Everquest II

[Smoof]

How is it? Just a few days ago, I picked up the Everquest PnP RPG since my D&D group decided to do a little bit of it last week and this. Reading the PHB has made me REALLY, REALLY nostalgic for some old school EQ. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as an Everquest server that just runs old Everquest or even just Kunark and Velious. So, what about EQII?

I plan to download the trial and I'm tempted to just purchase it straight off Steam for $19.99 without even trying the trial because I'm just going nuts for some Everquest.

So what's the word? EQII any good? I hear you can solo now, which is more my style, though I'm definitely hoping for some grouping...

[Shadowmage952]

If you are a fan of MMOs in general then you will likely dig it. It has come a long way from when it was first released and is a very solid title with a decent amount of people playing. I would recommend trying out the demo before buying it just to be sure, but if you do buy it I recommend you pick up the latest expansion as it comes with the full game and every expansion for it (7 I believe). It'll run you $30-$40 rather than twenty, but it is a much better deal if you plan on playing.

Also, if you aren't committed to any servers feel free to jump onto the Mistmoore server, where a couple of friends and myself still play.

[Ten19]

Download the trial first, do yourself and your wallet that favor. It's okay, there is a TON of content, but it looks crappy and the gameplay starts to get old quick, even for an MMO. The crafting is pretty interesting, but hardly enough to keep my subscription.

If you're jonesing for a fantasy MMO, I'd definitely suggest LotR:O instead, but that's just me ;)

[Panthera]

I've always held this game up as an example of how technically high-end graphics can go so, so wrong.

[J Arcane]

It's a big resounding meh.

It starts out kinda OK, lulls you into a sense that it might not be that bad, but after walking miles and miles for every bloody quest across zones that really didn't need to be more than 1/4 the size, you get bored REALLY fast.

I want to call it mediocre, but there's other mediocre MMOs I think I'd rather play. Hell, I'll activate the Lich King trial Blizz sent me before I'd go back to EQ2.

[Smoof]

Thanks for the thoughts, everyone. Hah.

Well, I still intend to give it a play and see how I like it. As far as LOTRO goes: I've played it. Had a 22 Hobbit Hunter which was great, but I eventually just got bored with the game. Didn't like the class structure and the fact that there was only one healing class. Also hated the models in that game...good god were they bad. I'd go back to LOTRO (I've got a 71 Shaman in WoW and have been tinkering with a DK, but WoW is just wearing thin for me), but I really have a desire to be in the world of Norrath and I'm hoping EQ2 will help me...

[Nura]

And don't forget they've added an item-mall where you can buy xp-potions and such! Never underestimate SOEs ability to screw over their customers.

[Smoof]

I just really wish there was a classic EQ server. I've had classic EQ music stuck in my head all day...the loading screen music, battle music, Felwithe/Kelethin music...dear god I want to play some old school EQ.

[Stoke]

I just really wish there was a classic EQ server. I've had classic EQ music stuck in my head all day...the loading screen music, battle music, Felwithe/Kelethin music...dear god I want to play some old school EQ.

A lot of people wished for that. SOE compromised with the progression servers but I think they are caught up by now. If you look around there are probably some private servers set up for this purpose but the amount of people playing would be to low to make it worthwhile.

I won't say anything about EQ2 except that it's the best MMO on the market right now.

[Smoof]

I won't say anything about EQ2 except that it's the best MMO on the market right now.

Now why is this? Can you clarify for me?

I'm still only at 64% of downloading the trial and I'm not planning on canceling it, I'm just curious to hear your honest thoughts on why it's the best.

[Goronmon]

I never found Everquest 2 to have any redeeming qualities over any other MMO out there.

[Stoke]

Now why is this? Can you clarify for me?

I'm still only at 64% of downloading the trial and I'm not planning on canceling it, I'm just curious to hear your honest thoughts on why it's the best.

I found the world and lore much more appealing than that in WoW. Although this is probably because I spent so much time in EQ. I just found it neat to see how things in the world had changed since Luclin was destroyed.

I think it still holds up very well graphically, especially in the newer areas and it doesn't take a beast of a machine to play with a good frame rate. The class system is better than in most MMOs although it can be frustrating that they all seem so similar until you really get into the mid level range. The combat is pretty standard fare, better than some but less than AoC. Crafting is a mixed bag, you're either going to like it or hate it, probably the latter.

But, most of all, is the user base. The biggest problem I had trying to play WoW after leaving EQ2 was there did not seem to be anyone over 12 on any server I tried. This is generally not the case in EQ2.

[Blue]

I found the world and lore much more appealing than that in WoW. Although this is probably because I spent so much time in EQ. I just found it neat to see how things in the world had changed since Luclin was destroyed.

I think it still holds up very well graphically, especially in the newer areas and it doesn't take a beast of a machine to play with a good frame rate. The class system is better than in most MMOs although it can be frustrating that they all seem so similar until you really get into the mid level range. The combat is pretty standard fare, better than some but less than AoC. Crafting is a mixed bag, you're either going to like it or hate it, probably the latter.

But, most of all, is the user base. The biggest problem I had trying to play WoW after leaving EQ2 was there did not seem to be anyone over 12 on any server I tried. This is generally not the case in EQ2.

You should have come to Thunderhorn. I'm older than 12!

I've always had a fleeting interest in EQ2. I enjoy WoW for the most part but EQ2 seems like it could offer a fun/interesting change of pace. If I had a PC I would certainly give it a go. The first EQ was out when my buddy and I were in college and we picked it up and got way too caught up in it so we returned it (back when you still could at EB and an MMO no less). A guy I worked with would always talk about his adventures and it really made me want to try it even more.

I usually hear a good deal of negative stuff about EQ2 - though that was when it first came out - so it's refreshing to hear a positive take on it.

[Stoke]

I usually hear a good deal of negative stuff about EQ2 - though that was when it first came out - so it's refreshing to hear a positive take on it.

It deserved a lot of the criticism it got when it was new. It was rushed out the door to try to gain subscribers before WoW hit. It has been significantly revamped in just about every area since then.

[Lint of Death]

I had a good time with the trial, back before Rise of Kunark came out. Don't ask why, I'm still not sure myself, but the Fae are actually pretty fun to play. I made a brawler just because I was amused by the idea of a little butterfly-winged prettyboy who beats the everliving daylights out of everything, but the flight/glide abilities are actually pretty cool. You can just keep gliding down forever from high places.

Another nice thing is that race has no bearing on the available classes, except that classes are restricted based on being with the side of good or evil.

Visually it's kind of weird because the characters tend to be hideous, but the water effects are great and you can get used to the poor stylistic choices and eventually appreciate the good ones.

[Smoof]

Finally finished and played for probably about 3 hours or so trying various races and classes. Evil Fairy Necromancer (hilarious and awesome), Dwarf Berserker, Halfling Ranger (Eh), Halfling Bard (Sweet). I'm enjoying myself so far. I haven't gotten any of those classes beyond level 5, but I'm eager to take both the Necromancer and Berserker (possibly bard as well) up to at least 10 and see what's out there. I chose the Antonia Bale server because it was the most populated. There seem to be quite a few people around the Qeynos area and Neriak area, but I haven't seen much in Faydark and Freeport.

It somewhat slakes my thirst for some Everquest. The gameworld feels similar, which is nice. But it's still not totally the same, unfortunately.

[Stoke]

Finally finished and played for probably about 3 hours or so trying various races and classes. Evil Fairy Necromancer (hilarious and awesome), Dwarf Berserker, Halfling Ranger (Eh), Halfling Bard (Sweet). I'm enjoying myself so far. I haven't gotten any of those classes beyond level 5, but I'm eager to take both the Necromancer and Berserker (possibly bard as well) up to at least 10 and see what's out there. I chose the Antonia Bale server because it was the most populated. There seem to be quite a few people around the Qeynos area and Neriak area, but I haven't seen much in Faydark and Freeport.

It somewhat slakes my thirst for some Everquest. The gameworld feels similar, which is nice. But it's still not totally the same, unfortunately.

My main was always an Arasai Necro once that expansion came out. I'm not sure what level it is but you will soon get the option to jump higher/extend the glide time you have when you jump. I would suggest you pick it, I don't know why but it's more fun than it really should be to jump across a ledge/river and watch as your party has to go the long way.

Also, the Arasai home city (Neriak) is much more populated than Freeport, it got redone when that expansion came out and made the are much more noob friendly.

[Lint of Death]

My main was always an Arasai Necro once that expansion came out. I'm not sure what level it is but you will soon get the option to jump higher/extend the glide time you have when you jump. I would suggest you pick it, I don't know why but it's more fun than it really should be to jump across a ledge/river and watch as your party has to go the long way.

Also, the Arasai home city (Neriak) is much more populated than Freeport, it got redone when that expansion came out and made the are much more noob friendly.

This. That's what I was saying, so I totally second that recommendation. I think it's around level 6 that you can start gliding everywhere. It's amazing.

[Smoof]

I'm really having some difficulty in picking a class. I'm not sure what I'd really like to play in terms of melee, spell caster, etc. I'm not a big fan of the casters, but EQ Necro's have always interested me quite a bit. I also have my Dwarf Berserker at level 8 now and a Bard of similar level. Part of what is influencing my decision is the starting area. I like the Faydark a lot, always have, so I've been playing my Dwarf a lot. But the area around Neriak is what really makes me feel like I'm back in the original Everquest.