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Player Review: Lord of the Rings Online.

Dec 23, 2008 Lord of the Rings Online|561views

**Author Note**
The following game review was done on a Dell Inspiron-1720, wide-screen, system with the following basic system information:

Dual Intel 1.60 gHz
4GB RAM
Windows Vista 32-Bit
GeForce 8600M GT at 256 Dedicated
DirectX 10.

Screenshots are actual gameplay captures.  Screen shots are property of the author.  Contents within are property of Turbine.Inc.
This review was done over 30 days of gameplay with a Level 25 Hunter and a Level 29 Captain.

The review reflects only the authors experience and may not reflect the opinions of others.

 

 

 

 

The Lord of the Rings Online:
Shadows of Angmar & The Mines of Moria

J. R. R. Tolkien and his realm of Middle-Earth has been the staple of our concept for the Fantasy Genre for decades now.  From varient books, to todays online gaming, The Lord of the Rings has its firm grip in what we imagine as a make belief word of adventure, magic, mystery, danger, and living the life of a hero.  It was only recently that Tolkien’s world became an online reality though, well after the success of such games as World of Warcraft, Lineage, Ultima, and Guild Wars.

Much like the amount of time it took from Tolkiens original books to Peter Jackson’s films, The Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King), creating Tolkien’s world is not an easy thing to do.  With such an epic scale of landscape, characters, story lines, and attention to detail, it takes more than just castles, villages, a rider dressed in black, and a hobbit named Frodo to bring life to the vision.  In 2001, that changed for film when, “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”, arrived on the big screen and gave the world its first taste into a living Middle-Earth.  In 2007, our online gaming world changed as, “Lord of The Rings: Shadows of Angmar”, came to stores shelves, allowing players across the world to experience Middle-Earth first hand.  Turbine.Inc, the holder of the license, did not disappoint Tolkien’s fans.

LotRO (Lord of the Rings Online) has remained under the radar, for the most part, in the online gaming world.  In a dominant market controlled by World of Warcraft and longer known competition, LotRO has gained a loyal base of fans, new and old, confident in their creation, the license, and the lore.  A belief so strong that Turbine, Inc released its first expansion to the series, “Mines of Moria”, against Blizzard’s Litch King.  Often scoffed as a poor choice in release dates on behalf of Turbine, Inc, the reality seems to be that the timing couldn’t have been better.  You don’t have to look far in searching for new game releases to see Mines of Moria being reviewed beside World of Warcraft.  The timing has worked.  At least for this player.

Like a majority of gamers I find myself requiring a change of scenes after a prolonged adventure in a previous title.  So when my adventures came to a close in Guild Wars due to reaching all achievements I desired (and a ton of issues from nVidia drivers which made the game nearly unplayable on this system) the search began for a new game to fill in my spare time after work.  Admittedly my first attempt was World of Warcraft.  However, after purchasing the product at my local Best-Buy store, Blizzard rejected not one, not two, but three of my Credit Cards when signing up for my account.  Yes, it was Blizzard who did the rejections due to my inquiries to my Credit Card companies support and being informed that neither American Express, Visa, or MC, reject my attempted purchase of the subscription plans.  Back to the store I went to exchange the game.  LotRO became that exchange.  And so, for the past 33 days, I’ve been sucked back into the world of Middle-Earth. 

This review shall give a general overview of my experiences only; Up to my current levelled characters of 25 and 29 (60 cap).  It is designed to give potential new players an idea of what to expect if they’re in the market for a new game, much like I was a little over one month ago.  I will do my best to give all the Pro’s I’m aware of and all the Con’s as well.  So sit back, relax, and I hope the reader enjoys this article.

 

 Purchase, installing, and patching

The Lord of the Rings Online has numerous purchase choices to consider.  What one you decide upon is up to you.  It’s not my duty to lean anyone towards one side, or the other.  It’s only my duty to break it down (or so it feels).  The game client itself is part of the original release, “The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of Angmar”, while the latest release, “Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria” is an expansion to the original game.  Mines of Moria is not a stand-alone product, and while for most this may be obvious when we’ve had years of experience in MMO gaming, a casual buyer can be confused.  Each segment can be purchased seperately and because Mines of Moria is designed for high level content, the new player can hold off on the expansion until a later date, unless you’re keen on having immediate access to the two new classes; The Warden and The Rune-Keeper.

If you’re someone who has difficulties finding a store with available copies, or a person who can’t access a store in person due to such factors as location, or transportation, Turbine, Inc has the deluxe package available for digital purchase/upgrade, which includes The Shadows of Angmar and the expansion, Mines of Moria.

Aside from the actual purchase of the game, a subscription fee is required to play Lord of the Rings Online.  Turbine, Inc has made it clear that they wish to make the game equally affordable and equally worth the money as its competition.  Therefore, there are 5 levels of subscription an account holder can choose from.

• Monthly at a cost of $14.99
• 3 Months at a cost of $41.85 (Equates to $13.95 per month)
• 6 Months at a cost of $77.70 (Equates to $12.95 per month)
• 12 months at a cost of $143.40 (Equates to $11.95 per month)
• Lifetime (Not YOUR lifetime, but the games lifetime), one time payment of $299.00

Whatever your choice in plans, all plans includes your first 30 days of play absolutely free.  I, for one, chose the Monthly plan in the event I’d ever need to cancel my subscrption to fit my household budgets.  Game Cards are also available at select store outlets.  Check your local electronic and game stores to find out if they have them available.  Game cards are a great way to enjoy the game without having to provide a Credit Card, or submitting yourself to a subscription contract tied to the Credit Card.

If you decide to purchase your copy of the game digitally, there are some notes that need to be made.  First, your access game keys will be automatically added to your account.  No punching in numbers everywhere, which saves some time.  Also, there’s no need to worry about not having those game keys.  You will be sent copies of your game keys to your registered email.  On a personal recommendation and should be common sense: KEEP YOUR KEYS.  Save the emails, save copies of the email, write them down in a record book.  They are your accounts identification in the event something happens and they are the only piece of information that verifies you are the rightful owner of the account. 

The second thing to consider when purchasing the game digitally is obtaining the client itself.  Turbine provided no links in the emails that lead to the client download.  It’s also not apparent on the games homepage as to where the client can be found.  However, after searching Turbine’s FAQ page, I found the tiny link to the client.  It’s my hope Turbine corrects the obscure position of downloading the client in the future.  For now, if you do purchase the game online, check their support pages for the client download page.  Once you have located it, take note: Even on high speed connections, the client is near five and a half GB and will take some time to download if Turbine servers are under high traffic hours.  Purchasing a hard copy will save you the download time and move you right into installation.

The third issue is the initial patch.  You will have a rather large significant patch process after installation.  While this is the norm for MMO’s, LotRO initial patch seemed much larger, and took much longer, than what seemed normal.  While this can be annoying for those who have patience issues, it does provide a good time to pick up that game book and begin reading.  It should also be noted that my patching process took place the day after the initial release of Mines of Moria.  without much doubt a high number of users were also patching clients which added to the sluggish process at that time.

While time was an issue for me then, it wasn’t exactly unexpected either and therefore I can’t say it’s an issue that hurts the game, or Turbine.  It is however something you should be aware of when it comes to installing your copy of the game.  Once you’ve installed your copy, patched it, and you’ve done all your registering, it’s time to get started on your journey through Middle-Earth.

 

Your Introduction to Lord of the Rings Online and Creating your Hero

As you begin your game you’re treated with an opening cut scene introducing you to the story of Shadows of Angmar.  It’s a visual treat to say the least and if you’re lucky enough to have a 5.1 sound system, the intensity makes the scene even more enjoyable.  For those players expecting an experience directly related to the movies, you may be let down, but don’t let that be a deal maker.  LotRO has a more overall feel and style of Tolkien’s books, rather than Jackson’s trilogy of films.  However, Turbine has found a way, in many aspects, to combine the best of both.

Walking through the Shire and the lands of Bree posesses the original feel Tolkien presented in his books, but also brings to life the visual ideas we all gained from the films as well.  This is only one example of how Turbine has stayed true to Tolkien, but also added the loveable movie elements we were graced with when Peter Jackson made the films.  But before you can even walk the grasslands, or traverse the snow top mountains, you’ll need a character to play.

Creating a LotRO character is not any different in basics than other MMO’s.  You have a selection of races and classes to choose from.  Each with baselines, strengths, weaknesses, and abilities.  What Turbine does offer is a recommendation to each class, rating them from Beginner, to Expert.  This can help make the choice easier for new players getting started in LotRO.

Customizing your character provides a lot of choice.  Hairstyles, eyes, nose, mouth, head shape, hair color, body sizes, and various other details.  Even selecting your characters “Home Land” (ex: Gondor, or Rohan for human) will provide unqiue choices in eye and hair colors.  It’s a nice addition to customizing your own character within the realm.  However, there is a downside.

Even with the wide range of choices, the noticable difference in the characteristics is minimal to say the least.  This is to say that no matter what combinations you choose for your characters look, you will run into many Twins of yourself, or near-twins around the world.  The character models themselves are also sub-par in comparisons to other online games.  While it’s not a significant drawback to the game, or does it effect the gameplay itself, it’s not a secret that game players prefer to have a unique style to their creations.   The models also have a “Doll-like” feel about them.  A mix between cartoon and realism.  While it’s a nice style and, it should be noted, does fit into the world very well, it does have a sense that “it could have been better”.  Disappointed?  Sure.  It’s a character I’ll be spending a lot of time with and, being an MMO, customization and being unique is a big portion of the genre.  However, it doesn’t detract from the adventure you’ll be entering.

The races are as follows:

• Man (Female)
• Man (Male)
• Hobbit (Female)
• Hobbit(Male)
• Dwarf
• Elf (Female)
• Elf (Male)

Each race has its selection of classes so you’ll have to do some experimenting to find certain specifics.  However, all classes available in the game are as follows (Please visit the class page at http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/classes for detailed information on each):

• Lore-Master
• Minstrel
• Hunter
• Burglar
• Captain
• Guardian
• Champion
• Rune-Keeper
• Warden

Each class has its own style of play and, as mentioned, its own difficulty.  Depending on the role of the class, some have more advanced styles to tend too, while others are more moderate and beginner.  On your class selection list, each has a movie in addition to the description, that can provide the player a more general idea of what role the class plays.

Now that you’ve customized yourself, chosen your race, your class, and of course a name!  You’re ready to enter the battle ahead.

The Gameplay and game features

LotRO doesn’t throw players a curve ball in basic gameplay.  Movements are controlled by WSAD keys and camera operations by your mouse.  Skills are tired to your number keys and corrisponding ALT/Shift/Ctrl.  For those who get into habits from previous games with similar setups, you won’t find yourself struggling to relearn keys, but even if you do, the game includes a massive keymapping option for you to alter. 

If, within your 20 seconds, you haven’t noticed the game is beautiful, an eye appointment is needed.  Direct X 10 users will be even more impressed with DX10’s dynamic lighting and shadow effects.

LotRO also houses a crafting system, music playing ability, kinships (guilds), a party system, in game voice chat, and more.  So where to start?  Well, let’s go witht he basics first.

 

GRAPHICS

There are two things to consider when buying any game for your PC.  The first, obviously, is it any good?  That’s not something I can answer for anyone.  My opinion is only that; My opinion.  The second question asked is, Will my system run it?  LotRO isn’t World of Warcraft, so if you’re sitting on an aging system you will run into performance issues.  However, there is an upside.  LotRO and Turbine have apparently taken into consideration the range of PC’s on the market with such varied specs.  Therefore, the options panel of Adv. Graphics gives the user a long list of customizations for your graphics that can improve performance of the game and still keep your surroundings stunning and immersive.

My system, which I stated at the top of this article, runs the game without much issue of High and Very High graphic settings.  Graphically intense areas do pose some lag issues and frame rate issues, but they can be easily adjusted in the Adv. Graphics panel. 

 

 

The environments in the game are stunning.  In fact, stunning is an understatement when you include the use of DX10.  Gone are the bulky generic shadows and dynamic lighting and you welcome in detailed shadows in which every tree leaf, every pillar, rock, and piece of grass wraps around objects in amazing realism.  It adds a whole new atmosphere in the world and provides a feel that the place you stand is alive and breathing.

The one worry, as a fan of both Tolkien’s books and the films, I had when starting this game was would this really feel like Middle-Earth?  Or would it simply feel like a generic based fantasy world we’ve all played through.  The answer came quick enough when you walk through Celondim, the Shire, and the town of Bree.  Every detail says Tolkien on it, and like I expressed earlier, you’re provided with small touches of the film.  Even if you’re not lucky enough to have a high end gaming system, lower graphic settings still provide a great amount of detail for the player to enjoy.

To add to the atmosphere, Middle-Earth also has small details that add to your surroundings.  The game world shifts through day and night cycles and will put you in the middle of intense rain storms with lightning flashing through the clouds.  Don’t be surprised to walk into a marsh ridden with fog, or a Northern Forest with snow fall to add to the chill in the air.

Those who enjoy exploring will not be disappointed as the worlds are open and a sense of freedom is always present.  There is a great sense of distance in open fields and an insecure sensation when walking through valley’s, or backed into the corner of brush in the Old Forest.  No matter where you find yourself, or what position you’ve been put into, you’ll find yourself in a happy land of visual candy to enjoy at every moment.

 

Combat

If you’ve found yourself tired of A.I. that has a brick for a brain, you’re in for a treat in LotRO.  There is a mix here that can be overlooked.  Your enemies do adapt to the battle.  Ranged attackers will suddenly rush you into melee.  Enemies will, when threatened under attack, take a route behind a tree, or other objects, before engaging you.  It’s a change of pace from other games that apparently prefer the abuse.

As a player, your combat role is also ever changing.  There are a wide range of combat and passive skills available to your class.  As a Hunter, while you rely on your bow for the majority of your damage output, you’re also equipped with a set of melee weapons for close range fighting and skills for such circumstances.  Battles can be intense, especially in Epic Instances (main story quests), where you’ll find yourself in situations that arise in the blink of an eye.  You will find yourself mowing down your enemies at times, while other times, running for your life.

Solo players may find themselves out of their element in some areas of Middle-Earth.  As you begin progressing in levels, particular areas have added difficulty for completion of quests and chains.  There are numerous Fellowship (party) quests that wll require a team of players to complete.  However, don’t shy away from this.  Fellowship quests and related areas are an experience you will want to partake in.  Such places as the Great-Barrows, a dungeonous place of ancient evil, provides a battle experience that is just the beginning of the epic travels you will encounter.  Such large scale instances will provide you with roled combat, Fellowship Skills, and strategy for success.   This isn’t to say portions of the game can’t be done by yourself, or even yourself paired with a close friend.  But if you’re looking for the full experience LotRO can provide you, don’t pass up on these large scale Fellowship quests.  Even for a primarily solo player, the experience of Fellowship questing is an amazing experience.

 

Combat and PvP

If you’re looking for a twist in Player Vs. Player, you don’t have to look too far.  LotRO has provided something of a new experience and role in the PvP environment;  Monster Play.  The Ettenmoors is the seperate land where both players (level 40+) and Monsters can battle for land and prestige.  Good vs. Evil.  Players who reach level 10 on their main characters can begin to access Monster play where you can create a Level 60 minion of Mordor.  Don’t think you can take on just anything right away though.  The Ettenmoor’s also mix in some PvE play to advance your evilside with quests that score “Destiny Points”, used to barter in new skills and traits in order to go on your murderous rampage against Hobbits, Men, and Elves.

Much like the standard side of the game, Monster Players can create guilds and parties to raid upon the Free Peoples of Middle Earth to gain points of control.  It does take some time to progress your Monster to a reasonable combative threshhold, but the experience in doing so is one that is made enjoyable. 

 

Deed System and Build

 

An important part of any MMO is a players ability to build their characters strengths and focus on certain attributes to create a character with special traits.  LotRO offers players a brand new way to take on this role and the deed system is your guide.   As part of your User Interface, the deeds icon will open up a book listing all maps and worlds you will journey to along the way.  Each world, for example: The Shire, The Lone-Lands, has specific “deeds”, or goals to achieve that you will unlock.

Deeds in each land can vary from completion of quests, killing a certain number of gobins, or orcs, and even discovering ancient ruins.  Once a deed is completed, initial ones will reward players with titles to add to their name, while completing advanced deeds will reward you with “Traits”.

Traits are an equipable icon that can be added to your character by visiting a Bard NPC throughout Middle-Earth.  Depending on what deed you completed will depend on what trait you can add.  Traits vary in stat boosts from Armor increases, wound resist, poison resist, Higher Agility, greater might, and so on.  The higher level you achieve, the more traits you can have at once (with a max of 5).  The more deeds you complete, the higher the level of each trait. 

Traits can be swapped at any time, for a price of course at the bard.  This makes it very easy to build your character for upcoming adventures.  For instance, if you know you’re about to face enemies that will cause wounds and poison frequently; You can swap out your old traits and load up on Wound resistant ones (assuming you have them).

The deed and trait system is an enjoyable experience in LotRO, which offers flexability and customization, without the mindless grind.  I say mindless grind because most deeds can be easily completed simply by working all the quests you can find.

 

Crafting

 

It can’t be a MMO without crafting, can it?  LotRO, like most standard-depth MMO, has embraced the crafting tradition and this tradition isn’t lacking.  Players don’t just randomly choose three craft traits, but instead, are given a selection of Paths to choose when it comes to their crafting life.  As an example, and shown in the image, I chose the path of the “Explorer” which granted my character the ability to Prospect (mining and smelting), Forestry (collection of woods and leather), and Tailoring.  Out of the 3 given traits, only one is your primary; In this case of the explorer - Tailor.

There are two great things about the crafting in LotRO.  First, you’ll always find an abundance of material while exploring around, heading to destinations, and killing your enemies.  Also, because LotRO has an easy to navigate Auction House, you can buy any posted materials from players who have them posted.  While this can sometimes be expensive, the option is available.  The second positive; There is no shortage of recipes to obtain and learn.  LotRO also didn’t stop your adventure, or side track it, with your crafting.  Instead, Turbine has incorporated your crafting traits into your adventure by adding quests to obtain higher tiers in your ability. 

There are some downsides to crafting.  At least one I find rather troublesome.  In order to work your materials from recipes you must find the proper workspace.  A workbench, a forge, an over, a farm field; Whatever work area is required for the trait.  This can pose some issues if you find yourself carrying a lot of material, but you’re in an area far from a town, or village, that has those required work areas. 

 

Housing

At level 15, players can do something a little bit unique compared to other MMO’s.  Players can invest in their own home.  The purpose of housing is more than just a place to hang out, decorate, and show off to your buddies.  Housing also offers players the ability to purchase additional storage slots to place those dead weight items you’d rather not carry with you all the time.

Each race in their corresponding area has a Homestead where players can purchase their home and, just in case you’re a dwarf, but you hate the cold stone mountain walls, LotRO doesn’t restrict one race from buying a home in the homestead of another.  So Dwarfs, embrace in comfort, you’re free to have that lush country feel in the Shire.

House sizes and prices range from small, single and two room homes of 1 gold (1000 silver eqaute), to Kinship (guild) sized houses, which obviously are far more expensive.  You will also be expected to pay an upkeep fee each week, but don’t let this bother you.  The upkeep against the purchase cost is very affordable, with a 1G home having a weekly upkeep of just 55 silver.

There are plenty of Neighborhoods in each homestead and plenty of locations for you to choose from.  Find the right location to fit your style is part of the enjoyment and I recommend taking some time to walk all the homesteads and exploring the vacant homes to get a good feel for what you are looking for.

Another benefit of owning a home is a discount of purchases from various vendors within the homestead.  For those penny pinchers out there, your coupons never expire. 

Also, don’t fear that your stuck with one home for lifetime.  If you feel like moving up in the world, you can remove your furniture, pack up, abandon your home, and buy a new one.   The system is easy to use, fun to use, and adds a bit of entertainment when you feel like some downtime is in order.

 

Wealth

 

Personal wealth is always a big deal to most players in an MMO.  More specifically, players need to know, or are interested to know, if it’s easy, or difficult, to obtain money and not feel broke all the time.  I can say with great joy that earning your copper, silver, and gold in LotRO is quick and easy.

The best and most effecient way of earning your currency is by simple looting of all corpses and selling back to vendors in towns.  While you may feel you’re not earning much through your first 10 levels, onwards you’ll see a spike in the value of just common trophy drops that can add up quickly to thicken your wallet.

Taking your crafting into play is also an alternative.  The Auction House will accept what you don’t want, or need, and if the price is right, someone will happily buy your posting. 

Of course, with an economy comes inlfation worries.  LotRO counters this by ensuring skills, repairs, various equipments, and upkeep balance out.  You’ll notice your skills become quite pricey to purchase as you advance, as well as your equipment repairs and as expensive as they can become, they won’t tax you to any notice unless you’re a wild spender.  Quick stable master travel also adds as a balance.  Feeling lazy and don’t want to run the short distance?  15 Silver it will cost you for your lack of energy, while long distance travel, more reasonable and obvious, just 1 silver.

Players who enjoy power trading, buying and selling, and playing the market will enjoy the opportunity LotRO presents.  Players who aren’t interested, but would like, at least, to afford items they require will be able to do so without being on the constant brink of saying, “I’m broke!”

 

Player Music

Depending on your class, players have the ability to pick up an in game instrument, such as a lute, harp, and drums, to quietly strum your own tunes under a shady tree, or jam out with your friends in the center of Bree.  If you’re not a musician, no worries.  Playing is a simple as equipping your instrument and pressing your skill keys.  Each key, 1-9, ALT 1-9, Shift 1-9, provides your pitches and notes.  Find a  beat and play away!

 

Fellowships

Fellowships are the title given to LotRO party system and like most, of not all, MMO’s they are a crucial part of your adventures.  As stated before, you will end up taking on side quests and Epic quests that will require the aid of others for success.  It’s evident LotRO wants players to play the game as they see fit, but also engage in social activites together with a common goal.

The fellowship panel (Pressing O) will introduce you to a list of all players in your area, which can be filtered to find players on the same quest as you, or players simply looking for some partners to adventure with.  You also have a series of options to set yourself as a player seeking a Fellowship, adding what quest(s), and additional notes you’d like others to see about what you have planned.

Fellowships add another benefit; In Game Voice Chat powered by Gamespy.  Enabling the system is as easy as checking a box in your Audio options and have no fear; You don’t need a microphone/headset to be involved.  Just having it turned on will allow you to hear your fellow companions speak and give instructions so you’re not left out.

Adjusting the overall settings for the voice chat can be touchy though - at least in my experience.  Adjusting the game sounds just to hear companions over voice was the first issue.  It’s hard to tell if there’s a disconnect with the voice output max, or the sound quality of the game just drowing people out.  However, after a few short minutes of adjusting, I was hearing others and speaking to others without having the need to find my Ventrillo, or TeamSpeak software.  However, my output system is rather out of date, so my issues with having my voice work well is not an issue of the game, but my unwillingness to invest in a proper headset.

 

Kinships

Kinships act as the Guild System in LotRO and, from what I’ve seen so far, it’s clear Turbine wanted such a system to be more than just a random game feature where everyone could make a Kinship just for an additional title over their name.

Kinships in LotRO go through a series of “Life Spans”, and after each comes, a new one is introduced with a longer time span to achieve.  Each Life Span grants additional features to the Kinship, such as various titles, ranks, member limits, and chat features.  Such a system is clearly designed as an incentive to provide activity for Kinships and reward for the players involved.

Kinships, like any guild system, offer players the opportunity to find quick aid, good company, and a sense on involvement in the community.  I was lucky enough to find a Kinship of such players who are fun to talk too, easy to get along with, and very helpful.  Shout out to Lords of the West.

 

Instances

Your first in-game moment in LotRO is a solo instance that introduces you to the basics of the game, but it’s not the only one you’ll encounter.  Along your journey through the Epic Quests, and even side quests, you’ll be thrown into instanced world and dungeons that are free from the general public.  This means you can’t expect someone else to clear the path for you.  You and your fellowship have work to do.

One area, the Great-Barrows (My first off Epic instance area) gives you your first taste at things to come in LotRO.  A vast maze of passage ways, tight corners, large rooms, and a dark dungeon experience that feels as good as it plays.  As you decend the multiple winding staircases, you get the sensation you’re travelling deep into the ground, instead of having a linear path unfold before you.  Enemies are also finely tuned with greater numbers, range of skills, and strength that will test your fellowships ability to conquer what’s before you.

So far in my experience, these instances and areas are an unavoidable experience to take part in.  Not only do they challenge you in combat and strategy, but they’re extremely fun to be a part of.  They offer a great blend to the freedom of the open world above your head.

 

 

 Community

Leave your bad attitudes at home!  The community atmosphere in LotRO is not only friendly, but protective of each other.  It’s been evident in my month of playing that the e-peen attitude isn’t very welcome in Middle-Earth.  What is welcome is a care free experience that looks for good company and great fun.

To expand on Turbine’s desire to create a positive social experience, my.lotro.com has recently been launched in beta for subscribers to the game.  In simple terms, my.lotro.com is a Myspace networking of player pages, character pages and kinship pages complete with blogs, albums, friends lists and the tools needed to find your buddies, promote your Kinships, and become more involved.

If you’re a roleplayer, you will feel even more at home.  The RP toggle allows you to identify and be indentified as a role player so you can engage in your own storylines created with others.  LotRO also includes a family tree and adoption system, combined with your bio, to allow RP’ers to create a unique Kinship in a style they desire.

In the End

 

The conclusion is this.  If you’re a player who is seeking something new to try without having to abandon some of the comfort zones of traditional MMORPG’s, LotRO is waiting for you.  Simply put there is a lot to see, a lot to do, and the freedom players seek in adventures.

The visuals are breath taking and bring you into the world of Middle-Earth.  The scale, the atmosphere, the music all provide the player with a true to life Middle-Earth home.

While your character is not working the main story we’ve come to know and love, you’re still left with a feeling that you’re fighting against the evils of Mordor and stopping the darkness that is attempting to cover the lands.

A great blend of solo play and fellowship play will immerse the player into a wide range of adventure and experience.  Combat feels intense, with a great mix of abilities for classes, and offers a strategy approach for your surroundings.

The Monster Play twist to PvP is a fantasic alternative to get involved in.

There are your typical downtimes for fixes and patches, but nothing out of the ordinary that we’re not all used to already.

Users without DX10 may be missing out, and older systems will need to lower settings, but the world still looks fantastic.

If you seek that alternative in gaming, LotRO has become that hidden gem. 

 

 

 

Scores

Graphics - 9/10:  Some minor clipping issues, hiccups and glitches, but overall it’s a beautiful game.
Music - 7/10:  Over time, some areas can become redundant in the score, but overall the rich variations are wonderfully done.
Features: 9.5/10 :  There’s just lots to do here and plenty to take part in.  From crafting, to music, to the social aspects.  Turbine is trying to bring back the cooperative play to MMO’s that seems to have lacked in recent times.  They’re succeeding. 
Quests: 8/10 : Killing X and bringing back Y is a formula that is redundant and sometimes common here, but it’s blended in with exploration and more in depth chains and processes.
Worth:  10/10:  LotRO won’t set you back any more than other competion.  It’s affordable and provides a good set of subscription levels to choose from.  With the additional features such as my.lotro.com and available support, you’re getting your money’s worth.

Overall:  8.7/10 :  Players wanted to be a part of the legend and Turbine has granted it.  While it may not be what some expect, it is as close as we’re going to get to be a part of the Lord of the Rings legacy.