Have i played EQ II wrong? What should i know?

Bloedraaf

Greetings,

Yesterday i have, for the first time, logged in onto one of the beta servers of EQ II. I started a new character, completed the tutorial, made my way to Quenos and there i was. So far i have done nothing more then slaying some monsters, doing a massive amount of running (quests) and that's quite it. Unfortunately, the beta servers are closing down today and i have failed to find some depth in the game.

Now i was hoping that some experienced EQ II player could answer some of the questions that occured to me. For one, is there a goal that many try to reach? (for example, does it have an item fever like for instance Diablo II?  Or the option of a serious political career? Or the creation of a palace or real big house?) Most of the people i've seen were doing the regular mmorpg hack 'n slash on monsters in the catacombs, sewers, huntings spots etc. But considering the hype of this game, there just must be more.

What is it that makes this game so loved by many? What is the depth in it? Why does it hold more then the all-regular mmorpg? On what i have seen so far i will not buy the game, but i'm quite sure that i have not seen 99% of the game yet. But the cost is too big to just buy the game to see if it's good or not.

Plz if you're an enthousiastic experienced player tell me about how you experienced the game so far, and in what way you have experienced the "fun".

Thanks

Maybe anyone can tell me if there are any newbguides written by players, and where to find those guides? (this might actually help to get a better idea of the world of EQ)

currently playing : Ashen Empires.
currently testing : D&L, Neocron2.

All-time favourite : Ashen Empires/Dransik

jayheld90

sounds to me like you rushed through it, the game is mostly *about* questing, friends, guild, and killing stuff. you will get a house as a citizen to a city, and be able to buy a larger one and put furniture, etc inside it, also your guild will be able to have a guild house. countless items to find and use. crafting abilities so you can make items for selling or friends, guild. the list can go on, but if you dont see anything you like within that. then its probably not for you. but the main focal point in a game like this is quests, hence the name ever*quest*. but, also the community is a big reason for people to play, lots of social interaction.

hercules

I am yet to find a mmorpg that has a real goal.

Simply put if you make it have a goal like some ppl on MEO want the one ring to be found by players then the mmorpg simply dies when this is achieved.

All mmorpg are there to keep the character expanding and growing stronger ie better loot,better levels  but never will you see a mmorpg with a real end game or goal it simply kills buisness.

The closest i  have seen is SWG and what does that get you all want to open slot of Jedi killing all other aspects of the game and when you open the slot more grind.

DAoC has PvP with a suppose goal which is get relics for your realm.But in 3 returns i made to DAoC albion has 1 relic that in 9 months yes thats right 9 months on excaliber not even tried to get back in any serious effort because it becomes a regime.Take relic lose relic get boring.

I really don't see what you expect from a mmorpg honestly.Quests,intresting quests,good content zones/areas,intresting classes/race,intresting combat/crafting,intresting diverse mobs,PvP(for those intrested).Thats about all you can expect from a mmorpg no end goal .

Hubabuba

For one, is there a goal that many try to reach?

Depends on what your idea of fun is. 

Do you like to craft?  If so you could say your goal is to become the best <insert crafting class here> on your server.  Spread your wares far and wide, make a name for yourself, become a successful businessman.

Are you the chrasmatic leader type?  If so your goal could be to create a succesfull guild.

Are you the social type?  If so your goal could be to travel around and meet people, or join a guild and make some good friends.

Do you like to do quests?  Finding hard to get quests and/or completing difficult quests could be your goal.

Do you like to role-play?  If so your goal could be to make/join a RP guild and do whatever it is you RP guys do

There are many different ways to play EQ2, many different ways to enjoy it.  Which is part of its appeal, it doesn't draw in just 1 kind of gamer, which in turn adds to the appeal to others because of the diversity of people you meet.

does it have an item fever like for instance Diablo II?

Yes, skills and levels can only take you so far, equipment is very important and there is always better gear to be had.  When you have the best of the best gear an expansion will come out and there will be even better gear to be had.

Or the option of a serious political career?

EQ1 was somewhat political in the high end game, guilds had to work out who was going to kill uber mob X the next time it spawned.  But since EQ2 will work on instanced bases I don't see there being much in the way of politics.  But there always seems to be politicial issues within guilds, as I mentioned above you like that sort of thing make a guild, or try to become an officer in a guild.

Or the creation of a palace or real big house?

Again, back to the guild thing...guilds will be able to have their own house, the better the guild, the more successful the guild, the bigger house you can buy....at least I think thats how its supposed to work, I could be mistaken.

Most of the people i've seen were doing the regular mmorpg hack 'n slash on monsters in the catacombs, sewers, huntings spots etc. But considering the hype of this game, there just must be more.

Yes, leveling up is important, but as you get higher level you get more options on where to go and what to kill.  Higher level quests often require groups to complete, so finding and making friends is part of it.  But the hype is justified, the graphics are great, the world is huge with lots of places to go.  There are so many quests to do, and the combat system is a new concept for me, the action is fast and furious with minimal downtime.  I've enjoyed the hell out of it in the few days I was in beta.

What is it that makes this game so loved by many?

Obviously I can't speak for everybody, but for me its a new world to explore, new and dangerous places to go.  All done with a pretty cool arch-type class structure which, along with some other things, supports a group structure.  I like meeting new people and making friends to enjoy my free time with, so everything they've done to make grouping easier/better is great.  The locked combat system prevents any type of kill stealing, I havn't ran into one jerk, which is very odd, in every other MMORPG I've played there is allways some a$$ running around in newbie lands kill stealing and/or ninja-looting, there is none of that in EQ2.  The graphics are in a class of their own.  The crafting system is awsome.  And its just fun leveling up and getting new skills/gear and becoming tougher.

Plz if you're an enthousiastic experienced player tell me about how you experienced the game so far, and in what way you have experienced the "fun".

Fun, well, I had fun exploring newbie land, exploring the little newbie adventure zones, and exploring the commonlands.  It was neat to see some of the old EQ1 things and how they fit them into EQ2 lore, ie seeing the druid rings.  Promoting to a warrior then getting dual wield was cool, its always fun for me when I first get some new ability and figuring out how to best use it.  The first time I solo'd a tough yellow was fun.  I met this drunk guy...he wasn't much of a player, but he was funny as hell.  Figuring out how to effectively use my skills, along with learning the HO wheel was a bit of a challenge.  Coming across a challenge and being able to figure it out is fun for me.  Leveling up, seeing new places and new monsters.  The game play is awsome, fast and furious, I like getting in big tough fights and there is plent of that to go around, more so than any other game I've played.  The most fun I had was finding the Whailing Mines(?) the newbie dungeon in the commonlands, I got into a great group, it was the first time since I'd got decent equipment and new weapons and I was the main tank for the group.  It was the first time I really saw my character doing his job well.  There was some serious satisfacation after strugling for a few levels.

I'm hooked, I'm so friggin hooked that since I can't play because beta is over that I'll be reading message boards all night   If you have any other questions just let me know.

Bloedraaf

Thanks for the replies, they have helped quite a bit. I have to admit that maybe i expect too much of a mmorpg, and that EQ II might be the best thing to play. Guess I've just been to compelled with the game called Ashen Empires that i only see the "bad" things instead of the good.

Safe paths !

thark

 For me it's all about discovering a new and exiting place, become the hero of your dreams...!

It's all out there, mystery suspence etc..You just have to be in the right mindset for it !!

 

/Junker