Most LotRO players don’t seem to be big fans of the Lone-lands. Sure, it includes Weather-top, but beyond that Turbine almost did their job too well: it’s tool lonely and desolate and, well, barren. I feel the quests are too similar, there’s way too many identical Orcs and the areas largely just plain dull. Garth Agarwen isn’t actually well loved either and I’ve never felt much of a reason to head in there.
Like Bree-land and the starting areas before, the Lone-lands are getting a second go-over by Orion and company. I noticed a few recent comments by him on the official forums about this today.
Lonelands will cover levels 22 — 32 and will overhaul the epic quest line there significantly. Yes, there are new quests planned. Yes there are new camps planned. I’ve been given leave to make some adjustments to an area that is much maligned as well.
Start looking at my blog on or about Thursday this week 7/23 and I will be offering a day by day account of the revamp…at least a little section of it that is.
The intention is to make North Downs from Trestlebridge north to the border of Fornost and west to the borders of Evendim and east to the area of Kingsfell into an alternative leveling area for 22 — 32. Orthrikar, Meluinen and everything east and north of Esteldin will become a 32 — 42 area.
Let’s get through the Lone-lands first.
I am also including the Ram Duath in there. Which would grab the Earth-kin hub. But, rest assured…when I get there, there will be new stuff to do.
You can visit Orion’s myLotRO blog for updates in the future, although as of this post they’re not there just yet.
I think they’ve done a great job revamping old areas overall so far. I’m definitely looking forward to updates to the Lone-lands, arguably more so than any other area.
This is interesting. I’m not sure there’s another game out there that’s taking such a systematic approach to revamping the entire low level game. Perhaps I will have to try an alt someday (though visiting Moria on my main will be my top priority, especially since the LL and ND revamps are still on the drawing board).
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Personally, I would have to say that the Lonelands are definitely one of my favourite regions, alongside Eregion and Evendim. I find the whole look and feel of the place extremely atmospheric, and very close to Tolkien’s descriptions. And Weathertop, of course, is one of LOTRO’s great design successes. As for Garth Agarwen, which I think offers a very effective chain of quests, it would probably be more popular if the devs had provided a decent map; at the moment, it’s too easy to get hopelessly lost, both in the general area and in the instance.
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Yeah, I think the map is a good point. Even if it just mapped itself out better like Goblin Town does. I just don’t like going in there…
I think part of the problem is that what you get from the time investment just isn’t interesting enough. Sounds Orion is working on that.
I do like that everyone has different opinions on what’s fun in this game though.
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