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[Preview] Lord of the Rings Online: Helm's Deep Preview

SBFordSBFord Former Associate EditorMember LegendaryPosts: 33,129

Turbine is continuing the player journey into Middle-earth with the Lord of the Rings Online expansion "Helm's Deep". We recently had the opportunity to find out more about the expansion and offer this exclusive preview. Read on and then let us know what you think in the comments.

For lore aficionados, this expansion more than any of the others meshes most closely with the storyline from the books, as well as fleshing out things only mentioned in passing by Tolkien. (e.g. an area in the west of Rohan where the peoples of that land and of Dunlendings mix more freely, and allegiances are less clear cut.) It also adds in some things that were left out of the Peter Jackson movies, for example, Helm’s Dike.

Read more of Lisa Jonte's Lord of the Rings Online: Helm's Deep Preview.

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Comments

  • DrakephireDrakephire Member UncommonPosts: 451
    Sounds fantastic, but oi am I way behind on leveling, lol.  I'm only at level 64.
  • SovrathSovrath Member LegendaryPosts: 31,937
    I'll be honest, I was hoping helm's deep was going to be a pvp thing.
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  • bobfishbobfish Member UncommonPosts: 1,679

    How many NPCs in a battle?

     

    If it isn't in the high hundreds at least, not interested.

  • LJonteLJonte Member UncommonPosts: 29
    Originally posted by bobfish

    How many NPCs in a battle?

     

    If it isn't in the high hundreds at least, not interested.

    Not sure how many on the Rohan side, but I know players will be facing hundreds of orcs.

    -Lisa Jont

  • keithiankeithian Member UncommonPosts: 3,191
    How is the population doing in this game? I haven't played for a few years and was on Landroval which was probably the best community I had been a part of when compared to any other game I've played. I remember all the forum goers stating how this game would fail, boring, etc...meanwhile they are about to release a huge expansion and over 6 years later the game is still going. Anyway looks like a good expansion.
     

    There Is Always Hope!

  • SovrathSovrath Member LegendaryPosts: 31,937
    Originally posted by LJonte
    Originally posted by bobfish

    How many NPCs in a battle?

     

    If it isn't in the high hundreds at least, not interested.

    Not sure how many on the Rohan side, but I know players will be facing hundreds of orcs.

    I sincerely hope they remade the npc combat.

    If one looks at skirmishes and how npc's fight it always looks ridiculous.

    Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb." 

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    Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547

    Try the "Special Edition." 'Cause it's "Special." https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/64878/?tab=description

    Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo 
  • RazeeksterRazeekster Member UncommonPosts: 2,591
    Originally posted by keithian
    How is the population doing in this game? I haven't played for a few years and was on Landroval which was probably the best community I had been a part of when compared to any other game I've played. I remember all the forum goers stating how this game would fail, boring, etc...meanwhile they are release a huge expansion and over 6 years later the game is still going. Anyway looks like a good expansion.

    Honestly the playerbase is on the low-side for it being a LOTRO MMO, but there are people that play and if you find a good guild all the better. I have trouble getting myself to play because it's all too much themepark for me, but it is a good game, and LOTRO is the perfect IP for a themepark MMO. I guess it's a fun time-sink now and then. I just wish a new LOTRO MMO would come out with improved graphics. 

     

    Warner Brothers doesn't seem to like to hand out the IP very much for games to be made out of the LOTRO universe which is a shame... (Either that or they just charge so much that few developers are actually interested).

     

    Smile

  • keithiankeithian Member UncommonPosts: 3,191
    Originally posted by Razeekster
    Originally posted by keithian
    How is the population doing in this game? I haven't played for a few years and was on Landroval which was probably the best community I had been a part of when compared to any other game I've played. I remember all the forum goers stating how this game would fail, boring, etc...meanwhile they are release a huge expansion and over 6 years later the game is still going. Anyway looks like a good expansion.

    Honestly the playerbase is on the low-side for it being a LOTRO MMO, but there are people that play and if you find a good guild all the better. I have trouble getting myself to play because it's all too much themepark for me, but it is a good game, and LOTRO is the perfect IP for a themepark MMO. I guess it's a fun time-sink now and then. I just wish a new LOTRO MMO would come out with improved graphics. 

     

    Warner Brothers doesn't seem to like to hand out the IP very much for games to be made out of the LOTRO universe which is a shame... (Either that or they just charge so much that few developers are actually interested).

     

    I agree, unfortunately I doubt that is going to happen :-(, but when can hope...as they say in Lord of the Rings "There is always Hope" lol.

    There Is Always Hope!

  • MindTriggerMindTrigger Member Posts: 2,596
    Population depends on the server you choose.  I'm on Brandywine, and it seems to hum along quite well with players.  There's even people running around the lower level areas.

    A sure sign that you are in an old, dying paradigm/mindset, is when you are scared of new ideas and new technology. Don't feel bad. The world is moving on without you, and you are welcome to yell "Get Off My Lawn!" all you want while it happens. You cannot, however, stop an idea whose time has come.

  • ThumbtackJThumbtackJ Member UncommonPosts: 669

    "Both classes and combat are getting revamped."

     

    And that's what I like to hear. I always felt that combat in LotRO was a bit clunky and slow paced. Perhaps I will have to come back once the expansion goes live.

  • koboldfodderkoboldfodder Member UncommonPosts: 447

    Three letters sum up this expansion.

     

    N

    G

    E

     

     

    ...and that is all I have to say on the subject.

  • DrakephireDrakephire Member UncommonPosts: 451
    Originally posted by Razeekster
     

     

    Warner Brothers doesn't seem to like to hand out the IP very much for games to be made out of the LOTRO universe which is a shame... (Either that or they just charge so much that few developers are actually interested).

     

    Warner Brothers doesn't own the IP. Saul Zaentz Company owns the rights. MMO rights were licensed toTurbine. Single player game is licensed to EA.

     

    Just fyi.

  • SovrathSovrath Member LegendaryPosts: 31,937
    Originally posted by koboldfodder

    Three letters sum up this expansion.

     

    N

    G

    E

     

     

    ...and that is all I have to say on the subject.

    I don't see that at all. They aren't changing the game into something else. Well, I'm not getting that from this article.

    If anything those changes are very welcome.

    Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb." 

    Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w


    Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547

    Try the "Special Edition." 'Cause it's "Special." https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/64878/?tab=description

    Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo 
  • BookahBookah Member UncommonPosts: 260
    looks awesome 0.0 this is a game i have never really played and always wished i had!

    image
  • ReizlaReizla Member RarePosts: 4,092
    Sadly enough, after the release of MoM, Helms Deep has always been the only thing I was looking forward to. MoM and almost everything after it has been complete & utter crap *sadly* By now I have sold my life-time account for only €75 with 10K+ TP on it at that time. Do I miss it? Not at all... Would I start again only to play Helms Deep? Nah... I think Turbine has kinda raped Tolkien's Legacy over the last few years and expansions :'(
  • psiicpsiic Member RarePosts: 1,640
    Considering I have a lifetime for this guess its time to reinstall again.
  • super3588super3588 Member UncommonPosts: 1
    I'm not surprised that Rick "Sapience" Heaton used his "Soon™." on this article.
  • Po_ggPo_gg Member EpicPosts: 5,749
    Originally posted by MindTrigger
    Population depends on the server you choose.  I'm on Brandywine, and it seems to hum along quite well with players.  There's even people running around the lower level areas.

    There's the Bounder event now (alongside with Farmer's Faire), and while it's not an exact measurement, the "race" towards the Boon is pretty much showing an overall population / activity rate on the servers. 4 of the german ones are already got the Boon :) and among the english ones so far only Brandywine finished it.

     

    As for the preview, "lore fans keep an eye out" - I definitely will :)

    "There will plenty of interaction with Eowyn, (following her path in the books)" - cool, she's a great character with nice storyline

    "before battle choosing Vanguard, Officer, Engineer" - it kinda reminds me of STO :)

    "classes .... are getting revamped" - yep... that's my biggest concern since they first announced it... LotRO was never big on builds and theory crafting, but what was leaked so far is a huge stepback even from that average state. I think there's always a Hope token that it won't be too bad...

  • GardavsshadeGardavsshade Member UncommonPosts: 907
    Originally posted by Po_gg
    Originally posted by MindTrigger
    Population depends on the server you choose.  I'm on Brandywine, and it seems to hum along quite well with players.  There's even people running around the lower level areas.

    There's the Bounder event now (alongside with Farmer's Faire), and while it's not an exact measurement, the "race" towards the Boon is pretty much showing an overall population / activity rate on the servers. 4 of the german ones are already got the Boon :) and among the english ones so far only Brandywine finished it.

     

    As for the preview, "lore fans keep an eye out" - I definitely will :)

    "There will plenty of interaction with Eowyn, (following her path in the books)" - cool, she's a great character with nice storyline

    "before battle choosing Vanguard, Officer, Engineer" - it kinda reminds me of STO :)

    "classes .... are getting revamped" - yep... that's my biggest concern since they first announced it... LotRO was never big on builds and theory crafting, but what was leaked so far is a huge stepback even from that average state. I think there's always a Hope token that it won't be too bad...

    This is what is concerning myself, my Wife who plays, my Daughter, our Friends....

    I have been involved with LotRO before it WAS LotRO, back when it was going to be MEO. I joined a Guild named Safe Havens of Arda with other Players... Fern, Groan, Adrianna, Adoreth, Barstoll, many other good People I miss dearly.... all have moved on in several ways.

    When F2P happened to LotRO I was the one ranting and raving about it. My wife thought to be honest did not agree with me and thought the Turbine Staff Member was correct that said I was "tilting at Windmills" about the changes with F2P.

    Now my Wife and Friends agree with me.... they miss how LotRO was before F2P and they wish it had never happened. They feel that LotRO has been "cheapened" by F2P and lessened. Their comments and words, not mine. Ever since I had that argument with a certain Staff member I have kept my opinions to myself about what happens to LotRO and whether I thought the changes were good or bad. I honestly don't think anyone of important position at Turbine cares one rat's petunia what some of us Players think or want anymore.... they did in the beginning, or at least they convinced us they did...

    Now LotRO gets another MakeOver.... and this time I know it's a waste of time to say anything at all on the LotRO Forums about this.... or here either.... and since I have no desire to ever interact with some Members of Turbine's Staff again....  this time I will let the hammer fall as it will. Good or Bad, Small Change only or NGE style debacle, I won't try to tell anyone at Turbine or the Players what could be done or why. Whether I pay for my Wife and Daughter's Subs (or whether I continue to play) after HD depends on just how things turn out.

  • koboldfodderkoboldfodder Member UncommonPosts: 447

    The class "revamp" system is a massive change to the core of the game.  No one asked for it, yet they are going through with it (much like SWG NGE).  In short, they are taking away a large number of abilities, then putting in skill trees....so instead of your character having lots of things to do you will end up with a small number of skills to use in combat.

     

    They are doing this, well, because that is what GW2 has.  They see it as a positive thing for new players.  If GW2 has 7 abilities and a large number of people playing it, wouldn't it make sense that LOTRO will have a large number of people playing if they reduced the skills by 3/4.  No new players play LOTRO.  The game is too old.  All this will do is drive away most of the veterans.

     

    Beta has just started and the threads that deal with the changes are the ones that are 9 or 10 pages long and they are 90% negative....just like the NGE.

     

    This marks the end of the LOTRO as you knew it.  They are not changing the engine, so combat will always feel clunky.  Instead of having 30 or so abilities to use in combat, you will now have 10.

     

    The only class where some people actually like the changes are the Burglar.  It's pretty much half and half with that class.  The rest are 90% negative.  And certain classes, like the Warden, are so changed that you will not even recognize them.

     

    It's a dark day for LOTRO.....but a banner day for NGE nostalgics!

     

     

  • KanylKanyl Member UncommonPosts: 252
    Great game, awesome community, good company. I am going to get the 3 months subscription tomorrow!
  • ShadanwolfShadanwolf Member UncommonPosts: 2,392
    I have been waiting and hoping for some player faction vs faction conflict. :-(  not yet.
  • JoreelJoreel Member UncommonPosts: 148
    The game is still very much alive and active on most of the servers. I play on Winfola and I have yet to see any empty area. I see a lot of people in most of the city hubs as well and quite a few of the outposts in the game. The rumor of this games death have been greatly exaggerated by those that hate a game with a deep lore. But yes WB isn't a very good parent company...
  • VargurVargur Member CommonPosts: 143

    I return to LotRO for every expansion, and I probably will for this one as well.

    What I never understood about the combat system was the huge amount of skills. My hunter used only a few skills, and combat tended to get stale with the press 1, press 2, press 3, press 1 if recycled if not press 4 sequences.

    I want skills that require positioning and reactions like blocks, parry, evade. I know the guardian has some, but not nearly enough.

    Yet, I will continue the path towards Mordor when the time comes. The storyline is just too good to let it be.

  • UNH0LYEV1LUNH0LYEV1L Member UncommonPosts: 571

    To bad this game is grindy and boring as sin.

     

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