The Lord of the Rings Online

Other provisions in the Store - such as the ability to purchase permanent stat increases - are, on the other hand, likely to invite legitimate controversy. For many, the use of real money to purchase hard upgrades is anathema to the spirit of character development in an escapist online world. Tolerance of these types of item within the existing community will likely hinge on how far this concept is taken and how attainable these bonuses will be from the monthly gratuity points provided to subscribers.

While functional, the actual process of purchasing items through the Turbine Store can be a little slow and browsing is an exercise in murderous frustration. Navigation of the various categories is reminiscent of HTML's clumsier dial-up days and this is one area of the re-launch that really does deserve a further round of polish. While all purchases are rather charmingly handled entirely within the game-world and delivered to players instantly, this difficulty in browsing seems at odds with a model designed to invite spending.

Level by level, Turbine provides gift-boxes containing various buffs, elixirs and other helpful odds and ends. None of these can be sold to vendors, encouraging active experimentation with their effects - and further supplies of these items are of course available for purchase. While it would be easy to write such offerings off as a cynical nudge towards laying out more of your hard-earned cash, they never feel intrusive or suggest that you're missing out by not restocking. More than anything, the prompts serve as a gentle introduction to the mechanics of the Store itself.

In terms of content, initial progress through the early part of the game is largely unaffected by your choice of membership. Players will easily be able to arrive at Level 20 without being denied any of the compelling story, questing and scenery that make LOTRO such a special game.

Differences will only really begin to show as you advance past this point - as your progress through both the content and the mechanics of your character advances, greater demands will inevitably be placed on your wallet. Quest packs typically provide enough content to see you through the next 10 levels and, while not obligatory for advancement, dungeons can be unlocked allowing access to greater gear and weapons. One thing that appears to be permanently out of reach of non-subscribers is Monster Play, LOTRO's good-versus-evil player-versus-player component.

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Put simply, the content provided free of charge will keep most players busy for a significant amount of time. Those who stay the distance and reach the point where progression becomes impossible will most likely have already made the decision that LOTRO is indeed worthy of their money. From here, the choice comes purely down to whether you'll continue paying piecemeal for content as and when it's needed, or upgrade to VIP membership. In this sense, it's an extended, highly effective trial, and a large number of those who fall in love with the game will likely find it more sensible to pay a regular subscription.

Overall, the new system fundamentally works and, niggles aside, Turbine is to be congratulated on its implementation thus far. For players new to the MMO genre - or indeed, those looking for a change of scenery - LOTRO's free-to-play offering is shaping up to provide as polished and enthralling an experience as any other currently available.

With the initial cost barrier removed, there's simply no excuse for not indulging yourself in this enchanting representation of Tolkien's world. From the veteran's perspective, rather than fearing the incoming masses, the community might instead serve themselves best by preparing a cosy seat by the fire and a foaming mug of Thistleberry Brew for the friends they haven't yet made.