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Game is WAY underrated
reanor
Member UncommonPosts: 441
Well, get ready for some reading here.
I find LOTRO is very much underrated game. Of course its too early to call it either over- or under-rated but I've tested it for a few weeks in Closed Beta and I found it the most entertaining game ever.
To make this comparison worth it lets pick the most popular fantasy games today - WoW and EQ2. So, lets see. I've played EQ2 for over a year. And it was actually more like 7 months and then it was another 7-8 months like cancelling and renewing subscription again and again. This tells me about only one thing - it wasn't fun enough to me. First of all I am not EQ "junky". I've played original EQ maybe for a few days and never got really attracted.
Now after EQ2 came out I was impressed with graphics. Yes. Very first thing that attracted me. But then there was a talk, ok with all the graphics, but what about a game play. Thats when it started to get "fun". After a couple months graphics impressions started to settle down and we have dived into the game play. And thats when fun effect started to go down. It was fun while there was lots of groups running around and gnawing through the early game content. As more hardcore it got as less fun effect was left.
Albeit of all the cool graphics and effects that high level bosses provided in a matter of a few months graphics have become "dull and pale" and I wasn't impressed any longer. I started to get feeling of "cold", empty world filled with pixel and vertex shaders. I think because of the fanciness of the game engine SOE couldn't run enough big number of the items in the world to make a world fun enough to "live" in. And that was the end for me. Even later expansions that came out was only enough to give me a few week boost which ended always the same - account cancellation. And even recent - Tales of Feydwer wasn't exciting enough for me to renew. I've tried the trial and all I saw was that world is still has this feeling of "emptiness". I couldn't get myself involved enough to lose the feeling that it is the "GAME" that everything is artificial.
Now, after a few months of fighting my thoughts and feelings and "tastes", I've decided that I will never play any MMORPG again because I've decided that this is a total waste of time and life...
So I thought, until one sunny day I received invitation into the LOTRO Beta. And thats when world changed for me. World of the possibilities that can be given to you in MMORPG.
No, I don't work for Turbine and I actually never purchased DDO after testing it in Beta. But LOTRO simply changed my whole perspective about MMORPGs. And I've never thought that LOTRO is gonna be THAT great. I've checked some screenshots some time ago and I wasn't impressed... But during the latest Betas game has changed a LOT.
Of course after a while you get used to ANYTHING. But man, was I excited during first weeks in LOTRO. I've never seen such a detailed, rich and "blossoming" world. I've never seen any other world that any other MMORPG has that would be so full of "LIFE". It literally felt like trees are breathing. The level that game has graphics at deserves an Oscar. The whole world is represented from the books and just Turbine creation in such a way that you gasp sometimes. The dawn over some water, sun sets, architecture, flora, fauna... This is all simply breathtaking. Just the Shire and Rivendell made in such a way that its like the most pretty graphics you've ever seen.
Well, there are quite a few words of gratitude to Turbine for bringing forth the world of Middle Earth the way it has been. Major improvements they have applied recently have changed the game and made it one of the most enjoyable MMORPGs, and in my opinion, the most enjoyable out there right now. Yet again it is still my humble opinion. But the thing that it has "reanimated" my interest to online game says a lot at least for me. I do like Tolkien lore of course but this game is worth enough to be called as a "unique masterpiece of the online gaming development". There is no other game that has such an immersiveness and depth.
You have to try it to believe it. But yet again, its only my opinion and its very possible that 12 years old kid "spoiled" by PvP options of WoW may find LOTRO "boring"? Yes that word "boring" is amusing me. Poor "bored" kids, how do you satisfy them today?
Yes, I've totally left WoW out. Well, I think the fact that I left it out speaks on its own behalf. WoW is fun, but LOTRO is fun-er. I don't think I will ever play any other MMORPG. Of course there are quite a few factors that make me think that way right now and maybe things are gonna change. But I don't really see the point or any reason that would pull me off LOTRO and get somehwere else. It can be some Xbox 360 games for sure on occassion cause I am still a "graphics junky" but I will stick with LOTRO for a long time. I finally have a game to play which storyline and lore I love and which gameplay is rich enough to hold my interest worth of a life-time subscription.
Comments
Pretty much echoes my experience too...was in beta from start of beta 1 and after the second wipe I had to force myself to test.
shame, I was so hopeful too
I miss DAoC
I miss DAoC
Well, I have posted so you Sc-Fi PvP lovers stop messing up the review of the game. I can add to my review that I forgot to add that Tolkien Lore knowledge is anticipated to play this game. If you've never read any Tolkien or watched movies then most of the game won't make it for you any different from WoW. I do love Tolkien, not that I am a atotally addicted with no life fan of Tolkien. I've read books and rereading under the influence of the game and watched all movies and plan to watch them until 30th Open Beta starts.
To be honest I am kinda happy that LOTRO won't attract annoying kids who are used to PvP and Sci-Fi futuristic games. Less dumb talk will be in OOC channel. but those of you who does love fantasy and especially Tolkien will find this game the best. Not only because it's filled with Lore but also because its filled with "life". Its a TRUE fantasy game. Not like any other. You just need to find yourself in there. Its also hardcore-RPG, as I would call it. If RPG wasn't ever your "domain" that LOTRO is certainly not for you.
I don't necessarily agree with some of what you say. I know quite a few folks who have not read the books (and only the books apply due to Turbine not having rights to the movie and as such the game isn't based on the movie any more than they are both about the same story) but who have been in the beta and enjoy it alot. I've also read many posts from others out there that too have not read the books but enjoy the game and it's story.
That said, if you believe you're going to see "less dumb talk" in this game as opposed to others, go ahead and get disappointed now. I've seen Chuck Norris talk in OOC a couple of times as well as leet speak and conversations that were flat out racist. There is no refuge from the "stupid people". Thus, the beauty of the Ignore Function.
"Many nights, my friend... Many nights I've put a blade to your throat while you were sleeping. Glad I never killed you, Steve. You're alright..."
Chavez y Chavez
GREAT post, reanor.
My reaction to the game was totally the same as yours.
I never thought three months ago I would remotely be interested in playing LOTRO.... until the beta invite came.
I've never in my MMO playing history, played such a well done, graphically beautiful game. What a great surprise!
See you in Middle Earth!
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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
^ I feel the exact same way! Had you asked me in December if I'd even comsider playing this, i would have laughed and said "no".
Here I am today after the most incredible beta experience I have ever had (this is my 9th beta test) and I am just blown away, completely sold on this game. Here's the thing, I have been playing MUDs for 13 years and mmorpgs since M59 (the 3DO release) and UO, and have played every mainstream (and some not so mainstream) mmorpg's to date, some for over 4 years straight (some for only a few days) and I have never said the following line that i can recall, about any game. >>>I have found my gaming home<<<
FWIW, the storyline only covers the first book, there was no "war" until The Two Towers. So, it can't be said how that will play out. This does point to one of the weaknesses of the game though; it's a bit light on content. How fast will they fill in that great big map?
And Mr. Vanguard, I can certainly understand why you would be disappointed with game developers, but don't let it sour you on the whole experience! There's a big wide world of MMO goodness out there, lighten up, have some fun, get over it.
"Many nights, my friend... Many nights I've put a blade to your throat while you were sleeping. Glad I never killed you, Steve. You're alright..."
Chavez y Chavez
Thats similar to my experience as well. I gotta say this game looks great, and I spent a lot of time just running around looking at the environments. To me, Turbine scores a "10" in the graphical department for having some of the best looking environments I've seen in a mmorpg. I had fun with the progression of my character at first, but you get so many different skills and traits so early in the game that, after a while, progression and learning new traits and skills wasn't very rewarding. There wasn't a lot that I felt like I really earned. Also, I really wish they could have done a little more with the gear in the game. Some of the armor in the game, and the seeming lack of any definitive armor sets, will make a lot of toons look ridiculous. Picture your toon with a purple pointed hat, a yellow sleeveless vest, green gloves, orange pants, red boots, and a blue cloak... Not exactly how I think my Epic hero should look, but I guarantee you'll see plenty of ppl like that in game. There is some pretty nice looking armor in the game, you'll just need to find a true set by trial and error, and don't be surprised if the best gear available to you at some point makes you look like a blind middle-earth transient.
Over all though, I think the biggest part of the game that keeps me from saying "I'm definitely gonna buy this game" are the quests. Aside from the main story line, which I happen to like, I find a lot of repetitive, and well... boring quests. Perfect example: Npc says' "go to my neighbor's house, and ask him if he needs any help" You turn around to see the neighbor (whom you could spit on from where you stand), take about eight steps, and talk to him.... Npc says' "I need to harvest some pipeweed could you help? Great! Its in my garden." You turn to your right to see the blinking "here I am" pipeweed about 5 feet away in his garden. Go click on it to collect, take about 5 steps back to talk to the neighbor in distress again, and collect your reward - 700 experience points, some money, and a weapon that is better than anything available to you at the weapon shops for saving the day! Note: my exapmle isn't exact in everything, but its very, very close. Now, I know that the quests get a little tougher, and sometimes more meaningful as you progress, but you will still see a lot of repetitive meaningless quests, and more quests like this one.
Before you say I'm bashing the game, there is quite a bit about the game that I like, just not enough to keep me interested more than 5 weeks. I know its still in beta so I definitely hope it gets better. I gave them as much feedback as I could too. In fact, at one point I even suggested that they completely get rid of, or rewrite every quest in the Hobbit farm community just outside of Staddle lol. I think the game is rated right where it should be, but In the end, I guess its just different strokes for different folks.
Peace!
How true!
If only everyone felt that way.
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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
No shoe fits every foot that is for sure, I like the game myself but feel that while it is the best thing that has came out in a long time it is also far from perfect. Right now I will settle for pretty damn good.
I miss DAoC
Sometimes I believe that many of the negative posts are done by people that possibly made it to Bree and that's it. One of the unique things that I feel the game does is matures along with your character. As my characters increased in level, the armor they wore became so detailed, the quests much more involved, the cities breathtaking - just stop in Rivendell for a sec and you will see what I mean. I know that on the first day of open beta there will be many posts from people saying how crappy the graphics are, how lame the quests are etc...
I feel it is awesome that the world just continues to become more detailed the deeper into it you go. The very best beta I have ever participated in, and the best game I have played ever. The PvMP is great fun as well, I love battling a warg or spider that is actually created and controlled by a real person - and the blood and gore! I have pre-ordered 2 accounts.
The devs at Turbine have done an amazing job!
its great to hear that WoW 2 is so great and the fact the game sucks in the beging and get better as it goes on is a huge selling point thanks.
Amen to that. The game that makes Ignore part of a right-click pull down menu will have me playing it for life... even if it's Chuck Norris Roller Derby Online.
Amen to that. The game that makes Ignore part of a right-click pull down menu will have me playing it for life... even if it's Chuck Norris Roller Derby Online.
OMG... thank God I'm the only one in the room. I think I just snorted!
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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
its great to hear that WoW 2 is so great and the fact the game sucks in the beging and get better as it goes on is a huge selling point thanks.
Hmm...still on the rant mode I see. Please take your own advice that you have dished out in the Vanguard forums and take your hate somewhere else. I am sorry that Vanguard didn't make you happy, hopefully Pirates of the Burning Sea may be just what you are looking for I hope. LOTRO does not suck anywhere, it's a good solid game that just keeps getting better.
I can't remember the last time I played a game that sounded so good, looked so promising and yet was so mundane when I tried it. As I have said before, maybe the game becomes amazing later on, but it simply failed to excite me initialy.
It's odd really, as it's no different to the current crop of MMORPGS. Same combat model, same questing model and simialr character classes ( a tank, a dps, a cc, mage-type etc ). The only real difference between this and VG, on the surface anyway, is performance and polish.
Maybe it felt a bit too much like some other games, and so when you step into the world and are tasked with killing 10 pigs or 10 wolves and 10 NPC X, it felt stale. In honesty I can't quite put my finger on why the game felt plain and boring. Don't get me wrong, I'm not syaing LOTRO is crap or headed for the bargain bin at GAME or EB, but I do feel it is over hyped.
If I, after reading all the sycophantic posts about how brilliant this game is, bought it and played it I would be very disappointed. On the other hand I read about VG, how awful it was, how badly it ran etc and tried it with that in mind and found it enjoyable. I'm no vanboi and I'm very fickle these days so I may well become bored and jaded with VG in time.
I hope LOTRO does very well and I wish all those who enjoy it many happy years doing so. Maybe I will try it again one day.
Different strokes for different folks.
However this type of MMO will soon fall into gaming history bargain bin.
Enjoy LOTRO until 3rd gen comes.
I know i will
"Before this battle is over all the world will know that few...stood against many." - King Leonidas