I recently found myself with an open invite to the LOTRO F2P Beta, with the last time I was in this world being when the game was in beta before the original launch I decided to give it a shot. And to my surprise I found myself in an utter joy of the minstrel class playing my lute to banish demons to the other side. Being a dwarf in a feathered hat doesn’t hurt nor.
The introduction and start of the game consists of 2 segments. The first of which is a romp through a mine with the powerful mage Gandolf and the fierce dwarf Gimli It starts with a come to me (movement), equip this, attack that dummy, & talk to that guy. All of which are well narrated with some funny commentary. All in all the cut above the average intro to a MMO. The UI is mindbending at first it seems all too complex and the level of stylization is counter intuitive to the use, but after 30 minutes to an hour it becomes much easier to grasp.
The graphical quality of this game is still at the top of its game years down the road. The color scheme however is a lot less vibrant than it could be. With a lot of earth-tones its hard to get that white feathered hat you always wanted. The only thing about this game that has annoyed me thus far is the movement, it almost feels as though you are running on ice, with a lack of umph to stopping and even more of a learning curve on jumping. Though it does simulate weight quite well. My personal favorite thing in this game is the ability to play music, nothing like pulling out your loot and covering Dragonforce’s Through the fire and flames with a middle-earth tone.
In closing this is a truly unique and wonderful adventurous romp through the Tolkien world and completely recommended for those with even a hint of question about this game and it’s potential. I mean what do you have to lose, after all it is going free to play!
