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EQ2 vs. Vanguard
SUMB44
Member Posts: 182
If you are getting tired of WoW and looking for a new/fresh experience, but don't have the PC horsepower to run Vanguard, is EQ2 an equitable alternative? In this situation, would you recommend EQ2 over Vanguard?
Comments
I *would* recommend EQ2 over V:SoH.
Not because of graphics, they are about the same in that category (although EQ2 is way more polished now).
But gamplay wise?
EQ2 >>>>> V:SoH by a long, long way.
And, with EoF EQ2 expansion, you get the whole thing in one box for a low price.
Good Hunting
To be serious though EQ2 might be a decent alternative though it IS missing several of the very nice (imo) features that VG has:
REAL player housing (sure EQ2 has player housing but it's instanced)
Player Owned Ships
Seamless world (not really that big a deal but it does draw some people)
Very Large World
Now, if you're drawn to the more realistic visual appeal of VG then EQ2 is probably a good alternative. The character animations in EQ2 are better than VG as well which is nice. It's also important to note that EQ2 is farther along in its life than VG is so you won't have those first year bugs and you'll be able to access expansion equipment.
While I did personally enjoy EQ2 the game I left the game when the server populations were pretty sad. Since then they have merged some servers (including the one I played on) so server population should be better.
Mind you the PvP i'm used to is WoW and EVE...
-Currently looking forward to FFXIV
-Currently playing EvE and Global Agenda
You cant compare a game thats constantly updated for over 2 years with expansions with one just released with no expansions.
VG is a different animal to EQ2 and appeals to certain types of people.
VG has:
No instancing.
Mounts at low levels.
Massive variety of mounts.
Very few teleports (a few in dungeons).
Player made Boats.
No instanced housing.
Player made houses.
Diplomacy.
Multiple starting areas and racial culture (not one starting area and two main cities).
Massive amounts of content (3 huge continents).
No locked combat.
Drive by buffing (I remember EQ2 being group only buffs).
Now playing: VG (after a long break from MMORPGS)
Played for more than a month: Darkfall online, Vanguard SOH, Everquest, Horizons, WoW, SWG, Everquest II, Eve
-Currently looking forward to FFXIV
-Currently playing EvE and Global Agenda
Very few teleports (a few in dungeons).
Possibly a good thing (I think so) but that really depends on the person. If you don't mind long travel times (given that he plays EVE I don't think that's a problem) then this isn't a good thing.
Multiple starting areas and racial culture (not one starting area and two main cities).
Again something that can go either way. I personally think this was a bad idea. If a server has population problems this (along with the sheer size of the world) is going to exacerbate the problem farther. While I wouldn't mind a bunch of racial towns to visit with two or three being the starter areas for their continent I think the way VG has done it is is a design flaw. Then a again some people might like this so it's really personal opinion.
Massive amounts of content (3 huge continents).
I wouldn't call it 'massive amounts of content' just because the world is big.
I do love the large world but it does have it's drawbacks. If people happen to start as a certain class or race they might find it difficult to reach their friends in whichever area their friend started in.
Yes - dang it - and I really wanted Vsoh to be something special. I picked up a retail copy last night and played it for awhile - and probably will level a character up a bit. But I can already tell I'm disappointed...
I've got a 3.0mhz with a decent video card and the Vsoh performance is horrendous and things look crappy. It's choppy and all in all not fun. I even lowered the settings and things did not improve. I don't want to shell out $300+ for a high end video card just for this game, because I can tell already that it's not going to be for me.
I just don't understand why I can fire up Guild Wars or WoW on the same machine and have no problems. Brilliant graphics (for their style) and excellent performance. What went wrong here with Vsoh?
The game mechanics and graphics in Vsoh are so similar to EQ2. Well really, I shouldn't say that - the game mechanics are not as polished as EQ2 by any stretch. They seem labored, stale. For example in Guild Wars you really feel like your in the heat of the action when playing your character, but in Vsoh I feel like I'm just looking at something going on. I don't feel connected to it - but this may be because of the performance issues I am having - so this is probably not an issue that everyone will have.
I'm a software developer, and a big fan of the MMORPG genre. I've lost a year and a half to WoW (had a blast) and I've put my time in on a number of other games. I know how much effort goes into a work like this, and I would never, ever bash a development team that puts their hearts and souls into a game such as this. The reason is: I think EVERYONE WANTS NEW GAMES TO SUCCEED!!
We wait for these new works like the new season's TV shows or the next CD from your favorite artist. We want to see what new stuff can captivate us from an artistic and technical point of view. We want our entertainment icons to SUCCEED because we derive great pleasure from the experience(s) that they give us. That's why we give them our hard earned money!
So when something comes up that does not honor this, I think we all feel dissappointed and bad for the developers. What's going on? WE TRULY WANT TO GIVE YOU OUR MONEY! We enjoy this stuff!! We will gladly pay $15.00/month for an engaging, rewarding and entertaining experience. We truly want you to succeed!!!!
I also think this is magnified if a new, or break off vendor comes onto the scene. How many of us really wanted Guild Wars to succeed because it was developed by a break-off, spliter group from Blizzard? Vsoh is the same way. This is a Sony/EQ break-off, splinter development group. We want you guys to give us an alternative to the BIG GUYS (i.e. WoW, EQII and others), but it's not going to just be handed to you. I personally am very happy at the success Guild Wars had because they did something different and absolutely wonderful. They deserve all of the success they have - and I hope they have more.
I really think a lot of people wanted (want) Vsoh to succeed - because we're pulling for the developers. We're pulling for the amount of time, money, dedication, and heartache that it takes to pull something like this off. We also don't want the big guys to dominate the market (SOE, Blizzard, etc). We want alternatives and there a millions of game players out there who will THROW THEIR MONEY at smaller developers who can pull off an engaging and rewarding title. My point I am trying to make here is that people bash a game like this because they are 'hurt'. They are hurt by rooting (maybe not externally but internally) for these developers and hoping they they pull of something wonderful and amazing, and when they don't - it's sad and it's painful...
I'm not sure that Vsoh will be able to pull off a wonderful and amazing title for the near term. DANG IT!!! It just seems like it's the same old stuff and I can get most of this from EQ2 already... I feel bad about this. We really wanted something outstanding and I just don't think it's there. And I really don't want to bash the developers and this game at all. I really, really wanted it to succeed (and still do)...
The game has alot of wonderful features and the many new zones look stunning.
The character animations of my gnome avatar are fluid and very detailed (unlike Vangaurd).
I am not sure why EQ2 can look so great, and run so good on my machine and Vangaurd runs like shit even at its lowest settings.
Perhaps it is the fact that EQ2 is zoned.
I'm also puzzled by the people claiming that the Vangaurd Character creation tool is so great. Dozens of sliders that have little effect on the actual appearance. Only 4 choices of hair ... with no choice for baldness.
My lesser Giant (in vangaurd) named "ilooklikeyou Youlooklikeme" runs like he has just shit his pants.
I'm happy that many of you are finding your niche and enjoying Vangaurd... but for me there were so many turn offs from the very beginning that I've lost almost all interest. I'll hopefully be getting a new rig soon and I'll definately check it out again then.
I despised EQ2 when it came out and now I'm a fan so anything can happen.
To answer the OP's question directly... EQ2 is an excellent alternative to the fps challenged. Look up Dimple O'Doom on the blackburrow server if you need any help (I can mentor in EQ2 similar to how you did in City of Heroes to help you through any tough quests).
Thanks Andir! I appreciate it! I'm going to try these out tonight and still give Vsoh a shot for awhile!
Thanks again!
Starwars Galaxies, An Empier Diveded, That's what it says on my box anyway.
No I meant it has massive amounts of content on 3 huge continents. The sheer amount of stuff to do is insane.
Now playing: VG (after a long break from MMORPGS)
Played for more than a month: Darkfall online, Vanguard SOH, Everquest, Horizons, WoW, SWG, Everquest II, Eve
I have station accsess and ive been playing Vangaurd, and as of now, eq2
Vangaurd was fun and all at first, wow the world is so big!!..but my problem is that it is SO BIG, its to big, alot of area is pointless, just trees and mobs that serve no purpose to the game other than for it to be the biggest game in the lockeroom...WOOOHOO, i eman it took me an hour to get from the wood elf town to the asian themed human town....and its on a small island, what is the point of the game being this size, it will just spread the population into a vast area
I really liked the art especiaclly int he wood elf city, it really is fantastic but the buginess...and lag AHH the lag made me cringe
THe gameplay felt slow and choppy, the fighting was slow...and there werent really spell efects , i mean i expected the thunderbolt type of animation from 2004 to be worse than the one from 2007 but no , the eq2 thunderbolt animation is wayyyyyyyyyy better just as an example
The graphics were good, but they seemed inconsistant, ins ome areas, they were incredibly rich and detailed, while in others completely flat and devoid of textrure, and actually i think eq2 has better graphics
vangaurd has alot of potential but it seems to me that alot vangaurd is more behind than ahead, if realesed say in 2003 befor eq2 and wow im sure id be amazed at it, but eq2 and WoW have changed the standerds, people dont want and enldless uber grind evercrak style, they want a GAME key word GAME, a thing they can sit down for an hour two maybee even three at a time and just have fun, not grinding to be the highest and most uber, just to get a place to escape from the hastle of there real lives and just have a little fun
which is why i dont believe vangaurd is gunna be an amazing sucsess and id choose eq2 or even WoW over it any day
The new EQ2, better than ever befor !
don't click this link...
SIze isnt allways a good thing
http://www.gucomics.com/ thats why
No I meant it has massive amounts of content on 3 huge continents. The sheer amount of stuff to do is insane.
The new EQ2, better than ever befor !
don't click this link...
People who have to create conspiracy and hate threads to further a cause lacks in intellectual comprehension of diversity.