how is it starting anew? Are there still people playing the starter areas?

Originally posted by butter1011

Im about to go out and buy lotro, is it really as good as its ratings?

No.

Originally posted by Zsavooz

how is it starting anew? Are there still people playing the starter areas?

at least when I'm on one of my low level alts there's not a lot of people on... but I only seem to play those at non-peak hours, and I don't play on the most populated server either... I think that if you log on at the right time you should find people... anyway, you can solo most of the starter stuff, or join a kinship and get people to help

Originally posted by JeroKane

Originally posted by synergi

 I think a lot will depend on what is it you find fun in a game. If you play because you love dungeons and  aesthetically pleasing gear/armor, then I'd say this is not the game for you. Lotro has some of the worse looking gear. As the person posted the pic shows that is sadly the best looking gear for a none heavy wearer or minstrel in this case at high levels. It looks ok, its not drool worthy to say omg i have to have that. No offense to the poster of the pic.

If you play because you like quests and realistic world enviroment, then this is probably a good game for you. Whenever people ask me what I think of it, I say its a nice little boring game. How it manages to be both nice and boring is because I love most of the game except the gear and weapons. So there is no excitement for me to want to go do any of the dungeons.

 

You have no idea what you talk about when it comes to gear.

LOTRO has since quite some time appearance tabs and a large variarity of cosmetic outfits. More so that you can combine and mix appearance outfits with amor to make your character look trully unique.

Also with the coming of MoM the dye scheme has been expanded, so you have even more choice in colours.

Especially the Elven armor and some of the dwarven armor are wicked.

The dungeon and reputation armor sets look pretty good overall.

It is not as extreme as the sets in WoW. But frankly, I didn't like most of the armor sets in WoW anyway.

It's all a matter of taste. And sure some of the helmets, especially minstrel or Lore master hats look a bit weird. But overal most armor sets look pretty nice.

The armor sets in LOTRO are more streamlined, bit more realistic and elegant. They cannot go crazy and wild like in Asian grinders and WoW.

Cheers

whoah, wait a minute...

I don't think he is wrong about the gear at all.

I have a pretty sophisticated aesthetic sense (in my opinion) and could at least adequately debate on a vareity of topics concerning such. And though there are costume tabs which have been a lifesaver as far as "look" I believe that the majority of gear isn't so great.

I don't think people are wanting outlandish gear such as Lineage 2 or World of Warcraft, but more often than not I spend way to much time trying to find a new look since it's so horrendous in my opinion.

this is not to say that they haven't added more stuff and better stuff (and I have even marvelled at some of the 2nd age weapons and one of the top end  helmets and armor) but I find most of it odd and not elegant.

Yes, there is elegance in simplicity but a good amount of LOTRO gear seems a bit like a mix of Carney and well dressed hobo.

I do think the game is good, especially if one doesn't mind the type of gameplay it offers. I do get tired of players trying it and then giving their opinion of how horrible it is because it's not Middle Earth online, or "sandboxy" or open world pvp, especially since all this info is already known.

But it's one of the only games that I actually play regularly. Actually, it IS the only online game I play regularly until Aion comes out.

I find LOTRO fun and I think if a player has a bit of imagination they will love the world. But I do think the gear is sorely lacking as far as being pleasant.

Originally posted by Zsavooz

how is it starting anew? Are there still people playing the starter areas?

For the most part, but not so much in the beginning areas!  There is starter area that you can get to lvl 5-7 in before you're released into the full game world.  New Players can't skip it, but when you've completed it once when you start a new char you can skip it which many of vets do.

I personally enjoy going down to the nub areas often and helping other player if they ask so if you're on Elendilmir watch for me and I'll help ya with anything!

To the OP:

I subbed a few times to LOTRO and cancelled after only a few days/weeks.   I found it too group dependent, the solo quests were in too many cases difficult to solo and it was too hard to find fellowships.  I have a 45 Captain and 18 Minstrel.  Just couldnt take not being able to do the fellowship quests due to lack of groups. 

Originally posted by Broomy

To the OP:

I subbed a few times to LOTRO and cancelled after only a few days/weeks.   I found it too group dependent, the solo quests were in too many cases difficult to solo and it was too hard to find fellowships.  I have a 45 Captain and 18 Minstrel.  Just couldnt take not being able to do the fellowship quests due to lack of groups. 

 

Whaaa?  This entire game can be soloed by any class without ever touching any of the fellowship quests let alone fellow up.  Heck you can even skip every fellow quest and instance and still have more solo quests left over at the cap than are needed!  Its crazy easy!

Not to say there aren't any challenging solo quests or ones that make ya think a bit; there are, but they're not very tough and easily overcome most times!

however, it is a bit frustrating to do all the solo quests in a quest chain, and then be unable to do the final group quest that brings that story arc to a conclusion because no one else is around to do it

Originally posted by Khrymson

Originally posted by Broomy

To the OP:

I subbed a few times to LOTRO and cancelled after only a few days/weeks.   I found it too group dependent, the solo quests were in too many cases difficult to solo and it was too hard to find fellowships.  I have a 45 Captain and 18 Minstrel.  Just couldnt take not being able to do the fellowship quests due to lack of groups. 

 

 

Whaaa?  This entire game can be soloed by any class without ever touching any of the fellowship quests let alone fellow up.  Heck you can even skip every fellow quest and instance and still have more solo quests left over at the cap than are needed!  Its crazy easy!

Not to say there aren't any challenging solo quests or ones that make ya think a bit; there are, but they're not very tough and easily overcome most times!

I will have to disagree.  Maybe going back to some quests that are below you in level will enable you to solo everything, but thats not the case when quests are at your level.  Many quests in LOTRO are mislabeled as solo, there have been several discussions about this on the main forums and they have even asked players to /bug those quests. 

The main point is...finding a fellowship in the game is difficult.  And why bother with quest chains if you cant find a group to finish them?   Playing LOTRO is very much about enjoying the Lore.  Most of the Lore is contained in the group quests.  So why bother?  /shrug

I didn't find it empty. But I found the game silly. Only one side so no fear when you travle. And everything is so "cute". It's a little gay.

And the PvP was fun at first but then very boring. The good side are strong and the evil (monsters) must level up a lot until they are strong. So the fights are all gank and gank and gank. Very boring.

The game is fun for some week, then I found it very boring. Quests are not that special. It's like the rest of mmorpg with fantasy... this game need two factions.

I give it 2 of 5 points.

Originally posted by Bafucin

 Only one side so no fear when you travle.

I suppose that's either a good thing or a bad thing depending on your point of view.  If the ideal MMORPG for you involves open-world PvP then obviously LOTRO is not the game for you.  I personally enjoy this game immensely.  The only MMORPG I've played before is Runescape, so I can't really compare it to other games, but I subscribed a year ago, and I'm still far from tired of playing it.

You have no idea what you talk about when it comes to gear.

LOTRO has since quite some time appearance tabs and a large variarity of cosmetic outfits. More so that you can combine and mix appearance outfits with amor to make your character look trully unique.

Also with the coming of MoM the dye scheme has been expanded, so you have even more choice in colours.

Especially the Elven armor and some of the dwarven armor are wicked.

The dungeon and reputation armor sets look pretty good overall.

It is not as extreme as the sets in WoW. But frankly, I didn't like most of the armor sets in WoW anyway.

It's all a matter of taste. And sure some of the helmets, especially minstrel or Lore master hats look a bit weird. But overal most armor sets look pretty nice.

The armor sets in LOTRO are more streamlined, bit more realistic and elegant. They cannot go crazy and wild like in Asian grinders and WoW.

Cheers

And thank god for the appearance tab. It allows  me to hide all my ugly gear.  Instead of armor I run into dungeons with cute prissy little dresses (I'm a girl) which is probably even more ridiculous for me to have on in a dungeon setting, but at least I can stomach those. I fear there is no appearance tab though for my weapons.

I absolutely love this game, but I love it for what it is. Do not expect some huge revolution in gaming, it's very similar to WoW. But, the differences are what make it great.

Some people don't realize how fun it is to sit around a campfire and dance and chat with others while a trio of people play music that they organized themselves for other's enjoyment in a social environment.

Its an excelent game, the best RP options you can find nowadays, and the community is one of the best out there.

But i must say i didnt stick with it because i found the game a bit boring when it comes to classes, they all seem a bit look-a-like both skill and in appearance, just because i like caster classes, magic casters with colourfull robes and detailled staves, and the game has none, but i completely agree and understand lore-wise. 

On the end i find it a very good game and definately one of the best available.

I am giving the free trial a spin now.  I actually was supremely impressed with this game.   However the lack of pvp  is a worry , i find pvp thrilling and am not sure if the lack of it would allow me to keep my interest in this game over the long term.   I am also worried about finding mid level buddies to group with.

Having said that, i did really really enjoy the bit of the game i was trying and was going to sub, until my system started reseting over the game( blue screen of death).  I don't know whats causing it, never happens in other mmos that ive played  (vanguard , wow , war) or anything else, just lotro. So till i figure out what thats about i wont be subbing.

Originally posted by Illthala

I am giving the free trial a spin now.  I actually was supremely impressed with this game.   However the lack of pvp  is a worry , i find pvp thrilling and am not sure if the lack of it would allow me to keep my interest in this game over the long term.   I am also worried about finding mid level buddies to group with.

Once you get a toon to level 10, you can make a monster (60), and have all the PvP you want.

Originally posted by Tekaelon

After playing WoW for over a year I decided to give LoTRO a try last November and haven't looked back. As some have said the community is amazing with a mature player base.  The world is beautiful!. The atmosphere of the game encourages you to slow down and enjoy the journey.  

 

 

I totally agree with this statement.

I was a big fan of the  multiplayer aspect of Neverwinter Nights and this is the closest MMO to it.

 As with lot of MMO's the game really starts kicking in when you character andvances past level20.

You have unlocked most of the important skills and abilities and so your class becomes finally really interesting.

Not to mention that when you get around level25-26 and get to the quest "Retake Weathertop", you will get a prime sample of what Turbine is capable of in this game and you are sold! As that instance is the best in the level20-30 bracket range!

I have done that instance several times already and can't get enough of it.

 While some have complained why would i want to do those quests again? In later levels when characters start or forced to group more you see some neat combinations used by other classes.

  I found myself finaly starting some alts and enjoying the game more at this point. There were so many quests not done the first time around getting to see more avenues of the game this time. Also enjoying eariler on instances in a group since i missed much of grouping eariler levels first time around

  I still do not like the way many of the characters look. In fact when i play i use the option not to see my character. I do enjoy some of the skill animations in combat.

 As far as being as good as people say i am still enjoying the game at this point

No game is perfect all games have fanboys / haters. Trail lets you see if you like the game (although it only really developes in the real game). Lotro community is the best I have been in and I have over 20 online games under my belt. It really is a good game but I like most of the games I have played GW,Lotro,WOW,UO,...etc,etc. Try and buy or try and not buy only you can decide. Best game who knows best game for some not for others.