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Beta journals testify about the LotRO store
While the new version of Lord of the Rings Online is still under NDA lockdown, Turbine's opened a crack in the door to allow a few beta testers to jaw about the LotRO store. On the EU site, beta testers were encouraged to submit their thoughts and experiences with the new store for non-testers to assimilate, with four stories chosen to be posted. Although these stories come with the caveat that they were hand-picked to be shared, they seemed free to share both likes and dislikes about the store. Some of the positive mentions include the speed of the store's delivery to player inventory, the sheer amount of items available, fun items like emotes and mounts, and general ease of use. They report that cosmetics are a big hit with beta testers. On the flip side, the authors were critical of the unfinished feel to the store and the fact you can't see the items you're purchasing in the dressing-room window. Generally, however, the four testers are upbeat about this new LotRO feature. You can read their full thoughts at LotRO EU's site.
Mythos beta journal, part 2
Mythos, the Diablo II-inspired action-adventure MMO from Flagship Studios, nears open beta after months of tantalizing peeks and glimpses into the closed beta. Flagship Studios, founded by members of the original Diablo II development team, released their first game last fall, the Armageddon-themed Hellgate: London. Mythos returns them to their fast-paced fantasy roots, adding a rich game-world, crafting, innovative classes and both solo and group content to the winning Diablo II formula.Raisu writes in the second part of his Mythos Beta Journal about getting started in Mythos and the difference between the difficulty levels in the game. That's an astounding thing in itself, an MMO where you can choose the difficulty at which you play. Normal is normal; most dungeons will be a moderate challenge to you. Elite means they will be fairly tough, and you won't get as much cash for your treasure from merchants. Hardcore means you get just one life -- once you die, you're gone. Finally, Shadowlands-Only means you inhabit that strange mirror realm where you may fight other people -- and unlike visitors from the Light realms, you can never leave. If you love your Massively Multiplayer games fast, casual, with piles of loot, high individuality among characters, and free, you're likely looking forward to Mythos as much as we.
