of lurking.
The truth is that the "cats out the bag" and many WoW players are now on LOTRO. This isn't a bad thing as lets face it any game which can attract and retain WoW players is doing to get enough subs to hopefully carry on its development. From what IMHO see ... LOTOR whilst not amazing deserves to survive and maybe even get better.
That said...
I played WoW till about Level 45 and if I'm honest I left because of the dreadful community which I dont want to say is necessarily kiddies because the sad truth of it some are far past early teenage years. The (self enforced) grinding, mindlessness, unhelpful and using others as a resource and not another human being. Sounds carebearish ? Melodramtic ? Perhaps but give a year and a half playing WoW expecting and getting this behaviour an its easier to swap to other MMO's or go play a FPS. Which I did.
Playing LOTOR has reminded me of playing WoW mucho. Not just design but the "community" (sections of the player base) is showing the same grindfest and selfish attitude amongst core WoW players that I detest. Though if I am honest there also some very easily hypertensive anti-WoW people out there who at the mention of the game in OOC (especially comparisons) need a big old paper bag to breathe into.
The core of what i'm trying to say is.. yes there are some major asshat players on LOTOR... yes many came from WoW...thanks Blizzard (burning crusade is not liked then?)... some though are an entirely new generation ... ... but in the end its a case of deal with them and the moment that its all too much leave or have a break. Naturally use all the legitimate tools you can to remedy the situation. Admins,ignores,paper lists of rememberance (tm). Its kind of stupid to say but I think at some point in WoW i forgot about these things because of the sheer level of unsporting players, really offensive racist/sexist/homophobic crap that floated to the surface eveyday on WoW.
But when you remove these people and give others the benefit of the doubt ( not to be too harsh) then there are good players left in the community. You know the type: freebies given away to low levels, protecting a disconnected player, excess crafting materials given away, temporary groups to get named creatures, tolerance of mistakes(!)... etc.. etc...
That said you know when your ignore list is full that the ?%^* hit the fan ...I let you all know when it does....
I have a "meh" feeling with LOTRO. Part of it may have to do with playing other MMORPGs for so long I'm just burned out and part of it may have to do with me having a glancing knowledge of LOTR (so the pull of the story isn't there for me like it would be for LOTR fans).
Like many others, I want a new game to come and knock me off my feet - not more of the same. I don't blame LOTRO for my dissapointment. I think its a good game for many.
Currently I have five characters between 15-20 and I am just bored with the game. I have had a number of chances to play the last few days and haven't played that much at all. The game is just a bit slow paced for me. I think Turbine did a great job and if I was more into the Lore then I know this would be 10/10 for me. But since I am not a LOTR Lore Nut it is just a 7/10 for me and I know once the next new MMO comes along like Sword of the New World , PotBS or Tabula Rasa then I am going to move on.
-------------------------------- Currently Playing: Guild Wars 2 and Path of Exile
I pre-ordered.. Played through to level 34 on my champion and a ton of chars up to 15-20... I really wanted LOTRO to last me until AoC or Warhammer came out... or even spore.... Now it seems, I log on to lotro less and less and less... I think it just got really boring for me and the Monster versus Player system is unfinished.
I should add that crafting is COMPLETELY fubared, doubly so if you are a weaponsmith..
I'm certainly not saying it's a bad game. It's nicely done, in fact, and by miles the best MMO launch ever.
That said...I am an LOTR fan. I know the lore, I know th ebooks, I know the people involved. I think this may be part of the problem. Sure, this game is based on a threat from Angmar, etc, but I KNOW the story. There's not a single surprise to be found. I feel like I've seen this all before, and there is no motivation to play through a storyline we all know the outcome of.
Comments
EVE - Sharvala
FFXI - Shazamalicious
Guild Wars - Xavier Lucifer & Charlize the Necro
"Ranged...stuck...tree...15 random words... suck... noob fanboy... I MAKE GUIDE!"
I too found the game to creep to a boring halt. I leveled a champ to 35 and hit a road block of questless leveling so I went to alts....then I got crazy bored with those as well without breaking level 22. This game discourages a grind fest, but truely to play the game from 1-50 is a tedius grind uninspiring and very very boring. Even in end game, there's nothing 'fun' to do.
I guess that $199 I sent to Turbine was because I didn't want to pay for it. And where did I say people shouldn't play LOTRO? I ask a simple question, get a retarded answer. I knew there'd be at least one.
As for the rest....I guess there are a few people who saw the decline in community, but that wasn't really the main thing I was asking. Like I said, I thought it was awesome. Paid for a lifetime sub. Tried every class to at least the high teens (a few of them embarrasingly higher over beta and release combined) and just lost interest completely. It's a fun game one time, but there seems to be no replayability and tedium and boredom sets in around level 15 or so...
Guess maybe it is just me
No, you're not the only one. I had that happen to me as well. Wasn't on LOTRO though (am not even playing that) but Anarchy Online, my first MMORPG. The first month was so awesome, I fully enjoyed it and liked the community. Every day I had off from work I'd get up really early when it was still dark outside and load the game. The launch screen played, the music faded up and I was totally immersed. But then I encountered a billing problem and wasn't able to play for a few days and suddenly I wondered what exactly kept me so entertained. I couldn't really think of anything, instead I thought of all the flaws and what bugged me about the game. And then when my account was once again cleared I couldn't motivate myself to play again. I canceled the subscription a month later. I've had this happen to me to in sp games, for a while one is totally addicted and then when one breaks the cycle the fascination is gone.
There are plenty of quests to do at level 35. Go to Trollshaws and Rivendell and level to 38, then go to Misty Mountains until 40-41, then Angmar. And I'm talking solo quests, duoing with a partner or grouping. I haven't thought LOTRO was a grind except for grinding for traits. THAT is a grind. Leveling isn't.
People ...DO THE QUESTS...don't grind on mobs. Exp for just grinding on mobs is horrible.
Also how do you know if the end game is fun or not when you're only 35. Umm..level some more please.
There are plenty of quests to do at level 35. Go to Trollshaws and Rivendell and level to 38, then go to Misty Mountains until 40-41, then Angmar. And I'm talking solo quests, duoing with a partner or grouping. I haven't thought LOTRO was a grind except for grinding for traits. THAT is a grind. Leveling isn't.
People ...DO THE QUESTS...don't grind on mobs. Exp for just grinding on mobs is horrible.
Also how do you know if the end game is fun or not when you're only 35. Umm..level some more please.
boring quests are jsut as much of a grind as straight killing mobsThere are plenty of quests to do at level 35. Go to Trollshaws and Rivendell and level to 38, then go to Misty Mountains until 40-41, then Angmar. And I'm talking solo quests, duoing with a partner or grouping. I haven't thought LOTRO was a grind except for grinding for traits. THAT is a grind. Leveling isn't.
People ...DO THE QUESTS...don't grind on mobs. Exp for just grinding on mobs is horrible.
Also how do you know if the end game is fun or not when you're only 35. Umm..level some more please.
boring quests are jsut as much of a grind as straight killing mobs
Do you actually read the quests, or do you just click accept all over the place, then refer back to the quest log to see which mobs you have to kill and how many?
Also if you think the Book/Chapter questline is boring, then it's either one of 2 things:
1. You aren't a fan of LOTR's lore.
2. You are looking for a "perfect" MMO with everything that suits YOUR needs, hoping that AoC and/or WAR will be the one.
Ace community, really enjoying the game so far
Hey guys!
Suplyndmnd mentioned that most MMORPG's take time to get into. I agree with that, as I am some one looking for a new MMO/MMORPG to get into! I have found a couple that I am not enjoying fully...but I try to give every game a chance...moslty because I think, personaly, that all MMG's take time to fully understand. I think, like Suplyndmnd said, 20 hours is fair....*nods*
For what Zueseason and Sposocke said (sorry should be quoting just being lazy, lol) I understand your pain guys. For me, I am some one who loves to get involved in the "team" aspect of a game, not so much as a solo'er I guess! My point is, is that I too find quests boring....and yes...often click "Accept" to get 'em...then look them 'em up for the goals, without the story line, just to advance in the game....Altough, I do understand why some people would like to keep it solo...keep it simple and have fun with the game!
I personally like good communities....embracing ones I mean.....and finding a good guild, or such equivilant. I have found that a lot of games take on new meaning when you find a good guild...and that games do a lot to encourage guild play! Meaning, your options for gameplay open up when you are working with a "Team!"
...and I just realized I'm off topic..lol...sorry guys! Again, I am one to give all games a try, just to learn the "hard" way and judge for myself! Might do it next week...maybe see you guys in game!
I have to agree with some of what op said and others. I still think its not a bad game at all however im struggling to maintain my interest in it. Im just a kick in the ass off going back to playing wow which i stil enojoy. I also agree i have noticed a change in the community in terms of social interaciton. There are way to many ignorant people in the game whio cant even be assedto say hello when you greet them.
Shame really !!
Greatness is difficult to appreciate from close up. The great mountain on the horizon is only the ground when you are standing on it.
The only place I follow OOC is monster play which by the way seems mostly more mature. That's probably cause everyone knows they can't get a l33t creep. I find monster play a nice diversion and recommend everyone trying it out for a bit. I'm more into playing my monster than my human now. I highly recommend it for people truly looking for a challenge. Just be prepared to be having to use all the strategy you can against the freeps and taking frequent deaths. If not for PvP, then for doing raids against the keeps. If you only want to solo then, then please stay with your hero and either do the quests or don't. You can still get the 1-use craft recipes and get a bit of your gear without questing for it. I started on another server but switched to be with my friends. Now I don't care too much about doing anything but group quests and the epic quest line with my friends when I'm not on monster play. I got 2 communities I love.... my kinship and my creeps.
SWG - Starsider (retired?)
EQ2 - Oasis
LotRO - Vilya
Boring quests!?!?
Boring game?!?!
Grinding!?!?!?!?!
I must be playing a different LOTRO then....
Ther's no grinding unless u want to, the quests are the mose amazingly done in a mmorpg out there, and about the boredom issue, i'm so sick and tired of reading flames to this game. If u don't like it dont' play it. Extract from ur tiny minds that this is not a WOW clone, if so, EVERY FREAKING GAME SHOULD BE AN "UO" CLONE WITH A 3D GRAPHIC ENGINE!....so get past of stupid excuses to dislike a game and enjoy it. If u don't, that should be your problem not a community wise issue (this last sentence is intended to all the flamers around).
No offense intended... but hell ther's like 2 cheering posts and it seems like ppl only comes to the forums to whine about something.
Game is great, if ur server community sucks you should try another server, over mine ppl are quite nice and helpfull, the server is windfola BTW. Find some friends to play with and u'll be having a blast like some guys stated b4.
I played closed beta and almost ran away in fear when i saw the "crude" version of the game, (i didn't came here and destroyed the game just because of my oppinion on the subject) it was only because of a friend that i rejoined the open beta and saw the changes, and with the release of the full client the things even got better.
So consider some few things after flaming this game.
1.- Name a game that worked like this since release?-------> Anyone?!?! *sound of the void*
2.-Wich game started with a full well based community, the people that writes in forums during beta not necesarily joined the game for a variety of reasons not concerning the game per se.
3.-This game has it own playstile, a very healthy one i migth add (i'm not in the rush to get to 50 in 2 weeks like i did with wow(60)).
4.-Heh reading the professor's (J.R.R.Tolkien) work helps around this game; understanding a lot of things. Tho is not requiered, it gives an extra blast to the game(the kind u get when one of the original creators of fantasy creatures like elves/orcs and such has a well documented history from middle 1900's to support the game and u realize that your playing something that was readed by millions).
So basically this isn't a clone of nothing (u migth actually have to use the brain to enjoy this game).... it's different so you can adapt to it or you can simply go and try to find another game around.
Namárië.
Ps.: A piece of advice, disable the ooc channel.....
PS: This is only in regard to MMORPG's, there are plenty sp games with great and interesting storyline imho.
The truth is that the "cats out the bag" and many WoW players are now on LOTRO. This isn't a bad thing as lets face it any game which can attract and retain WoW players is doing to get enough subs to hopefully carry on its development. From what IMHO see ... LOTOR whilst not amazing deserves to survive and maybe even get better.
That said...
I played WoW till about Level 45 and if I'm honest I left because of the dreadful community which I dont want to say is necessarily kiddies because the sad truth of it some are far past early teenage years. The (self enforced) grinding, mindlessness, unhelpful and using others as a resource and not another human being. Sounds carebearish ? Melodramtic ? Perhaps but give a year and a half playing WoW expecting and getting this behaviour an its easier to swap to other MMO's or go play a FPS. Which I did.
Playing LOTOR has reminded me of playing WoW mucho. Not just design but the "community" (sections of the player base) is showing the same grindfest and selfish attitude amongst core WoW players that I detest. Though if I am honest there also some very easily hypertensive anti-WoW people out there who at the mention of the game in OOC (especially comparisons) need a big old paper bag to breathe into.
The core of what i'm trying to say is.. yes there are some major asshat players on LOTOR... yes many came from WoW...thanks Blizzard (burning crusade is not liked then?)... some though are an entirely new generation ...
But when you remove these people and give others the benefit of the doubt ( not to be too harsh) then there are good players left in the community. You know the type: freebies given away to low levels, protecting a disconnected player, excess crafting materials given away, temporary groups to get named creatures, tolerance of mistakes(!)... etc.. etc...
That said you know when your ignore list is full that the ?%^* hit the fan ...I let you all know when it does....
Like many others, I want a new game to come and knock me off my feet - not more of the same. I don't blame LOTRO for my dissapointment. I think its a good game for many.
--------------------------------
Currently Playing: Guild Wars 2 and Path of Exile
Quit: Eden Eternal, Wakfu, DDO, STO, DCUO, Sword 2, Atlantica Online, LOTRO, SWTOR, RIFT, Earthrise, FFXIV, RoM, Allods Online, GA,WAR,CO,V:SoH,POTBS,TR,COH/COV, WOW, DDO,AL, EQ, Eve, L2, AA, Mx0, SWG, SoR, AO, RFO, DAoC, and others.
www.twitter.com/mlwhitt
www.michaelwhitt.com
I should add that crafting is COMPLETELY fubared, doubly so if you are a weaponsmith..
That said...I am an LOTR fan. I know the lore, I know th ebooks, I know the people involved. I think this may be part of the problem. Sure, this game is based on a threat from Angmar, etc, but I KNOW the story. There's not a single surprise to be found. I feel like I've seen this all before, and there is no motivation to play through a storyline we all know the outcome of.
Bite me, Turbine.