MMO Outlook: A Friendlier MMO

A friendlier MMO

MMO Outlook

MMO Outlook is a fortnightly column discussing the latest issues and news surrounding MMOs. This week, Jennifer Allen takes a look at why players should give LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE a second glance.

LORD OF the Rings Online is the greatest MMORPG that you probably haven’t played yet. You know I’m right. I’m just as bad, you see. Like you, I have to juggle an MMO subscription with a life that invariably cuts into my gaming time far too often.

I don’t have the time for more than one MMO in my life; not many people do. Monogamy is a big deal in the genre, and at this current juncture World of Warcraft is always the bride for the masses. You really should give Lord of the Rings Online a shot, though. I’ve taken numerous breaks from the land of Azeroth and retreated to the much quainter and friendlier world of Middle-Earth – and it never fails to rejuvenate me.

There’s two core reasons why this is the case, both rather intertwined. The lore provided by Tolkien’s memorable writing forms a fantastic backdrop for an MMO, and – presumably because of this – the community is that bit more mature. Even the biggest World of Warcraft fan can’t fail to notice that the game is full of an awful lot of obnoxious people. Find the right group of friends and it’s fantastic, but a few strangers are far from welcoming to newbies, and the l33t talk is prevalent even on some supposed roleplaying servers.

By contrast, Lord of the Rings Online seems to have gained a rather mature crowd. Sure, there’s still the odd idiot – there always is – but for the most part I’ve found the community to be open and keen to help. Even better, this ties in neatly with the roleplay events that happen from time to time.

Roleplaying 101

Roleplaying in MMOs is a hobby that seems to be gradually dying out. I remember a fair bit of roleplaying commencing in EverQuest, but as the years have rolled by it seems to be on the decrease. In Lord of the Rings Online, however, this has returned with style.

Much of this is thanks to the great level of support that Turbine has offered, with the likes of purely cosmetic outfits and organised events. It helps, of course, that the lore is already there, with Tolkien’s writing truly offering a whole world to explore. While trying not to labour a point, I actually feel overwhelmed by Middle-Earth, whereas in World of Warcraft I’m constantly reminded that I’m just in a zone.

And did I mention the fact that there’s an actual storyline involved here? It’s a Tolkien fan’s dream, but most of all it’s also ideal for people who just want an MMORPG with a bit more depth. Even the tutorial quests provide enough story and dialogue that I didn’t just click “accept”, I took in what was going on around me. I could watch NPCs going about their business within the shire. I’ve never been a huge Tolkien fan, but this still sucked me in. I felt like a proper part of a world, not just a spectator.

Want to know the absolute best thing about Lord of the Rings Online, though? It’s the freedom it offers. Freedom is something that we all think we have in an MMO, but we don’t really. To get anywhere or to ‘win’ the game, we have to grind and eventually raid. In Lord of the Rings, this isn’t vital. There is a destination if you so wish for it, but you don’t have to take that route. You can mess around, you can participate in roleplaying events, or you can just own a house while you explore Middle-Earth. None of it feels anywhere near as hurried or as fast-paced as Warcraft. You don’t have to keep up with the Joneses if you don’t want to; you can just take in the beauty of the surroundings around you and wander.

And if that still doesn’t convince you, you can meet Gandalf. Seriously, if that isn’t a selling point, I honestly don’t know what is.