I played for about a month or so after initial release then stopped. Cant recall why exactly but I am sure my addiction to a certin other game (hint...me an 10 million others) had something to do with it.

Anyway, this game may be the best kept secret in MMO's. It has, by far the best graphics (I have played AoC and LoTR is far better). It uses DirectX 10 (only current MMO?)  and is just plain fun. I hope more people will give it a try. Dont expect it to compete membership wise with above un-named game...but would like for it to stay around for a long time. I think espec ially those that think AoC is best graphically should give it a shot. They are in for a surprise.

hmm Im a LotrO fan and didnt like AoC at all.... but I must say that in my opinion AoC have better graphics over all! LotrO have some weak points but overall its a really great game and with Mines of Moria coming soon it will be even better!

Its not a well known because it simply isnt a fact at all. The LoTRO graphics are not the best around. I thought they were rather bland and uninspired. Oh well each to their own I suppose.

Originally posted by neonwire

Its not a well known because it simply isnt a fact at all. The LoTRO graphics are not the best around. I thought they were rather bland and uninspired. Oh well each to their own I suppose.

You cant possibly be playing LoTR in DX10 High Rez...its so much better then AoC it is not even close. Its not even possible for a non direct 10 game to compete graphically....maybe when AoC releases D10 version...things will change. To anyone with doubts...search for screenshots...and compare. Make sure the LoTR ones are the high rez d10 ones.

I played AoC and LOTR full setting DX10, and AoC is much better, no offence but if you remove the nice sky the pretty flower and the bloom the graphics arent that special.

Originally posted by Krasher

Originally posted by neonwire

Its not a well known because it simply isnt a fact at all. The LoTRO graphics are not the best around. I thought they were rather bland and uninspired. Oh well each to their own I suppose.

 

You cant possibly be playing LoTR in DX10 High Rez...its so much better then AoC it is not even close. Its not even possible for a non direct 10 game to compete graphically....maybe when AoC releases D10 version...things will change. To anyone with doubts...search for screenshots...and compare. Make sure the LoTR ones are the high rez d10 ones.

 

Some issues with your statement.

The DX10 is not a full implementation, and as such has issues with ATI cards which require full DX10 compliance. Steefel has even stated this fact.

The models are much worse in LOTRO than AoC thanks to issues with body sculpting. Hands are too large, body posture is not based on mo-cap, males with 2 in. waists, Plate Armor that is as tight looking as Spandex.

As well, there is still the texture loading hitch issue apparent in certain areas (and no ...not just Bree)

As to making your "comparison" to AoC and LOTRO...Sure thing...

Misty Conan Evening

Realistic models and clothing design that looks like it is meant to be worn

Women that look real

Notice the ice hanging on the limbs of the trees

Realistic Fauna

Compared to

Males with size 2 waists

Unrealistic faces

Abnormal Posturing

Unrealistic Tree models

Tree DX10

And LOTRO has been lauded for it's "Water" effects...yet look at the Realistic Fauna picture for AoC, then look at the water in Tree DX10. Notice the ripples of the water at the players feet in AoC?

I disagree 100% with your assesment.

Now, of course, I like the Comic art of Jim Lee and maybe you like Jack Kirby...who knows. But, we each may have a differeing opinion based on our likes and dislikes. I prefer more realism in my Low Fantasy MMO, and maybe you like a more stylized look. Then of course we will disagree.

Based on these shots above, I will take AoC's art.

Thanks

I like LOTRO a lot, but I wouldn't say it has the best graphics.   They are good, and better than WAR or WoW, but AoC and Vanguard (yes VG sucks as a game, but the graphics are good) have better graphics.   An as for DX10, I have tried switching over twice now and both times had to switch back because the performance dropped off so much in DX10.

I do agree with the OP that people should give it a try because the gameplay in LOTRO is great, lots of RP opportunities and good quests with well written storylines. 

Originally posted by openedge1

Originally posted by Krasher

Originally posted by neonwire

Its not a well known because it simply isnt a fact at all. The LoTRO graphics are not the best around. I thought they were rather bland and uninspired. Oh well each to their own I suppose.

 

You cant possibly be playing LoTR in DX10 High Rez...its so much better then AoC it is not even close. Its not even possible for a non direct 10 game to compete graphically....maybe when AoC releases D10 version...things will change. To anyone with doubts...search for screenshots...and compare. Make sure the LoTR ones are the high rez d10 ones.

 

Some issues with your statement.

The DX10 is not a full implementation, and as such has issues with ATI cards which require full DX10 compliance. Steefel has even stated this fact.

The models are much worse in LOTRO than AoC thanks to issues with body sculpting. Hands are too large, body posture is not based on mo-cap, males with 2 in. waists, Plate Armor that is as tight looking as Spandex.

As well, there is still the texture loading hitch issue apparent in certain areas (and no ...not just Bree)

As to making your "comparison" to AoC and LOTRO...Sure thing...

Misty Conan Evening

Realistic models and clothing design that looks like it is meant to be worn

Women that look real

Notice the ice hanging on the limbs of the trees

Realistic Fauna

Compared to

Males with size 2 waists

Unrealistic faces

Abnormal Posturing

Unrealistic Tree models

Tree DX10

And LOTRO has been lauded for it's "Water" effects...yet look at the Realistic Fauna picture for AoC, then look at the water in Tree DX10. Notice the ripples of the water at the players feet in AoC?

I disagree 100% with your assesment.

Now, of course, I like the Comic art of Jim Lee and maybe you like Jack Kirby...who knows. But, we each may have a differeing opinion based on our likes and dislikes. I prefer more realism in my Low Fantasy MMO, and maybe you like a more stylized look. Then of course we will disagree.

Based on these shots above, I will take AoC's art.

Thanks

Yep based on those screenshots AoC kicks LoTRO arse without breaking a sweat. There really isnt any comparison. Hmmm its almost tempting to ignore all the negative posts about AoC and give it a go actually. One of the things I have found about mmos is that essentially they all have shitty boring gameplay but if I have something decent to look at while I grind my way through the shopping list of silly quests then I can at least feel some sense of immersion. This is why I couldnt enjoy LoTRO. Not only was it a boring grind but it wasnt interesting to look at either.

I'm currently playing Warhammer and although the PvE aspect is the same old repetitive crap, the PvP aspect adds a level of diversity that you can never get in pure PvE games like LoTRO......although I suppose you could count monster play I guess. Fighting a real player is so much more interesting than playing against the computer......although the PvE stuff can be ok with a group.

Oops I've gone off topic. Sorry.

Originally posted by neonwire

although I suppose you could count monster play I guess. Fighting a real player is so much more interesting than playing against the computer......although the PvE stuff can be ok with a group.

hmm.. I'm not sure you know what monster play is. You ARE fighting real players, they are just in the form of monster (orcs, weavers, wargs)... as you can see in my signature, I play one of those monsters.. and enjoy it very much so  :)

Originally posted by openedge1

 

The models are much worse in LOTRO than AoC thanks to issues with body sculpting. Hands are too large, body posture is not based on mo-cap, males with 2 in. waists, Plate Armor that is as tight looking as Spandex.

 

 

To tell the truth models in Lotro are indeed worse than models in AOC, Warhammer, Everquest 2, D&D online, FFXI, Vanguard, Guild Wars, Hellgate London, Lineage 2 and Saga of Ryzom.

And they are bad in the 2 aspects we can judge, art and 3d modeling.

With all GOOD art related to Lotr, from Pauline Baynes to even Bakshi, I never understood how Turbine could create such goofy characters as they did in Lotro...well, they did a good job in D&D online, so it was a surprise for me.

Direct x 10 and even 11 will never save the bad characters from Lotro.

The male waists are indeed a joke.

The models and animations are very simple, ( simple than EQ2 , AoC and games that use high poly models and motion capture ), but the major issue is, you cant mix a realistic landscape with goofy caricate characters and try to express Tolkien´s work.

AoC=a good and expressive realistic art style that has a primitive feeling to it..

Warhammer=a good and expressive caricate and stylized art style.

Lotro= a mix that didnt work well... again even with so many good artistic references.

Lotro has some good landscapes, lakes and forests, but indoor locations, characters and creatures are less expressive than the ones we can find in Age of Conan, Warhammer, Vanguard (even with the fact that Vanguard has some serious issues related to art) etc

The proof? All good Lotro´s screenshots are usually an isolated lake or a spot in the woods...

Im not judging the overall game, only how it looks.

Lotro has simple grafics when we are talking about normal and paralax mapping, hdr, animations... direct x 10 didnt change that.

Lotro has a lot of inconsistencies and bad decisions in the art style... but in the end it is a pretty nice mmorpg

...

Sorry but the avatars in LOTRO is just plain ugly. And if you think the backgrounds are better than in AoC (on a good computer mind you, not some 3 year old junk) then you are blind.

Hell, Guildwars EOTN looks better than LOTRO and LOTRO did focus on backgrounds instead of characters, big misstake. The avatars don't really looks like they fit in which both AoC and Wow makes better. Vanguard also looks better.

But your right about divx 10.

I liked AoC's graphics and animations and avatars. I did not like the crap performance and the fact when playing I felt like a rat in a tightly  constrained maze. Oh and one thing LoTRO has all over AoC and that is a good population, not to mention so much content you will never ever run out of things to do. Turbines customer servce is the best alos, and Funcoms is even worse than SOE's at it's worst. All in all Lotro beats the crap out of AOC unless your main concern in a game is looking at pixilated nudity.

Quite frankly I could give a rats arse what my avatar looks like since all I ever see of him is his rear when I am playing.

Originally posted by Krasher

I played for about a month or so after initial release then stopped. Cant recall why exactly but I am sure my addiction to a certin other game (hint...me an 10 million others) had something to do with it.

Anyway, this game may be the best kept secret in MMO's. It has, by far the best graphics (I have played AoC and LoTR is far better). It uses DirectX 10 (only current MMO?)  and is just plain fun. I hope more people will give it a try. Dont expect it to compete membership wise with above un-named game...but would like for it to stay around for a long time. I think espec ially those that think AoC is best graphically should give it a shot. They are in for a surprise.

 

What Lotro has is the best "engine capability" vs "art direction" in the mmorpg world. There are better engines out there and better art direction out there but lotro has an awesome balance between the both what makes for a really good graphics. As for calling it the best, i dont know. This is something about opinion mor than something technical but the truth is it is one of the best in the market rightnow.

okay Aoc has decent graphics, but you can't deny lotro is in the top 5 games with Insane graphics currently.

What LOTRO has is beautiful SCENERY.... but as far as character models go, it's pretty basic, nothing special at all leaving a lot to be desired.  I would have LOVED if Lord of the Rings Online had a darker more realistic look and feel about it like AoC - something more along the MOVIES than ... well it kind of looks like a basic MMO... Like I said, scenery can be very nice but that's about it everything else is just OK.

The graphics of LotRO are good, but they are not the amazingly best. I actually find that it reminds me of Neverwinter Nights. The game has some of the best scenes however. I love to go up the top of the pass into Rivendell, or to Ever-Swim, and look at the view. I am looking forward to the up-coming improvements, once Mines of Moria comes out.

Also remember, these games use different schemes, and that makes it difficult to compare the templates.

Originally posted by DeaconX

What LOTRO has is beautiful SCENERY.... but as far as character models go, it's pretty basic, nothing special at all leaving a lot to be desired.  I would have LOVED if Lord of the Rings Online had a darker more realistic look and feel about it like AoC - something more along the MOVIES than ... well it kind of looks like a basic MMO... Like I said, scenery can be very nice but that's about it everything else is just OK.

What's a "basic mmo" btw? You've got dozens of mmos booming around with lots of different features, even in small 600 mb f2p asian grinders you can find unique features, animations, combat systems, customization, landscapes, stories, etc etc

I must say i disagree with all those that say that lotro graphics are the best, they are nice, the outdoors look good, the sky (forochel ) is really nice. But the models are not that exciting, most of the armors dont look great. AOC has better looks (if you cna get the game to work).

But i dont have a lvl 50 hunter because i think a mmo should have insane graphics, i play it because it a good game (wink at aoc), because the guys that make it dont lie to us and serve us some barely finished crap.

If your that concerned abotu graphics, stop playing mmos and go play risis or far cry 2.

Hrmmm I"m astounded that someone would put Guildwars Avatars above LOTRO -- I mean come on -- every  class has 1 avatar.   So I think that was a HUGE exageration.

As far as realism goes -- I've yet to see an MMO that looks realistic -- period.  End that discussion right there, realism is a red herring.

Now this was about AoC vs LOTRO but degraded to a  percentage of gamers who didn't like the avatars in LOTRO and some folks who decided to call upon *proper art critique* to decide they were bad.   In no way do I feel my avatars don't fit the environment -- that's never been an issue for me personally.   And save the *you have bad taste* response because the whole *my opinion is based on the way art ought to look* garbage is dragging this thread in to the toilet.

My immediate reaction is people didn't take enough time at character creation to improve on their avatars -- but again it appears to be coming down to personal opinion.

I've yet to see a single screen shot from AoC that appeals to me, don't even mention Guild wars with graphics it was hardly a graphical masterpiece in comparison to AoC, WAR, Vanguard and LOTRO.    I found DDO to be far worse than Guild wars even -- DDO has to be the worst looking MMO in existance atm.  So again that comes back to personal opinion.

One point to take away from all this is if you go online you'll get a variety of opinions on what *looks* good -- we could start a thread on music in MMO's and get a thread as equally diverse in it's opinion base!! Music, visual art, etc are very very subjective mediums -- no one's opinion is the opinion by which all other opinions should be measured.   Everybody plays games that they feel immersed in to and enjoy what they see.   

I will concede however that the very title of the thread and wording of the OP was inciteful and earned some of the responses -- my only point is that there is great variety out there and there has been a major improvement recently with over all appearance in MMO's.   My unbias'd opinion is that WAR, AoC, Vanguard and LOTRO are all in the same league -- my preference is LOTRO followed closely by WAR and Vanguard.  AoC not so much.

Cheers!

Originally posted by neonwire

Its not a well known because it simply isnt a fact at all. The LoTRO graphics are not the best around. I thought they were rather bland and uninspired. Oh well each to their own I suppose.

      I felt the same....It was nothing special IMO.......