Customer Reviews

Everquest II Collector's Edition

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Okay, I can almost hear all of you asking me: "WHY? are you NUTS?"

Firstly, my computer is just under the minimum recommended spec required for this game: AMD Duron 950 (100MHz FSB), 1GB 133MHz SDRAM (yes the old stuff), Radeon 9800Pro 128MB (Running at 4X AGP) - You get the idea. I have the game on low settings, except for the main texture quality, that is set to HIGH. This game is *just* about playable for me (although some of you may disagree) I get anywhere between 5 - 10 FPS in the cities, and higher indoors. But it lags, and quite serious lag sometimes.

But I'm still playing. And I'm not planning on quitting. And SOE are welcome to the monthly fee that I will pay - gladly.

What's in.... THE BOX!?

The collector's edition of this game comes beautifully presented in a shiny metal box. Opening the box you find: a velvet pouch with collectors coin, a cloth map of the world, a glossy poster map of the main cities, a glossy poster of Antonia Bayle - signed by Heather Graham - and a pic of Lucan D'Lere - signed by none other than Christopher Lee (otherwise known as Saruman in LoTR), a thick glossy book full of game artwork, a glossy manual and a hardback gatefold CD case containing both game DVD's, a music CD and a Bonus DVD (4 discs in all).

It's quite a package, and strangely, I found myself cackling with glee as I was rummaging through its contents. After installing (4.5GB!) and getting into the game, I typed in /claim, and found to my surprise that the collector's edition of this game also includes in-game items as follows: A choice of paintings (to be put in your Inn room after leaving the Isle of Refuge), A statue of Lucan or Antonia to put in your Inn room(and they talk when you click on them), and a baby dragon pet in your choice of colours (it also does tricks). What can I say? Pretty cool stuff - but you're paying for it, don't forget!

The Game

Now, I want you to ask yourself if you like clear purpose in an RPG. Think about all those great single player RPG's of the past that included great storylines and quests. Let me tell you that if you like quests, then you will love Everquest 2's excellent quest system. The game designers have put a lot of thought, effort and time into the stories, quests and reward system, and it's all brought to life by the outstanding voice-overs of the NPC's. It didn't take long for the LAG I was telling you about before, to become... how shall I say? ... more unnoticed. In fact, I was already planning my next PC upgrade.

The game really comes to life when you leave the Isle of Refuge and partake in the well thought-out initial quests to get you used to the city, your Inn room and the places to hunt. The NPC's chatter away as you go about your business - e.g. I saw one of the Ratonga rat men weilding a hatchet and chasing a cat through the streets of Freeport with a comical voice over of "Here kitty kitty!". Moments later the cat was chasing him instead, hissing and yowling, while the Ratonga was shouting "Helllp!.. I'm being chased by dinner!"

The game is full of these comical moments, and it draws you in, gives the world life. This game is very immersive - even more so than the original Everquest. Dangerously immersive. Hmmm... this game could be a real life stealer - but I'm not sure yet if this is a Pro or a Con.

Everquest2 is all about adventure - more so than any other MMORPG that I have played to date (and I've been playing them since the early MUD's). It has the same fun level that I experienced with single-player games like Baldurs Gate and BGII. And even though I have played the original Everquest, EQ2 is completely new to me, has that element of exploration and adventure... and good clear sense of progress right from the start.

But this game requires a COMMITTMENT.

If committment scares you, or if you don't have the time to truely sink yourself into this game - then I wouldn't recommend it for you! I'm going to take time off from real life, and become what I call "a computer hermit" for a month or so. I won't shave or wash much, I won't see the light of day for a while. Grocery shopping will be done online, or from a phone.

You get the idea. If you want a "casual" gaming experience, try WoW out for style. But if you're hardcore, like me. You know what to do..... (bwhahahahaahahaaaaa!)

Pros: Graphics, Sound, Quests, Animation, Community, Can Solo (all the way with the new solo monsters that SOE have added), Player Housing, Guild system, Group System, Combat, Item system, Voice Acting, The way that swarms of bats fly in caves, The way that flocks of birds realistically fly outdoors, Fish (and fishing), Tradeskills, Mining, Gathering/Harvesting and the whole lack of... boredom.

Cons: Price, Monthly fee, REQUIRES High-End system (works good after messing with the game settings on my friend's 3200 AMD barton, 1GB DDR RAM, Radeon 9800Pro), REQUIRES time to play - but if you're patient I suppose you could "casual" this for a time, It's by Sony - so cust support might be sketchy, Expansions to the game are PAY, Game special features are PAY, Overall the game is EXPENSIVE, your real life sanity (and/or relationship with girlfriend/boyfriend) may be at RISK.

And that's all I can think of. Hope you find the info above ^^ useful.

This game is better than the first, I've been in the beta for just under a week now and love the game a lot. It's really easy to get into and the graphics look amazing even on balanced settings.

I look forward to this game should be great. Don't listen to the WoW fanboys this game is going to be just as good as the last. Don't get me wrong WoW is a good game too, I was in the stress test for that. Sadly I won't be picking it up because I already have a subscription to SWG and I just couldn't get into WoW until the very end of the stress test

Call me nostalgic, but I bought this collector's edition years after I started playing EQ2. It has a wonderful art book, an extremely outdated but fun to have manual, a collector's coin, a baby dragon in-game item and more. It was worth every penny. I'm a nerd.

If you've never played EQ2 you're better off buying the most current (full) release of the game, as you'll be getting all of the current zone content at one price. As of 1/5/12 that full game release is Destiny of Velious. (The most recent release is an optional features pack.)

EQ2 is one of those games I leave periodically looking for something new, but return to because it has more to do than any other game. There's tons of questing and dungeons to be done, a robust crafting system, extensive and extra cool housing, etc. If you can't find something to do in EQ2 to keep you entertained for hours, you'll be at a loss no matter what game you buy.

I love that the devs are also mindful of doing lateral development, which means that there's always something new to do no matter what level your main or alt is. I'm sick and tired of MMO devs pushing everyone to end game only to repeat the same content over and over. That doesn't happen with EQ2, especially since they release new content with decent regularity with free game updates. In addition to free content releases, EQ2 has a mentoring system. The beauty of that (which is lacking in other MMOs) is that it doesn't matter when you or your friends start playing, because you can always group together.

Never tried an game like this before? No worries. On most servers you'll find a (mostly) mature community that is willing to help you learn the ins and outs in a friendly manner.

EQ2 is a fun game for all ages, but prepare to get hooked on it! There is always something to do, the graphics are great and you really can meet some fascinating people in the game from all over the world. Great friendships (and even some romances) have come from this game.

If you are pretty much house-bound (as I am) it is a wonderful way to stay entertained, keep your mind active and yet be able to socialize. I've been playing it for 6+ years now and the interaction with others is wonderful. The Collectors Editions are great to have for the "extra" goodies to say nothing that having the discs available is great.

Good game for all. I highly recommend it!

I LOVE THIS GAME.

I dont know what all the fuss is about..EQ always stirs up so many different feelings with people! Let's face it, it is a complicated game & not for those whose only purpose is to "WIN", and surely, if you don't have extra time, you won't get to enjoy the game to its fullest. I played the original EQ from 1999-2003 until I got burned out.. had many high level characters.. got tired of the politics of that world. Now that I am playing EQ II, I find that some of the changes to the character classes are annoying (for example, you can't cast SOW on someone not in your group.. so no more selling SOW on the streetcorner for extra $ :P), but some are a relief (you don't have to have a Wiz or Druid teleport you around, as you can teleport yourself to your home city, and if you are buffing people, you dont have to recast every time someone adds or leaves your group.. as these spells work like bard affects!! yay).

There are many more classes and occupations to choose from, and it is so much easier the way selling is set up... you don't have to stand in NFP or ...(cant remember the name of the city in Luclin where everyone sold things)... in a laggy zone, trying to read the WTS, WTB... blah, blah...Just go to your Inn room (everyone gets one to begin with), make a few adjustments, and your items appear for sale in the local shop.

Selling, crafting, cooking, etc... all much more efficient. You dont have to go gathering food ingredients in some obscure zone if you want to cook. THAT was so annoying in EQ I. Since the world is still fresh, you dont have big high level guilds overpowering the world, yet anyway. Even the zones which came directly from EQ I are different now! And, HOW COOL IS THIS? You can have a companion PET (like a kitty cat or a pig)! hehe... or if you are really into it, you can save money and buy a house of your own and fully furnish it. The graphics are incredible & there are so many cool details in the environment, spell affects, armor, etc.. but make sure you have a highish level system, or forget it... heck, your system probably wont even run it at all.

The only disappointing things for me are: although there were many appearance options to choose from at initial character creation, some parts were limited (much more so than SWG, or even Horizons).. you cant change facial structure, body shape, etc. Also, I'm really disappointed in the emote animations...most other MMORPG these days did a better job with those. Another thing, is it is hard to get used to the changes to each class level, if you've been used to playing a particular type...

But let the old EQ go with all your expectations of it, and you will SO enjoy EQ II!!!! It's better.

First i'd like to say that EQ2 looks killer. the graphics are incredible yet dont require a $500 video card. There are at least 20 races which you can be and a total of at least 30 classes probably more. ... the character customazation is the best there is. you can change things from ear rings to any shade of eye color you can imagine. by every appearence it looks like SOE has learned from past mistakes with star wars galexies. every gameing company(except blizzard entertainment)has screwed up some game at some point. just like you can judge a book by its cover you cant judge a game by its devloper. ;o)

You have to understandf that SoE has come a LONG way from the begining. EQ 2 looks amazing and after all the beta reveiw I have to take the players word for it, Qoute "If you liked EQ you will love EQ 2, if you hated EQ you will still love EQ 2" This game is going to be a huge hit and will lead to other competition between other games. Besides I am sure that we have all wasted away 50 bucks before why not try it and if it doesnt work out then O Well.

First,the game is beautiful and loads of fun to play but SOE has let alot of their loyal eq customers down by limiting you to 4 Characters per Account! We(the beta testers)for weeks gave feedback and constructive reason for allowing more than 4 per account. They ignored us. So, if you are one of the people who likes to try all the class/race combos but hates deleting a character that you might like to come back to; it seems SOE for whatever reasom doesnt care. For me EQ's replayability and the number of characters I could have and play were what kept me hanging around for 5 years.

I've been playing MMORPGs (beta and released games) for over 5 years now, and I keep coming back to Sony Online Entertainment games. Both EverQuest and it seems now EverQuest II have staying power with me. I am finding the graphics and complexity of the world in EQ2 amazing, sometimes breathtaking. I will definitely find it hard deciding how to divide my game time between the two.

The Collector's Edition adds things that chiefly make you have a nicer "home" in game. The art book is nice to look at, but not full-sized like most collectable art books tend to be. The other items found inside the box also tend to be things you'll look at once or twice and then put away in a drawer. If you can do without owning a baby dragon, which just is something cute inside your house, you can get by with a standard edition (DVD or CD-ROM).

Okay im a 13 year old and have played the first Eq for 4 years.
I was a beta tester for EQ 2. It has stunning graphics and its cool how the NPC's talk now. It is the only Online Game i know of where walking to NPC's is interesting.It has a better system of fighting than the first EQ as it looks like the people are really fighting.
I am disturbed by reviews that say that there will be no PVP, please reread the EQ2 or EQ2 Realms website it clearly states that there will be PVP will be possable in a diffrent way. [...]
For those who say there are only 2 cities there are only 2 starting cities and there are other ones.
This game is one of the best! My personal favorite It is the best. This is on my top 10 list of games to buy. Give it a try! You will like it.