EDIT: THEY BROUGHT IT BACK BOYS THIS IS NOT A DRILL!

This game is a piece of art.

Developed by a pretty unknown studio the game has been being developed since 2006. It changed hands to Gamersfirst and the game has continued to be developed. (Gamersfirst might not be the best group to own the game but they keep it running)

The game is the culmination of a lot of different games that always got some things right but never went any further.

The game as a very robust crafting system with nearly 90% of the items found in game being craftable. (The other 10% is usually unique item drops or materials for crafting.)

The combat system while at times can be a bit wonky requires people to aim their shots and attacks (Something that a lot of people look for in an MMO today)

If you enjoy games like Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics, Wasteland, or Wasteland 2 (This is in regards to the Genre and crafting/party system) Then this game is most likely going to fall into the Niche of games that you'll die for.

The game has a die-hard fan base that has kept it runing through the transitions and the bad times. The game has undergone a ton of updating and in the near future another sector will be added to the game. (Essentially another expansion.)

Many people discredit the game because of graphical glitches or a poorly designed tutorial. (Which graphics don't matter but the tutorial is credible.) Yet the game continues to find ways to bring people into the world.

The mythos of the game is incredible. The storylines are interesting and they dialogue is engaging. (Dialogue here meaning Text, you have to read =P ) I cannot find a lot to say about the game that is at fault.

PvP has consequences on the world and the Factions that battle it out are fun to engage with and make the game interesting to say the least with "Politics" in game. The economy is for the most part player driven and this engages people even more that like to play the market.

All in all this game is a solid 7/10 and hell it's free, so what are you waiting for? GET OUT THERE AND MAKE ME PROUD! I'll see you in the wastes.

Y'all better not sleep on this one.

I’d start by saying that LOTRO’s greatest strength isn’t even its famous IP; it’s the fact that the IP lent itself to the creation of a genuine game world. Lots of MMOs have jigsaw puzzle zones and stories that are mish-mashed together into a weird themepark, but LOTRO’s setting feels cohesive, continuous, and comprehensive.

This game is the most immersive MMO I've ever played. Every zone is carefully crafted with environmental music and sound effects that make every location unique and engaging.

There is a ton of content available 100% free. Update 33 made some significant changes to the game's monetization -- in a good way! -- as VIP accounts have access to the standard versions of the Mordor, Minas Morgul, and War of Three Peaks expansions. In addition, the High Elf race and Warden, Rune-keeper, and Beorning classes will be free to all players.

Want more free content? How about every expansion up to Helm's Deep? That's right, all LotRO content through the game's first five expansions will be free to all players. And that is hours and hours of content.

Gameplay systems-wise, I’ve always found LOTRO to be very accessible if you’re coming from most other MMOs. It’s a World of Warcraft clone of a sort — certainly in the questing model and tab-target combat — but LOTRO’s always done things with its own unique flair. You won’t be lost and flailing around to understand how this game works if you’re an MMO vet. “Comfortability” isn’t a massive selling point, but it is nice to know that you can jump in and get going right away without worry that you’ll need extensive instruction.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t hold up the LOTRO community as an amazing part of this title. Year after year, I’ve been so impressed by the enthusiasm, kindness, and generosity of LOTRO players. This is an MMO where people actually (gasp) love their game and are welcoming to those who come into their orbit. Sure, there are the usual bad apples scattered about, but on the whole, LOTRO gets high marks for its community.

So why play LOTRO?

We've all been burned by MMOs in the past. Because they never seem to live up to their promise. They are a risk. It's a hefty download for an old game right? I get it. But if you're looking for a Chill, low-magic, fantasy RPG with great stories and a charming world then LOTRO is it.

EDIT:
Now they've overhauled the New Player Experience with a new $20 Mini-Expansion called Before the Shadow. And it is GREAT!!!! They've started adding in a lot of the features of newer MMOs with a streamlined leveling path and a much more cinematic quest experience. Two-Thumbs up!

In the coming months they've promised to address Lag and begin overhauling the UI/Graphics. I don't wanna count my chickens before they hatch but I think that LOTRO has an incredibly bright future ahead of it.