Well this list might not be true to everyone. But heres my pro's and con's list.
LOTRO
Pros:
Dedicated RP server (although there is still a torrent of anti RP people on it for some reason
)
Playing as a hobbit. (hours of fun with the little folk.)
Extensive Tolkien lore.
Rich world to explore (and roam aimlessly
)
A lot of time and effort has gone into crafting the world (while this is true for MXO. LOTRO is still maintaining theirs properly and adding to it)
A good fellowship (grouping) system with fellowship maneuvers and the ability to upgrade to raid for large groups and PVP.
Average Kinship (faction) system with optional kinship ranks that can be edited and renamed. (and faction hall's coming in august ;D )
Lots of original quests (which beat the hell out of constant assassination missions!) with handy rewards at the end (such as new weapons and Armour and other buffed stuff.)
Monster Play. (fun with the wargs!.... Ummmmm hobbits
)
I don't have to pay for it till 2070 ( loopholes rock ;D )
Cons:
Limited High level content (sounds failure? )
no events (none yet since they broke the Events system... But hopefully there coming.)
Drink can still get elves drunk ( Hey I'm trying hard to find faults
)
Lots of the quests are extremely hard and require fellowships (not necessarily a bad thing but hard if you want to go solo
)
It costs alto to repair your gear if your defeated.
um..... well...... My elf ears look like funny
MXO
((I apologies if it seems that I'm trying to make MXO bad. But I have to much resentment to what has happened to it that I can't give an unbiased opinion.))
Pros:
((I took these from the original WB site.)
Dozens of weapons and dramatic martial arts maneuvers that capture the "wire fu" Matrix experience. Use devastating special moves and sneak attacks including breath-taking bullet-time effects that are intelligently generated based on player moves and tactics. ((OK yes that I'll give it that but slightly diminished now. ))
Plot lines by the creators of The Matrix continue the Matrix story where the movie trilogy leaves off and provide you with deep insight into the world of the Matrix. (*from the caves of regula. Test site of the Genesis project* CHADWICK!!!!!!!!!!) ((star trek 2 pun if ya don't get it
))
The Matrix Online will engage you with special events, missions, and monthly story cinematics, all of which effect the action in the game. ( *in small print.* "Only available to those favored by the Liaisons or are lucky en ought to find them.")
A full Rich World cityscape environment with traffic, living neighborhoods and breathtaking skylines that immerse players in the most authentic Matrix Mega City ever created (Using RichWorld technology™). ((which is good. But starting to decay with the cutting back of budget. God bless SOE!))
A robust mission system designed for maximum re-playability and depth. Players receive missions from familiar organizations in the Matrix, such as Zion and the Machines. (Yes its now fully re-playable with the archives added.)
Authentic "Matrix style" clothing and character customization options allow players to live a virtual life that reflects the fashion of the Matrix movies. (Thats all we can do once we reach the top
)
Find, create, or trade Matrix "ability code" that provides incredible knowledge and skill to your character. Unlike other massively multiplayer games, ability code can be swapped out and exchanged like trading cards, providing unprecedented flexibility in the development of a character. (one of the few things that I'm not going to complain about being altered. In fact I think its the only thing.)
Players can tap into sources of "information" in the game to create or steal code fragments. Code can be used to create both special Matrix items and special abilities. (hum..... WB must have had the oracle working for them because we can only just do that
)
In partnership with AOL we are proud to use the AIM system system as the ingame chat system. Not only will you be able to communicate with other players but anyone other the AIM network for ingame and out. (I miss that. )
An inspiring community of Die hard fans that make the game Worth while. ( that ones mine
))
Cons:
I'll make this brief but it must be said.
SOE!Those bastards and there money cutting ways have done nothing but shun MXO ever since they bought it out. It was never a partnership it was a hostile take over and since then they do as little as possible to support the game but simply use it as a giant advertisement for how big there heads are. Which are, unfortunately, dwarfed by there wallets!
OK I gotta go and punch something now.