posted
The public Beta opened today and I gave it a shot.
First impressions: it's very obviously a WoW clone. The interface is almost identical, the hotkeys are almost all the same, and the gameplay is similar. The class and race differentiation is different, though, so I didn't feel like I was being offered the exact same options. The game offers useful movies for each race and class to help you get a general idea of what each is supposed to specialize in.
The game is very pretty. I'm running a 256 meg Geforce 7900GS, far from bleeding edge, and I can run the game at 1680 x 1050 resolution with all graphic settings turned to high without a problem (average 20-25 fps).
The quest system is more difficult to use than WoW's is: they don't make it as brutally easy. The quest tracker is a lot more useful, though, as it displays ALL kinds of objectives, not just "0/10 butterflies killed," etc.
In terms of immersion, this game beats any other I've played, hands down. I started an elf champion (a non-sneaky, offensive melee class) and the tutorial stage was me coming to the rescue of an elven outpost under siege. I fought goblins and a rogue dwarf and was about to get brutally killed by a snow troll when Elrond saved me. I had a delicious geek-out moment.
Anyone else playing, or planning on it? I'm on the Brandywine server. If you've tried the game, what're your thoughts?
posted
I'm excited to participate in the public Beta. I was part of the stress test a month ago, but due to the limited nature of the test and bugs I ran into, I only got a tiny taste for the game. It wasn't really enough for me to form an opinion on it.
It did remind me a lot of WoW but I'm interested in exploring the differences. An I'm really looking forward to enjoying the pretty. Posts: 5879 | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am thinking of paying the 200 dollars to be a Foundationer (I think that is the name). If you do that, then you are a member for life with no more fees.
Altho I don't have time to play it now, it would be nice to have a good MMORPG I could play off and on over the years without a monthly fee. I already have Guild Wars, but I would like a more traditional MMORPG.
Posts: 2445 | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Post your character names once you've got 'em! I'll try to maintain a list here, so we can at least party up and whatnot.
Posts: 4313 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by GaalDornick: Do you need a CD to play it? And pay a monthly fee?
The Beta is happening right now, and you don't need to pay for it. You have to DL the software, but that doesn't take long, assuming you have a reasonably fast broadband connection.
posted
I tried it out for a couple of days, and was really unimpressed. I'd agree that it's a WoW clone, but I feel that the geek factor is the only thing it has going for it. I love LOTR mythology, but the game mechanics felt weak to me, and if it's a matter of wanting to play in the LOTR universe, there are better games out there.
Posts: 3950 | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
OK, I got to level 5. I like the instancing/lasting effects in the world, and the art is gorgeous. I'm not used to the combat yet - I'm reserving judgment.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I don't know how well my computer will be able to handle it (I'm betting not well), but I'm downloading it anyway to give and will give it a whirl.
Posts: 3243 | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
So I got my minstrel up to level 8. His name's Reiplinger.
It's probably because of over-population, but I feel like I'm running around a lot doing delivery quests and not engaging in combat very much. (Despite the insanely fast monster respawns.)
On the other hand, I like that the interface gives the user a lot more information. Simple things like showing you how much loot is worth, for example. Also, I got to see Gandalf totally pwn a cave troll.
Most annoyingly, my quest log has at times simply given me incorrect information about my quest objectives. Issues like saying the dwarf I'm supposed to find is in the East side of Thorin's Hall, when he's actually in the West have happened more than once. This won't be as big a problem once I can go double-check on 3rd party websites, but for now it's just aggravating. I hope they get it fixed.
Posts: 2907 | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Well, I got my Elf Hunter up to level 5, but I don't know that I enjoy being a ranged attacker. This is my first MMORPG, so I think I might try out some different things, especially now that I sort of have a feel for the game. I'll let ya'll know what character I decide on using (cant even remember my elfs name. That's what I get for staying up so late).
Posts: 2827 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:What time period does the game take place during? Or is it unspecified?
It's basically during FotR. The storyline I'm involved in is the defense of Archet from bandits working for dark riders who are looking for Bagginses.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by GaalDornick: Do you need a CD to play it? And pay a monthly fee?
The Beta is happening right now, and you don't need to pay for it. You have to DL the software, but that doesn't take long, assuming you have a reasonably fast broadband connection.
posted
I dunno. I'm not all that impressed by the game. The combat skills don't seem particularly weighty, it can be tough to tell when they've gone off, and I feel like my character is floating above the landscape and sliding through it, rather than really being in it. The character animation just doesn't feel quite right to me.
Posts: 3243 | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I can't get the stupid Turbine thing to work. It keeps telling me that the username and password I just made aren't valid.
Posts: 6026 | Registered: Dec 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Steve, I'm having the same problem. Of course, when I tried to download it my computer had no idea what was going on, so I guess it's okay that I never got an account anyway.
Does this not work on a Mac?
Posts: 3420 | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Xavier: I tried it for about 5 minutes, went back to play WoW.
(I'm about 2/3 of a level from 60 )
Go for it! Tiffany is half way to 56 herself, playing Burning Crusade and leveling to 70 made the game twice as fun for me It was starting to be a drag being stuck at 60 for so long!
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Xavier: I tried it for about 5 minutes, went back to play WoW.
Well, I gave it two hours, but with the same end result.
LOTR lore is awesome, but the game is mostly, "Go take this letter to farmer Beebob, then kill 20 Angry Beavers. Hey, is that Gandalf buying a loaf of bread?" In the time I played, apart from the introductory battle, I never felt like I was in Middle Earth.
WoW's lore is entirely based on video games, so the whole place is loaded with unique monsters, battles, creatures and references. Plus, the game mechanics are better.
I had high hopes for LOTR Online, but it didn't impress me. Posts: 3950 | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:LOTR lore is awesome, but the game is mostly, "Go take this letter to farmer Beebob, then kill 20 Angry Beavers. Hey, is that Gandalf buying a loaf of bread?" In the time I played, apart from the introductory battle, I never felt like I was in Middle Earth.
I think there are three major types of quests:
1. carry stuff from here to there. 2. kill x things 3. find and kill a particular bad guy to prevent a particular bad thing from happening.
Only 3 advances the story. In my mind, 1 and 2 are there to provide a little extra xp boost while carrying on the normal storyline quests. Just keep several 1 & 2s active during general hunting/storyline questing and you'll boost xp by quite a bit.
I've liked the main story arcs so far - the initial prologue in Archet was very good, and wolves/redemption of the traitorous wolf breeder is pretty good.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've played on Windfola, Level 15 Hunter and I am really liking it so far, I even got to meet Strider. This is my first MMO so I might not be the best judge. I can't believe how much stuff I have missed and how many sidequests there are. Don't forget you max at level 15 for now
Posts: 1918 | Registered: Mar 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:LOTR lore is awesome, but the game is mostly, "Go take this letter to farmer Beebob, then kill 20 Angry Beavers. Hey, is that Gandalf buying a loaf of bread?" In the time I played, apart from the introductory battle, I never felt like I was in Middle Earth.
I think there are three major types of quests:
1. carry stuff from here to there. 2. kill x things 3. find and kill a particular bad guy to prevent a particular bad thing from happening.
And this is essentially what WoW has.
I have to say, in a lot of ways, LotRO is a polished WoW, at least at the start. I wish the UI were a bit more customizable, but their built-in quest tracker is better, The info provided about stuff is better too. The game looks suitably nice for Middle Earth, though at 1920x1200/very high graphics setting, some of the more animated areas cause the game to slow down (the most notable in the 6 levels of play was the flower field outside of Archet.
Too bad I'm a bit bored of High Fantasy settings. I hold out more hope for Pirates of the Burning Sea, and Age of Conan. If you haven't played an MMORPG before, I highly recommend checking out LotRO. So far it seems solid. Of course, WoW is a solid game too.
posted
It's Alliance only-WoW in my opinion. It's okay, but I'm not terribly impressed. I have a couple of toons on Brandywine from the closed beta, but I'm not planning on signing in again. Perhaps at some point in the future, but for now I'm still enjoying my EQ2.
Posts: 1323 | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Dont Know]](graemlins/dontknow.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
It was starting to be a drag being stuck at 60 for so long!
