I've been getting a bit bored with the WoW so I've decided to try out some other MMOs. I nearly went into Eve but they wanted something called money off me, and having got none I decided to go for something less demanding on the creaky leather container known as my wallet.
I saw LOTRO was free to play so I decided to reactivate my account and go for a stroll through Middle Earth.
After downloading, installing the full client I was ready to...nope needs to update, I was finally ready to...more updates...I was ready to go and have a coffee whilst the client downloaded yet more information on top of the already large 10GB installation.
One coffee and two warcraft dungeons later the client had finished and I finally entered Middle Earth.
To be fair I have seen a lot worse in terms of character creation. Sure it lacks the customisation level of Chimps but the character creator was all there really was to Chimps. I elected to be a hobbit of the minstrel persuasion partly because I prefer playing support classes and partly because midgets make me laugh that guilty giggle when you know something is innappropriate but you can't stop yourself.
So off I trotted into Middle Earht to be met by some small type person with the name of Bounder whose first interaction with me was to offer me the the chance to fiddle with his sack. Double reading the text I discovered that he was actually referring to a satchel that he had dropped on the floor in which I found a new weapon which was better than my currently equipped (and as yet totally unused) mace. After thanking the chap we strolled down the road only to be rudely interruped by three dodgy looking characters who were definately on the run from something. And then disaster, my character became a quiverring mass of grease as a crazy guy on a horse said something in a scary voice and finally buggered off leaving me to stare bewildered at my screen.
Finally getting a grip my character stopped quivvering and I had control back, I followed Bounder into an orchard where I was required to kill two spiders (he seems to have a phobia about spiders) then another three spiders before running into two other hobbits who were fleeing from something. Not really paying attention I made out the word brigand and drew my sword ready to let them have some of my miniature fury. Alas it was not to be the brigands appeared and I was unable to attack, futilely clicking on them whilst probably missing some great plot twist. One by one my fellow hobbits were laid unconscious, probably to be sold at slave market to some Middle Earth paedophile like Gandalf or someone. bosh! it was my turn and the screen went black, today was not a good day to be a hobbit.
I awoke in prison, and despite the two menacing fellows stood outside my cell I was urged to try to escape. Looking around I could see no other way but the door, surely that was certain doom and probably a thorough reaming too? I hunted round again, nope, the only way out was the door, I walked up to it and clicked it. Sure enough! the buggers started making threatening noises, once again I cowered and was unable to move. Luckily for me a cheap version of Viggo Mortensen was hanging around and he came to my aid leading me out of the prison and ultimately to safety.
After nattering to some locals about something important (I have yet to read a quest text properly) I was instructed to find the minstrel trainer who would teach me the art of combat guitar. Finding my trainer I was pretty keen to get started I imagined this was going to be pretty fun - something of a cross between desperado and kung-fu hustle. In reality it was just as bewildering, I have the ability to hurt people by singing at them? I checked my hair in the mirror, nope I had not turned into Jedward it was just a bizarre game mechanic. So off I go to kill ten rats by singing them to death. This should be interesting.
Anerys LOTRO diary
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