Game Description and Comments

Lord of the Rings Online is a highly-anticipated 3D MMORPG based on the vaunted Lord of the Rings universe. The anticipation centers around the fact that Lord of the Rings is the granddaddy of all fantasy franchises and fantasy is the dominant genre of MMOs. Yes, science fiction has Star Wars but that game has been mishandled and science fiction is in the minority when it comes to MMOs. Lord of the Rings, on the other hand, is starting with a clean slate and will likely garner many casual gamers just on name recognition alone. Although the game is based on the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings books and not the movies, the recent movies have brought great mainstream attention to the franchise. What fan of the movies or even the books would not want to experience the "magical" world of Middle-earth firsthand? 

However, just because the franchise is a homerun does not necessarily mean that the game will be. Turbine does not have the best track record in the world with Dungeons & Dragons Online being largely a disappointment despite also being a great fantasy franchise and the failure of Asheron's Call 2. LOTRO also faces a similar problem that Star Wars faced. Like everybody can not be a Jedi Knight in Star Wars, not everybody can be Gandalf in LOTRO. In fact, there is no wizard class in the game. The Minstrel and the Lore-master are the closest "magic" classes in the game but there powers are based on songs and lore rather than lightning bolts and fireballs. That is correct, LOTRO is a fantasy MMO with little magic.

Learning from the mistakes of D&D Online, LOTRO will be more friendly to solo players right off the bat instead of waiting on updates. This element is extremely important for casual gamers because many gamers do not have the time or desire to look for a group every time they play the game. Combining the Lord of the Rings Universe with solo friendly game-play could make the game a mainstream success if it can make people forget about magic and minimize bugs.

Key Features

• Based on the books of J.R.R. Tolkien, not the movies.
• Major focus is on storylines.
• Can only be a race that was in the Fellowship: Hobbit, Dwarf, Elf, or Human.
• Can meet the famous characters like Gandalf.
• Seven classes including Minstrel, Captain, Champion, Hunter, Burglar, Lore-master, and Guardian.
• Very little magic due to the books.
• Can take part in your own story alone or form a Fellowship with other players. 
• Fellowships can use group combo moves.
• Watch movie-like sequences.  

Select Reviews (Edited for Presentation)

Rating: 10
Author: Bohican
Comment: This game does not compare to any other game. For starters, you don't have to rely on gear and there are unique things such as instruments. Lord of the Rings online is its own game. People may say we couldn't know what its like because its only in beta, but beta is great I would quit almost every game I play and play this game 24/7 if I could. I personally guarantee that you will enjoy this game 100times more than WoW. Unless your a hardcore PVP player, then this game may not be for you since you can only PvP once you hit 40. This game will be the beginning of the end for World of Roguecraft. World of Unbalancedcraft will no longer be the most popular game. Woot go LOTRO!

Rating: 2
Author: Trasta
Comment: Uninspiring, shallow, condescending, and trivial; just some of the words that I would use to describe this game. Turbine have taken one of the richest worlds created and turned it into a kids fantasy theme park with as little imagination as possible. Prepared to be held by the hand as you "explore" the tiny and linear "world". This game plays like a module from Neverwinter Nights 2, without all the features that make NWN2 fun. Unimaginative classes, few classes, practically zero character customization, horrible animation, and mind-numbingly boring combat. Harry Potter is deeper, darker, and more complex than this piece of drivel.

Rating: 10
Author: Mienja
Comment: This game is nothing like WoW. If you took a Minstrel, the healing class in LOTRO, and put him up against a WoW warrior with both in their skivvies, the minstrel would beat the socks off the warrior. Why? Because in LOTRO your char stats are not mostly based on your stupid gear. LOTRO char stats are based on your character's exploration, usage of skills, and completing accomplishments. The gear helps some but it is not the greed-based environment that WoW is. LOTRO is awesome and there is no comparison to be made between it and World of Greedcraft

Review Lords of the Rings Online

Pricing Model

Lord of the Rings Online is pay-to-play and charges a monthly fee.

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