There are many things I adore about LOTRO, but two things really stand out for me.
MIDDLE-EARTH
One of the things I instantly realised from playing the game is that it almost perfectly recreates Tolkien's world without feeling more like a movie than a game. When travelling through The Shire, I stopped MANY times because I recognised places from the books and movies. From Bag End and it's snobby neighbour, Lobelia Sackville-Baggins, to things like Maggot's farm. And it doesn't stop there! I remember the first time I travelled to Rivendell. Walking along a long dirt-road, I come across a small creek, cutting straight across, and then a steep hill on the other side of the creek. As soon as I saw it, I recognised it from the first of Peter Jackson's LOTR movies as the place where Arwen, while carrying a sick and dying Frodo, is being chased by Black Riders and calls upon the magnificent 'Water Stallions' to stop the Riders in their tracks. I was really amazed that Turbine could recreate it so well for me to instantly recognise it. They have created a beautiful world, from the great view of Rivendell to the frosty wastelands of Forochel (which are completely breathtaking at night), LOTRO's environment is more than I could ever ask of an MMORPG.
SOCIETY
The second thing I'd like to mention is that LOTRO has an amazing society of players and staff. LOTRO has an amazing society, unmatched by any MMORPG I've ever played before. First off, I was able to join a Kin really quickly and easily. They didn't reject me because of my (at-the-time) low level, and they were all perfectly friendly towards me. Only yesterday, a person in my kin whom I had never spoken to before inspected me to see my gear, then crafted and mailed me some better items without me even asking. That's what should be had from a kin, a group of people who are willing to waste time and effort in order to help those you need it. I've also come across some really good friends that, for example, gave me a stack of Medium Hides for my crafting where he and I both knew he could sell them at the Auction House for a reasonable price. But it's not all about money or gear, it's also about caring for the well-being of others. The other day, I'd fought my way into an orc camp for a quest. I saw the orc I had to kill, but he was an elite, so I wasn't sure I could take him on alone. Confidently, I tried to fight him, but quickly realised that if I kept it up, I would surely die. Trying to escape, I ran back where I had come from and noticed another player, a minstrel. Without me saying anything, he noticed I was almost dead, so he started healing me as well as he could, making sure I didn't die. I noticed the healing, so I turned back to fight the orc and managed to kill it solely because this stranger had decided to help.
Thank you, Turbine, for creating such a wonderful game, and thank you, LOTRO players, for being the awesome people you are. It is really appreciated,
-Jamesuyt/Frumm/Haelandir
Australian Gods of War