The Lord of the Rings Online: Helm's Deep

1. deboot

   Oct 15, 2014

   10

   All of these “End of LOTRO”, negative threads and the Helm’s Deep expansion getting smashed on Metacritic held me back from buying thisAll of these “End of LOTRO”, negative threads and the Helm’s Deep expansion getting smashed on Metacritic held me back from buying this expansion for almost a year. I ended up purchasing HD using TP that I received from my cash purchase of ROR when expansions were 50% off in the store. The truth is…. I would have rather kept my TP and paid real money for the expansion because I’m having just as much fun as I did in all past content.
   
   People seem to be upset the game is becoming a “Solo Players” game. They talk about boring fetch quests and a lack of innovation. They claim the F2P model was the beginning of the end. Some people don’t like the Big Battles; others are upset about the lack of Raids, and the traits revamp appears to have irked many; Along with housing not being revamped.
   
   Personally I have no problem with the new trait tree, housing seems sufficient to me, and gathering quests are the norm. What MMORPG doesn’t have gathering quests? I will admit that a single Big Battle doesn’t hold long term interest, but it was fun the first time through and this may improve in update 15.
   
   I used to Raid heavily in other MMORPG’s and got really burned out, along with a growing family and real world responsibilities I decided to give LOTRO a shot. I appreciated the ability to craft gear rather than having to Raid and grind for it. I appreciated a well written story. I appreciated great scenery. I simply had no need for an “End Game” and Raiding and that works for me. I appreciate a game where I can solo content and group when I can and still have the interaction of a Kinship and world chat.
   
   Additionally I really like the F2P model; I’ve spent relatively little money (outside of expansions) and like the fact that I don’t have to pay a monthly subscription to check in on my friends and Kinship. I may not play for a couple weeks at a time while I’m working on a large project in real life, but I usually have at least 10 minutes a day to login and talk to my Kinship. Along these lines, if LOTRO hadn’t gone free to play and become more solo friendly, I may not have purchased ANY expansions after Mirkwood. I only have so many monthly subscription dollars I can spend and I don’t exclusively play one MMORPG.
   
   For better or worse, I think my style of play has become that of many early adopters of MMO’s. As we’ve aged, gained more real world responsibilities and other online content has become readily available, we require the flexibility of solo content and a F2P model and for many of us we simply have no need for an “End Game” and Raiding. I think Turbine has picked up on this trend and I believe it’s the main reason they are still profitable and producing content.
   
   In summary, people like me are being out posted and out trolled on the forums, and discouraged from buying expansions…. however that does not mean LOTRO is not worth purchasing and playing. Simply put, I think LOTRO has become a solo friendly, F2P game, with great scenery and story that lacks PVP and Raids; and that suits me just fine.… Expand

   • 2 of 7 users found this helpful
2. Steven28

   Dec 30, 2013

   7

   A good expansion to the game, though not my personal favourite. The new class system revitalises most of the classes and levelling throughA good expansion to the game, though not my personal favourite. The new class system revitalises most of the classes and levelling through West Rohan is enjoyable. A better launch than two of the other expansions.… Expand

   • 3 of 14 users found this helpful
4. 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.… Expand

   • 16 of 20 users found this helpful
5. Jean-Luc_Picard

   Dec 29, 2013

   1

   This is simply the worse expansion for an MMORPG I've experienced, and I've been playing those games for about 20 years. A boring grind to 95,This is simply the worse expansion for an MMORPG I've experienced, and I've been playing those games for about 20 years. A boring grind to 95, and then... nothing. Big battles are a joke, no instances at all, no dungeons.
   You feel that this game approaches the end of its life cycle and that the developers have only one thing in mind: grab as much money from the remaining players by selling crap expansions like this for outrageous prices and more and more essential items in the cash shop.
   Thankfully, I didn't have to pay a cent for this mess, thanks to my monthly lifetimer 500 points. This only confirms my decision to never give that company a cent ever again.… Expand

   • 7 of 9 users found this helpful
6. Stave

   Nov 30, 2013

   1

   I give it a 1 for the artwork. Turbine has always done a solid job, at times great, of fleshing out the sights and sounds of Middle Earth.I give it a 1 for the artwork. Turbine has always done a solid job, at times great, of fleshing out the sights and sounds of Middle Earth. Without that, I'd give it a zero. Bugs are everywhere making multiple parts of the game that were released unplayable. The class changes forced upon their longtime playerbase without concrete input were a misstep. The epic story, once promised to always be free, is now requiring payment again. The dearth of goals to strive for makes it likely you'll be looking for another game by Christmas unless you are a confirmed 'altaholic'. Compared to other games, even the much older Everquest 2, the list of 'additions' with this 'expansion' is terribly short. If you want to see the sights of Middle Earth, the game has much to offer. Otherwise, there are many many other games out there with much more to offer. After having played this game since beta before launch over 6 years ago, the money I had thought to spend on Helm's Deep I have now put into another game.… Expand

   • 11 of 13 users found this helpful
7. Costs1129

   Jan 24, 2015

   0

   P2W! The store in many ways has become much like the ring of power. Whoever looks at it, becomes its slave. Or rather, if a whale is willingP2W! The store in many ways has become much like the ring of power. Whoever looks at it, becomes its slave. Or rather, if a whale is willing to put in the $, you become his slave. This game will nickel and dime you to the end.… Expand

   • 2 of 5 users found this helpful
8. HoboSaggins

   Nov 30, 2013

   0

   Been playing Lotro since the beginning. After the mighty MoM things have gone progressively downhill and this is the bottom of the barrel.Been playing Lotro since the beginning. After the mighty MoM things have gone progressively downhill and this is the bottom of the barrel. Overpriced, buggy mess. I'm actually embarrassed to tell people this was once my favorite MMO.… Expand

   • 13 of 16 users found this helpful

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