I never played LOTRO past level 7 and that was when it first came out. It just couldn't pull me from my existing games, but now seeing as there really aren't any good MMOs out there (inc TSW, GW2) I was thinking of giving this one a try. My question is if it is even worth it? Are there people to group with? What are the server populations like?

I think it is worth. It took me 2 times to try Lotro only to delete it from PC and swear not to return...and third time I got immersed, spending almost all time there.

Not sure about server population as I am on one and there seem to be not too much people.

Grouping may be done: I was invited inti Kinship ("guild") very quickly and offered to join Fellowship many times.Therefore - it may be sometimes easy to find someone helpfull.

There's still alot of players online, if you play Brandywine or Landroval (roleplaying).  I like lotro, it has more roleplayers than WoW does imho.  I go on Moon Guard in WoW (highest population RP server) and rarely see anyone actually roleplaying.  They might talk the part, but they don't stab someone and steal something and then a whole thing breaks out in the town where everyone is searching for the thief...at least that's what happens in lotro all the time.

Originally posted by ZigZags

 My question is if it is even worth it? Are there people to group with? What are the server populations like?

Well as far as server pop's go; it'll run the gambit of very low to HOLY COW!  I play on both Firefoot (low to med) and Landoval (high).  Just Sat. night on Firefoot I ran into 3 others working the same area as me and we all grouped up.  Landoval seems to cluster more in the towns so as to RP easier, not to say they aren't out and about too.

At the start  no matter where you are it'll seem empty (starter zones).  You'll still find players, but just not all over clustered like on AoC's starter island.  This is because the different races break off after lvl 10 and then don't really get back together till the 'teens in Bree.

Dude let me save you a third uninstall. This game is so dead. I dont flame games check my prior post. This game was good fun back in the day but it is soooo dead now. Unless you like to RP dont even bother. If you are a casual gamer TSW or GW2 will keep you happy. If you are not I would say check out Rift the raids are pretty awesome. There is a TON of content if you are just starting out. There is a new expansion on the way as well.  Also let me just throw this out there. Have you tried Dayz. I know I know its not a real MMO by any stretch. But it is soooo fun.

Your concept of a dead game and mine seem to be radically different.  Based on your posts I don't see a thing concerning LotRO; but if I had to guess, you were an end game - power gamer. 

Now if the OP is too, then your post may be dead on.

Otherwise you don't have a clue about the current game.  Lot's of non-rp'ers playing do not equal a dead game.  I consider myself a casual gamer that happens to like the LotR books and plays in spurts (which F2p is very much made for).  If the OP wants a half way familiar world that has a good story line then LotRO would be good.

Does it have it's bad points?  Sure, what game doesn't.  Housing is expensive and decorating poor (give me SWG's decorating setup any day),  I hate the whole pet's inside towns, buildings etc.....  Nothing like having some big bear butt in the way of my crafting and the DL seems to get longer and longer.

But for all the bad, it's a fun game to play.

LoTRO is still one of the best MMOs and on some servers has very healthy population. So yeah its worth it. But only if you're not interested in more recent games like The Secret World and Guild Wars 2

Originally posted by ZigZags

I never played LOTRO past level 7 and that was when it first came out. It just couldn't pull me from my existing games, but now seeing as there really aren't any good MMOs out there (inc TSW, GW2) I was thinking of giving this one a try. My question is if it is even worth it? Are there people to group with? What are the server populations like?

if it didnt grab you then, its unlikely to grab you now.  

although the game is pretty fun up to the first dungeon (barrow downs0, for me it goes downhill after that.  its not a bad game, at all, but it lacks 'something' i cant put a finger on.  buts its free install, so why not.

Originally posted by tokini

Originally posted by ZigZags

I never played LOTRO past level 7 and that was when it first came out. It just couldn't pull me from my existing games, but now seeing as there really aren't any good MMOs out there (inc TSW, GW2) I was thinking of giving this one a try. My question is if it is even worth it? Are there people to group with? What are the server populations like?

if it didnt grab you then, its unlikely to grab you now.  

although the game is pretty fun up to the first dungeon (barrow downs0, for me it goes downhill after that.  its not a bad game, at all, but it lacks 'something' i cant put a finger on.  buts its free install, so why not.

That something for me was anything resembling a challenge or rewarding game mechanics. You know, those things that make a game a game.

But far be it from me to persuade anyone not to play the game. It's free to play, so you can at least try it. It does have some good points, I just dont see how anyone could stand to play it for more than 1-2 months.

I did find the cooking crafting mechanics to be quite cool...err well not so much. Actually the pouring milk sound when making blueberry muffins made me hungry, thats something.

Population is fine on the larger servers ( US - Brandywine, EU English - Snowbourn, French - Estel, German - Belegear ), but gameplay wise LotRO is your run of the mill themepark MMO and if you don't like the rest of them, chances are, you won't last long in this one either. Even in that segment other titles offer more varied content and more robust game systems.

It's still a good game mind you, just doesn't offer pretty much anything to players looking for something fresh.