First off, I'd like to mention that all I've done is the 14-day trial, so I'm in no way an expert on LOTRO. I may not have played enough to be fully immersed in the game, but I felt like sharing my thoughts nonetheless.

As the title states, I don't think this game should have such a high rating. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against it (I've been a Tolkien fan ever since I learned to read, and felt that the game perfectly complemented the books and movies); however, I don't think LOTRO is anything special. I could spend all day listing the similarities it has with WoW, but that would get boring, and most of you probably noticed them anyway. Mostly, though, I just thought LOTRO quickly got boring. The graphics are great; they're what drew me in initially. But for anyone who has ever played WoW, or any of its seemingly infinite clones, everything about this game will seem very redundant. In my 14 days of playing, I found absolutely nothing new or innovative. There was definitely nothing worth another $15 a month.

So, does anyone out there agree with me? Feel free to share your thoughts.

It's not a WoW clone, it's both WoW and LOTRO are heavily inspired by Everquest.

Anyway, it's a combination of a few factors. One, it's got a lot of Middle Earth fans who probably have never played anything else. Secondly, it's got a lot of snobs that like to look down on WoW, who are basically willfully ignorant. They want to play WoW, but don't want to be seen as uncool mainstream gamers, so they play LOTRO instead and bash WoW. And thirdly, Turbine encourges people to vote on polls and such (I guess all companies do).

Originally posted by trancejeremy

It's not a WoW clone, it's both WoW and LOTRO are heavily inspired by Everquest.

I suppose that may be true, though I never got into Everquest. As I do with all MMO's, I started out with the trial (of Everquest 2), which was very limited and disappointing. I've thought about checking it out again, but haven't gotten around to it....

Back on topic, I've found that I can't even occupy myself with LOTRO for the extent of the 14-day trial. There's nothing specific about it that I don't like, but I just... get bored with it. I've tried it severtal tims, too, hoping that I would stay entertained the whole time, but to no avail. Does this happen to anyone else?

Alright Mr. one post.

Lotro is as far from a WoW clone as you could get.

Combat system is different, classes are different, endgame is small group focused, Lotro has near no pvp system. Graphics are totally different style.

Crafting in Lotro is more complex, Lotro has a housing system.

Anyone who thinks Lotro is a wow clone is a clueless newb.

Originally posted by mnkymn161

Originally posted by trancejeremy

It's not a WoW clone, it's both WoW and LOTRO are heavily inspired by Everquest.

I suppose that may be true, though I never got into Everquest. As I do with all MMO's, I started out with the trial (of Everquest 2), which was very limited and disappointing. I've thought about checking it out again, but haven't gotten around to it....

Back on topic, I've found that I can't even occupy myself with LOTRO for the extent of the 14-day trial. There's nothing specific about it that I don't like, but I just... get bored with it. I've tried it severtal tims, too, hoping that I would stay entertained the whole time, but to no avail. Does this happen to anyone else?

Apples and Oranges, you may be bored with the game. Some may be entertained, if they say they love the game you will argue on why you believe its not too great.

This dispute happens with every game constantly. However, yes this game is far from a WoW clone. Some ideas and aspects may be shared however most of the games these days took the base idea from the original Everquest. After 9 years of playing Everquest, you start to think why does every game seem like a cheap imitation?

 I find LOTRO appeals to a bit older crowd than the typical WoW crowd. Now I'm not saying WoW is all kids, because the number of adults likely outnumber the amount of youngsters, but the whole atmosphere just feels more mature.

All games today in one way or another mimic the market leader because it's all about the money, especielly for a mainstream game. But LoTRO does alot to stay within the lore, and I like their Morale system which is a nice touch.

 It was worth the subscribtion when I played it at release, and I doubt it's no longer worth it with the expansions and such that have come out.

Originally posted by JGMIII

Alright Mr. one post.

Lotro is as far from a WoW clone as you could get.

Combat system is different, classes are different, endgame is small group focused, Lotro has near no pvp system. Graphics are totally different style.

Crafting in Lotro is more complex, Lotro has a housing system.

Anyone who thinks Lotro is a wow clone is a clueless newb.

That's Mr. Three Post to you. 

As I said, I am definitely no LOTRO expert, and I don't pretend to be. I just noticed a lot of similarities between the two games.

Originally posted by mnkymn161

Originally posted by JGMIII

Alright Mr. one post.

Lotro is as far from a WoW clone as you could get.

Combat system is different, classes are different, endgame is small group focused, Lotro has near no pvp system. Graphics are totally different style.

Crafting in Lotro is more complex, Lotro has a housing system.

Anyone who thinks Lotro is a wow clone is a clueless newb.

That's Mr. Three Post to you. 

As I said, I am definitely no LOTRO expert, and I don't pretend to be. I just noticed a lot of similarities between the two games.

Play any mmo and you are going to get this.  There are some points of an MMO that can not be changed or are not worth the financial risk of trying.

WoW is like McDonald's Lotro is like a steak house. But they are both restaurants.

Your mistake is not that you think Lotro is similar to WoW, but that you don't realize where WoW came from and what games it 'copied'.

Originally posted by Locklain

Originally posted by mnkymn161

Originally posted by JGMIII

Alright Mr. one post.

Lotro is as far from a WoW clone as you could get.

Combat system is different, classes are different, endgame is small group focused, Lotro has near no pvp system. Graphics are totally different style.

Crafting in Lotro is more complex, Lotro has a housing system.

Anyone who thinks Lotro is a wow clone is a clueless newb.

That's Mr. Three Post to you. 

As I said, I am definitely no LOTRO expert, and I don't pretend to be. I just noticed a lot of similarities between the two games.

Play any mmo and you are going to get this.  There are some points of an MMO that can not be changed or are not worth the financial risk of trying.

Sure, there will always be some similarities, but there are also games that go off and do new and exciting things (Guild Wars, for example). Obviously, not every game will be that much different from the rest, but I prefer to see MMORPGs that actually try.

I still don't see what makes LOTRO the number 1 game on the site. It's possible that I never will.

people who call other games WoW clones are just too stupid to come up with an orginal thought on their own.

For some reason people who love LOTRO hate WoW. No clue why. They are almost the exact same game. I think they just want to seem different, and its cool to hate WoW. Nevermind the fact its almost the exact same game.

Originally posted by mnkymn161

Originally posted by Locklain

Originally posted by mnkymn161

Originally posted by JGMIII

Alright Mr. one post.

Lotro is as far from a WoW clone as you could get.

Combat system is different, classes are different, endgame is small group focused, Lotro has near no pvp system. Graphics are totally different style.

Crafting in Lotro is more complex, Lotro has a housing system.

Anyone who thinks Lotro is a wow clone is a clueless newb.

That's Mr. Three Post to you. 

As I said, I am definitely no LOTRO expert, and I don't pretend to be. I just noticed a lot of similarities between the two games.

Play any mmo and you are going to get this.  There are some points of an MMO that can not be changed or are not worth the financial risk of trying.

Sure, there will always be some similarities, but there are also games that go off and do new and exciting things (Guild Wars, for example). Obviously, not every game will be that much different from the rest, but I prefer to see MMORPGs that actually try.

I still don't see what makes LOTRO the number 1 game on the site. It's possible that I never will.

This site's ranking system is very easily thrown off.  All you need are some die-hard fans to make a few extra accounts to give their game a 10 and every other game a 0 and there you have it, inaccurate figures.

Originally posted by mnkymn161

First off, I'd like to mention that all I've done is the 14-day trial, so I'm in no way an expert on LOTRO. I may not have played enough to be fully immersed in the game, but I felt like sharing my thoughts nonetheless.

 

As the title states, I don't think this game should have such a high rating. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against it (I've been a Tolkien fan ever since I learned to read, and felt that the game perfectly complemented the books and movies); however, I don't think LOTRO is anything special. I could spend all day listing the similarities it has with WoW, but that would get boring, and most of you probably noticed them anyway. Mostly, though, I just thought LOTRO quickly got boring. The graphics are great; they're what drew me in initially. But for anyone who has ever played WoW, or any of its seemingly infinite clones, everything about this game will seem very redundant. In my 14 days of playing, I found absolutely nothing new or innovative. There was definitely nothing worth another $15 a month.

So, does anyone out there agree with me? Feel free to share your thoughts.

Its evident you didnt get to far in LOTRO or even read the Hobbit or you would know that trolls turn to stone in the daylight.

Originally posted by JGMIII

Alright Mr. one post.

Lotro is as far from a WoW clone as you could get.

Combat system is different, classes are different, endgame is small group focused, Lotro has near no pvp system. Graphics are totally different style.

Crafting in Lotro is more complex, Lotro has a housing system.

Anyone who thinks Lotro is a wow clone is a clueless newb.

That's incredible. 

Let me start out by saying I've only played LOTRO for a few days, and I've played WoW for over a year.

1. "combat system is different" Really? The only difference is that the pretty little squares on your toolbar look different. The combat system could not be any more similar.

2. "Classes are different" I'm pretty sure that if LOTRO came out with the same exact classes, Blizzard would have grounds for a lawsuit. You can make a tank, mage, rouge, healer-DPS guy, hunter, it's all the same

3. "Graphics are totally different style" This is true. WoW is slightly cartoon-ish, while LOTRO attempts realism. I don't count this as a significant difference though.

As far as housing, pvp and endgame, I have not gotten to those parts of the game yet.

Even so, nearly every aspect being identical to WoW definitely makes it a WoW clone. Sorry.

Originally posted by natuxatu

people who call other games WoW clones are just too stupid to come up with an orginal thought on their own.

What a mature and well thought-out opinion.

Originally posted by natuxatu

people who call other games WoW clones are just too stupid to come up with an orginal thought on their own.

People who call other people too stupid to come up with an original on their own thought are stupid. I assure you, I'm not stupid. We obviously have different definitions of "WoW clone." 

Don't you all have some reputation to farm?

Originally posted by grandpagamer

Originally posted by mnkymn161

First off, I'd like to mention that all I've done is the 14-day trial, so I'm in no way an expert on LOTRO. I may not have played enough to be fully immersed in the game, but I felt like sharing my thoughts nonetheless.

 

As the title states, I don't think this game should have such a high rating. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against it (I've been a Tolkien fan ever since I learned to read, and felt that the game perfectly complemented the books and movies); however, I don't think LOTRO is anything special. I could spend all day listing the similarities it has with WoW, but that would get boring, and most of you probably noticed them anyway. Mostly, though, I just thought LOTRO quickly got boring. The graphics are great; they're what drew me in initially. But for anyone who has ever played WoW, or any of its seemingly infinite clones, everything about this game will seem very redundant. In my 14 days of playing, I found absolutely nothing new or innovative. There was definitely nothing worth another $15 a month.

So, does anyone out there agree with me? Feel free to share your thoughts.

Its evident you didnt get to far in LOTRO or even read the Hobbit or you would know that trolls turn to stone in the daylight.

It would be that I never encountered trolls in LOTRO. If I did, I was probably not paying too much attention.

I like Wow a lot and I like LotRO a lot. It's sickening this WoW clone nonsense that is all over the forums. There really is only one way to define a wow clone and that would be wow itself. If you want to talk about similarities than by all means go for it. But it's not the same game and it's not a clone. No MMO is a clone of something else. If it was, there would be a lawsuit.

It's just really sad and makes the MMO community look very stupid and closed minded. That's all.

The human race is a monkey clone too.

Ever heard of the word evolution? No?

I tried this game too and I agree it is a WoW clone. What makes a WoW clone is not that it has quests, instances or whatever but that it is LINEAR and EASY and targetted towards the casual player.

That is what WoW perfected and that is what a WoW clone is. A casual, easy, linear MMORPG with big arrows pointing in the direction you should go and what you should do there and whatever you need to do there is usually quite easy without any consequences for failing, this was unheard of before WoW as MMORPGs were somewhat dificult to master and penalized you for failing. WAR, AoC also the same and also WoW clones.

However, being a WoW clone or not I don't think is an indication of a good MMORPG. Darkfall is certainly not a WoW clone but a terrible MMORPG, Eve also certainly not a WoW clone and it is quite good. Aion is a WoW clone as it follows the same basic principles (linear, easy, casual) but we are finally seeing some that break from the mold as Mortal Online, basically everything WoW is not, is being released this summer but noone can tell me that Lotr breaks from the WoW mold, it is quite similar.

Which is a shame since Lord of the Rings trilogy certainly broke the mold and actually created a new mold. Sure it was based on innumerous mythologies but Tolkien managed to create something that was different from everything else and still brilliant. Lotr, being a solid MMORPG, is not worthy to wear that name,

I suppose MMOs are like cars. The all look similar and the basic principles of driving are pretty much the same. You can also claim that all cars are clones of x model in the past. Thing is, despite their many similarities, what separate them is their differences. I think the analogy works pretty well in MMOs as well.

Originally posted by Xasapis

I suppose MMOs are like cars. The all look similar and the basic principles of driving are pretty much the same. You can also claim that all cars are clones of x model in the past. Thing is, despite their many similarities, what separate them is their differences. I think the analogy works pretty well in MMOs as well.

Careful, you might hurt someone with that. 

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Originally posted by Shorun
The human race is a monkey clone too.
Ever heard of the word evolution? No?

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As much as I love LOTRO there was very little in it that could be called evolutionary. The entire game did for the most part feel like WoW with a new coat of paint on it.