Fantasticly great game. One is able to get lost in the lore. It is free to play with the option of buying LOTRO points (in-game currency for store items, such as quest areas, exp boosters, and such), but you are also able to earn LOTRO points by completing various deeds in the free areas you get. So a free to play player can make it to end game same as a premium player (has purchased anything with real world money), VIP player (pays for a subscription), and lifetime player (option no longer able to be purchased). It is easier, yes, to be a premium or above but Expansion packs, such as Mordor, need to be purchased by everyone, and you can use real world money or LOTRO points. This game has been going for over 10 years and the devs are still looking to the future!!

The community/servers are overall great and helpful, but like any game, they do have thier trolls. They can be put on ignore so you never have to read anything from them.

Added 11/2018:
11 years in and the Devs are still adding new content, tweaking combat, improving overall environmental aesthetics, and most importantly, STILL listening to thier player base in most aspectys of the game. I had to stop playing thru Steam to decrease connection issues, so my overall hours is more than doubled. Lord of the Rings Online is very easy to become immersed in, so be warned.

Fantasticly great game. One is able to get lost in the lore. It is free to play with the option of buying LOTRO points (in-game currency for store items, such as quest areas, exp boosters, and such), but you are also able to earn LOTRO points by completing various deeds in the free areas you get. So a free to play player can make it to end game same as a premium player (has purchased anything with real world money), VIP player (pays for a subscription), and lifetime player (option no longer able to be purchased). It is easier, yes, to be a premium or above but Expansion packs, such as Mordor, need to be purchased by everyone, and you can use real world money or LOTRO points. This game has been going for over 10 years and the devs are still looking to the future!! The community/servers are overall great and helpful, but like any game, they do have thier trolls. They can be put on ignore so you never have to read anything from them. Added 11/2018: 11 years in and the Devs are still adding new content, tweaking combat, improving overall environmental aesthetics, and most importantly, STILL listening to thier player base in most aspectys of the game. I had to stop playing thru Steam to decrease connection issues, so my overall hours is more than doubled. Lord of the Rings Online is very easy to become immersed in, so be warned.