Lord of the Rings: Online ReviewGame InformationMinimum System SpecsRecommended System SpecsOverviewInstallationSlide 7User InterfaceGame Play“Scoring” / ObjectivesArtworkSounds and MusicSpecial FeaturesManualBugsAudienceThe GoodThe BadThe UglyDesign MistakesSummaryLord of the Rings: Online ReviewBy James SheetsGame InformationTitle: Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of AngmarCreator: Turbine Genre: Mass Multiplayer Online Role-Playing GamePrice: $29.99 (game + 1 month access)$14.99 per month OR$9.99 per 3 months OR$199.00 lifetime accessMinimum System SpecsOS: Windows® XP Processor: Intel Pentium® 4 1.8 GHz or equivalentRAM: 512 MBVideo: 64 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 3 ORATI® Radeon® 8500 Disk Space: 7 GB availableDirectX: DirectX® 9.0c ?DVD: 2x DVD-ROMInternet: 56kbps ModemRecommended System SpecsOS: Windows® XP / Vista Processor: Intel Pentium® 4 2.8 GHz or equivalentRAM: 1 GB Video: 128 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® FX 6800 OR ATI® Radeon® X850 Disk Space: 10 GB available DirectX: DirectX® 9.0c DVD Drive: 2x DVD-ROM Internet: Broadband DSL/CableOverviewBased on the books, not the movie (licensing)Set during the time of the three booksFrodo has The One Ring, and is being pursuedYou’re a spectator who learns about The One RingThe starting story different for each raceYou have to fight the forces of Sauron and Saruman to help FrodoInstallationNormal ClientDVD installer – high res texturesBuddy PassTen day free accessDownloadable installer – low res texturesRun installer (high res takes an hour, low res 40 min)Launcher prompts for game accountIf you don’t have an account, it prompts you to create oneLaunches Turbine websitePrompts for game key or buddy passCreate account informationSubmit credit card info (buddy pass skips this)Game checks for patches and applies any availableGame launchesEULA agreementCharacter selectionStart playingUser InterfaceStandard MMORPG fairPlayer + Group Health Bars, Buff / Debuff List, Quest Tracker, Hotkeys, Mini-map, World Map, Chat Fairly easy to useFamiliar control scheme (WSAD)Does it’s job well enoughCompared to World of WarcraftBasically no UI customizationCan’t scale GUI elements – everything is very largeNo hotkeys to show/hide quest tracker Can’t change the chat font sizeGame Play4 Different races (Man, Elf, Dwarf, Hobbit)6 different classes; some race restrictionsGuardian (tank)Burglar (DPS / group attack opener / crowd control)Hunter (Ranged DPS / crowd control)Champion (tank / healer / pet / buffs)Minstrel (healer / buffs)Lore Master (crowd control / healer / buffs / pet)Level from 1 – 50Multiple crafting professionsPlay across multiple, level-based zonesMultiple quests for every level; progress the storylineInstanced dungeons for major story eventsHigh level raids (25 player groups)“Scoring” / ObjectivesNo end to MMORPG’s 3D chat roomItem acquisitionGroup participationTake part in the LOTR storyAttain DeedsGained byExploring / finding different areasKilling X number of mobsCompleting questNew titlesNew abilitiesPVP Combat ZoneArtworkVery good for an MMORPGScales suitably for older machinesLots of customizationVarying landscapes and environmentsDetailed texturesEnvironmental effects (rain, day/night cycles)Little diversity in armor / item looksSounds and MusicMusic is standard fairSounds are ok, but get repetitive fastAbility to play your own musicYou can train an instrument at level 5Different instruments have different sounds3 different octaves / pitchesFull range of musical notesOther players can hear your musicOnline music sheets for some popular songsSpecial FeaturesLOTR storylineAs you progress in level, the storyline opens upThe Music SystemInstanced DungeonsA copy of a dungeon is created for your groupScripted events often take place to progress the storyGame PatchesOccur roughly every 3 monthsAdd new quests, content, and further the storyPVPPlayers can play and level up bad-guysPVP and enemy players can only occur in one zoneRaidsCurrently only one raidManualVery full-featured manualExplains most of the game’s featuresOnline website also has a lot of informationIntroduction zone to help new players“Newbie” tips appear once to familiarize you with new objects the first time you encounter themIn-game help menuBugsNone I know ofAudienceLord of the Rings fansMMORPG playersNewExperiencedAll age levelsLanguage filterHelpful peopleAges 10+ (no real blood, but fighting)Still an online game; younger kids should be monitoredThe GoodStorylineArt and environmentQuests and Quest log sizeDeedsTravelingBuilt-in voice chatGroup AbilitiesThe BadMountsHigh-level mobsHigh-level dungeon instancesSoloabilityCraftingThe UglyDominated by WoW in many respectsRaidsWe know how the story goesDesign MistakesRaidsNot much reason to raidOnly 1 raidDoesn’t fit the casual-friendly feel of the gamePVPNot much incentive to PVPMonster players are much weakerMonster players are in lower numbersSummaryStrengths?Good storylineMusic systemFairly polished and stableWeaknesses?Lack of high level contentLittle diversity in itemsBoring craftingWorth Purchasing?If you like LOTR or are a casual MMORPG fan, yesImprovement?More things to keep high-level players
View Full Document
Unlocking...