EQ2 Opens Kingdom of Sky and PVP

[sparkfizt]

EverQuest II Kingdom of Sky Ships to Retail (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060221/latu019.html)

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a global leader in the online games industry, announced that EverQuest II Kingdom of Sky, the second expansion for EverQuest II, is shipping to retail stores in North America and can also be purchased via digital download. The retail version of the game contains the full version of EverQuest II, as well as the all new Kingdom of Sky expansion, a full-color poster sized map, a limited-edition collectible EverQuest II coin, and a special in-game item, a carnivorous plant that will reward players with items for feeding it. The digital download includes the new expansion only, and can be purchased through the SOE Station Store. Purchasers of both the retail and digital download will also receive a free Arena Champion character that can be used in Player vs. Player (PvP) combat.

"Whether you're an MMO newbie or experienced veteran, there's never been a better time to play EverQuest II," says Laura Naviaux, senior brand manager, Sony Online Entertainment. "First-time players can get an all-in-one experience -- not just the expansion, but also the base EverQuest II game with an enhanced character progression system, empowering them immediately and getting them into the action much faster. For the seasoned EverQuest II player, the addition of new content above level 20 and a new storyline full of dangerous new enemies timed to coincide with the introduction of PvP combat will extend the benchmarks for adventure and excitement in the world of Norrath."Sony Online Entertainment Launches Prophecy of Ro for EverQuest (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060221/latu031.html)

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a global leader in the online games industry, announced that EverQuest Prophecy of Ro, the eleventh expansion for EverQuest, is shipping to retail stores in North America and is now available for download. The retail version of the game includes Prophecy of Ro, and a special in-game item of a unique warhorse mount. The new expansion can also be purchased and downloaded directly through the game or via the Station store at www.station.sony.com.The new EQ2 expansion has opened it's doors, and most notably some PvP ruleset servers. I played WoW hardcore since launch and decided I needed a break from the honor grind, anyone else trying out EQ2 with this update?

[Bushido]

Do you hear it? The sound of the no one cares......

[K_X_F]

No, I'm sure everyone still playing it (both of them) are really excited!

[bean19]

SOE has made too many damn MMOs to be this bad at it still.

[Hignaki]

I actually just started playing EQ2 last week with the free fileplanet deal, and it's actually quite fun. I've played WoW for the last year, and once reaching 60 a couple of times, there was nothing to do. ~6 hours to get a raid together only to have it fall apart (or not come together at all) for a 5% chance at an item that somebody may roll for just got boring.

I play EQ2 now because well, you know, it's actually got some depth in the combat system. Nothing to bash WoW, but if you're looking for a change, now seems to be the best time to do it.


(smell that? that's people starting a flame about my comments where one didn't exist)

[Klade]

I don't think anyone is going to flame you. This is Evil Avatar and we generally only flame when its warrented heh.

That being said a lot of folk have told me that they had fun in EQ2 till around level 20 then by 30 the game had lost its charm. I'd be interested to know if you still like it when you reach mid level.

Also are you playing on one of the pvp servers? I've heard enough about EQ2s version of pvp to think its going to be a gankers dream come true but am always interested in hearing how it actually turns out.

[Syrinx]

That being said a lot of folk have told me that they had fun in EQ2 till around level 20 then by 30 the game had lost its charm. I'd be interested to know if you still like it when you reach mid level.

I can see how some could feel that way. I'm up to 42 now with my main character. I'm playing through though with a guild made up with friends who all started playing around the same time. I think that certainly helps.

Some of the quests do feel like such a grind and the payoff doesn't fit the work involved.

[DeadPixel]

All the SOE employees look so grim when I see them at lunch. I think they're hating it.

[Hignaki]

Well...I don't know; I've hit 20 with my main character (extra XP weekend FTW) and I think that with my good guild, I'm having quite a bit of fun. It probably helps that I"m a big, BIG JRPG fan, and grinding is no problem for me.

What really seals the deal (at least, for this first free month LOL) is the combat; I love a good combat system, and I can see that this is where EQ2 shines. I mean, it seems to be a little more intuitive; not as much "armor based" at the end levels as WoW is, from what I read.

And also, it's the little things. For non-grinding quests, I've had to do stuff like blow up barrels (that didn't respawn anytime soon OMG :D ), impersonate a member of a cult, beat up a bossy NPC, backstab the ratonga magi group, and generally do things differently. Add to the fact that I'm half-elf, and discriminated against (people won't let me join societies, I buy things more expensively at vendors [I've checked!]) and the little things start becoming one big thing.

I know the inter-city uber-cool quests will soon end, but as I said; I"m a big fan of the combat system, and that could pull me in for a long time. I havn't tried the PvP servers yet (RP servers are sooo nice tempered and stable) but from the inital reports, it's working well. I was a fan of the WoW PvP system, and I have to give it credit: it works for what it's intended to. But when a Qeynos city group added me (I was anon/RPing) and later figured out I was from Freeport, I had to change my pants. That was just too good.

I'm not bashing on WoW, it's just that, until the expansion (maybe), It's served it's use for me. It was a good ride, but I need something different. I suggest that if you're done with WoW, give the free 30 days a try, you may like it.

[Beelzebud]

I've been playing Asheron's Call 1 again, since last July, when they released the 2nd expansion for it.

I'm really loving the game again.

[zrikz]

For reasons unknown after a 2 year break I got sucked back into EQ 1 last november. The update / patch today is quite amazing. FP now has a EQ 2 look and is completly different. N Ro and S Ro have been revamped also, Oasis has been merged into S ro. 2 new planes I think, didnt have much time to look into it, but pretty cool. I played EQ2 from day 1 to about a month in then gave up, heard its changed quite a bit, but maybe ill give it a try sometime down the road if vanguard dosnt hold my attention when it comes out.

[Ghostbear]

Havnt touched the game since the beta, maybe i'll check it out now.

[Roc Ingersol]

SOE is a den of evil bastards -- but at least they've got the content pipeline down.
I understand Blizzard's buried under a mountain of cash, and their level of polish >> SOE's level of polish.

But at this rate Sony'll have moved 3 expansions by the time The Burning Crusade ships.

[Librum]

Every time I've said to myself 'Hey, a new expansion for a Sony game, it's been a few months or a year, maybe I'll take a look', and every time I've given in, I've been sorely disappointed. Didn't care for EQ2 when it came out and still can't believe they made the decisions they did as far as the art, feel and gameplay. I'll pass on this one.

[Snipee]

This is going to be a great new expansion for the game, Im glad that soe keeps adding on to thier games. There is always something new to see and always something diffrent to experience. Give it another shot if you shy'd away from the game in the past. I have an account running on SWG, WoW and EQ2. But by far EQ2 has the dept to keep me playing. In WoW I have a level 57 Mage, 54 Warrior on Silvermoon. In EQ2 on Bazzar I have a 24 Necro, 33 Monk, a 23 Illusionist and a 23 Guardian.