The Lord of the Rings Online: Helm's Deep

 PC
Metascore
tbd

No score yet - based on 2 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. XGN
    Jan 6, 2014
    70
    Helm's Deep is an expansion pack purely meant for the fans of the books. It contains less action sequences compared to Peter Jackson's movies, but the newly added Big Battles make up for it. On the other hand is Rohan finally showed in all it's glory, which is a sight to behold.
  2. GameFront
    Dec 13, 2013
    64
    The problem with the big battles of Helm’s Deep is that it’s a story we all know, and it’s possible the concept could have been stronger if Turbine had included other battles from Middle Earth’s history for variety. All too quickly, the repetition grows tiring and the appeal wears thin, and that’s true of the questing content as well.

User Reviews

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User Score
3.2

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 61 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 61
  3. Negative: 42 out of 61
  1. blubsterer
    Nov 29, 2013
    4
    After a 2 year hiatus I decided to give this game with the new expansion "Helm's Deep" another try. And I have to say: I am very disappointedAfter a 2 year hiatus I decided to give this game with the new expansion "Helm's Deep" another try. And I have to say: I am very disappointed of Turbines vision from "Epic Battles" in Helm's Deep. I really don't know what's epic in standing around and clicking either on things or NPCs to trigger some meaningless actions like repairing things or getting a buff. In a far distance you can see thousands of inactive orc sprites (maybe really 3D, but who cares, if they are more than 500 yards away from you There are never more than maybe 50 ACTIVE NPCs actually on your screen, most of the time less. So not very inspiring, don't expect the epic feeling of Peter Jackson's films Besides these 5 new Epic Battles (for me more like Skirmish 1.5) there are no new instances, raids or Skirmishes. So it will get soon boring as hell. To be honest I am bored already after 1 week.

    With this expansion you get skill trees like in WoW until Cataclysm. I have to say I'm not a huge fan of it, but at least it's not a game breaker. The versatility of many classes from the past is nonetheless gone, it's more or less uninteresting cookie cutter now. If you don't like that kind of skill selection, stay away from LotRO.

    The worst part for me is the combat. I play this game since early Closed Beta (2006) and it always felt a bit slow, unresponsive and laggy. But it got worse over time. Or maybe all other games do it so much better in the meantime, that it bothers me more and more. Who knows? Fact is: the combat is really bad compared to newer games. Airswings 5 or more seconds after I pressed a button isn't something I wanna see 2014 anymore. And it happens all the time (with a 50 MBit connection, really good ping and a hell of a rig, so really bad netcode is my guess).

    The item shop gets more and more so called "pay to win" Items, which personally doesn't bother me too much, but could be a game breaker for others. Prices for really useful things are high.

    To end with something positive: the new landscape and especially Helm's Deep are really well made. LotRO always was a game where you can get lost, simply riding around and exploring. And the new expansion is no exception in that case. For what it's worth: I always will love this game just for its environment.

    TLDR: mediocre expansion at best with nothing you really have to see or play. Wait until next expansion (if there actually is a new one, the license could end in 2014) to get this for a good discount.    … Full Review »
  2. BenoLedoux
    Nov 30, 2013
    0
    This expansion has to be the worst I've ever seen. Beta testers were told "negative comments and responses would be ignored" by the "communityThis expansion has to be the worst I've ever seen. Beta testers were told "negative comments and responses would be ignored" by the "community manager/The Mouth of Turbine" during the beta, showing just how detached and how little they listen to the player base. It smacks of unethical greed in every sense. Big Battles are an utter joke, and not only can be slept thru, but simply ignore character class. The "class re-vamps," which were unneeded are extremely restrictive and allow no variation. Essentially, you may pick one of three. Half-baked, comes to mind.
    As always the areas are done well visually, but it stops there. I'm sure some executive who's never played the game thought this was a great idea, as there was no reason for these changes.
    For years, people have begged Turbine for some things to be fixed... Player Housing, for example, this wasn't asked for in nearly that amount. Ridiculous to think their "motto" is Powered by our Fans, when its clear Turbine is only "powered by corporate greed."
    I can only hope that this expansion will be the final nail in the coffin for certain suits at Turbine. WB Games would be wise to fire the lot, and replace them with some who can read, and listen to actual player feedback.

    Skip it.
    Bugs: 10/10(They seem to have added as many as they could)
    Class Changes: 0/10
    Landscape(Scenery): 8/10
    Customer Relations: 0/10
    Music: 1/10
    Dev. Dairy Propaganda: 5/10

    All in all, not worth ANY amount of money.    … Full Review »
  3. FredelasF
    Nov 30, 2013
    3
    I don't feel this expansion was ready for release. The landscape is beautiful, as we've come to expect. And to Turbine's credit, it includedI don't feel this expansion was ready for release. The landscape is beautiful, as we've come to expect. And to Turbine's credit, it included some group content right on launch day this time. However, an obvious decrease in developer resources means a lot of important details remain unfinished or completely left out. Worst of all, two months of closed beta testing was insufficient for the complete overhaul of every class in the game. I don't feel $40 to $60 is a good value for about 20 hours of linear solo questing. Then again, generous players who just love being in Middle-earth might consider this a charitable donation to a franchise that is apparently struggling.… Full Review »
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