Okay, so I own this game and Mines of Moria. I was bored with this game soon after I bought it, mostly due to the quest based way of leveling, but I'm a bit different now. I don't so much mind quest based leveling, however, I'm very particular about some things. So please be honest with me about the following.

If I created a new character, would there be enough other new people to complete all the group content at the appropriate levels? While I'm sure there's enough population to complete the popular stuff at endgame, that does nothing for me as a new player doing low level group stuff. I'm the type that feels cheated if I miss content due to not having a group for it. Having some higher level person from a Kinship isn't the same either, because it just isn't challenging to have a high level run you through stuff.

That's really my biggest concern. I've grown to respect Turbine with how they're handling LoTRO. I like how they're gradually releasing content, which most is for free. I like how they slowly unfold the story, instead of throwing it all out there at once. I love the scenery, although I don't care for the avatars or the armor they wear. The community was also good both times I played LoTRO.

So tell me the truth please, because you're just wasting my money otherwise if I choose to believe you. I'd rather wait for a new MMORPG to release than to pick up a game that doesn't have enough new people to PUG the group content you encounter as you level. Also, reaching Mines of Moria and not being able to complete the content in there will suck if everyone else is doing the new expansion coming out in December. I know it's my fault for starting late, but I'd rather not start at all than start and not be able to complete the most fun group content.

One more thing, the Retail Price says 9.99. Common sense tells me it refers to the box cost of the game, but hopefulness tells me that's the cost of a regular subscription. So what's the regular subscription rate for a 1 month sub? Standard 15/mo or 9/mo

9.99 per month if you subscribe through a multi-month plan.

Yup $9.99 by subbing in 3 month blocks of time (a good deal IMO)-

Population is very healthy on the big 3 servers (I like the Big E Oceanic because there are several peak times wherever you may live) so if you like the game- Its a bargain.

Plus the Devs really care about the IP and the Game (which says something)- Its just not for me (sadly) as its not "sandbox" enough and too quest driven (which I hate)- BUT a good company and a good game nevertheless.

I'd play on an Eastern USA server if there's a such thing. The majority of the time I play is during the day, but I also play at nights until 10pm. So I play between 12pm-10pm usually.

I'm not crazy about quest based MMO's either, but I love RPG's, so questing isn't anything different for those who like RPG's. The main difference is the quality and number of quests done. I know from experience that the majority of quests in LoTRO are what I call or most call trash quests, or filler quests. Basically the low quality kill x or deliver y quests that you level up on. However, what I like about LoTRO is that there's the Epic quests, or the books as I think they're called. I'd play for those mostly, but not if I can't find a group when I want a group. It's the advantage of playing WoW, I can get groups for what I want, close to when I want, and whatever level I want. That's why a good population is important, as is having a population that's good throughout all levels of the game.

I also don't sub for more than 1 month at a time, because there's no telling when I'll become bored with a game and I don't want to be locked into a game for that long. I usually bore of a MMORPG within a couple weeks, depending on the experience. DAoC lasted me 3 years, and SWG for several months until the NGE came out. WoW lasted me for 4 months, but all other MMO's, which are almost all P2P games, I've tired of in a matter of days or weeks. So I don't subscribe for more than a month.

So I didn't get a direct answer. Will I or won't I be able to find groups for what I want when I want, and at what levels I want? For someone who can't stand to skip content, this is a huge deal for me. As I said, I'd rather wait for a new MMORPG where I can level up with the main body of people, than start a MMORPG that's already 2 years old, where the main body of people is at the level cap awaiting the next expansion.

I played on Brandywine up to level 31 and there was enough players for the group content.  Brandywine is one of the most populated servers though.

Originally posted by nate1980

I'd play on an Eastern USA server if there's a such thing. The majority of the time I play is during the day, but I also play at nights until 10pm. So I play between 12pm-10pm usually.

I'm not crazy about quest based MMO's either, but I love RPG's, so questing isn't anything different for those who like RPG's. The main difference is the quality and number of quests done. I know from experience that the majority of quests in LoTRO are what I call or most call trash quests, or filler quests. Basically the low quality kill x or deliver y quests that you level up on. However, what I like about LoTRO is that there's the Epic quests, or the books as I think they're called. I'd play for those mostly, but not if I can't find a group when I want a group. It's the advantage of playing WoW, I can get groups for what I want, close to when I want, and whatever level I want. That's why a good population is important, as is having a population that's good throughout all levels of the game.

I also don't sub for more than 1 month at a time, because there's no telling when I'll become bored with a game and I don't want to be locked into a game for that long. I usually bore of a MMORPG within a couple weeks, depending on the experience. DAoC lasted me 3 years, and SWG for several months until the NGE came out. WoW lasted me for 4 months, but all other MMO's, which are almost all P2P games, I've tired of in a matter of days or weeks. So I don't subscribe for more than a month.

So I didn't get a direct answer. Will I or won't I be able to find groups for what I want when I want, and at what levels I want? For someone who can't stand to skip content, this is a huge deal for me. As I said, I'd rather wait for a new MMORPG where I can level up with the main body of people, than start a MMORPG that's already 2 years old, where the main body of people is at the level cap awaiting the next expansion.

Yes, plenty of people to group with.

As far as trash quests- Well, if you want to raid or do high end content you HAVE to do alot of Quests since your stats and skills will be dependant on it- Its hard to explain but trust me that you WILL be doing tons of trash quests if you want a decent Toon... That was a big problem I had- Didnt mind grinding mobs and such but you had to grind quests in EVERY AREA as well to get your stats up- Some places were like "Complete 20 quests" to get a bonus (but if you have already outleveled that area and find you need that bonus you have to quest grind an area that gives you no XP for hours) In other words you must plan out your "deeds" as you progress (very, very linear)

Landroval is well populated as well. You see lots of people of all  levels in Bree.

I've passively gotten deeds as I've leveled up before, but other than enabling them as I found some I liked, I didn't bother with them. I understand what they are and how to use them, and yet I don't. Meaning, I know they are a benefit, but you're saying they're needed? How badly are they needed? A skilled player will still need them to raid or do harder content?

It sucks, but it's something I'd do if needed, so it's not that much of a deterrent. Every game has its time sink. I guess I'll reinstall the game and give it another go. No MMORPG I'm really interested in is coming out in the next 6 months, so I have plenty of time to enjoy the game and get hooked.

Deeds are CRUCIAL- but only certain ones (class dependent) so you need to pretty much look up which deeds you need for your class and get them as you go- If not, you will have a completly gimped Toon by mid to high level.

So basicly, theres a couple builds for each toon which require you to get Deeds and do stuff you may or may not find enjoyable- Many dont understand the importants of deeds until endgame when they cant do the content or find a group. Its true- Sad but true.

I would point out that LOTRO is a game more for those who enjoy lore and exploration. Its a role players dream.  But if you want to level fast and get into the end game i wouldnt  recomend it.

I disagree with bluegrass there, you can get through the whole game without doing to much on the deeds, I suggest on the deeds work them while harvesting things you need for crafting this helps you get resources and deeds done. Or get in a deed group and just burn one or two out a day while farming stuff like hides or getting money from vendor trash.

As for me I will say lotro is great until end game then for me it just slowed way down.

Originally posted by Ragnaven

I disagree with bluegrass there, you can get through the whole game without doing to much on the deeds, I suggest on the deeds work them while harvesting things you need for crafting this helps you get resources and deeds done. Or get in a deed group and just burn one or two out a day while farming stuff like hides or getting money from vendor trash.

As for me I will say lotro is great until end game then for me it just slowed way down.

I agree, deed groups are prevalent - But to me its just replacing 1 type of grind for another (LOTR is not gear dependant- its deed dependant) but I think (personally) grinding endgame for gear is more fun than grinding deeds as I go along. LOTR is a great game (im not knocking it) that just was waaaaay too linear for me and very dissapointing at endgame. BUT for many people into the lore and exploration- its unparalleled.

Just an update.

I did resub, for 3 months (great deals). I am liking the game so far, and I am not bored one bit. I am a bit underwhelmed by the graphics; I remember them being better, but I have everything turned up to max settings and DX10 running. It could just be that I've been playing graphically superior games for the past year. The avatars are TERRIBLE! I can't believe they'd put those avatars in game. I don't remember them being that bad the last two times I played. I ended up making myself as skinny as possible to look better, because the big bulky men didn't look right proportionally at all, plus their feet are just big square blocks. Most people complain about the animations, but I actually don't mind them. It's old school, in that they're slow and obviously turn-based, whereas most MMO's since WoW and including WoW are fast-paced and action packed. I don't mind slow and traditional, so they don't bother me.

Despite my negativity above, I'm excited to log back in the game and I'm having a great time. My eyes will adjust to the change in graphics that I'm used to, so no big deal.

I played from MoM release thru April on Eldar. It is a really good game, but at that time I had a toon with full +rad gear and was tired of the end-game. Had the feeling of having "beaten the game". What kept me from leveling another toon is that I found it very hard to get a group for the dungeons outside MoM, and usually would end up having to skip them or run them with a couple of high levels. Like you, this is something I hate to do, but it may have changed since.

I played this game to 60 on an RK. It was fun for a while but i quit shortly after reaching 60. I had a hard time getting in moria instances because my gear was a tad suspect but I needed those instances to get up to speed. The thing that really turned me off about the game was simply that I basically solo'd from 48-60. Everyone was basically soloing. If I wanted that there are a ton of single player rpgs I could have hit. There are plenty of people on Brandywine. Maybe if you get in a good guild the problems I ran into won't be a problem for you.

yo yo yo, I'm a be real with you and left you finish.... but LotrO is the mmorpg of all time..... LOL

Originally posted by solareus

yo yo yo, I'm a be real with you and left you finish.... but LotrO is the mmorpg of all time..... LOL

Umm, yeah, whatever that means. Thanks for contributing.

People are anti-social in this game, only activity I see is on the forum. I dont see groups or anything running around. I stopped playing at level 30.

Also, there forums make me sick. All I see ate crybaby posts. They cry when posters post they want more pvmp, they cry that they cant put objects freely into the house (that does suck tho), they cry about how hard raids are, they cry about how this game is turning hardcore, or casual, about how they dont have time to play but dont want to be behind those that do play more hours then they do (what?) etc.

Its like the diehard tolkien fans are objecting to everything that is an mmo and want to make this game into a solo player game. If the forum posters get there way, it will be a solo rpg that people get tricked into paying mmo money for.

I didnt want to play a dime for a solo player type of game with an mmo label attached to it, so I left.

Originally posted by nate1980

Originally posted by solareus

yo yo yo, I'm a be real with you and left you finish.... but LotrO is the mmorpg of all time..... LOL

 

Umm, yeah, whatever that means. Thanks for contributing.

Heh, the guy was mocking Kanye West when he interrupted Taylor Swift during the MTV music awards and such.