Should you play Lord of the Rings Online in 2024? A Personal Retrospective

Summary

The video script details a lifelong journey with 'Lord of the Rings Online,' an MMORPG set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth. The narrator recounts playing since 2007, highlighting the game's rich content, immersive world, and welcoming community. Despite dated graphics, the game offers a deep, rewarding experience with a strong atmosphere, making it a must-play for fans of the franchise or MMO enthusiasts. The script also touches on the game's leveling system, player interactions, and the joy of revisiting the game at different life stages.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Lord of the Rings Online is a massively multiplayer role-playing game set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth.
• 🎮 The game has been actively developed for over 17 years, with expansions that have nearly filled the entire map of Middle Earth.
• 📉 While the game's graphics and engine may be dated, its strength lies in the breadth and depth of its content.
• 🎥 The creator plans to make an extensive series covering each region in the game, indicating the vast amount of content available.
• 🕒 The speaker has played the game for over 2,000 hours, experiencing it in different stages of their life.
• 👶 Childhood experiences with the game were filled with awe and wonder, as the game world mirrored the imagination sparked by Tolkien's books.
• 🎨 The game's atmosphere is a blend of graphic style, writing, and music, which together create an immersive Middle Earth experience.
• 📚 The writing in the game is of high quality, with the developers showing a deep understanding and respect for Tolkien's work.
• 🔄 The game offers a unique leveling experience that rewards exploration and is different from many other MMOs, focusing on journey over endgame.
• 🏆 The game can be both casual and competitive, with a welcoming community that supports and encourages players at all levels.
• 🌟 The game's community is highlighted as one of its greatest strengths, fostering a supportive and friendly environment for players.

Q & A

What is the setting of Lord of the Rings Online?

Lord of the Rings Online is set in the fantastical world of Middle Earth, created by J.R.R. Tolkien.

How long has Lord of the Rings Online been actively developed?

Lord of the Rings Online has been actively developed for over 17 years since its inception in 2007.

What is the main strength of Lord of the Rings Online according to the script?

The main strength of Lord of the Rings Online is the breadth of its content, with a vast world to explore and numerous quests and activities.

What is the narrator's plan regarding the game's content?

The narrator plans to make an extensive series covering each of the regions in the game, acknowledging that it may take years to finish all the videos.

How does the narrator describe their experience with the game in different stages of their life?

The narrator describes their experiences as filled with awe and wonder in childhood, a sense of nostalgia and appreciation in college, and a desire for community and recognition in their early 20s.

What was the narrator's first character in the game?

The narrator's first character was an elf hunter named Crannis.

What does the narrator believe contributes to the game's atmosphere?

The narrator believes the game's atmosphere is contributed by its graphic style, writing, and music.

How does the narrator describe the community in Lord of the Rings Online?

The narrator describes the community as kind, welcoming, and supportive, noting that it is unlike the traditionally toxic communities found in many MMOs.

What is the deed system in the game?

The deed system in Lord of the Rings Online rewards players with slight improvements for exploring, questing, collecting, and slaying types of monsters.

What was the narrator's goal when returning to the legendary server where the level cap is 50?

The narrator's goal was to experience the game with a mix of wonder, adventure, competitiveness, and community, reflecting the different attitudes they had toward the game throughout their life.

What is the narrator's conclusion about playing Lord of the Rings Online in 2024?

The narrator concludes that Lord of the Rings Online is a game that should be played in any year, emphasizing its timeless appeal and rich content.