The Lord of the Rings Online

Has anybody checked this out?
Been out for quite a while now on a subscription basis only but it’s now become FREE TO PLAY. You can play through the whole of the campaign and do alot of other shit for free too, but obviously to get the most thorough experience it is going to cost.

I love Lord of the Rings and i have never played an MMORPG before but this looks like a pretty good starting point.

You can download the client from

The Lord of the Rings Online – Play for Free!

I’m doing it now.
They give you an option to either download the High Defintion version which is aimed towards those with high spec PC’s or you can get the Standard Definition version. I’m going with the latter but probably still won’t run lol. I’ll give it a try anyway.

Join the world’s greatest fellowship of players in the award-winning online re-creation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s legendary Middle-earth. In the Lord of the Rings Online™, adventure through Middle-earth as you have never seen it before, battle and win glory against the ravenous hordes of the Dark Lord Sauron, and forge your own legend in the epic story of the War of the Ring. And you can do it all without paying a thing with LOTRO Free-to-Play! Free-to-Play opens the door to adventure so you can play your way without a subscription or even a credit card. Earn free Turbine Points as you adventure in the massive world of Middle-earth, and spend them in the LOTRO Store to access hundreds of items, expansion packs, premium content, character customization, and more! And you may also purchase Turbine Points in the LOTRO Store whenever you choose. The legend is yours, and the adventure is free!

Anyone can join the game for free as a Free player when LOTRO Free-to-Play is available. You will automatically be upgraded from Free player to Premium player status with your first purchase of Turbine Points in the LOTRO Store.

And for a monthly fee, LOTRO’s VIP program offers the best value and the most options for players who like the convenience of having unlimited access to all of LOTRO’s game content and features.

Features

Epic Story

The War of the Ring is spreading across Middle-earth, and as the Company of the Ring embarks on its journey, the call has gone out for Heroes among all the Free Peoples. But the story you know is only the beginning. Your own epic quests will write a new legend of Middle-earth as you rise to safeguard the Company of the Ring and preserve hope among the Free Peoples. As you grow in power, ever-more deadly minions of the dread Sauron will seek your doom and fight to keep the Company of the Ring from its goal. Whether they succeed is up to you! Beyond the story you know, your own legend waits to be forged!

Beautiful Landscape

LOTRO’s award-winning re-creation of Middle-earth opens the world of legendary fantasy as you have never seen it before. From the green fields of the Shire and the golden wood of Lothlórien to the blasted plains of the Lone-lands, where Weathertop still keeps its vigil, the world of Middle-earth is brought to stunning life. And beyond these realms, more than 800 regions and landmarks are open for exploration. Dare the Rift of Nûrz Ghâshu in Angmar, delve into the twisted depths of Moria, pit your courage against the icy wastes of Forochel, and brave the dark and deadly Mirkwood. Beyond the lands you know, a world of adventure awaits.

Massively Multiplayer

Join millions of players in the world’s largest fellowship of fans: a heroic force gathering on the edge of a blade to turn back the swelling shadow of the Dark Lord Sauron. Band together to fight, explore, forge your own legends, and make friends with the others who have heard the call of adventure and come to Middle-earth. A world of adventure, fellowship, and epic times is waiting for the best players around.

Skirmishes

Jump into battle wherever it rages! LOTRO’s Skirmish system offers endless, on-demand action for 1 to 12 players. Summon your friends with the Instance Join feature, and leap into the fray in randomized instances throughout Middle-earth. Skirmishes have adjustable difficulty levels and are replayable whenever you want. You can even create and lead your own customizable soldiers into battle, training them to greater skill as you defeat the forces of Sauron. Defend the Inn of the Prancing Pony, confront evil on the heights of Weathertop, and guard the gates of Tuckborough: Join the action wherever heroes are needed!

Instances and Raids

LOTRO’s Instances and Raids immerse you in intense combat action. The greatest battles of Middle-earth are waiting for those brave enough to take them on! Savage Orcs and fearsome Uruk-hai, the dread Nazgûl Lords themselves, and creatures never seen before have been ripped from the dark bowels of Middle-earth to challenge you. In dread Moria and the haunted Mirkwood, in the Rift of Nûrz Ghâshu and the deadly Halls of Dol Guldur, join forces to free Middle-earth from the shadow of the Dark Lord Sauron!

Player vs. Monster Player

Fight for the dark side in LOTRO’s unique Player vs. Monster Player mode! Create a savage Orc or deadly Uruk-hai or an ancient evil Spider in the bleak Ettenmoors and fight against the Free Peoples of Middle-earth as one of Sauron’s minions. Gain Infamy and Renown as a servant of the Dark Lord, or bring your heroic character to the Ettenmoors to challenge Monster Players in exciting combat. A live online leader board showcases your deadly achievements. Fellowship ends at the Ettenmoors with intense, deadly Player vs. Monster Player combat!

Levels of Progression

LOTRO brings you more than 3,000 heroic quests, each one a chance for glory as you advance your character through 65 levels of adventure and achievement! The fate of the Company of the Ring and of Middle-earth itself hang on your actions as you join in the decisive moments of the War of the Ring. Uncover the hidden stories and secret realms of Middle-earth as you win renown and heroic glory, and become a legend of your own making!

Advancement is Epic

Wield epic power as unique as your character with LOTRO’s Legendary Items system. Find or forge weapons as renowned as Bilbo’s Sting, weapons that gain power as you wield them in battle. Reforge your Legendary Items, unlock their Legacies of power, and customize them through millions of combinations of powers and skills to match your heroic style. Each Legendary Item becomes truly unique, suitable for a hero’s destiny!

Challenging Deeds

Hundreds of challenging Deeds give your character something to fight for. From exploring an unknown valley to defeating a deadly foe, the road to renown is waiting. Claim a name through your exploits, and all of Middle-earth will know you as Troll-slayer, Goblin-hewer, Spider-foe, or another title of legend. Make your hero truly unique by earning Traits, and customize your skills, bonuses, abilities, and even appearance. With Traits you can grow in power and concentrate your skills in the areas that mean the most to you, from dazzling Agility to deep Wisdom. LOTRO’s Deeds and Traits let you grow into a legend of your own making.

Fellowship and Kinship

A fellowship of adventure is waiting for you in Middle-earth! LOTRO’s millions of players are gathered to battle against the ultimate evil and turn back the hordes of the Dark Lord Sauron. Form a Kinship with other players to face deadly raids and challenging quests, growing in power together as you defeat the servants of Sauron and bring hope to the Free Peoples of Middle-earth. In the flowering of fellowship, the players in your Kinship can compete in contests and games, practice their Crafts, and even just relax before the next challenge. Join the greatest fellowship of heroes ever assembled!

Housing

Enjoy the rewards of heroism by owning your own house in Middle-earth. A showcase for your trophies of war, a place to store extra gear, and a fully customizable expression of your personality, your house lets you truly live the life of the Free Peoples of Middle-earth. Decorate your house with unique items that you find or forge to create a space that shows the world who you are. Whether on your own or with a Kinship, buying a house lets you truly immerse yourself in Middle-earth, the greatest fantasy world ever created!

Crafting

There’s more to being a hero than just combat, and with LOTRO’s Crafting system, you can explore your character’s other side by creating works of wonder. Advance your ability in your chosen Craft to truly immerse yourself in the world of Middle-earth. Craft unique items to aid you or your fellow heroes in your quests, sell in the Auction Houses, or even decorate your home! Whether as a Cook or a Jeweller, a Weaponsmith or a Woodworker, experience the full scope of life in Middle-earth.