We grind deeds & virtues; we grind for reputation; we grind dungeons for gear; we grind for relics...and now, we grind for anniversary tokens.
Yes, you heard that right. It's the 4th anniversary of LoTRO's release, and, rather than giving us a fun, light enjoyable event - they give us another grind.
Now, I don't really want to make this blog into a negative place: I love the game, mostly because of the landscapes and well-thought-out stories. But lately I have to wonder if Turbine is actually listening to their users. And the chorus of angry voices is getting louder, it seems.
In the past, there was the end-game radiance and Legendary Item grind. The radiance grind was compounded by the confusing number of sets, and the fact that it was a ladder: you had to grind several instances to get a basic radiance set and unlock a second set of instances, which you then repeated to get a second radiance set and unlock yet another group of instances...
The Legendary Item was not so much a grind as it was a lottery. You rolled the dice and prayed you'd get the legacies you wanted on your item, only to fail and deconstruct it for relics. After deconning literally hundreds of items, you might get the one thing you want.
With Echoes of the Dead, grinding was taken to new heights. The Devs increased the number of tokens required to purchase an item (200-300 tokens), but designed it so that the instances do not drop many tokens. I ran the North Cotton Farm instance once, and got a whole 10 tokens (and most of those were for completing a side quest). The psychological factor comes into play: you see a long road ahead of you and just cannot help but sigh, and might decide that the journey is not worth it. I've pretty much done that with end-game gear; I simply don't like endlessly repeating the same ol' thing (that's also why I'm not crazy about skirmishes).
One of the Turbine folks had the audacity to say that they wanted everyone to enjoy the anniversary event - but grinding out 2 tokens from once-daily races and then repeating a melee event every 10 minutes is hardly enjoyable. I really like the offerings, but trying to get the 250+ tokens seems nigh on impossible. I'll probably get the 30 for the horse and be done with it.
BTW, the title of this post is not mine...it was coined on the official LoTRO forums.
Showing posts with label complaints. Show all posts
Showing posts with label complaints. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Comments on Echoes of The Dead
The next update goes live on March 21, 2011, and I've a few thoughts on what's going in.
Radiance Removal
I've already posted my thoughts about this update. It's a good thing.
Legendary Items
I was happy at first, since it seemed like the grind to get relics was to be greatly reduced. However, someone posted some numbers, and they weren't encouraging. It's still a grind, especially for the "extraordinary" relics (some are calling these tier 7 relics).
After grinding out a high-tier relic, losing it during deconstruction doesn't sit very well with me. It seems like they've changed one, mostly straightforward, grind, with a repeating grind.
However, the legacy replacement scrolls are are great addition, seeming to make it easier to get a "perfect" weapon (or at least close to one).
At this point, I think the whole LI system is hopelessly complex, and it should be scrapped and rebuilt. I just don't care about building and scrapping endless weapons, praying for legacies, and grinding out relics.
Solofication of Volume II
I love this change. I can finally finish the first half of the volume and get my last legendary skill.
Class Updates (Burglar, Minstrel, Hunter)
I have alts of each class, but I haven't played them enough to comment.
Crafting Changes
Another great change. It will be immensely easier to level a crafting alt (which most of mine are).
Map Home Skill/Racial Travel Cooldowns
And yet more great changes. One more inventory space, and the potential for additional porting skills. And I'll be able to port to Rivendell, Ost Garuth, Bree, and Thorin's Hall without waiting an hour for the shared cooldown to expire.
Character Panel Update
I like the look, but don't like that the tabs have been separated out and stack on top of the original panel.
New Instance Cluster
Any new content is welcome, even if I don't know that I'll actually use it.
Evendim Revamp
I'll take my Guardian, Pentalidor, into the zone as soon as it's live (he's level 29.5, and looking for somewhere to level).
General Thoughts
I'm not happy about all the new barter tokens - especially considering that they aren't being added to the wallet. The amount of reputation and barter stuff we're required to carry around with us is getting ridiculous. There needs to be some serious thought put into the currency system.
I also think that the idea of increasing the tokens required for gear is a really bad move. Psychologically, it makes the goal seem unreachable. I have this problem with the skirmish marks required for the Annuminas/Helegrod sets....each piece costs 2,300 SMs. Between leveling my skirmish soldiers and other needs, getting the 14,000 marks seems completely unavailable.
Radiance Removal
I've already posted my thoughts about this update. It's a good thing.
Legendary Items
I was happy at first, since it seemed like the grind to get relics was to be greatly reduced. However, someone posted some numbers, and they weren't encouraging. It's still a grind, especially for the "extraordinary" relics (some are calling these tier 7 relics).
After grinding out a high-tier relic, losing it during deconstruction doesn't sit very well with me. It seems like they've changed one, mostly straightforward, grind, with a repeating grind.
However, the legacy replacement scrolls are are great addition, seeming to make it easier to get a "perfect" weapon (or at least close to one).
At this point, I think the whole LI system is hopelessly complex, and it should be scrapped and rebuilt. I just don't care about building and scrapping endless weapons, praying for legacies, and grinding out relics.
Solofication of Volume II
I love this change. I can finally finish the first half of the volume and get my last legendary skill.
Class Updates (Burglar, Minstrel, Hunter)
I have alts of each class, but I haven't played them enough to comment.
Crafting Changes
Another great change. It will be immensely easier to level a crafting alt (which most of mine are).
Map Home Skill/Racial Travel Cooldowns
And yet more great changes. One more inventory space, and the potential for additional porting skills. And I'll be able to port to Rivendell, Ost Garuth, Bree, and Thorin's Hall without waiting an hour for the shared cooldown to expire.
Character Panel Update
I like the look, but don't like that the tabs have been separated out and stack on top of the original panel.
New Instance Cluster
Any new content is welcome, even if I don't know that I'll actually use it.
Evendim Revamp
I'll take my Guardian, Pentalidor, into the zone as soon as it's live (he's level 29.5, and looking for somewhere to level).
General Thoughts
I'm not happy about all the new barter tokens - especially considering that they aren't being added to the wallet. The amount of reputation and barter stuff we're required to carry around with us is getting ridiculous. There needs to be some serious thought put into the currency system.
I also think that the idea of increasing the tokens required for gear is a really bad move. Psychologically, it makes the goal seem unreachable. I have this problem with the skirmish marks required for the Annuminas/Helegrod sets....each piece costs 2,300 SMs. Between leveling my skirmish soldiers and other needs, getting the 14,000 marks seems completely unavailable.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
A Year of Festivals
I've been meaning to post this tale on the LotRO forums, but somehow I never seem to get around to doing so.
Spring Festival 2010
When I started playing, the Spring Festival was just winding down. Because I so new to the game, I really didn't understand the mechanics of the festival or what I was supposed to be doing. I ran a few quests and picked up a few deeds, but it was all just trial-and-error. I did the shrew-stomp, ran a few deliveries for the Inn League, and even managed to find the Bree-land maze. I even managed to join the Inn League. But then the festival was gone. I can't really speak much to the events, but I still have some deeds to complete when the 2011 Spring Fest rolls around.
Summer Festival 2010
It seemed to take forever to get to the Summer festival. When I realized it was pending, I was rather excited. Being in my 30s and much more knowledgeable about game mechanics, I threw myself into it whole-heartedly. So...
The Ugly
The Inn League/Ale Association quests. There are just too few of them, and they give too little reputation. And all the running from one end of middle earth to another (within an hour), was annoying. I think I tried the quests about 3 times, and finally got sick of the runs.
The Bad
The Keg Race (Thorin's Hall) and the Eating Race (The Shire). At first, these were enjoyable diversions, but it turned into an aggravation as it became clear that the winners were not at all random. It was especially noticeable in The Shire, where Burdy Gamwich and Gladdy Chubb-Baggins won nearly every race. Only twice during the entire festival did I see Mudric win: once early in the festival, and once on the Friday before it ended (by which time I was placing my bets exclusively on him). I had better luck with the Keg Race, and things seemed more random. Ironically, it ended up that Mudric won before the last dwarf did, but at least I won the "Lucky Duck" title.
The Good
The mounts, especially the Pale Golden Summerfest Horse. I fell in love with it, and used it for quite a long time after the festival ended.
The integration of fishing with the festivals. It would be really nice to have crafting more involved in the festivals. I also liked the long-term quest where you planted a seed but wouldn't get the reward until Harvestmath.
The cosmetics and housing items. I wore the summer tree cloak and the summer tunic and pants for a while afterwards.
Conclusion
I truly enjoyed this festival. It was an entertaining diversion within the game.
Harvestmath 2010
After the positive experience I had with Summerfest, I was very excited for Harvestmath - and the Haunted Cellar.
The Ugly
Again, the Inn League/Ale Association quests. I was determined to get kindred with both factions, so I worked my butt off - and actually did it. But I will never deliver another bottle booze to anyone ever again if I have a choice. The mounts were nice, but ultimately, the rewards are just blah.
The Bad
Festival Fatigue. Outside the Haunted Cellar, the quests pretty much began to be repetitive, and really didn't seem very new. I often had a feeling of "this is it?".
The Skeleton Horse. I really wanted this horse, and went out of my way to check the chest. It never dropped. Then it appeared in the store, and I felt like I'd really wasted my time. I didn't buy it (I refuse to buy store exclusive horses; I think they negate all the work you do on reputation).
The Good
The Haunted Cellar. It was masterfully done, and the first run was a lot of fun. I love puzzles and mazes, so I loved trying it.
The Troves and Trickery quests. They were really a lot of fun, once you figured out what you were supposed to do.
The Skeleton Horse. Yes, I'm putting in both categories. It was a very well-designed, unique reward (until it appeared in the store).
The Sable Harvestmath Horse. Another great design.
Conclusion
I had fun, but after experience only two festivals, the shine on festivals was quickly wearing off.
Yule Festival 2010/2011
So, now we come to the most recent festival.
The Ugly
The Eating Contest. It was poorly designed. I don't mind quests where I lose because things are random, but I felt like I never had any chance to win the eating contest. The final two tables rarely had anything but pies and bread, and you can't win the contest with only those items. It would have worked better if the food despawned after, say, 1 minute, so that other items had a chance to spawn. For the first time, my stamina failed, and I gave up after trying a dozen times and never getting anywhere.
Moving Them Off. It was just an awful, mean quest that made me feel like a heal.
The Miser/The Blameless. Ultimately, I think the "moral choice" of helping either the rich or the poor fell flat. The choices were ultimately about cosmetics, not morality, and people don't really like being judged.
The Bad
Unwilling Firewood. I know wood-trolls are "the enemy", but having to collect "unwilling" firewood from the "grouchy trees" made me uncomfortable. There were plenty of non-sentient trees around...why couldn't I just pick up branches?
The housing/yard items. I bought 'em, but the snowmen were really not all that impressive (especially considering that you can't slot them all for display).
Frostbluff Coins. Yes, more barter tokens to take up bag/vault space. Just give me a Yule token or two, and forget this additional coin business (I would have willingly traded tokens for the coins for that helping the poor quest).
The Good
A special zone specifically for the festivals. It seems to allow for more flexibility in what you can do.
The snowball fight. Loved lobbing snowballs at others.
The cosmetics, again. I've got the snow-dusted suit equipped now, and I really don't know if I'm going to unequip it.
The G.L.O.B.E. Theatre. Fun and interactive...and really nice titles and devices.
Conclusion
The Yule festival came too quickly on the heals of the Harvestmath festival. I was in extreme "don't care" mode, so I really didn't spend as much time as I might have running quests. I got too frustrated with the eating quest and gave up, and I think I left some deeds unfinished. In fact, I had numerous Badges of Taste/Badges of Dishonour from running the Inn League/Ale Association quests during Harvestmath, and I traded them for Yule tokens and bough the horses and cosmetics I wanted.
Spring Festival 2010
When I started playing, the Spring Festival was just winding down. Because I so new to the game, I really didn't understand the mechanics of the festival or what I was supposed to be doing. I ran a few quests and picked up a few deeds, but it was all just trial-and-error. I did the shrew-stomp, ran a few deliveries for the Inn League, and even managed to find the Bree-land maze. I even managed to join the Inn League. But then the festival was gone. I can't really speak much to the events, but I still have some deeds to complete when the 2011 Spring Fest rolls around.
Summer Festival 2010
It seemed to take forever to get to the Summer festival. When I realized it was pending, I was rather excited. Being in my 30s and much more knowledgeable about game mechanics, I threw myself into it whole-heartedly. So...
The Ugly
The Inn League/Ale Association quests. There are just too few of them, and they give too little reputation. And all the running from one end of middle earth to another (within an hour), was annoying. I think I tried the quests about 3 times, and finally got sick of the runs.
The Bad
The Keg Race (Thorin's Hall) and the Eating Race (The Shire). At first, these were enjoyable diversions, but it turned into an aggravation as it became clear that the winners were not at all random. It was especially noticeable in The Shire, where Burdy Gamwich and Gladdy Chubb-Baggins won nearly every race. Only twice during the entire festival did I see Mudric win: once early in the festival, and once on the Friday before it ended (by which time I was placing my bets exclusively on him). I had better luck with the Keg Race, and things seemed more random. Ironically, it ended up that Mudric won before the last dwarf did, but at least I won the "Lucky Duck" title.
The Good
The mounts, especially the Pale Golden Summerfest Horse. I fell in love with it, and used it for quite a long time after the festival ended.
The integration of fishing with the festivals. It would be really nice to have crafting more involved in the festivals. I also liked the long-term quest where you planted a seed but wouldn't get the reward until Harvestmath.
The cosmetics and housing items. I wore the summer tree cloak and the summer tunic and pants for a while afterwards.
Conclusion
I truly enjoyed this festival. It was an entertaining diversion within the game.
Harvestmath 2010
After the positive experience I had with Summerfest, I was very excited for Harvestmath - and the Haunted Cellar.
The Ugly
Again, the Inn League/Ale Association quests. I was determined to get kindred with both factions, so I worked my butt off - and actually did it. But I will never deliver another bottle booze to anyone ever again if I have a choice. The mounts were nice, but ultimately, the rewards are just blah.
The Bad
Festival Fatigue. Outside the Haunted Cellar, the quests pretty much began to be repetitive, and really didn't seem very new. I often had a feeling of "this is it?".
The Skeleton Horse. I really wanted this horse, and went out of my way to check the chest. It never dropped. Then it appeared in the store, and I felt like I'd really wasted my time. I didn't buy it (I refuse to buy store exclusive horses; I think they negate all the work you do on reputation).
The Good
The Haunted Cellar. It was masterfully done, and the first run was a lot of fun. I love puzzles and mazes, so I loved trying it.
The Troves and Trickery quests. They were really a lot of fun, once you figured out what you were supposed to do.
The Skeleton Horse. Yes, I'm putting in both categories. It was a very well-designed, unique reward (until it appeared in the store).
The Sable Harvestmath Horse. Another great design.
Conclusion
I had fun, but after experience only two festivals, the shine on festivals was quickly wearing off.
Yule Festival 2010/2011
So, now we come to the most recent festival.
The Ugly
The Eating Contest. It was poorly designed. I don't mind quests where I lose because things are random, but I felt like I never had any chance to win the eating contest. The final two tables rarely had anything but pies and bread, and you can't win the contest with only those items. It would have worked better if the food despawned after, say, 1 minute, so that other items had a chance to spawn. For the first time, my stamina failed, and I gave up after trying a dozen times and never getting anywhere.
Moving Them Off. It was just an awful, mean quest that made me feel like a heal.
The Miser/The Blameless. Ultimately, I think the "moral choice" of helping either the rich or the poor fell flat. The choices were ultimately about cosmetics, not morality, and people don't really like being judged.
The Bad
Unwilling Firewood. I know wood-trolls are "the enemy", but having to collect "unwilling" firewood from the "grouchy trees" made me uncomfortable. There were plenty of non-sentient trees around...why couldn't I just pick up branches?
The housing/yard items. I bought 'em, but the snowmen were really not all that impressive (especially considering that you can't slot them all for display).
Frostbluff Coins. Yes, more barter tokens to take up bag/vault space. Just give me a Yule token or two, and forget this additional coin business (I would have willingly traded tokens for the coins for that helping the poor quest).
The Good
A special zone specifically for the festivals. It seems to allow for more flexibility in what you can do.
The snowball fight. Loved lobbing snowballs at others.
The cosmetics, again. I've got the snow-dusted suit equipped now, and I really don't know if I'm going to unequip it.
The G.L.O.B.E. Theatre. Fun and interactive...and really nice titles and devices.
Conclusion
The Yule festival came too quickly on the heals of the Harvestmath festival. I was in extreme "don't care" mode, so I really didn't spend as much time as I might have running quests. I got too frustrated with the eating quest and gave up, and I think I left some deeds unfinished. In fact, I had numerous Badges of Taste/Badges of Dishonour from running the Inn League/Ale Association quests during Harvestmath, and I traded them for Yule tokens and bough the horses and cosmetics I wanted.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)