EQ vs EQ2

homeskillet

So with the Anniversary pack set to be released in a few days for EQ, I was wondering if I should go out and pick that or buy the EoF expansion for EQ2 which would take care of all the previous expansions.



I used to play classic EQ till PoP back in the day, never tried EQ2. I am looking as little questing as possible (never been a big fan of it), with decent exp from grinding for 2-3 hours a day and actually getting somewhere.

tylerwick

At lower levels grinding is ok,   if your thinking higher levels than neither IMO

Stoneysilenc

EQL is still all about grinding.



EQ2 is all about questing.  You get a good share of your exp from quests.

Deathstiny

EQ is still the better game. Unfortunately the game is almost at the end of its lifecycle. The pre lvl 70 game is dead. There are no more players to group with until you hit the endgame.

If they would only release a classic server like so many people have screamed for for years..... /sigh

bahamut1

EQ2 has similar lore to EQ, so the real differences between the two is gameplay and graphics. Gameplay for EQ2 is set for a casual gamer that plays up to 30 hours a week, while EQ is more for the hardcore player that will spend a lot of time and effort on faction, flags, grinding (leveling), and etc. A few screenshots on any game website will show you the difference in graphics.

EQ2 is more solo friendly, but both games lend well to grouping, raiding, and guilds. Both games have great communities that are usually willing to help.

homeskillet

Originally posted by bahamut1


EQ2 has similar lore to EQ, so the real differences between the two is gameplay and graphics. Gameplay for EQ2 is set for a casual gamer that plays up to 30 hours a week, while EQ is more for the hardcore player that will spend a lot of time and effort on faction, flags, grinding (leveling), and etc. A few screenshots on any game website will show you the difference in graphics.
EQ2 is more solo friendly, but both games lend well to grouping, raiding, and guilds. Both games have great communities that are usually willing to help.

I had no idea the lore was the same, from what I heard the two games were completely different.



Also I don't see how a casual player can play up to 30 hours a week . To me, a casual player is something like 10-20 hours a week which is what I'm aiming for.

Stoneysilenc

Originally posted by homeskillet

Originally posted by bahamut1


EQ2 has similar lore to EQ, so the real differences between the two is gameplay and graphics. Gameplay for EQ2 is set for a casual gamer that plays up to 30 hours a week, while EQ is more for the hardcore player that will spend a lot of time and effort on faction, flags, grinding (leveling), and etc. A few screenshots on any game website will show you the difference in graphics.
EQ2 is more solo friendly, but both games lend well to grouping, raiding, and guilds. Both games have great communities that are usually willing to help.

I had no idea the lore was the same, from what I heard the two games were completely different.



Also I don't see how a casual player can play up to 30 hours a week . To me, a casual player is something like 10-20 hours a week which is what I'm aiming for. The lore is the same to a point.  EQ2 split off of the EQ's timeline around PoP's expansion I believe.  At that point the lore differs so EQL isn't limited by what EQ2 does and vice versa.

bahamut1

Originally posted by homeskillet



I had no idea the lore was the same, from what I heard the two games were completely different.



Also I don't see how a casual player can play up to 30 hours a week . To me, a casual player is something like 10-20 hours a week which is what I'm aiming for.

Well, the advertising and gameplay at launch was shooting for casual players up to 30 hours a week playing time. There have been quite a few changes since then, and I would say that it is even less than that now. I gave one of my character slots to a friend, and he played around 10 hours a week and has a 69 wizard in a few months. While benefitting from my perspective and advice, knowing the best places to go, having friendships already built up, and the best quests, it still shows you that you don't have to spend as much time to get things done in EQ2.

While I was a more hardcore player in EQ, running a raid guild, now I'm a bit more laid back. I can still raid, which I love raids, but not have to burn up so much time doing it.

homeskillet

Originally posted by bahamut1

Originally posted by homeskillet



I had no idea the lore was the same, from what I heard the two games were completely different.



Also I don't see how a casual player can play up to 30 hours a week . To me, a casual player is something like 10-20 hours a week which is what I'm aiming for.

Well, the advertising and gameplay at launch was shooting for casual players up to 30 hours a week playing time. There have been quite a few changes since then, and I would say that it is even less than that now. I gave one of my character slots to a friend, and he played around 10 hours a week and has a 69 wizard in a few months. While benefitting from my perspective and advice, knowing the best places to go, having friendships already built up, and the best quests, it still shows you that you don't have to spend as much time to get things done in EQ2.

While I was a more hardcore player in EQ, running a raid guild, now I'm a bit more laid back. I can still raid, which I love raids, but not have to burn up so much time doing it.

So all in all, EQ2 clearly appears to be the more casual friendly game?

Stoneysilenc

Originally posted by homeskillet



So all in all, EQ2 clearly appears to be the more casual friendly game?

Yes.  EQ2 is more casual friendly by a long shot.  But it isn't all about grinding and grinding will be really slow.

Unknown

Originally posted by Deathstiny


EQ is still the better game. Unfortunately the game is almost at the end of its lifecycle. The pre lvl 70 game is dead. There are no more players to group with until you hit the endgame.
If they would only release a classic server like so many people have screamed for for years..... /sigh

I have a (now retired) level 75 mostly maxed Cleric in EQ1 (last played her about 3 months ago), and I think you are at least mostly correct. I tried playing a couple of alts there before I left, and most of the pre-70's seem to be alts, rerolls, or heal bots. I did not see many people doing the mid level content - it was pretty much rush to 75 where the "real game" begins.

EQ2 I find to be totally different, at least on Befallen - while there are a lot of 70's there, I have never had any problems getting groups for my 20 to 40 level alts.

homeskillet

How accessible would you say is the soloing in EQ though? Is it fairly easy and linear to solo to level 70 in EQ?