Moria, Moria, Moria

I’m really looking forward to the new expansion, especially the new areas.  I’m primarily an Explorer, so any new area is going to interest me.  But, I’m looking forward to the day when I can explore Long Lake and the Lonely Mountain, and this it the first major step closer to that day.

The current game does a good job of giviing the impression of distance.  The world feels big.  If I see a mountain peak or a ruined castle, more often than not I can get to it.  Once there I can look out and see out to the horizon.

Also the new classes look pretty cool.  I’m excited to try both the Warden and Rune-keeper.  The new play mechanics introduced for each of them are interesting.

Fallout 3 – Xbox or PC?

I’m definitely going to get this game and play it.  The question is, which platform?

If I get the PC version I have to look at the DRM involved, though the PC version should offer more flexibility in mods and community add-ons later.

If I get the Xbox 360 version, DRM is not an issue but I’m limited to DLC for any additions to the game.  And, as always, I’ll get achievements and gamerscore points.

The primary decision point, though, is probably going to be location.

I’m married.  We have one high defenition television, which is in the living room.  This means my Xbox 360 is also in the living room.

My PC is in my office.

I share the living room with my wife.  I don’t share my office.  That means I can play more often on my PC than I can on my Xbox.

Max Level

I’ve play a lot of MMO’s.  I started with EverQuest way back with the original release and played about six months, but I never got past the teen levels.  Next was Dark Age of Camelot.  I played that game for longer, but never reached the max level.  World of Warcraft?  Level 45 on a PVP server.  I rerolled on an RP server to play with a friend, but never got past the twenties.

My goal this past year, ever since the Moria expansion was announced, was to hit max level in LoTRO.  Finally accomplished it yesterday.

Warhammer Crafting

Given the polish in the quests, combat, and PvP, the crafting system really sticks out as a tacked on system.

Initially I picked salvaging and talismans for crafting skills.  Salvaging was especially frustrating.  I often got a message saying an item was not salvageable or that I wasn’t skilled enough to salvage an item.  But I never found information in an item’s description to indicate if it was salvageable or what the minimum skill level requirement is to salvage it.

So around level 18, I switched to cultivation and alchemy.  Not great, but better.  Cultivation is especially interesting since I can plant a seed and close the window.