So I'm really quiet tempted by this $10 deal... I just have a few concerns, before I buy...

1) Complexity, I like my MMO's complex, at least above (maybe on par with) WoW's. So is it simpler then WoW, on par or above, when it comes to complexity and difficulty?

2) How is the community? Is it friendly? lots of roleplayers? Is the population growing, shrinking or staying nice and steady?

3) How big is the download, for High res, or whatever?

4) Is it highly probable that there will be another expansion pack? And how long did it take from Morias announcement to release, and from Angmars launch to morias announcement?

5) What server has the highest Australian population, Or current population during Australian Prime-time, if anyone knows?

6) How are the other activities/ stuff? Is crafting useful/worth it/ fun? Are there mounts in the game (and at what level)? Do houses serve purpose other then being a sign of your awesomeness and being banks? Is there any other extra activities I should know of?

That's it for now, likely ask more later...

Thanks in advance :)

For the sake of $10 what do you really have to lose? Other than $10 hehe.

I contemplated the same thing, but gave in and was VERY pleasently surprised! The game is gorgeous for starts!  The graphics are by far the best I've seen yet.  The feel of the story and what your character is capable of accomplishing helps make you feel like you are taking part in a side plot of the actual Lord of the Rings story.

Definately worth $10.

You have a  lot of questions! If you visit the official forums and wade through the posts you will find most of these answered. Here is a short stab at them tho:

1. Complexity: I find it probably the same as WoW, certainly not more difficult.

2. Every game has their share of those from the bottom of the gene pool, though overall I have found most people to be friendly. Roleplaying happens, especially on Landroval wihch is the unofficial role playing server.

3. The dowload is large. Do not remember how big but around 3GB

4. I am sure there will be another expansion. Turbine were aiming for one a year, but I think that is rather ambitious. Also how long it takes you to get to 60 will depend on how much time you have to play it.

5. Elindilmir has the largest Aussie population.

6. Crafting is simple and useful at lower levels. At higher levels most people think it is lack lustre and a waste of time and resources. There are mounts which you can buy at 35. Certain reputation factions will sell you a mount too. With housing, you get a discount when buying and repairing in your house's neighbourhood, chest space, a recall ability and somewhere to hang trophies and decoration. I have yet to see one used as a social hub.. that is inlcuding kin houses.

Good luck!

Thanks for the answers.

7) Can you get a kinship housing for yourself? Or are they only for kinships? Oh and are there only 4 neighbourhoods, one for each race?

8) Is there multiple areas for each level group? Say from 20- 30, or whatever, is there multiple areas to level up at, or are all the player funnelled into an area or set path of areas? So if I make some alts I can level up without going exactly the same path...

9) Are there solo-able story areas, I seen on youtube instanced dungeons with story-lines and stuff going on inside them, Or are they all made with groups in mind?

10) I've heard of like music and smoking mini game type things, are these true? and with music, can other players hear your music, can you play free style and can you have like bands setup?

Probably more questions, thanks in advance again...

Originally posted by Karmatron

So I'm really quiet tempted by this $10 deal... I just have a few concerns, before I buy...

1) Complexity, I like my MMO's complex, at least above (maybe on par with) WoW's. So is it simpler then WoW, on par or above, when it comes to complexity and difficulty?

I would say its pretty much the same as WoW

2) How is the community? Is it friendly? lots of roleplayers? Is the population growing, shrinking or staying nice and steady?

From my expereince the community is very friendly. Seems to be steady now.

3) How big is the download, for High res, or whatever?

Dont know exact but its several gigs.

4) Is it highly probable that there will be another expansion pack? And how long did it take from Morias announcement to release, and from Angmars launch to morias announcement?

They have said that they want to release 1 paid expansion every year but I tihnk its a bit to optimistic. Im guessing the next one comes in february.

5) What server has the highest Australian population, Or current population during Australian Prime-time, if anyone knows?

Elendelmir is the unoffical oceanic server.

6) How are the other activities/ stuff? Is crafting useful/worth it/ fun? Are there mounts in the game (and at what level)? Do houses serve purpose other then being a sign of your awesomeness and being banks? Is there any other extra activities I should know of?

Crafting is pretty usefull but not fun imo. You get horse at lvl 35 and in Moria you can get some kind of mountain goat. Houses dont have much purpose except storage.

7) Can you get a kinship housing for yourself? Or are they only for kinships? Oh and are there only 4 neighbourhoods, one for each race?

No you have to be the leader of a kin to get a kinship house. There is indeed 1 neighbourhood for each race (but multiple instances of them)

8) Is there multiple areas for each level group? Say from 20- 30, or whatever, is there multiple areas to level up at, or are all the player funnelled into an area or set path of areas? So if I make some alts I can level up without going exactly the same path...

It varies with levels. There are 4 starter areas but are funneled into 1 at around lvl 20 then the world opens up again and gives you more options. At lvl 40-50 there are several areas where you can level and skip entire zones i f you want. Lvl 50-60 also gives you several paths in Moria which you can take and skip zones if you want.

9) Are there solo-able story areas, I seen on youtube instanced dungeons with story-lines and stuff going on inside them, Or are they all made with groups in mind?

Most of them are for groups but there are alot of solo instances in the game with story-lines and scripted events.

10) I've heard of like music and smoking mini game type things, are these true? and with music, can other players hear your music, can you play free style and can you have like bands setup?

Yes you can play different instruments with yor keyboard so other people here it. You can also use ABC music files with songs that you can play. You can sync theese with other people so you can play in band

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4QMtvk4ihg

Probably more questions, thanks in advance again...