So, LOTRO is fun. A lot of games are fun. But that's not why I'm preordering and playing the game.
Oh no.
Today Dax took me to the Shire, and we explored. Here's some snapshots.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/suppai_no_iruka/ScreenShot00037.jpg)
Rainbows and flowers abound in the Shire!
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/suppai_no_iruka/ScreenShot00036.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/suppai_no_iruka/ScreenShot00038.jpg)
This is just really nice GFX work
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/suppai_no_iruka/ScreenShot00039.jpg)
Oh look a waterfall. I should just admire its beauty from afar.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/suppai_no_iruka/ScreenShot00042.jpg)
This works too. (I went back and did it in 1st person mode which was even better)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/suppai_no_iruka/ScreenShot00047.jpg)
The Shire is HUGE. It takes forever to traverse, but you actually enjoy the journey.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/suppai_no_iruka/ScreenShot00049.jpg)
This is Bag End, where Bilbo and Frodo lived.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/suppai_no_iruka/ScreenShot00056.jpg)
This is where Bilbo's birthday party in the beginning happens!
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/suppai_no_iruka/ScreenShot00054.jpg)
Thus ends a day in the Shire. I should mention the sky in this game is amazingly realistic. The Shire looks better than real life, and I wish I lived there.
And it completely convinced me to buy this game.