Well Done MoL!

[Gwinthilnel]

The Epic for this update was simply wonderful, as well as the additional quest lines. Thanks to MoL and the entire crew who created it!

Spoilers.............









Getting to see the Black Gate in that cut scene was so awesome, as well as creeping into Narchost, one of the Towers of the Teeth. I was on edge the whole time we snuck in, dodging the guards with my heart in my throat, wondering if I'd be seen.

I also loved the quest line where we traveled to Minas Morgul with Gandalf and Aragorn. It was so epic seeing Gandalf destroy the bridge! My jaw dropped as it exploded.

What else did you guys enjoy, and what were your thoughts on the quests in the new area?

[Amennator]

I totally agree with you. The epic has always been a highlight of this game. I have to say the last few updates have been especially excellent in the story telling department. Fantastic!

[Arnenna]

The Epic for this update was simply wonderful, as well as the additional quest lines. Thanks to MoL and the entire crew who created it!

Spoilers.............









Getting to see the Black Gate in that cut scene was so awesome, as well as creeping into Narchost, one of the Towers of the Teeth. I was on edge the whole time we snuck in, dodging the guards with my heart in my throat, wondering if I'd be seen.

I also loved the quest line where we traveled to Minas Morgul with Gandalf and Aragorn. It was so epic seeing Gandalf destroy the bridge! My jaw dropped as it exploded.

What else did you guys enjoy, and what were your thoughts on the quests in the new area?

This is one area where I can totally agree that Turbine (and articularly MoL) excelled on this update. The Epic as usual was brilliant, and a great cliffhanger at the end. The side quests were great too, and I loved the story behind the Mumak quest. Call me a soppy old boot, but I'm one of those people that always feels sad when exploited animals die in books or films, especially when they have been exploited for purpose of war or evil. To see the mumak run off and frolic in the marshes after a friendly exchange, was a nice touch

[thinx]

I really enjoyed the visit at the black gate too. Finally a more secretive approach again...
Some of the regular quests could have used a few more hints or smaller searching areas. Also a little too much running (especially on Pelennor), but this was much better in comparison to previous quests e.g. in MT.

[TharbadThief]

For the most parts I, too, thought it was well done. All the important happenings in those few pages this update covers (in LotR timeline) are present, and most of them were fun. Blowing up the bridge in Morgul vale was awesome (although I thought it would not be G behind it) and I was happy to finally see the Stairs. Not very well hidden though, and it would be hard to think why the orcs wouldn't know about them, as Gollum said (...or was he lying so that he could lure the hobbits in?)

Cair Andros was cool, even though I thought it would have been a perfect spot for a skirmish (haven't had too many of those lately!)

Being able to enter Narchost was both awesome and funny, because I couldn't help thinking about what was said about the areas around the Gates: that they swarmed with enemies. Entering the tower felt a bit too easy, and the idea that we would be commanded to go sneak around there in the first place was weird.

I'd rate the epic story 3,5 or 4 out of 5.

[Daguest]

For the most parts I, too, thought it was well done. All the important happenings in those few pages this update covers (in LotR timeline) are present, and most of them were fun. Blowing up the bridge in Morgul vale was awesome (although I thought it would not be G behind it)

Well, you have to admit, Gandalf is by far the most experienced in destroying bridges


I to liked the epic. I enjoyed seeing Minas Morgul up close^^

[Urwendil]

I like the Epic as well as the other mini storylines, especially the Mûmak, quite a lot in this update. That and the world building (kudos for carving Henneth Annûn into the landscape seamlessly without any portals) make it worth replaying if I ever manage to get my alts past the preceding horrible grindfest and bring there.

[Daguest]

I like the Epic as well as the other mini storylines, especially the Mûmak, quite a lot in this update. That and the world building (kudos for carving Henneth Annûn into the landscape seamlessly without any portals) make it worth replaying if I ever manage to get my alts past the preceding horrible grindfest and bring there.

I enjoyed the Mumak to. Not only it was tied to the book, but it was also cute.

As for bringing alts... I know that feeling. My warden have to do the previous update, with the 4-5 back and forth for the quarry, and running around again and again. I just can't push myself to do it. That update was atrocious in many ways, but quest flow was the worst. My min is in rohan, and I hate MC. I just can't push myself either.
I know I could always use some alternative way to grind xp, but I hate missing "unique" gear/title by doing so :/

[Gwinthilnel]

I enjoyed the Mumak to. Not only it was tied to the book, but it was also cute.

As for bringing alts... I know that feeling. My warden have to do the previous update, with the 4-5 back and forth for the quarry, and running around again and again. I just can't push myself to do it. That update was atrocious in many ways, but quest flow was the worst. My min is in rohan, and I hate MC. I just can't push myself either.
I know I could always use some alternative way to grind xp, but I hate missing "unique" gear/title by doing so :/

Oh yes, I forgot to mention the Mumak quest! So cute!

It was also interesting helping out what has always been considered "the enemy" like the Variags. Makes you look at things from another perspective.

In terms of my alts, I've become so frustrated with the grind of previous areas that I've just been taking them through the epics and my very favorite quests. I know it's not ideal as I like doing instances and raids and this type of play won't get them ready gear-wise for those, but I play to have fun and grinding over and over isn't fun for me personally.

[Mithithil]

This evening's "to do" list involves a session with a reflecting pool to re-do the Morgul Vale and Black Gate instances because they were excellent, especially the Mordor fly by about the Black Gate.

[Oddessia]

Totally agree! MoL absolutely outdid himself this time and I loved the entire region. The After Battle Quests (wont give anything away but the one where you had to blow a horn for someone) had me in tears. GREAT job! I don't think Ive ever enjoyed an update as much as this one *mad applause*

As for the visuals in North Ithilien...breathtaking. The entire region is probably my new favourite, which is saying something since my current favourite regions are the Shire, Ered Luin and Lothlorien. Thanks to the whole Turbine team for making this incredible update!

[Laerien]

Not about the Epic but I really liked that Aragorn did not send me to feed horses and stuff like that. That is exactly the way trivial quests from a chain -at this point in the life of a character- must be done. Very well played MoL.

[Gwinthilnel]

This evening's "to do" list involves a session with a reflecting pool to re-do the Morgul Vale and Black Gate instances because they were excellent, especially the Mordor fly by about the Black Gate.

That is what I plan to do as well; they are much too epic to only do once per toon

[Egilric]

I have just returned to LOTRO having left some months ago, in fact I've really only played enough to keep my main leveled since Helm's Deep.

I returned to find I still had a lot to do in Minas Tirith and have just started working through the Minas Tirist - After The Battle quest chain.

One thing that I have always loved about LOTRO is the strength of the story and how what happens in-game ties into what we all know has happened in the books.

I have no idea who wrote the Mourning The Dead quest, but thank you. Not often I get so moved over a game, but as Aragorn mourned Golodir I was very, very close to tears.

Excellent story-telling, excellent delivery of the scenario and just one of the reasons that no matter how frustrated I get with aspects of this game I somehow always find myself returning to it at becoming invested in the storyline.

All The Best

[OldMadeOfLions]

I have no idea who wrote the Mourning The Dead quest, but thank you. Not often I get so moved over a game, but as Aragorn mourned Golodir I was very, very close to tears.

I'm both glad and sorry to hear that!

Baccata planned and set up that instance, and I wrote the lines of remembrance, so it was a team effort to try and bum you out.

MoL

[Gwinthilnel]

I'm both glad and sorry to hear that!

Baccata planned and set up that instance, and I wrote the lines of remembrance, so it was a team effort to try and bum you out.

MoL

Nice team work I also must mention that it was really hard being able to see Cirith Ungol in the "Fire Beneath the Shadow" instance but not be able to climb the stairs! So close yet so far lol.

[Urwendil]

I'm both glad and sorry to hear that!

Baccata planned and set up that instance, and I wrote the lines of remembrance, so it was a team effort to try and bum you out.

MoL

Kudos to both of you!

[Kostas2112]

I'm both glad and sorry to hear that!

Baccata planned and set up that instance, and I wrote the lines of remembrance, so it was a team effort to try and bum you out.

MoL

Awesome job indeed from the team... Well done!

[Daguest]

I'm both glad and sorry to hear that!

Baccata planned and set up that instance, and I wrote the lines of remembrance, so it was a team effort to try and bum you out.

MoL

People praising you when you make them sad.

You must enjoy every bit of it. I know I would...

[djheydt]

I cried at that scene and I haven't even played it yet;
watched over my husband's shoulder.

(Explanation if necessary: when a new update launches, he
takes his Warden out to find out what's going on, since the
Warden is practically indestructible. Then his senior Hunter
and my senior LM go and do it, knowing where the pitfalls
are; and so on down the line.)

[DiogoVP]

I'm both glad and sorry to hear that!

Baccata planned and set up that instance, and I wrote the lines of remembrance, so it was a team effort to try and bum you out.

MoL

Great work MoL, my only disappointment is that there was no VO in the Last Debate. I also missed that during Denethor's scene in the Silent Street. Just wanted to throw it out there in case you want to add some VO in the future to those instances. It would make those scenes so much more epic. =)
I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next year.

[Gwinthilnel]

Great work MoL, my only disappointment is that there was no VO in the Last Debate. I also missed that during Denethor's scene in the Silent Street. Just wanted to throw it out there in case you want to add some VO in the future to those instances. It would make those scenes so much more epic. =)
I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next year.

Wow I didn't even think of that and I totally agree! As long as Imrahil's voice isn't the whiny one he had in MT lol; I remember doing the new BBs and being amused at how wimpy he sounded for such an epic character (no offense given to the voice actor, just thought that the voice could be deeper and have more surety to it). Perhaps in future updates some voices could be added? Not sure how much extra work or $$ that would be.

[DiogoVP]

Wow I didn't even think of that and I totally agree! As long as Imrahil's voice isn't the whiny one he had in MT lol; I remember doing the new BBs and being amused at how wimpy he sounded for such an epic character (no offense given to the voice actor, just thought that the voice could be deeper and have more surety to it). Perhaps in future updates some voices could be added? Not sure how much extra work or $$ that would be.

Yes, we're definetely not getting that voice actor for Imrahil again. MoL even changed his old VO to match the new actor, although it seems his VO actor changed again in U19. I didn't mind that though because I think his voice is better in U19.
Hopefully we could get VO on those two particular instances, but what I think MoL should take from this is to make sure that epic moments of discussion in instances should have VO, specially if they are part of The LOTR.

[TharbadThief]

Hopefully we could get VO on those two particular instances, but what I think MoL should take from this is to make sure that epic moments of discussion in instances should have VO, specially if they are part of The LOTR.

Even though I agree on that (because much of the feeling I get from a game is based on music and VO), it has to be kept in mind that the discussion in question is rather long and involves many of the main characters. Aragorn, Imrahil, Mithrandir, Éomer, Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir, if I recall correctly. I don't know how the VO guys are being paid, but I guess it's something related to $/recorded word. Sure they could have only VO'd some of the long debate, but I dunno how well that would've worked out.

[OldMadeOfLions]

...my only disappointment is that there was no VO in the Last Debate.

In general we don't record VO for every instance in the Epic, mainly because the speed that we need to release updates doesn't mesh well with the longer lead-time that VO recording requires. That said, the instance that covers the Last Debate is already very, very long (ThePinion has been sending me quotes from World Chat with people wondering if the instance is eeeeevvvveeeerrr going to end!) and adding VO generally slows down each line by 3x or 4x. There's also the issue that some of the characters that are involved in that instance are performed by the same voice actor, and while we've definitely had actors talking to themselves it's a good thing to avoid if we can.

So while I enjoy having VO in instances, it's not always the best thing to add in instances that are especially chatty.

MoL