See first footage of LOTRO: Mines of Moria
by Justin McElroy 
{ Sep 9th 2008 at 1:00PM }
We might not be playing Tubine's massively multiplayer take on Tolkien's tale anymore, but we have to admit that the recently released fly-through of expansion Mines of Moria's Flaming Deeps area looks pretty spectacular. We've lovingly nestled it after the jump so you can see for yourself.
It doesn't hurt that the music makes us feel like we could punch an orc's head off with our bare hands, which, even for the beefiest Joystiq staffers, is a pretty tall order.
It doesn't hurt that the music makes us feel like we could punch an orc's head off with our bare hands, which, even for the beefiest Joystiq staffers, is a pretty tall order.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mr.ESC @ Sep 9th 2008 1:08PM
Look Ephialtes familiy guards the Mines,who knew.
Anyhow it looks impressive but I'm tiredof MMO's nut I might check a new Guild wars.
Mr.ESC @ Sep 9th 2008 1:34PM
*but.
Jakka(Naked Peach Brigade) @ Sep 9th 2008 1:17PM
You'd thought that next gen would provide us with some half-decent lava animation. With all respect, the lava one the trailer reminds me of the one in Rayman 2.
OwlBoy @ Sep 14th 2008 3:29AM
Next Gen? PC game?
mr mobius @ Sep 9th 2008 1:18PM
Why have I never bought the lord of the rings online? I guess I just don't have the time for MMOs and I never got into WoW either. I assume LOTRO doesn't have PvP. I'm a big enough LOTR fan though that it'd be cool but it probably doesn't have the scale needed for Middle Earth.
KrisnWo420 @ Sep 9th 2008 4:04PM
Actually, it does have some PVP.
jettoki @ Sep 9th 2008 1:24PM
FYI, this game is amazing. By far the most immersive and compelling MMO on the market. They paid particular attention to detail - it's a very lovingly-crafted recreation of Middle Earth, and it has all the scope and depth you expect from the source material. I wish the marketing for the game was stronger - most of the screenshots I've taken have been jaw-dropping.
Slim Daniels @ Sep 9th 2008 1:33PM
You'd think LOTR would get more attention being part of that fantasy world but I don't know anyone playing it.
Then again hardcore MMO players don't get out much.
Mr Khan @ Sep 9th 2008 2:05PM
?
There was never magma in Moria. At most, there was brimstone, brought in by the orcs and fired up by the Balrog
Ace @ Sep 9th 2008 7:05PM
Ah, the new Ironforge expansion =D
But in all seriousness it looks nifty, even though I don't play the game. However I don't remember the bit about the flowing lava waterfalls in the books, though I don't know when exactly this is taking place on the LotR timeline, perhaps they had it back in the day.
Ichi the One @ Sep 9th 2008 6:25PM
Reminds me a LOT of the dwarf starting city in the Warhammer Online beta (which I've played a little of, but I don't plan on buying that game).
Would be cool if the expansion areas were big enough to really simulate the massiveness Moria requires, I can't get a good sense of that in the video.
Would be even more awesome if the game explored the depths well below Moria where the most ancient things dwell (oldest things in Middle Earth), but I don't think Tolkien ever described those things.
IGLAW @ Sep 9th 2008 8:25PM
Looks cool but I can never really stay invested in an MMO for mroe than about a month and a half.
...
Well, there was Runescape, but that was middle school. /:
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Sep 10th 2008 6:06AM
Considering the low poly limitations they had on the models, I think that they've done brilliant work on the environmental textures and lighting.