The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Comments by Ed Zitron
There's too much panic in this town.
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fiery_jackass
25/11/08 @ 13:42
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"dwarfs (this is not, and never shall be a pun)"
Indeed. Particularly not if Tolkien had followed his instinct and gone with the historically accurate "dwarrows" as the plural form, instead of popularising the aberrant "Dwarves" form over the more correct "dwarfs" or my preferred "imaginary fairy bullshits"
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 25/11/08 @ 13:43
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I have friends who have written more words just explaining what the legendary item system is like. This is a bit short and superficial. But I agree with the spirit. Moria is a very good expansion with an awe inspiring setting. The 2 new classes (for waht I've seen of them) show promise. And this is a great excuse to keep following in the steps of the Fellowship.
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iokthemonkey
25/11/08 @ 14:07
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Also worth mentioning that the expansion has optimised the code. I'm running about 10 FPS faster and load times are down.
They've also rejigged combat, which I'm not so sure about yet. It's harder, possibly too hard now. I'll have to see how hitting the next level (and thus being eligible for better gear) works out... |
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PlushGraffiti
25/11/08 @ 14:13
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I'm saving my pennies in order to run it in DX10. My jaw dropped seeing this thread:
http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?t... Warning, image heavy :) |
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iokthemonkey
25/11/08 @ 14:20
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I'm saving my pennies in order to run it in DX10.
--- It's not too shabby under DX9... |
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BadgerFiend
25/11/08 @ 14:29
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To be honest, there has been a few niggly graphics bugs in this version. Namely, stuff like floating weapons in combat and Warden shields being upside down in the preview panel. Of course, I am sure Turbine will patch these minor quibbles.
As for my two cents, yes I agree it's a little spare on the review front but the game itself never fails to bring me endless enjoyment. I'm gonna get flamed for this but, I even believe that a lot of this is down to the LOTRO gamers who are some of the best I've had the pleasure of slaughtering Orcs with. Better than those Wow fellows... *hides from torch-wielding WoW fans* |
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PlushGraffiti
25/11/08 @ 14:30
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@iokthemonkey
Totally agree, it looks great currently, but having waited so long to play in Middle Earth I'd like to see it in all its glory :) |
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iokthemonkey
25/11/08 @ 14:34
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I even believe that a lot of this is down to the LOTRO gamers who are some of the best I've had the pleasure of slaughtering Orcs with. Better than those Wow fellows... *hides from torch-wielding WoW fans*
---- Nah, there are a lot of good peeps in WoW, too. It's just - being so popular - it has a bigger audience and so your chances of meeting a complete cock-end in the game increase greatly. |
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PlushGraffiti
25/11/08 @ 14:59
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@Dizzy
I'm jealous. Do you have any more eye candy you can post for us? :) |
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PlushGraffiti
25/11/08 @ 15:25
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@Adam_T
The thread was originally posted back on July 17th so there have been some improvements since then. |
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>I'm jealous. Do you have any more eye candy you can post for us? :)
Hmmm.. plenty of pictures on the Internet. I still have some here before DX10.
Edited 2 times,
most recently on 25/11/08 @ 15:32
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spudsbuckley
25/11/08 @ 16:24
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More pretty-but-empty- locations for the tiny userbase to enjoy.
I tried to like this game but just could not get into it at all. It feels so sterile, the classes are so poorly defined, a lot of the abilities are ultimately pointless. It just did not click with me like WAR, WOW or CoH/CoV did, at all. Really don't understand why it's so highly regarded by reviewers. Perhaps they don't play it for long enough for the boredom to set in? |
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jonthepymm
25/11/08 @ 16:50
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I'd really like to buy this but am confused by all the different versions out there. Some seem to be expansion packs - which version do I buy that has the game and both expansion packs?
/ Confused |
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iokthemonkey
25/11/08 @ 16:52
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More pretty-but-empty- locations for the tiny userbase to enjoy.
---- Whilst there are no official figures for the userbase, most estimates put it at above that of COH (not knocking it, as it's a great game too) and it appears to rank around 3rd to WAR (then WoW) And keep in mind LOTRO isn't available in the Far East yet, either. Mines of Moria hit #6 in the UK PC charts, so there's obviously a demand for it. But yeah, it's never going to get WoW numbers. Nothing will. But that's probably a good thing, as it means the game won't be destroyed by an 11-year old fanbase of OMGLOLZORS and jumping NELFS. |
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iokthemonkey
25/11/08 @ 16:56
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I'd really like to buy this but am confused by all the different versions out there. Some seem to be expansion packs - which version do I buy that has the game and both expansion packs?
/ Confused ---- "Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadow of Angmar" is the "base game." You need to buy that to play. "Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria" is the expansion for the above. You pick up both for about £15 each or I believe there's a special double-pack that includes both. |
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iokthemonkey
25/11/08 @ 21:59
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There have been so many updates to the "base" game since release of the thing you buy in stores that I am surprised if they haven't included the updated client in the expansion - for new players.
--- True. It took close to 8 hours for me to patch my original LOTRO install... It was well worth it, but it WAS frustrating, too. |
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Darkjinxter
26/11/08 @ 08:26
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@ Johnthepymm.
There's no need to buy Mines of Moria expansion if your just starting out, Shadows of Angmar will see you good for months of play. Yes you will have a big patch to install if you just buy SoA, but if your not a pauper and have a decent broadband connection it wont take too long. Infact you can start downloading the patch before you even set out on your trek down to Woolies to pick up the box. If your not a pauper and have a DX10 capable PC there is an improvement in lighting effects to be had over DX9, mind you the DX9 version as said above is not-too-shabby. My Barbarian reaver from AoC would kick my LotRO Dwarf Champion's arse btw. |
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"There have been so many updates to the "base" game since release of the thing you buy in stores that I am surprised if they haven't included the updated client in the expansion - for new players."
------- Just a random note, all the boxed versions of Mines of Moria include the full game client, Shadows of Angmar through to Moria. The different packages just dictate which keys you get; 2 for SoA + MoM, or just a MoM upgrade key. |
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oneshotgame
26/11/08 @ 09:40
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i started lotro about one and a half week ago and i can tell you that much. i took a day off yesterday - not to play but to recover from a night of orc slaughtering. :)
being busy with a 12 hours/day job i can recommend lotro too. the people there are more than willing to help anyone finding his/her way into the game. even with level 50+. it's just plain fun to BE in middle earth as it feels like world. other than wow. that feels like a huge creepzone. it just is something for the more casual gamer too. but i am sure the hardcore raiders are happy there too. sorry for being not to familiar with mmorpg tongue. :)
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most recently on 26/11/08 @ 09:42
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>More pretty-but-empty- locations for the tiny userbase to enjoy.
Plenty of people are playing and with new classes all zones seem to be busy. Also remember that the zones of LOTRO are MUCH bigger than most MMOs (yes also WoW) so the sweeping landscapes and open vistas are actually part of the amazing experience and game engine. |
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iokthemonkey
26/11/08 @ 10:27
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Okay, regarding the userbase. Not every company releases their subscriber base (and even when they do, it's often massaged) but the latest breakdowns I've been able to piece together from a few sites seems to be:
WoW - 11 million WAR - 300-500,000 ish (probably closer to 400,000-odd) LOTRO - 150 - 300, 000 ish (estimates vary but the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle) That's hardly a "tiny" userbase. Secondly, Mines of Moria is a top-ten selling title, so clearly there are people playing it. Keep in mind also that only WoW has been released in the Asian markets and those subscribers count for about half their total. Both WAR and LOTRO are poised for a Far East release, so it'll be interesting to see how that affects their numbers.
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 26/11/08 @ 10:28
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oneshotgame
26/11/08 @ 10:37
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i do like 200.000 nice and mature people way more than a million of egomaniacs only able to write ROFLORZ every 5 seconds. i was given a more than warm welcome - about half of my gear i got by higher level players for free!
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iokthemonkey
26/11/08 @ 10:55
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i do like 200.000 nice and mature people way more than a million of egomaniacs only able to write ROFLORZ every 5 seconds. i was given a more than warm welcome - about half of my gear i got by higher level players for free!
---- Cool! Sorry I didn't get to catch-up with you (did you start over on Eldar?) I didn't get much time in this weekend and then Sunday there were some server issues with Eldar... :( |
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When I quite this time about 6 months ago (I think) the world just felt so empty.
Has that improved at all? I found it hard to find people to complete the "book quests" with (around book 6 at the time, for me). I was a level 40-ish minstrel. Reading this review might make me head back into the game though, if there are enough people playing. |
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iokthemonkey
26/11/08 @ 11:48
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When I quite this time about 6 months ago (I think) the world just felt so empty.
Has that improved at all? I found it hard to find people to complete the "book quests" with (around book 6 at the time, for me). I was a level 40-ish minstrel. Reading this review might make me head back into the game though, if there are enough people playing. ---- I guess it depends on your server. Eldar is always pretty busy and most zones are pretty active with LFF requests. |
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time for me to try and sell my lifetime subscription and loads of other funky collectible stuff.
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nervouspete
26/11/08 @ 23:55
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Bought the expansion but because I haven't finished Angmar, and because this is National Novel Writing Month and I have to hit my 50,000 words mark in 30 days, I haven't got to Moria yet. Or indeed completed book 8.
However! I'm really impressed by the frame rate increase and the way things look a fair bit nicer with this update. It's really impressive optimising that's been done here, and a pleasant surprise as I thought the game would run slower on my creaky four year old PC. The new indoor lighting is very nice too! The tweaks are nicely done, and combat is a bit tougher but more satisfying. Lots of good little bits, some heroic art for traits and things make you feel more of a Lordy Lordy kick-arse hero and the icons look purtier. Can't wait to get to Moria and see the new gubbins! |
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hiddenranbir
27/11/08 @ 01:45
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Moria is damn impressive. They've really build a wonderful underground city.
I'm a bit miffed that there isn't much visual variety between legendary weapons. I do wish as always they'd do more to limit the grind. Just waiting for this loot thing so I can trade for a spear. Woo! |
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People is very nice and helpful. I remember when I was still learning, a guy 20 levels up to me, had the patience to make a quest with me, so I could learn some of the details and he leaved all the bounty to me, since he had lot's of money, and I was always broke for repairing the material. As soon as I learned to play correctly (and earn true money with the auction), I started to help newbies. This is contagious.
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