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How Metascores Are Calculated
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4 Elements
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
The only massively-multiplayer role-playing game set in J.R.R. Tokien's Middle-earth. Travel with your Fellowship in the fight against the forces of Sauron. Across the wide lands of Middle-earth, the Free Peoples must face the threatening Shadow growing in the East. All of Mordor is stirring as Sauron dispatches the Nazgûl to hunt for the Ring. The rumor of war brings forth many eager adventurers who will find their place among the great events of the Third Age. High deeds call to the willing, for their time is at hand. Hundreds of thousands of people will enter the perpetual world of Middle-earth for the very first time. Prepare yourself to choose a path amongst the likes of Elves, Dwarves, and Humans. Will you choose to fight for the things that bring peace to the land or will you add to the corruption of Middle-earth as the forces of Sauron move swiftly to extinguish all that is good? [Turbine]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 96
Worth Playing
Probably the biggest question about LotRO is, "Does LotRO have the potential to surpass World of Warcraft?" The answer is yes.
 94
Gaming Illustrated
There’s a fantastic community of players online that are willing to help newbies, as well as plenty of sites with huge databases full of information if you get stuck.
93
Gamer's Hell
From the lush visuals and sound, to the solid, stable gameplay mechanics, to the way in which Tolkien's world was so faithfully and respectfully brought to the PC, this is a quality experience.
92
Computer and Video Games
With Turbine's long-standing MMORPG expertise powering proceedings and one of the most welcoming communities in gaming, LOTRO presents a stunning and evocative world of Tolkien magic to explore - if you're any kind of fan, it would seem pretty much an essential purchase.
90
EuroGamer
It's absolutely no exaggeration to say that this is far and away the best game for anyone who hasn't played an MMOG before to cut their teeth on. Even more than the familiar universe, the excellent interface and gameplay design Turbine have crafted turn this into an experience which those who have previously avoided the lure of MMOs will find tough to resist.
90
Games Radar
Lord of the Rings Online is already huge, deep, enormously entertaining, and brimming with secrets to uncover, and with the first free content update already announced for June, should only improve with time.
90
AceGamez
It's a game that lovingly recreates its source material with a passion than fans of Tolkien's works will be very pleased with, but most importantly it's a game that's easily accessible and fun to play, which was always the one thing that made WoW triumph over all those that had come before it.
90
GameSpy
That The Lord of the Rings Online could whether the storm of player expectations and its development troubles and still be a decent game is an achievement in itself. That it could go through all that and come out the other side as an exceptional entry into the genre is nothing short of miraculous.
90
GameDaily
An innovative traits and title system, unique social-networking -- like an in-game music system and player-driven Wiki -- and the rich storylines and subplots that stay true to the source material easily make this name-brand role-player a hot contender for PC game of the year.
90
GameZone
There is a sense of joy, being a Tolkien fan, that permeates the game when you realize that Turbine has done a very good job i[n] realizing the world and allowing players to be a part of it
90
Strategy Informer
The deed system is so simple yet so great; it’s a real surprise it hasn’t been included much before.
90
1UP
The fidelity to the source material is such that you can literally navigate the world using those maps printed in your dog-eared paperback copy of "The Fellowship of the Ring."
90
Game Chronicles
Like the book it was based on, The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar is poised to become an enduring classic in its own right.
90
2404.org
It’s a solid and even polished game, and while it’s quite possible the small world and limited scope of the quests won’t give it much staying power, the strength of Tolkien’s world should keep a steady stream of players coming in, to at least spend four months or so enjoying this version of Middle Earth.
90
games(TM)
This overall approach to MMORPGs is far more social and interesting than anything that has preceded it. [July 2007, p.104]
90
PALGN
If, however, you're new to MMORPGs, found World of Warcraft too generic and boring, or found that it required too much time investment, you could do far worse than giving Lord of the Rings Online a shot.
90
Pelit (Finland)
A solid fantasy MMORPG that looks good, plays well and is faithful to Tolkien’s work. It could have broken out of the traditional EverQuest format a bit more, but even now it is one of the best games the genre has seen in recent years. [June 2007]
90
Boomtown
Special praise also has to be dealt to Turbine for creating an MMO that managed to ship in a fairly completed state, and with stability issues kept to a minimum.
89
Games Master UK
It's in-depth, it's authentic. It's great with mates and it's got orcs in it. [July 2007, p.82]
88
GamerNode
The best MMO launch experience I've had since the days of Ultima Online.
87
PC Zone UK
Best Tolkien game, beyond a shadow of a doubt. [July 2007, p.66]
86
IGN
Powerful story elements, fellowship conjunction attacks, and superb audio-visual elements are merged with numerous small-scale interface enhancements that make it nearly impossible to dislike this one.
85
GameTrailers
MMORPGs are often frowned upon for their stagnant conventions, but the tweaks that LOTRO offer to these modes are streamlined enough to make the process as easy, and fun, as possible.
85
GamePro
Despite playing similarly, LOTRO is not "WoW," and that's perfectly fine. If you are into LOTR, you'll probably find this a more engaging experience than other fantasy MMOs because of the meatiness of Tolkien's Middle Earth.
85
Game Informer
Huge chunks of LOTRO’s design are culled entirely from the "WoW" playbook, but that’s generally for the best.
85
Gamers' Temple
The online version of Middle-Earth is certainly worth a visit, especially if you count yourself among the legions of Tolkien fans out there.
85
Computer Games Online RO
At any rate, Lord of the Rings only manages to successfully hold its own when compared with World of Warcraft, and that’s most certainly quite an achievement.
84
GamingTrend
There's a lot of quests in the game. A lot. In the first ten to fifteen levels alone, you're likely to do 50-100 quests, if not much more. While the game seems to have only a small number of areas available at launch, each area is quite large, and there's a fair amount to do in each area as you progress to level 50.
83
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Online games are always a moving target, so take this warm first impression with a grain of salt.
83
GameSpot
That The Lord of the Rings Online is such an accessible experience is bound to draw comparisons to the genre's leading title, but that it's so enjoyable to play is a testament to its great design. Its inventive aspects are peripheral, but they are there, and combined with slick and engaging questing, the package makes for plenty of appealing exploration.
83
Jolt Online Gaming UK
With very little in the way of downtime and a seemingly endless stream of things to do and new things to see, the future is looking very bright.
83
GameShark
The character models themselves are largely devoid of character. There’s not a ton of detail to faces and the models themselves often come off rigid and too similar to each other.
83
Gaming Age
Quest progression is fantastic, the presentation is top notch, and there's plenty of side stuff to distract you from the main game if you so choose.
80
G4 TV
Its launch was technically sound, its production values are top-notch, and its focus on narrative is refreshing.
80
PC Gamer
But, overall, Lord of the Rings Online serves as proof that a major license can inspire an excellent MMO that immerses you in a beloved setting. [Aug 2007, p.58]
80
Yahoo! Games
As unimportant as it sounds, you don't look for a group - you look for a Fellowship. This isn't so much a change of game mechanics as it is a change in attitude. It's a reminder that LOTRO isn't just a game: it's a world and a story that both players and developers truly care about. Maybe that's a small step toward a more respectful player culture, but it's still a welcome one.
79
PC Gamer UK
This is a game which takes absolutely no risks, as much Middle-of-the-Road as Middle-Earth...You won't be surprised. You will, almost certainly, be entertained. [June 2007, p.70]
75
Game Revolution
The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar isn’t the best MMORPG I’ve ever played, but I’ve played that one to death. With strong classes, tons of content, and some imaginative little features, this game is worth a trip to Mount Doom. Or at least the toy store.
75
WHAM! Gaming
Despite its literary background, “Shadows of Angmar” doesn’t rewrite the rules for massively multiplayer online games and instead sticks to the same safe, proven formula. It does, however, deliver a rich world that stays mostly true to Tolkien’s vision. [Associated Press]
72
PC Format
The most perverse thing though is that the most enjoyable moments have little to do with Tokien or his wonderfully overactive imagination; it's much more to do with Turbine's ability to knock out a compelling MMO experience. [June 2007, p.56]
Joseph C. gave it a9: [Anonymous] gave it a9: Giancarlo F. gave it a9: Daryl L. gave it a9: David A. gave it a9: Ian A. gave it a9: Scott A. gave it a9: |
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