A sneak peek at LOTRO: Shadows of Angmar

So, you’re probably one of those guys who scoff at MMOs just because there’s too many of them World of Warcraftcopycats. And well, we get your point, even developers think there’s just too much of WoW clones.

However, just because there’s a lot of WoW-themed MMOs out in the market doesn’t mean that MMOs are losing their touch. Even if they seem to sprout of nowhere like mushrooms, you have to admit that there are those that offer unique content, and will surely guarantee to keep you hooked, much faster than you can say, “World of Warcrack.”

And the upcoming LOTRO MMO is one such example. In fact, if you’re a hardcore LOTRO looking for good content, then this one’s for you. According to GameSpy insider Allen ‘Deslyn’ Rausch, what makes the game, The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar special from its MMO counterparts is the story. It seems that this game is more plot-centered than other MMOs in the market. In fact, Rausch says that even the seemingly obscure quests propel the story further. Tasked to kill spiders or gather herbs? Better keep your eyes preened for the tiniest details, as those quests give a clue to enemy hideout or foreshadow a certain event.

However, if you’re into good old swashbuckling or PvP fun, you might be a little disappointed, as it seems the gameplay doesn’t differ from your standard MMOs. As Rausch said:

It’s this fidelity to lore and the importance of following the actual text that make Lord of the Rings Online feel different from other MMOs I’ve played, not anything in particular about its gameplay, and I can’t help but wonder whether power gamers used to glossing over quest text will miss this aspect of the game.

Certainly, this game not only pays homage to Tolkien’s masterpiece, but to good old RPG as well. Remember when Dungeons and Dragons started? Yep, this story-driven MMO brings back nostalgic memories of game masters, dice-rolling, lengthy storytelling, and hardcore role-playing. So if you’re into that kind of thing, you may want to give this game a shot.

So, you’re probably one of those guys who scoff at MMOs just because there’s too many of them World of Warcraftcopycats. And well, we get your point, even developers think there’s just too much of WoW clones.

However, just because there’s a lot of WoW-themed MMOs out in the market doesn’t mean that MMOs are losing their touch. Even if they seem to sprout of nowhere like mushrooms, you have to admit that there are those that offer unique content, and will surely guarantee to keep you hooked, much faster than you can say, “World of Warcrack.”

And the upcoming LOTRO MMO is one such example. In fact, if you’re a hardcore LOTRO looking for good content, then this one’s for you. According to GameSpy insider Allen ‘Deslyn’ Rausch, what makes the game, The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar special from its MMO counterparts is the story. It seems that this game is more plot-centered than other MMOs in the market. In fact, Rausch says that even the seemingly obscure quests propel the story further. Tasked to kill spiders or gather herbs? Better keep your eyes preened for the tiniest details, as those quests give a clue to enemy hideout or foreshadow a certain event.

However, if you’re into good old swashbuckling or PvP fun, you might be a little disappointed, as it seems the gameplay doesn’t differ from your standard MMOs. As Rausch said:

It’s this fidelity to lore and the importance of following the actual text that make Lord of the Rings Online feel different from other MMOs I’ve played, not anything in particular about its gameplay, and I can’t help but wonder whether power gamers used to glossing over quest text will miss this aspect of the game.

Certainly, this game not only pays homage to Tolkien’s masterpiece, but to good old RPG as well. Remember when Dungeons and Dragons started? Yep, this story-driven MMO brings back nostalgic memories of game masters, dice-rolling, lengthy storytelling, and hardcore role-playing. So if you’re into that kind of thing, you may want to give this game a shot.