Critical Reaction
MERP was generally well received, although not recommended for beginners. Some commentators disliked how the system handled magic. In Tolkien's books, magic is a rare, subtle force only used by a few powerful characters, whereas in MERP magic (from healing to throwing thunderbolts) was possible for nearly any Player Character. This lack of continuity with the source material was seen to upset the game's authenticity. However, in many early reviews the game play was described as being true to the spirit of Tolkien's work and a pleasure to play. Others enjoyed the detail of the maps and praised many of the early adventures. The game's early editions were later printed in many countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Spain and France.
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