Can someone compare/contrast Vanguard with EQ2?

Valvanya

I'm currently playing Vanguard, but after reading the forums on this site it seems more ppl like EQ2.

I prefer PvE, soloing, and non-trivial gameplay. I like multi-facets of Vanguard: many Races/Classes, Adventuring, Crafting, Diplomacy, Housing, and Boats.

So that I can decided whether or not to make the switch to EQ2, can someone logically compare/contrast Vanguard with EQ2?

(Please ignore the bugs in Vanguard. This is an honest inquiry.)

skizi

Well, EQ2 has been around for more than 2 years, and it took SOE about a year and a half to make the game right. I've played EQ2 for about 2 years and I have to say as of now it is one of the more polished MMOs out. It' has a great adventure system which allows you to solo all the way to 70 if you want, or group if you feel lonely. PvP in the game is terrible, as is crafting, but those are my opinions.



Either way, if you're looking for an MMO to pass the time until WAR and AoC I would definitely recommend it. Just make sure you play on one of the more populated servers like Mistmoore.

Valvanya

The in-balances in newer games can be very frustrating, so it seems game maturity (i.e. polish time) is almost a prerequisite for well rounded fun.

bobdog

I have played both, and EQ2 is by far more polished and functional.  Vanguard is pretty and huge.



EQ2 and VG both have unibody character models, so non-humans look like humans with a mask and tail.  EQ2 not near as bad as VG.

EQ2 has been dumbed down so much it's more in line with WoW now.



Crafting in EQ2 has been taken from a murderous time sink to a retarded level (via mats needed).  VG has a unique system that lots of people find addicting, I however find it overly compicated and hate it.



Harvesting in EQ2 you get to pick up everytyhing, and sell what you don't need (however iwith the new crafting you generally need 1 of each thing, which gets silly and you have farmers cornering the market on 1 type of resource so it makes it a pain in the but if you run short on one of the items.

  VG you only get to harvest 2 types of nodes.

VG you can build boats and houses, boats sail around the islands and houses are way out of the way generally.



EQ2, housing is in the cities and you have tons of options for decorating them.



Most classes solo effectivly in EQ2, and it gets to be easy mode for some classes.  My Brig could grind non-stop with a path of destruction that would make WoW classes pee themselves.



Lots of cutomization  for classes in EQ2, not so in VG.



Almost always grouping available in EQ2, since high level players can "mentor" you (drop to your level so you get xp when you group with them).



For me, EQ2 makes me /yawn, and VG makes me /cry.

skizi

Originally posted by Valvanya

It seems maturity is very important for MMORPG's to be fun.

Yes, EQ2 is definitely one of the more mature games. It's mostly a game for older players, and ones that want to log and play, instead of being harassed by 12 year olds.

Valvanya

Originally posted by skizi

Originally posted by Valvanya

It seems maturity is very important for MMORPG's to be fun.

Yes, EQ2 is definitely one of the more mature games. It's mostly a game for older players, and ones that want to log and play, instead of being harassed by 12 year olds.

I agree, an immature player base can destroy the fun (at least for me).

Valvanya

Thanks for the advice, skizi & bobdog.

bobdog

Originally posted by Valvanya

Originally posted by skizi

Originally posted by Valvanya

It seems maturity is very important for MMORPG's to be fun.

Yes, EQ2 is definitely one of the more mature games. It's mostly a game for older players, and ones that want to log and play, instead of being harassed by 12 year olds.

I agree, an immature player base can destroy the fun (at least for me).

I begged and pleaded on the WoW forums for Adult Servers, if they had that, er, well I would have at least enjoyed what time I spent there

RabbitFly

Originally posted by bobdog



EQ2 and VG both have unibody character models, so non-humans look like humans with a mask and tail. 

Sorry I am not trying to flame or anything, just that your statement is wrong. Eq2 does not have unibody character models, which is exactly why the armors in eq2 are so bland. Cause every race has an unique model and more importantly skeleton, which means for 1 armor set they have to model the same set for the number of races. Don't recall right now how many races there are, but Dark elf and Wood elf are considered the same of course other than that all of them are unique models and not a unibody system. However they are talking about trying to come up with a general skeleton system to make the process of armor creation easier.

skizi

Originally posted by bobdog

Originally posted by Valvanya

Originally posted by skizi

Originally posted by Valvanya

It seems maturity is very important for MMORPG's to be fun.

Yes, EQ2 is definitely one of the more mature games. It's mostly a game for older players, and ones that want to log and play, instead of being harassed by 12 year olds.

I agree, an immature player base can destroy the fun (at least for me).

I begged and pleaded on the WoW forums for Adult Servers, if they had that, er, well I would have at least enjoyed what time I spent there Not possible in any way, how would they prevent immature players from entering? It's the personality of a person that can ruin your time in a game, not the age.



I say "12 year olds" but mean how old they are in their minds...if that makes any sense

bobdog

Originally posted by RabbitFly

Originally posted by bobdog



EQ2 and VG both have unibody character models, so non-humans look like humans with a mask and tail. 

Sorry I am not trying to flame or anything, just that your statement is wrong. Eq2 does not have unibody character models, which is exactly why the armors in eq2 are so bland. Cause every race has an unique model and more importantly skeleton, which means for 1 armor set they have to model the same set for the number of races. Don't recall right now how many races there are, but Dark elf and Wood elf are considered the same of course other than that all of them are unique models and not a unibody system. However they are talking about trying to come up with a general skeleton system to make the process of armor creation easier. You got to be shittin me? Really? 



Dear god,  then why do the races most all look like human?  I was sooo pissed when I first played the game and the Kerra looked so sickly, I wanted my flippin VahShir!  The Iksar look like crap, like they shuved a stick up their asses.  The Troll, the Ogre, no hunchbacks, no pot-bellies



Why, how would they ever make the descision to make all the races look so much alike?  It ruined the game for me.  I want my character to actually have a racial 'look' too it.  Ala EQ1/WoW.

RabbitFly

Really? what about ratonga? or Froglock? it's my understanding that your statement was based on the fact that you didn't like how the kerra looked. However Kerra is basicly a humanoid catrace. So I really don't think it's too weird that they chose to make them the way they were. But hey thats your choice.

Edit:

And something is confusing me.. Ogre's does have pot belly's. And in my opinion the trolls are the best looking race in that game, they just look so cool. Now kerra and trolls are the same in both model versions, but your statement about pot belly's make me think you only saw the game with SOGA models turned on (SOGA being the alternate model set that was implented to the US/EU game after the jap release of eq2).