I played both games at release and got a free come back and try the games again for a week or two...

I loaded up both games and tried them out some.  LoTR initially crashed my system in directx 10 but updating the drivers fixed the problem.  AoC took forever to get loaded.  The installer was dead slow.  I have a very fast network connection but the download from funcom would run at 200-400KBs although it would slow down significantly and two time I came to my computer to see it sitting at 0.  LoTR was much faster.  The installer ran at 700-900KBs pretty steady and ran through the whole thing without stopping.

Both games ran fine for me in directx 10.  AoC has a much grittier look and more realistic looking graphics.  LoTR is more like WoW crossed maybe with eq2.  LoTR generally plays smoother and the graphics work better overall.  AoC looks better but isn't as silky smooth.

Loading up AoC I was kinda at a crossroad.  I didn't really want to start back at the beginning as I'd done numberous characters when the game launched and the starting area was not something I wanted to repeat.  So I loaded up one of my lower level alts.  I immediately noticed that my equipment had normal stats like other MMOs this was a good thing.  Running around the lvl 20 city I saw a few people but I didn't see a lot of variety I was hoping for in equipment and my appearance was pretty much the same as it was.  I played for a little while and then switched to LoTR.

I loaded LoTR and decided to start a new character.  The starting area had been pruned down some.  There were less quests and you leveled faster.  I also loaded some of my old characters and it looks like they changed the xp curve because one hit and I leveled several levels on them.  In Bree things were pretty hopping with people running around and chat going.

After my first several days with both games I'm finding that LoTR is more appealing to me.  I think it is brighter and just seems more fun.  AoC while more realistic doesn't really feel that different.  I've got another week to test it and I'm gonna try to put some time in on my assassin.  One of the bug issues I had when I quit was the long chains which I understand are shorter and the lack of itemization.  I'm gonna head to the broker and see if they have added a bunch of appearances so I don't feel like I'm doing 30 level and looking the same...  Also in the upper 50s there was a major lack of quests.  So I'll be looking to see what more there is.

So far in playing both games I'm more interested in LoTR and seem to be having more fun there.  But I've got another week to form a stronger opinion.

You're a winner with either game, imo

Sounds like you already made your mind up. I enjoy both games for what they are. I have a life sub to LOTRO and play it when the mood strikes. But I am a Conan junkie and the brutality of the lore/game I enjoy more.

Have fun with whatever you decide.

I played the 14 day thing for AOC(played one day of 14 lol) and uninstalled again, sold the game and 6 months of time cards that I had sealed, its still not a fun game, although it has a beautifully designed world.

I have LOTRO with both expansions sealed, I might just sell that too I guess. I don't plan to play it ever, I did try a few trials and yes it is better than AOC overall, but I'm not interested in that storyline, characters, etc

I enjoy playing AoC. OP, there is a new quest area for 55 - 65 (Ymir's) as well as a new one for 75+ (Tarantia Commons). I have a pretty top of the line PC so since AoC fixed the grey map bug, I have not experienced any technical issues.

But to the OP, you are the best source of what you enjoy. If you enjoy, LoTRO more than you should play LoTRO. I enjoy AoC more so that is what I am playing.

Originally posted by khameleon

I played the 14 day thing for AOC(played one day of 14 lol) and uninstalled again, sold the game and 6 months of time cards that I had sealed, its still not a fun game, although it has a beautifully designed world.

I have LOTRO with both expansions sealed, I might just sell that too I guess. I don't plan to play it ever, I did try a few trials and yes it is better than AOC overall, but I'm not interested in that storyline, characters, etc

LOTRO with BOTH expansions sealed? Are you sure you're playing the same LOTRO as everyone else?

mmorpg recently gave away 1000 copies of AoC (via digital download) so did eurogamer and 1 other site (total of 3000 free digital downloads of the game). May be even more site's had the same competion, only know of 3.

A bold move to try and drum up business, even if only 500 stay, it would have been a success, however if less than that stays it would prove disastrous for them and would foresee AoC going the way of many others have so far this year.

Its not a brilliant game, but its not a bad game either. Just don't bother with teh PvP servers unless you plan on playign and leveling with friends (at least 3 others) or else you will be gang raped by teh ganking partioes abundant on the PvP servers.

Just my opinion here but it looks to me as if Morrison is doing his best to model AoC after LoTRO. Not that I think that is a bad thing, I mean it as a compliment. Right now I feel as if AoC has a slight edge graphics city wise and think the cities areas have more depth of character. LoTRO has the better graphics outside the city though. Just my opinion of course.

I know the fanboys are going to have a crap over this but I think LoTRO combat is more challenging than AoC, at least up to lvl 26 which is as high as I have ever gotten in AoC. One of the reasons behind that statement is that in AoC one of the more annoying things to me are the little icons flashing on screen telling me what skill to fire off next. Unlike the quest indicators on the map I have found no way to turn these off. It's like paint by the numbers. Also the combat has taken on a certain sense of predictability, ie up to two even lvls mobs just start firing off combos in any order, heavy on the hellbreath. If three go into demon mode, rinse and repeat.

Like other posters have pointed out , you have tried both and seem to have already made up your mind. As long as you are enjoying the game is what counts. Play the one that trips your trigger.

I didn't like either of them personally. Levelling was just too fast in LoTRo, I had no idea what I was doing and spent half my time mining for ore but still managed to gain three toons in the late 20's with one in the late 30's in a fortnight. AoC looked nice but I just couldn't get on with the combat system. I'm still waiting for something that suits my style of play to come along...CO maybe...

Originally posted by Jackdog

Just my opinion here but it looks to me as if Morrison is doing his best to model AoC after LoTRO. Not that I think that is a bad thing, I mean it as a compliment. Right now I feel as if AoC has a slight edge graphics city wise and think the cities areas have more depth of character. LoTRO has the better graphics outside the city though. Just my opinion of course.

I know the fanboys are going to have a crap over this but I think LoTRO combat is more challenging than AoC, at least up to lvl 26 which is as high as I have ever gotten in AoC. One of the reasons behind that statement is that in AoC one of the more annoying things to me are the little icons flashing on screen telling me what skill to fire off next. Unlike the quest indicators on the map I have found no way to turn these off. It's like paint by the numbers. Also the combat has taken on a certain sense of predictability, ie up to two even lvls mobs just start firing off combos in any order, heavy on the hellbreath. If three go into demon mode, rinse and repeat.

Like other posters have pointed out , you have tried both and seem to have already made up your mind. As long as you are enjoying the game is what counts. Play the one that trips your trigger.

I would agree with your assessment about the graphics. Possibly about the combat though I think both are sort of easy. I'm not sure I'm seeing what you are saying about the next skill being lit up on screen in AoC. I see that the chosen skill will show you which arrow to press but that is also on the lower toolbar as well. So it shows you direction, not skill. Unless there is somethign that actually shows you which skill. In which case I must have missed that.

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by Jackdog

Just my opinion here but it looks to me as if Morrison is doing his best to model AoC after LoTRO. Not that I think that is a bad thing, I mean it as a compliment. Right now I feel as if AoC has a slight edge graphics city wise and think the cities areas have more depth of character. LoTRO has the better graphics outside the city though. Just my opinion of course.

I know the fanboys are going to have a crap over this but I think LoTRO combat is more challenging than AoC, at least up to lvl 26 which is as high as I have ever gotten in AoC. One of the reasons behind that statement is that in AoC one of the more annoying things to me are the little icons flashing on screen telling me what skill to fire off next. Unlike the quest indicators on the map I have found no way to turn these off. It's like paint by the numbers. Also the combat has taken on a certain sense of predictability, ie up to two even lvls mobs just start firing off combos in any order, heavy on the hellbreath. If three go into demon mode, rinse and repeat.

Like other posters have pointed out , you have tried both and seem to have already made up your mind. As long as you are enjoying the game is what counts. Play the one that trips your trigger.

 

I would agree with your assessment about the graphics. Possibly about the combat though I think both are sort of easy. I'm not sure I'm seeing what you are saying about the next skill being lit up on screen in AoC. I see that the chosen skill will show you which arrow to press but that is also on the lower toolbar as well. So it shows you direction, not skill. Unless there is somethign that actually shows you which skill. In which case I must have missed that.

no we are on the same track. The little box with the direction arrow was what I was referring to

In Lotro even on low level high damage class like the hunter I get more of a feeling that I need to set up my shots in a certain way. On the warden class it is essential that you use the right  gambits at the right time, same with minstrel, and the Lore master takes real finesse to play in my opinion. Somehow even on my mid 20's HoX it just does not seem to matter which order I fire off the skills or combos as long as I spam hellbreath every time it cycles. To me it just seems to be more of a click fest than other games such as  EQII, Vanguard and LoTRO. WoW is the only game that came off simpler to me.

That is just my impression of course and HoX is really the only class I have played so I could be wrong. I did try a necro and a Demonologist up to around level ten and did not feel any differently. Melee is just not my style at all in most games, LoTRO's warden being the exception there.

Even though AoC is failing to hook me in to the point of subscribing even after the latest patch I still say try both of them with a couple of different classes with the free trials before buying or deciding , don't rely on others opinions, even mine

Let me think about this a bit.

Originally posted by Jackdog

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by Jackdog

Just my opinion here but it looks to me as if Morrison is doing his best to model AoC after LoTRO. Not that I think that is a bad thing, I mean it as a compliment. Right now I feel as if AoC has a slight edge graphics city wise and think the cities areas have more depth of character. LoTRO has the better graphics outside the city though. Just my opinion of course.

I know the fanboys are going to have a crap over this but I think LoTRO combat is more challenging than AoC, at least up to lvl 26 which is as high as I have ever gotten in AoC. One of the reasons behind that statement is that in AoC one of the more annoying things to me are the little icons flashing on screen telling me what skill to fire off next. Unlike the quest indicators on the map I have found no way to turn these off. It's like paint by the numbers. Also the combat has taken on a certain sense of predictability, ie up to two even lvls mobs just start firing off combos in any order, heavy on the hellbreath. If three go into demon mode, rinse and repeat.

Like other posters have pointed out , you have tried both and seem to have already made up your mind. As long as you are enjoying the game is what counts. Play the one that trips your trigger.

 

I would agree with your assessment about the graphics. Possibly about the combat though I think both are sort of easy. I'm not sure I'm seeing what you are saying about the next skill being lit up on screen in AoC. I see that the chosen skill will show you which arrow to press but that is also on the lower toolbar as well. So it shows you direction, not skill. Unless there is somethign that actually shows you which skill. In which case I must have missed that.

no we are on the same track. The little box with the direction arrow was what I was referring to

In Lotro even on low level high damage class like the hunter I get more of a feeling that I need to set up my shots in a certain way. On the warden class it is essential that you use the right  gambits at the right time, same with minstrel, and the Lore master takes real finesse to play in my opinion. Somehow even on my mid 20's HoX it just does not seem to matter which order I fire off the skills or combos as long as I spam hellbreath every time it cycles. To me it just seems to be more of a click fest than other games such as  EQII, Vanguard and LoTRO. WoW is the only game that came off simpler to me.

That is just my impression of course and HoX is really the only class I have played so I could be wrong. I did try a necro and a Demonologist up to around level ten and did not feel any differently. Melee is just not my style at all in most games, LoTRO's warden being the exception there.

Even though AoC is failing to hook me in to the point of subscribing even after the latest patch I still say try both of them with a couple of different classes with the free trials before buying or deciding , don't rely on others opinions, even mine

Well that's just sort of a necessary mechanic. But I can see you not liking it if you like the Warden in LOTRO. As you know, the Warden requires one to memorize gambits. I think it would be the same thing in AoC if they didn't have those arrows.

I know I can't play the Warden because it requires memorization and I can't seem to get that down. Oh sure, I can memorize entire lines for plays but when it cmes down to the stress of combat, or more to the point, group combat, I can't be relied upon to memorize a combo of many combos.

I do know that I rarely die in LOTRO and I actually have died in AoC. I think the chance of death is greater in AoC if one doesn't get it. Heck, last night, on my Guardian in AoC I kept looking for the "oh shit" skills (I don't believe there are any) like the LOTRO Guardian because I would get adds and Hope that I didn't miss a shot.

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by Jackdog

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by Jackdog

Just my opinion here but it looks to me as if Morrison is doing his best to model AoC after LoTRO. Not that I think that is a bad thing, I mean it as a compliment. Right now I feel as if AoC has a slight edge graphics city wise and think the cities areas have more depth of character. LoTRO has the better graphics outside the city though. Just my opinion of course.

I know the fanboys are going to have a crap over this but I think LoTRO combat is more challenging than AoC, at least up to lvl 26 which is as high as I have ever gotten in AoC. One of the reasons behind that statement is that in AoC one of the more annoying things to me are the little icons flashing on screen telling me what skill to fire off next. Unlike the quest indicators on the map I have found no way to turn these off. It's like paint by the numbers. Also the combat has taken on a certain sense of predictability, ie up to two even lvls mobs just start firing off combos in any order, heavy on the hellbreath. If three go into demon mode, rinse and repeat.

Like other posters have pointed out , you have tried both and seem to have already made up your mind. As long as you are enjoying the game is what counts. Play the one that trips your trigger.

 

I would agree with your assessment about the graphics. Possibly about the combat though I think both are sort of easy. I'm not sure I'm seeing what you are saying about the next skill being lit up on screen in AoC. I see that the chosen skill will show you which arrow to press but that is also on the lower toolbar as well. So it shows you direction, not skill. Unless there is somethign that actually shows you which skill. In which case I must have missed that.

no we are on the same track. The little box with the direction arrow was what I was referring to

In Lotro even on low level high damage class like the hunter I get more of a feeling that I need to set up my shots in a certain way. On the warden class it is essential that you use the right  gambits at the right time, same with minstrel, and the Lore master takes real finesse to play in my opinion. Somehow even on my mid 20's HoX it just does not seem to matter which order I fire off the skills or combos as long as I spam hellbreath every time it cycles. To me it just seems to be more of a click fest than other games such as  EQII, Vanguard and LoTRO. WoW is the only game that came off simpler to me.

That is just my impression of course and HoX is really the only class I have played so I could be wrong. I did try a necro and a Demonologist up to around level ten and did not feel any differently. Melee is just not my style at all in most games, LoTRO's warden being the exception there.

Even though AoC is failing to hook me in to the point of subscribing even after the latest patch I still say try both of them with a couple of different classes with the free trials before buying or deciding , don't rely on others opinions, even mine

 

Well that's just sort of a necessary mechanic. But I can see you not liking it if you like the Warden in LOTRO. As you know, the Warden requires one to memorize gambits. I think it would be the same thing in AoC if they didn't have those arrows.

I know I can't play the Warden because it requires memorization and I can't seem to get that down. Oh sure, I can memorize entire lines for plays but when it cmes down to the stress of combat, or more to the point, group combat, I can't be relied upon to memorize a combo of many combos.

I do know that I rarely die in LOTRO and I actually have died in AoC. I think the chance of death is greater in AoC if one doesn't get it. Heck, last night, on my Guardian in AoC I kept looking for the "oh shit" skills (I don't believe there are any) like the LOTRO Guardian because I would get adds and Hope that I didn't miss a shot.

 

you want to die in LoTRO try playing a Lore Master LOL. I think I died more times in the first 20 levels of my LM than I have in all my other gaming combined....heh heh j/k of course, but he was a pure T bitch to keep alive  till I got my lynx pet.. On the other hand  I find my HoX does not die much at all if I concentrate on him a bit, but I find myself not really giving a damn whether he dies to not because of the ultra light death penalty. Last night doing the night time "library" quest in Tortage I would just go in end up with two or three adds and when I died it a 30 second run back to kill wahtever mobs were not killed the first time pick up my tombstone and repeat till quest was finished. With LoTRO that would have gotten real expensive real fast with the item wear. Not to mention by the time I added three or four dread effects my morale (hit) points would have gotten way down till the dread wore off.

apologies to the OP for getting so far off topic here. Once again play whichever one turns your crank. I don't think either is a bad game per say. LoTRO has more content and is more polished for sure, but then it has been out a lot longer than AoC.

Having thought hard about this and giving my honnest opion play anything but Funcom's AOC.

Both games are great,

Lotro's early areas have *not* lost any quests they actually added new ones, but they re-positioned and altered alot of the old quests to fit with the current state of the game. No quests have been removed.

Age of Conan hs a very immerssive world, and with this re-evaluation it has gained alot of people. The game runs beautifully and it is over a year younger than LoTro.

Originally posted by khameleon

I played the 14 day thing for AOC(played one day of 14 lol) and uninstalled again, sold the game and 6 months of time cards that I had sealed, its still not a fun game, although it has a beautifully designed world.

I did the same thing. I uninstalled it. I have level 80s. I played through beta, launch, and beyond. I'm not trying to troll, the game has some strong points but the 14 days definitely just confirmed why I ran hard from it.

In my oppinion LotRO does have the more mature (even though AoC is rated M) and thus better community.

I have played both and I must say that I am thoroughly enjoying AoC right now. LOTRO is a good game crafting wise, but it doesn't do it for me overall. I just can't get away from the awesome combat system in AoC.

Originally posted by bigsmiff

I just can't get away from the awesome combat system in AoC.

you mean the AoC where you click the skill buttons as they light up? I guess different people find different things challenging

Well over the weekend I played LoTR mostly.  I played a couple of my old classes and found myself asking why I originally quit playing LoTR....  Anyway I am definitely more hooked on LoTR but I gotta say I have not given AoC a fair shake.  But that was primarily because LoTR only gave me 1 week trial where AoC gave 2 weeks.  So I focused more on LoTR.  This week I'm gonna focus more on AoC.

I'm trying to be fair here and not biased.  I'm not predijuced against AoC other then the issues i"ve mentioned and reading info on the forums it seems like my issues have been largely addressed.  So I'm hoping as I dig into it my interest will increase.

One thing I don't like about LoTR is the graphics.  I know I'm probably going against the trend from people that love LoTR but the graphics seem rather old school.  Everything seems very wow like in that the graphics are low poly count.  Equipment and armor sets kinda look bland and similar to one another.    The quality of graphics in buildings is very good but in general I'm not terribly inpressed.  This is coming from playing EQ2 for the past year and a half and multiplexing in some Vanguard as well.  So I'm guessing I just like more realistic graphics.  AoC on the the other hand looks realistic and detailed. Some of the armor and equipment looks great.  I'd say AoC graphics look better then eq2 and vanguard in many areas.  However it also seems very non magical or fantastic?  Kinda hard to express.  But  I think that is maybe just due to the style and I can adjust to that.

Anyway I'lll give more updates as I play AoC.

Originally posted by Jackdog

Originally posted by bigsmiff

I just can't get away from the awesome combat system in AoC.

you mean the AoC where you click the skill buttons as they light up? I guess different people find different things challenging

Are you trying to tell me that any other combat system is challenging / better? LOL

What other MMO let's you choose the side to attack? Or choose your side to block?

You are just mad because WoW skill buttons don't light up.

LOTRO kicks the shit out of AoC, to be perfectly honest. I'm not a fanboi of either, but I have played them both extensively, and seriously, AoC can't hold a candle to LOTRO's polish, immersiveness, graphical style, use of blur shaders, story, and fun.

Oh, and LOTRO doesn't try to make your computer beg for mercy just to render a little town square.

i would have to reccommend lotro

Originally posted by bigsmiff

Originally posted by Jackdog

Originally posted by bigsmiff

I just can't get away from the awesome combat system in AoC.

you mean the AoC where you click the skill buttons as they light up? I guess different people find different things challenging

Are you trying to tell me that any other combat system is challenging / better? LOL

What other MMO let's you choose the side to attack? Or choose your side to block?

You are just jealous because WoW skill buttons don't light up.

 

errr hate to break it to you but I have played WoW maybe a total of 30 hours since it released.

Sorry but arrow buttons that light up and a death penalty that is lighter than a FPS's does not equal challenging to me. yeah AoC has arrow buttons, question is do they really do anything? Maybe I am missing something here but on my HoX it does not seem to matter a whit what I hit as long as I follow the lit up buttons and spam hellbreath every time it refreshes