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Tuesday, August 14, 2007
EQ2 vs. LotRO
I was asked to write a comparison of Everquest 2 to Lord of the Rings Online. Which of these two games should you buy? First of all, both of these are good games. You can't recommend one over the other without knowing a bit more about the person who wants to buy a game. The immediate answer to "should I buy EQ2 or LotRO?" is the counter question of "why not World of Warcraft?", with WoW being such a glaring omission on this short list. If somebody is deciding only between EQ2 and LotRO you basically have to assume he already played WoW.
Lord of the Rings Online is the more accessible game of the two. I would also say it has the prettier graphics, but beauty being in the eye of the beholder I'm sure of getting some comments disagreeing with that statement. LotRO's ultimate strength is it's Tolkien license. LotRO does an excellent job of getting you right into the world of Middle Earth as described in the books. You can't play Frodo, Gandalf or any other of the Fellowship of the Ring. But your adventures have a relation with the events from the trilogy, and you meet many of the same characters that Frodo met on his journey. Lord of the Rings Online is a rather casual MMORPG. It is easy to play even if you just have short play sessions available. LotRO's major weakness is it's length: It is excellent in the lower levels, okay in the mid-levels, and gets weaker and thinner in the higher levels. If you are a hardcore player playing MMORPGs over 20 hours a week, you basically "finish" LotRO in half a year or less. Of course this is something that will get better over time, with content patches and expansions added to the game. Slower players will have no problems with that.
Everquest 2 is a much bigger game. With 3 expansions and 3 adventure packs, plus another expansion announced for November, you're not at risk of running out of content in this game anytime soon. But, while not as hardcore as Everquest 1 or Vanguard, in direct comparison EQ2 is more hardcore than LotRO. It is more complex and less accessible, giving you less guidance, but more room to find out things for yourself. The lore of EQ2 is consistent with itself and the EQ universe, but of course it is a lot less well-known than the Lord of the Rings lore. EQ1 veterans will have a lot of "oh, look!" moments, like the hollow tree trap in Blackburrow, but for anyone else there is no connect to a story you already know. Looking through an old review of EQ2 of mine, I must say that most of the things I said back then about technical problems and the game not being feature complete have been resolved by now. It is hard to point at a single thing and call it the major weakness of EQ2. The game still suffers from some needless complexity and lack of information given in-game, but of course that is easily remedied by looking them up on fansites or databases.
In summary, for all Tolkien fans, casual and new players I would recommend Lord of the Rings Online. For the more hardcore players and Everquest veterans I would recommend Everquest 2.
- posted by Tobold @ 8:53 AM Permanent Link
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Thanks for the review Todd.
I playet the "Trial of the Isle" when it first came out. It did not impress me enough to purchase the game. I am currently running through it again, and I am enjoying it MUCH more this time around.
I played LoTRO during open beta, and enjoyed it too. I like playing healers, so I picked the Minstrel.
For some reason I could not cope with the animation of playing music and it causing damage.
"Hey monster, eat this C minor cord!"
However the dev team really seems to care about the community, and that goes a long way.
I am hoping that LoTRO will be like EQ2 and really find it's footing after being out a year or so. It seemed a lot more polished at launch then either EQ2 or WoW.
Please keep us posted on the further adventures of your Warden!
Mr. Anonymous
I playet the "Trial of the Isle" when it first came out. It did not impress me enough to purchase the game. I am currently running through it again, and I am enjoying it MUCH more this time around.
I played LoTRO during open beta, and enjoyed it too. I like playing healers, so I picked the Minstrel.
For some reason I could not cope with the animation of playing music and it causing damage.
"Hey monster, eat this C minor cord!"
However the dev team really seems to care about the community, and that goes a long way.
I am hoping that LoTRO will be like EQ2 and really find it's footing after being out a year or so. It seemed a lot more polished at launch then either EQ2 or WoW.
Please keep us posted on the further adventures of your Warden!
Mr. Anonymous
# posted by 
: 14/8/07 14:18
: 14/8/07 14:18
I've been an avid WoW player since release but finally left out of boredom last March. I tried EQ2 and found it to be enjoyable with one major problem..... no players my level. It was extremely difficult to find groups or other players to associate with. I eventually felt like I was playing a single player RPG. I can see WoW heading in that same direction as the upper level limit is pushed with every expansion.
If asked which game to play I would recommend LotRO not just because of the quality and content of the game but also for it's social appeal.
If asked which game to play I would recommend LotRO not just because of the quality and content of the game but also for it's social appeal.
# posted by : 14/8/07 15:52
: 14/8/07 15:52
I had the same problem with EQ2. In spite of everyone telling me how easy it was to get groups I just ended up soloing everything because no one could be bothered to come back to the lowbie areas.
I'm sure for someone in a guild with a lot of in game friends its different but I felt so alone I just gave up.
that's the reason I left WOW with BC any reward for grouping just vanished. I got so tired of hearing people say they didn't want to group till they hit 70 because it was more "efficient to solo to 70"
So I'm waiting on the next game that actually has some reward for group play.
I'm sure for someone in a guild with a lot of in game friends its different but I felt so alone I just gave up.
that's the reason I left WOW with BC any reward for grouping just vanished. I got so tired of hearing people say they didn't want to group till they hit 70 because it was more "efficient to solo to 70"
So I'm waiting on the next game that actually has some reward for group play.
It's interesting to hear that while the gameplay aspect of EQ2 has improved, the social has gone down. One good/bad side to waiting to play an MMO after release I guess...
# posted by : 14/8/07 20:30
: 14/8/07 20:30
How is the single-player aspect of EQ2? How much of the game can I do solo or with maybe one other player? That's the biggest problem I have with WoW in the end-game. I'm stuck searching for groups or praying that my guild will get organized and get together for a raid.
How does EQ2 fare here?
How does EQ2 fare here?
Funny you bring up EQ2. Having done all I care to in WoW and happy in LoTRO with a lifetime sub, I decided to take a trial run of EQ2 for yucks. Glad to hear they fixed a number of issues with it when it was first released. I'm actually looking forward to trying out a game where I know nothing of the storyline again.
How is the single-player aspect of EQ2? How much of the game can I do solo or with maybe one other player?
Quite a lot. I suspect nowadays you can probably solo pretty much all the way. While my highest in EQ2 only reached the mid-40s, that particular toon soloed most of the time, I slowed down with his leveling because it was going too fast solo frankly and I was missing a lot of content. That was with a brigand, some other classes I played was definitely soloable but less fun soloing.
Regarding Tobold's comment about EQ2 being a bit more "hardcore" I am not sure I agree with that. In terms of in game help and tutorials EQ2 leaves a lot of room for improvement, but the mechanics themselves are pretty ok I think and not more geared for hardcore players. They just suck at explaining it.
And as someone mentioned, starting your character through Qeynos/Freeport will provide a better new player tutorial.
Quite a lot. I suspect nowadays you can probably solo pretty much all the way. While my highest in EQ2 only reached the mid-40s, that particular toon soloed most of the time, I slowed down with his leveling because it was going too fast solo frankly and I was missing a lot of content. That was with a brigand, some other classes I played was definitely soloable but less fun soloing.
Regarding Tobold's comment about EQ2 being a bit more "hardcore" I am not sure I agree with that. In terms of in game help and tutorials EQ2 leaves a lot of room for improvement, but the mechanics themselves are pretty ok I think and not more geared for hardcore players. They just suck at explaining it.
And as someone mentioned, starting your character through Qeynos/Freeport will provide a better new player tutorial.
# posted by : 15/8/07 20:09
: 15/8/07 20:09
EQ2 has plenty of grouping at any level, the redid the LFG a couple of updates back, and at least on my server there are people running around in lower areas.
You can solo to 12+ easily, so at least get to there before worrying to much. 8)
There are a lot of sub level 12 areas to do quests in, evil side or good side. Oakmist Forrest, The Ruins, The Caves, Peat Bog, to name a few.
WoW's end game a hated, too many selfish idiots, and getting in groups was a major chore.
I late beta'd LOTR and felt it was just a bit too shallow, and didn't have enough classes, which is also the case in WoW.
24 in EQ, 10 still in WoW, and LOTR had few than that?
-B
You can solo to 12+ easily, so at least get to there before worrying to much. 8)
There are a lot of sub level 12 areas to do quests in, evil side or good side. Oakmist Forrest, The Ruins, The Caves, Peat Bog, to name a few.
WoW's end game a hated, too many selfish idiots, and getting in groups was a major chore.
I late beta'd LOTR and felt it was just a bit too shallow, and didn't have enough classes, which is also the case in WoW.
24 in EQ, 10 still in WoW, and LOTR had few than that?
-B
# posted by : 20/9/07 23:17
: 20/9/07 23:17
In 2009 I find that EQ2 is just so huge and polished, that it comes out ahead of LOTRO in terms of things-to-do and variety. And even in trivial cases it's better: like inventory management (where you can buy 36+ slot bags/boxes etc), or character appearance options (rarely do characters look the same in EQ2), or visual effects/animations (which make LOTRO's look amateurish). I really don't like the animations or the clothing graphics in LOTRO much either. I may put some side by side on my blog for comparison.
LOTRO really does have excellent terrain design and terrain graphics though, which is one of the reasons why I keep coming back. It's almost like an "outdoor simulator" in how realistic everything is laid out. It's also got a more "organic"/hippy feel to it, whereas EQ2 is very much high-fantasy looking. I can solo just fine in both MMOs up to high levels; although it is much easier now in LOTRO than it was in the past.
I have a lifetime sub to LOTRO and highly recommend it, because I keep coming back to it. But compared to EQ2 it really isn't that deep of a game IMO. I can only play it a few weeks at a time before I feel like I have to go back to a more complicated/sophisticated/bigger MMO in EQ2.
Nice place to visit, but wouldn't want to live there -- so to speak.
LOTRO really does have excellent terrain design and terrain graphics though, which is one of the reasons why I keep coming back. It's almost like an "outdoor simulator" in how realistic everything is laid out. It's also got a more "organic"/hippy feel to it, whereas EQ2 is very much high-fantasy looking. I can solo just fine in both MMOs up to high levels; although it is much easier now in LOTRO than it was in the past.
I have a lifetime sub to LOTRO and highly recommend it, because I keep coming back to it. But compared to EQ2 it really isn't that deep of a game IMO. I can only play it a few weeks at a time before I feel like I have to go back to a more complicated/sophisticated/bigger MMO in EQ2.
Nice place to visit, but wouldn't want to live there -- so to speak.
# posted by : 9/4/09 22:29
: 9/4/09 22:29
It seems silly, but I really liked the addition of appearance slots, you wear what you want. You can wear simple player crafted clothes, or buy a matching set of gear on the broker, usualy pretty cheap but may take some time to look for items that match. The "dressing room" lets you try things on first though.
EQ2 is very solo friendly now and leveling is faster. If you get a "friend" referral, you get a 25% run cloak and 200% exp. You actually lvl too fast if you lvl up with that friend.
EQ2 is a great game still and it is really big. The players are fairly mature (outside of the spam in lvl 1-9 chat which is the drama channel, but you can shut that off easily). Travel is very easy for the most part now, druid ports, wiz ports, guild halls with all types of transportation available and Call to Guild HAll refreshes every 15 min to port home with.
You can solo or 2 box thru content pretty easy, lots of solo questlines. My advice is to join a guild, but not a "Wal Mart" guild that is huge. I have noticed once a guild gets too big, people don't talk in guild chat much anymore. In game you can hit "U" and bring up guilds recruiting if you are unguilded.
Casuals can get gear pretty easy with the new Shard armor. You do single group instances and get 1 or 2 "shards" as a reward, then you buy the gear you want with those shards. Great idea (from EQ1) and lets casuals get some pretty decent gear.
I did try LOTRO and it was ok, but I am just sick of quest grinding in mmo's now and couldn't get into it when LOtRO came out. The landscape do look really nice but wasn't the game for me.
EQ2 is very solo friendly now and leveling is faster. If you get a "friend" referral, you get a 25% run cloak and 200% exp. You actually lvl too fast if you lvl up with that friend.
EQ2 is a great game still and it is really big. The players are fairly mature (outside of the spam in lvl 1-9 chat which is the drama channel, but you can shut that off easily). Travel is very easy for the most part now, druid ports, wiz ports, guild halls with all types of transportation available and Call to Guild HAll refreshes every 15 min to port home with.
You can solo or 2 box thru content pretty easy, lots of solo questlines. My advice is to join a guild, but not a "Wal Mart" guild that is huge. I have noticed once a guild gets too big, people don't talk in guild chat much anymore. In game you can hit "U" and bring up guilds recruiting if you are unguilded.
Casuals can get gear pretty easy with the new Shard armor. You do single group instances and get 1 or 2 "shards" as a reward, then you buy the gear you want with those shards. Great idea (from EQ1) and lets casuals get some pretty decent gear.
I did try LOTRO and it was ok, but I am just sick of quest grinding in mmo's now and couldn't get into it when LOtRO came out. The landscape do look really nice but wasn't the game for me.
# posted by : 27/4/09 19:22
: 27/4/09 19:22
I have played a Ranger in EQ1 for a few months around 2000. Though it was a big timesink, I always remembered it as a fun time.
Last December I got the urge again to find something as funny as EQ1 was and after some evaluation I decided to buy the Lifetime Abo which came with the Moria Edition (~150€ for Life).
I enjoyed Lotro, but I always found that it had some severe lacks which I tried to ignore.
Now, after 6 months I have a Lv60 Loremaster, 3 Lv 55 twinks, and 3 other twinks at Lv 45 already.
I know every quest by heart now.
Although my Lv60 Loremaster is fun to play, there isn't much left what I can do and ENJOY - except doing Raids over and over again to get my Radiance-Set parts...
There is no new area to discover with nice quests, no sense of discovering anything.
The world of Lotro is so damn small, I think even EQ1 was 20 times larger when I played it in 2000.
Most of the crafting in Lotro is totally useless because you get better stuff as reward for quests.
Theres only a few things that make sense to create (cause they're consumed).
If you wanna raise a "twink" (try a new charakter) you have to go through exactly the same quests again and again that you did the 1st time through because the world is so small.
At Lv35 you can buy a horse, and later you can try to get your hand on a few other horses which look a bit different... compared to what I just saw in my Eq2 trial this is a JOKE because in EQ2 there are like 100 totally different mounts to get it seems.
LOTRO mmorpg exists in some kind of corset because the books dont allow much variation, so you get to face Orks, Trolls, more Orks, more Trolls, Bandits, and some Demons. End of story... compared to the rich lore of EQ this is really getting boring.
There's a lot of quests in Lotro which require 6 people, and finding them is getting harder and harder.
Housing in Lotro is a big Joke too.
You can only place furniture in preset places which creats a quite uncomfortable look like: tables without chairs, sometimes you cant place a carpet below (there are only 5 pretty carpets in the game anyway (out of a total 10).
Theres like 8 different paintings to hang on your walls, and most furniture totally sucks (some wooden benches and thats about it).
In your Lotro guild-house you can put 3 chests which have less space than a char has in his bank at lv60....
Ok , enough ranting about Lotro.
I am now on the 3rd day of my EQ2 trial, and plan to register with it after it expires.
I will probably sell my Lotro account on ebay then.
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Last December I got the urge again to find something as funny as EQ1 was and after some evaluation I decided to buy the Lifetime Abo which came with the Moria Edition (~150€ for Life).
I enjoyed Lotro, but I always found that it had some severe lacks which I tried to ignore.
Now, after 6 months I have a Lv60 Loremaster, 3 Lv 55 twinks, and 3 other twinks at Lv 45 already.
I know every quest by heart now.
Although my Lv60 Loremaster is fun to play, there isn't much left what I can do and ENJOY - except doing Raids over and over again to get my Radiance-Set parts...
There is no new area to discover with nice quests, no sense of discovering anything.
The world of Lotro is so damn small, I think even EQ1 was 20 times larger when I played it in 2000.
Most of the crafting in Lotro is totally useless because you get better stuff as reward for quests.
Theres only a few things that make sense to create (cause they're consumed).
If you wanna raise a "twink" (try a new charakter) you have to go through exactly the same quests again and again that you did the 1st time through because the world is so small.
At Lv35 you can buy a horse, and later you can try to get your hand on a few other horses which look a bit different... compared to what I just saw in my Eq2 trial this is a JOKE because in EQ2 there are like 100 totally different mounts to get it seems.
LOTRO mmorpg exists in some kind of corset because the books dont allow much variation, so you get to face Orks, Trolls, more Orks, more Trolls, Bandits, and some Demons. End of story... compared to the rich lore of EQ this is really getting boring.
There's a lot of quests in Lotro which require 6 people, and finding them is getting harder and harder.
Housing in Lotro is a big Joke too.
You can only place furniture in preset places which creats a quite uncomfortable look like: tables without chairs, sometimes you cant place a carpet below (there are only 5 pretty carpets in the game anyway (out of a total 10).
Theres like 8 different paintings to hang on your walls, and most furniture totally sucks (some wooden benches and thats about it).
In your Lotro guild-house you can put 3 chests which have less space than a char has in his bank at lv60....
Ok , enough ranting about Lotro.
I am now on the 3rd day of my EQ2 trial, and plan to register with it after it expires.
I will probably sell my Lotro account on ebay then.
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