My Lord of the Rings Online Beta Review
So, I did a small break down of what it would cost a f2p'er to enjoy the normal game play of a free to play / pay to play game
First the biggest misconception, a lot of people are going to make its that the switch to free to play is just that free to play.
Correction Lord of the Rings is not going free to play, but in fact is going to a Endless trial with a cash shop.
So, do not let them fool you into thinking this is your everyday free to play, because in fact it is not.
Take all of the thing you have come to expect out of a free to play and throw it out of the window it does not apply in this case.
Point 1, Yes you can download the game for free.
Point 2, Yes you can create a character free of charge. (One slot for Free to Play)
Point 3, You can level as much as you want to a certain degree.
OK, after going over all of those points you feel comfortable of what most call a free to play correct.
Here is where the diversion from common free to play begins.
The current amount of content for the Free to play player begins to surface.
They give you enough free content to suit you till about level 20, after with you either buy an expansion or a quest pack to continue questing.
Thats is not to say that you could not continue leveling with out quests because in fact you can grind to your hearts desire.
How about those traits you been hearing about and earning well guess what if you would like to equip more. You have to pay big surprise there.
OK lets break down what you would need, want to have if you where playing a normal free to play mmo.
I'm also adding in a mount, its not needed for game play its just a nice extra.
This will not be an easy button breakdown, it will be a 'let me earn the virtues etc' but let me use them breakdown.
*Assuming 1TP=$0.01 USD which is what it approximately breaks down to on the Higher tier of DDO routinely.*
*Assuming I only get 1 slot of race & class for free*
*Common trait slots=195 x 3=585TP*
*Race slots=195 x4=780TP*
*Class slots=195x 5=975TP*
-- Total 2340TP or $23.40 to unlock the slots per character
+ Trait:Basic Riding 795 (Because swift travel is not available as an account wide permanent unlock, this is nearly a necessity.)
-Total 3135 TP or $31.35USD
-Almost not optional because of all the stuff you'll get just opening gift boxes.
*Inventory bags 495x2=990*
Total: 4125 or $41.25 USD
595TP-Character slot assuming I'm out and have already bought Moria for the cheaper slots and classes
- TOTAL:
A new character's bare necessities cost: '4720 TP or $47.20USD', for each character apart from content or account wide purchases
I suspect all Legendary slot unlocks are probably included in Siege of Mirkwood or Mines of Moria but they aren't offered to me in the store.
So aside from the mount as its a luxury not a needed you can see where this adds up and we haven't even include a quest pack or a Expansion purchase.
And I still haven't covered bank or auction house posting price to include in there.
I'm not here to bash the change to free to play or as, I like to call it Endless trail with a cash shop.
I think they need to reword what exactly is free to play because from what, I have experienced is is not your standard free to play.
So, I think Turbine should really look to current free plays and see that there are certain things they are lacking.
For one most if not all free to plays do not make you pay for quests, not saying it a bad thing are there part but they need to be more up-front about what exactly you get and can do as a free to play player.
It seems there there keeping people in the dark and hope they wont notice till they have already play for awhile.
I just think Turbine should be a little more upfront as, I have stated earlier.
But overall the game in beta is great they did a great job other then the things, I have already covered its a solid game.
Its deserving of a subscription even when it turns free to play.
In closing The best thing to do is if you are going to play this game come free to play change.
Go ahead and buy all the expansion and get set up on a subscription.
You will thank me later, after you see all the content you wont have to pay for.
*Note all of the prices are subject to change*
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