Noteworthy points about EQ2

Wickes

I’m not going to try to give a full review of the game. There is plenty of detailed information out there. And I think most people know by now what a high fantasy MMORPG basically is, and if they don’t they can easily find out on the company site.

What I am going to try to do is comment on the issues which most people seem to be curious about.

(1) Is EQ2 a "grind" - In my opinion, yes ... bearing fully in mind that I like a grind (up to a point) It is not as much of a grind as EQ1, primarily in that many timesinks have been removed or reduced greatly, e.g., travel time, corpse recovery, experience and level loss, etc. EQ2 is much more "user-friendly". So the grind part primarily boils down to the rate of exp gain, which, IMO, is right about the same rate as EQ1. You either like that or you don’t. This is not a game to advance through fast - it’s clearly intended to be long term.

(2) Character customization - There is a lot of ability to make your basic character model look different from others - a LOT. However, in practice, other then hairstyle, who can even see most of these small facial differences and such in game. Most people focus on making their toon look different through the equipement they obtain. The "Everquest way" has always been that you earn your way to looking unique, and it still is. Thus, the variety of equipment and looks available at low levels is limited. As you level up, you get more and more options, and I am sure things will be handled as in the past, i.e., more and more options will be made available. In short, if you want some totally unique and uber looking toon from the git go, you’re not going to get it. If you’re willing to put in the effort to get it, you will. The whole point of these games, at least in my opinion, is to start with a character which is weak, has nothing, and can’t do squat, and then use your ingenuity and effort to advance it in all ways ... THAT’S what EQ2 is.

(3) Quests - There are quests up the ying yang. I cannot imagine how many there are as it generally seems you are drowning in them. You get quests from NPCs, from things around the game, and from drops.  Quests are quests. Some are simple deliveries, some get a lot more complicated. Some are quick, some not. Some can be soloed, some not.  As expected, they get more complicated and difficult as you level up. I did one last night with a level 13 cleric (and two level 13 friends) that took us about two hours, finding quite a few things and NPCs, several fights, including one which was quite interesting, and took us to probably 7 different zones. Result: great fun and a great piece of equipment. I keep at least 15-20 quests open at all times, it seems. No, the quest NPCs don’t have exclamation points over their heads (thank god), but if you can’t find quests easily you might want to head back to Pacman. Yes, you have to find things and find NPCs, and sometimes it’s not easy. Generally, guards will point you to NPCs, but sometimes it’s not easy to find the guard who knows. I’ve done about 60 quests so far, and not one has failed to work properly.

(4) Tradeskills - To me this is the most complicated, involved tradeskill system I’ve ever seen (including Horizons). I love that. People who want a "combine all" button or who like to do tradeskills while AFK most of the time are going to be sorely disappointed. You cannot reasonably leave the keyboard at all during tradeskills - or bad things will happen . They’re not fast and multiple steps are required for even low level items ... no more slap an HQ bear pelt, a tanning agent, and a pattern in your sewing kit, hit combine, and voila => 10 slot backpack. You make the tanning agents, you make the basic rawhide pieces from hides, you make the specific rawhide pieces for a backpack, you make a temper, you make the tin bar, you make the buckle, and THEN you do a combine ... and then you work your skill up to get from 4 slot packs to 5 slots, then 6s, etc. For tradeskill fanatics, it seems to me this is heaven. For people who seek quick and easy tradeskills, it isn’t. It’s been said numerous times now that higher level tradeskill components (artisan level 20+) are not yet in the game fully or at all. That’s okay with me ... I’m patient. And in any event I find so many things to do in the game that half the time I don’t know what to do with myself If you’re not patient, it won’t be for you.

As well known, your "adventurer" level is entirely separate from your "artisan" level. In theory, I guess, somebody is supposed to be able to level up as an artisan exclusively without doing the adventurer part. Okay, but beats me how they’re going to get the components which must be obtained in the wilds, which includes essentially everything, unless they get them with another toon or from friends. In short, don’t plan to play as an artisan without doing adventuring.

(5) Bugs - I play around 3 hours an evening, and have done so since release. I’ve seen one bug, poofing mobs, and I’ve seen it three times. Other than that, everything has worked like a charm. Heh, after years playing EQ I still see poofing mobs there, and I know precisely which spots it happens. Probably the same issue. Yup, seems they’re never going to fix that. God love ‘em. If that’s going to drive you insane, just be forewarned

(6) Selling - No, there’s no bazaar. However, you can open your own "store" and you can sell through brokers (with a commission). And, of course, there’s the good old OOC auctions going on. The systems seem fine to me.

 

Well, that’s enough for now. G’head ... slice me up

Zerocool032

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Originally posted by Wickes

I’m not going to try to give a full review of the game. There is plenty of detailed information out there. And I think most people know by now what a high fantasy MMORPG basically is, and if they don’t they can easily find out on the company site.
What I am going to try to do is comment on the issues which most people seem to be curious about.
(1) Is EQ2 a "grind" - In my opinion, yes ... bearing fully in mind that I like a grind (up to a point) It is not as much of a grind as EQ1, primarily in that many timesinks have been removed or reduced greatly, e.g., travel time, corpse recovery, experience and level loss, etc. EQ2 is much more "user-friendly". So the grind part primarily boils down to the rate of exp gain, which, IMO, is right about the same rate as EQ1. You either like that or you don’t. This is not a game to advance through fast - it’s clearly intended to be long term.
(2) Character customization - There is a lot of ability to make your basic character model look different from others - a LOT. However, in practice, other then hairstyle, who can even see most of these small facial differences and such in game. Most people focus on making their toon look different through the equipement they obtain. The "Everquest way" has always been that you earn your way to looking unique, and it still is. Thus, the variety of equipment and looks available at low levels is limited. As you level up, you get more and more options, and I am sure things will be handled as in the past, i.e., more and more options will be made available. In short, if you want some totally unique and uber looking toon from the git go, you’re not going to get it. If you’re willing to put in the effort to get it, you will. The whole point of these games, at least in my opinion, is to start with a character which is weak, has nothing, and can’t do squat, and then use your ingenuity and effort to advance it in all ways ... THAT’S what EQ2 is.
(3) Quests - There are quests up the ying yang. I cannot imagine how many there are as it generally seems you are drowning in them. You get quests from NPCs, from things around the game, and from drops.  Quests are quests. Some are simple deliveries, some get a lot more complicated. Some are quick, some not. Some can be soloed, some not.  As expected, they get more complicated and difficult as you level up. I did one last night with a level 13 cleric (and two level 13 friends) that took us about two hours, finding quite a few things and NPCs, several fights, including one which was quite interesting, and took us to probably 7 different zones. Result: great fun and a great piece of equipment. I keep at least 15-20 quests open at all times, it seems. No, the quest NPCs don’t have exclamation points over their heads (thank god), but if you can’t find quests easily you might want to head back to Pacman. Yes, you have to find things and find NPCs, and sometimes it’s not easy. Generally, guards will point you to NPCs, but sometimes it’s not easy to find the guard who knows. I’ve done about 60 quests so far, and not one has failed to work properly.
(4) Tradeskills - To me this is the most complicated, involved tradeskill system I’ve ever seen (including Horizons). I love that. People who want a "combine all" button or who like to do tradeskills while AFK most of the time are going to be sorely disappointed. You cannot reasonably leave the keyboard at all during tradeskills - or bad things will happen . They’re not fast and multiple steps are required for even low level items ... no more slap an HQ bear pelt, a tanning agent, and a pattern in your sewing kit, hit combine, and voila => 10 slot backpack. You make the tanning agents, you make the basic rawhide pieces from hides, you make the specific rawhide pieces for a backpack, you make a temper, you make the tin bar, you make the buckle, and THEN you do a combine ... and then you work your skill up to get from 4 slot packs to 5 slots, then 6s, etc. For tradeskill fanatics, it seems to me this is heaven. For people who seek quick and easy tradeskills, it isn’t. It’s been said numerous times now that higher level tradeskill components (artisan level 20+) are not yet in the game fully or at all. That’s okay with me ... I’m patient. And in any event I find so many things to do in the game that half the time I don’t know what to do with myself If you’re not patient, it won’t be for you.
As well known, your "adventurer" level is entirely separate from your "artisan" level. In theory, I guess, somebody is supposed to be able to level up as an artisan exclusively without doing the adventurer part. Okay, but beats me how they’re going to get the components which must be obtained in the wilds, which includes essentially everything, unless they get them with another toon or from friends. In short, don’t plan to play as an artisan without doing adventuring.
(5) Bugs - I play around 3 hours an evening, and have done so since release. I’ve seen one bug, poofing mobs, and I’ve seen it three times. Other than that, everything has worked like a charm. Heh, after years playing EQ I still see poofing mobs there, and I know precisely which spots it happens. Probably the same issue. Yup, seems they’re never going to fix that. God love ‘em. If that’s going to drive you insane, just be forewarned
(6) Selling - No, there’s no bazaar. However, you can open your own "store" and you can sell through brokers (with a commission). And, of course, there’s the good old OOC auctions going on. The systems seem fine to me.
 
Well, that’s enough for now. G’head ... slice me up

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Yep

I have to disagree with you on that.  The tradeskill is very easy in fact.  Im an idiot when it comes to crafting in MMORPGS but in eq2, its fairly easy.  The gathering is a little hard if you dont know where to go.  Oh and buy some artisian books, there like 1s each, they give a ton of recipies.  But somtimes, it can get complex if it requires items that you need craft for that item to be crafted.  If you cant craft a certian item, ask around, people will be glad to help.

elvenangel

I agree on all of these points.   And the quests Definitly get harder.  Im a lvl 21 ranger with a 186 Quests under my belt and booy do some of the quests get harder.   If anyone does the Shattered Vale quest and get access to the zone, go around 18 to 19 you'll get great xp and everything will still con.   We waited till we were like 20 to 21 because wel the surprise that pops there once you do a certain thing in the zone really kicks your ass if your unprepared lol

 

No spoilers on the surprise for those that haven't seen.  Be ready for an ambush party when you complete the encounter!

 

tradeskills are really easy once you go down into an official tradeskill guild and do it.  *all the supplise you need are available if you have access to these*

Grudge

I agree that it is the hardest and most challenging tradeskill system to date. Their is a methology to make stuf. I thought I had to just click the skill when it flashed, I was wrong. You need to press button all the time and learn how the system works.

I only have about 120 quests done thus far and havin a blast on my aq's