“Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar” is an MMORPG that takes place in the world of Middle Earth, based on the popular high fantasy epic by J.R.R Tolkien. Originally released in 2007, the game recently became free to play, at least for the most part. A player can elect to spend money on “Turbine Credits” which allows players to accelerate their progress with special weapons or by speeding up “deeds.” The game is fun and easy to get into, but can be also very complex, especially for a free game.
Tolkien fans will be glad to play alongside many notable characters and visit familiar places. For example, one of the first characters you meet is a ranger by the name of “Strider,” who leads you through the introductory quest where you rescue two hobbits related to Frodo Baggins. Luckily for those not familiar with the mythology, LOTR Online does not require prior knowledge to enjoy the game, so strangers shouldn’t feel discouraged from trying the game.
Players can choose from four races (man, dwarf, elf, or hobbit) and from several classes including hunter, burglar, rune-keeper, and champion. There are several worlds available and loads of quests. As you play you accomplish deeds that allow characters to gain titles such as “Spider Foe” and “Master of the Ashen Wastes.” A player can also gain a craft class like woodworker, explorer, or armsman. By finding great ruins scattered around and lost artifacts, players can unlock alternate storylines, deeds, and titles.
LOTR Online, developed by Turbine, may be very similar to World of Warcraft, but it has the benefits of less drama between gamers and no price tag. Although there are some annoyances, such as being attacked repeatedly by diseased boars and wolves in the forest, overall the game is very fun and with few glitches.