Ten Ton Hammer - Taking MMO Gamers to the Next Level!

What Works

EverQuest II is a solid, polished game; it honestly has some features that other MMOGs might do well to emulate if only

The entrance to Karnor's Castle.

for how convenient they are. Quest drops are automatically credited on a kill without ever having to take up space in a player's inventory. (The same is true of items in collections--player initiated quests where players gather goodies found randomly in the world and turn them in to a collector NPC for a reward.) In combat, once a target has been selected and engaged, your character will automatically turn to face the target unless you break and run. As a player gains levels, their spells automatically appear in their knowledge book (and on their hotbar as space allows). No more choosing between running back to a trainer and interrupting the flow of your gameplay or living without that critical spell you just earned until you have time to run into town and pick it up.

Technology has also finally caught up to EQ2, and the game runs respectably on a modest video card. Yet, despite being 3 years old, EQ2 is a great looking game. Add in audio bonuses such as expert voice acting for NPCs, who gesture and move their lips as they talk, and a fantastic soundtrack, and you've got the full sensory experience going on. Well, except for smell, touch and taste. But I'm not sure I'd want to smell a well Drolvarg; or touch it, for that matter. And I can probably live without ever really tasting Batwing Crunchies.

What's Iffy

Probably the biggest downer with Rise of Kunark, at least for long-time EQ2 players, is that the highly anticipated epic weapon quests that SOE has been talking about for some time were not ready for launch. Although Dalrymple told our group of touring reporters that they were "in for testing," it was later announced that they would not, in fact, make it into Rise of Kunark. Alas, they will have to arrive via an update later on.

The quests for the newbie Sarnaks in Timorous Deep seemed a bit underwhelming to me. Sure, they're newbie quests, and by their nature they're often easier and less exciting, but I want the storyline to at least engage me. The Spirocs I was fighting in my early levels didn't seem very worthy opponents. In fact, in their brightly-colored parrot suits they seem almost comical and not at all threatening. I felt less committed to taking out Polly than I would be to just handing him a cracker and making friends.

Although it's not specific to this expansion, combat in EQ2 has always been a sticky point for me. Players trigger a sequence of spells that create something called a Heroic Opportunity. Pulling of an HO grants some bonus in the form things like additional damage or group buffs. Groups have the ability to create more interesting and beneficial Heroic Opportunities, and that can become a fun exercise in teamwork. But in solo play HOs are nothing more than a lot of lather-rinse-repeat. I find them uninspired, which can make combat lackluster.

The Verdict

If you're starting EQ2 fresh you'll likely find yourself impressed by the polish of this game. EQ2's level of polish stands up to any other MMOG released in the same time frame, and it stands up well against the current crop of new games, too.

If you're one of the many with fond memories of your glory days in EverQuest, and you haven't given EQ2 much of a chance to this point, consider this expansion worth a look. EQ2 has definitely grown, and the cramped Norrath of its early days is steadily being filled in with new places to see and NPCs to meet.  The zones of Rise of Kunark should make EQ players feel instant nostalgia. Adventurers, start serving up those gazillions of trains in Karnor's Castle--I'm ready.

Classic EQ raid zones return! New zones lend an epic feel Solid mechanics and polish An audio/visual treat	Sarnak starting quest line seems weak Combat feels lackluster Highly anticipated epic weapon quests never made it into the expansion

Difficulty:  Moderate Server Stability: Very High Graphics: Value:

Learning Curve: - 5 hours Gameplay: Sound: Tilt:

(4 / 5 Hammers)

Ten Ton Recommendation:

Tons of nostalgia for old EverQuest players makes this expansion a tempting choice. EQ2 stands the test of time and should be enticing for new players, as well.

 

---