Everquest Online Adventures - PS2 - My thoughts...

[Guest Downhome]

I recently recieved my Everquest Online Adventures stage III Beta disk, and I have been playing it all night. Now keep in mind that I never once have played the PC version, so I have no idea about that one. We do all know that the game is adicting however, that is common knowledge. We have heard of people giving their lives to the game, and going as far as actually killing themselves over it. Anyhow...

 

...I sat down and began to play it, and was instantly not pleased. The controll was viewed as horrible by me initionally, as it just felt so glitchy. Just running from point A to point B felt like a chore. After playing for a few minutes however, it somewhat became second nature. It's not great, and it still has it's faults, but it's playable, and better than some games. I instantly became intrigued by the concept of chatting to live players who are going about trying to do the same things that I am doing, have done, or will be doing soon. I know most of you have played games in which you were with many others, but my exposure to this is limited to the few times I played a couple of games on the Dreamcast online, about 1-2 years ago.

 

The graphics are "ok", but not what I would expect from a PS2 game at this stage. I can only assume that the little faults will be corrected by the time the actua game is released to the public. It's nothing horrible mind you, it's just not as outstanding as I would expect. It remined me a great deal of the game Drakan, if you are familier with that one, also for the PS2.

 

Then we have the battle system, oh God. It is an action-RPG type set up, but simply done very badly. You walk up to an enemy, target it, and then hit it. After you hit it once, it hits you. You then are able to hit it, and so on and so on. You can press the button over and over unleashing hits over and over, as there is a slight pause between your hits. I am not at a high level however, so this could just be how it is in the begining, but still, it is something that could put gamers off on this game and make them put it down to never play it again.

 

As I said, it's adicting, period. Even with it's faults it makes you want to keep playing it. I could go to so far that it FORCES you to keep playing it. If you are easly malipulated (sp?) then do not go near these types of games, as they will easily take controll of your time and life. You will want to reach a higher and higher level, and get as much done as you can. Not to mention that the talking to real people, just as yourself, it adicting as well. Making "friends", talking to "people", and joining them in quests will make you feel as if you are a truly sociable person, but it is only a false sense of being that way, and can truly hurt you if you are not able to vary and limit your time in playing this sort of game. This game is built upon this concept of adiction, it's so easy to see. It's an ok game, but it will have you hooked even though it is nothing more than "average", at least from what I've experianced so far.

 

Like I said, all of this is what most of you know already, but this is coming from someone who has not only never played Everquest, but has never played a game of this kind period. If you have any questions feel free to ask me, and I'll do my best to answer them!

 

Sincerely,

...Downhome...

[Guest B-X]

I learned my lesson long ago as it applied towards mmorpgs.

 

Just say No.

[Guest Downhome]

I learned my lesson long ago as it applied towards mmorpgs.

 

Just say No.

I agree, period. Not only is it not worth ones time, but it's not even a "good" game from what I can tell. I can't understand why someone would be so into it, other than the chatting aspect. It's really just a big interactive chat room, and that's all.

 

Just imagine how huge The Sims Online will be, God, many will devote their life to it, lol.

[Guest cynicalprofit]

I already know someone who is 100% addicted to sims online.

[Guest Mad Dog]

Is Sims Online even out yet?

[Guest Downhome]

I already know someone who is 100% addicted to sims online.

I assume they got the beta disk for it just like I got this one, yes?

[Guest GeneMean]

While it isn't fair to judge this game since it is still in Beta stage, I think you come pretty close to summing up EQOA so far Downhome.

 

There seems to be an almost unfair stereotype amongst most PC gamers that console games/gamers are generally dumbed down in comparison to the PC folk. If any one game bring this notion to life it's Everquest and it's differences between the PC and PS2 version. The most notable omissions so far in the PS2 version are the absolute lack of tradeskills and pvp (player v. player) combat.

 

The graphics are several steps below what is currently available out there for a PS2 game. Make no mistake about it this is a first gen game (first gen console MMO) and it shows. The original EQ's graphics on PC were subpar as was Ultima Online's.

 

DH summed up solo player combat greatly. This game will be about 4 player groups (the PC version is 6 player normal groups) and ?? player sized raids. It's all about playing and interacting with other people in a way that your console-exclusive gamer has never done before. This is where that strange addiction occurs. People will be developing some serious love and hate relationships with people they have never met in person. You will see just how far some people/guilds will go to be an asshole to every one else on the server.

 

Get a keyboard .. the game truly should ship with one. I was grouping with a person a couple of weeks ago that didn't have one and it was a pain in the ass as he/she had to scroll the pre-canned text response with the controller.

 

I've only gotten a variety of classes up to around lvl 6 or 7 (of 50) when I was in phase 2 beta. The devs wanted us to test the various newbie class quests. Learning the actual gameplay is a breeze, of course a retarded monkey could play this blindfolded though so I guess it isn't really saying much. The real fun won't happen until your around lvl 45 - 50 and you start going with your guild and trying to kill dragons/gods. As an ex PC-EQ'er of 2 + years that first dragon raid is the absolute shit. Throwing 20 or more players at a target and each one of you having a definate role in your succeeding or failing almost seems overwhelming the first time you try it.

 

Although in the end, if this game were released today there is no way in hell I'd buy it. There is still a ton of beta work to be done in my opinion. Downhome send me a /tell in a couple of days and if you'd like we can make a duo somewhere. I usually go by either Genemean or Vaskyre.

 

Now the Sims Online ... look out this is gonna be the big one I've a feeling. I played it a couple of times in the open beta and I can easily see people getting addicted to this one. Sims Online will probably be the MMO that finally brings in the masses and then in the spring Star Wars Galaxies will end thousands of social lives across the galaxy.

[Guest Downhome]

I'll comment on all you just said soon, but for now...

 

...Vaskyre, that sounds familier. I go by Noir on there, so look for me, and maybe we can "team up".

[Guest Flyboy]

I learned my lesson long ago as it applied towards mmorpgs.

 

Just say No.

That won't be easy for me to say when the Star Wars MMORPG comes out for PC.