EverQuest II Features

Game Info

Developer:

Sony Online Entertainment

Genre:

Fantasy

Release Date:

November 8, 2004

Monthly Fee:

F2P with P2P Option

Official Website

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EverQuest II (commonly abbreviated EQII) is the official continuation of the world and storylines introduced in the original EverQuest that was released in 1999. Following along the same lines as its predecessor, EQII is set on the fantasy-based world of Norrath, which is the home to a variety of different creatures and beings that fight for good or evil. EQII features all of the playable races of the original EverQuest, including a few additions (the Fae and the Ratonga), and many of the settings of the original game. EQII also follows the pattern set by EverQuest in that it focuses on player versus environment (PvE) combat rather than put any sort of focus on PvP. There are a set of PvP servers, but the main focus of the game is on PvE.

Originally, players merely selected a archetype at the beginning of their adventuring, choosing to be either a Fighter, Scout, Priest or Mage. As character progressed, they were then allowed to choose divergent classes that specialized them into a variety of roles. In January of 2006, the system was changed so that you selected your final class during character creation. The final list of classes that are in the game are: Berserker, Guardian, Paladin, Shadow Knight, Monk, Bruiser, Troubadour, Dirge, Ranger, Assassin, Swashbuckler, Brigand, Fury, Warden, Templar, Inquisitor, Mystic, Defiler, Wizard, Warlock, Conjurer, Necromancer, Illusionist, and Coercer.

Since release six expansion/adventure packs have been released that expand the content in the game. With the most recent expansion, the newest player race, the Fae, was introduced. One of the most interesting additions to the game is the use of actual voices for NPCs. The actors used for these parts included well-known Hollywood stars such as Heather Graham (as Queen Antonia Bayle) and Christopher Lee (Overlord Lucan D'Lere). Actor/gamer Wil Wheaton and actor/mathematician Danica McKellar are also part of the cast. According to SOE in October 2004, EverQuest II featured 130 hours of spoken dialog recorded by 1,700 voice actors. More dialog has been added since release as part of regular game updates as recently as July 2006. EverQuest II introduced Player Voice Emotes with the launch of EverQuest II: Desert Of Flames in September 2005.

EverQuest II also employs a Station Exchange store that allows players to buy certain goods for the game.

As of August 20th, 2010 Sony Online Entertainment implemented a new free-to-play server option with the launch of EverQuest II Extended, providing a way for players to play the game for free and buy items they want through microtransactions.

EverQuest 2 Featured Content:
Class Guides Race Guides Zone Guides General Guides Tradeskill Guides Quest Guides	Editorials Features Interviews Previews Media

Recent EverQuest 2 Featured Content Updates:

Gamecloud Interviews "Antonia" Finalists

I'm thinking Queen Antonia ought to know a gnoll from a drakota!
Gamecloud has two more "Everquest 2: Quest for Antonia" finalist interviews for those of you that like to see hot women with give blithe answers to questions about gaming. Before you start with the letters, I think its cool when women play MMORPGs, and I'm sure there's plenty of hot ones that know their stuff. But these ain't it... case in point:

"Gamecloud - Do you play Everquest II yourself or any other PC or video games?

Carin Ashley - Yes, I do play Everquest II and other PC/video games. Everquest II is a unique experience in that it keeps you entertained and challenged at the same time.

Gamecloud - What opportunities do you think will open up for you if you win the Quest For Antonia contest?

Carin Ashley - I think winning the Quest for Antonia will open up many opportunities that I would not otherwise be able to experience without the opportunity provided by such a cutting-edge company as Sony Online Entertainment. You never know the future until you go after the possibilities and from there the opportunities can be endless."

Let's face it: you, like SOE, just want to see some pics. Get your pics here!
Gamecloud's interview with Anna Wainscot, and
Gamecloud's interview with Carin Ashley.

Features, Interviews

Wed, Aug 10, 2005

Ethec
Desert of Flames Preview at GameSpy

Desert of Flames - Located Right Next To Las Vegas.
GameSpy has posted a preview of EverQuest 2: Desert of Flames. While wandering in the desert outside of our hotel in Las Vegas we began to see visions which looked almost like this:

"Veterans of the original EverQuest will doubtless appreciate where our demo kicked off: the famous Oasis of Marr. Or what's left of it, anyway, after Luclin, Norrath's moon, careened into it. Many of the area's features remain intact, however, not the least of which is the city of Maj'Dul, which serves as the expansion's focal point. Apparently, in the 500 years since the aforementioned catastrophe, the formerly murderous bandits and dervishes that inhabit the desert got their stuff together enough to found Maj'Dul."

You can read the entire EverQuest 2: Desert of Flames Preview at GameSpy.

Features, Previews

Fri, Jul 15, 2005

Boomjack
EverQuest 2 Blowout

Notice how there is never a "Blow In", but a lot of Blow outs?
IGN has posted an EverQuest 2 "Blowout". A Ratonga once wrote:

"For better or worse, many people think of EverQuest II as a game that World of Warcraft is not. There was a lot of anticipation leading up to Blizzard's first MMO, while EQ2 was another EverQuest. So while the original enjoyed a long, successful run (and is still going strong as I write this), EQ2's home invasion was blunted by a surprisingly good competitor, which was followed up by Guild Wars, which is also selling pretty well. Since launch, however, the EQ2 team has been soldiering mightily to add content on a regular basis and implement an update every couple weeks, a level of support that Blizzard does not seem to have met, despite initial promises. While WoW could arguably be the better game, it might not stay that way for long, judging by how large a head of steam the Sony folks have developed."

You can read the entire EverQuest 2 Blowout at IGN.
The #1 EverQuest 2 site on the Interweb is so close you can feel it. Visit our own EQ2 community site.

Features, Previews

Wed, Jul 13, 2005

Boomjack
EQ2: Desert of Flames Preview

How long until somebody calls it Dessert of Flames?
GameSpot has posted a preview of the next EverQuest 2 expansion, Desert of Flames. A guy dressed as Elvis came up to me in Vegas, but he didn't say this:

"Earlier today, during a meeting with Sony Online Entertainment, we got our first good look at EverQuest II: Desert of Flames. Currently scheduled for release on September 12, Desert of Flames is the first full-fledged expansion pack for EverQuest II, which has attracted more than 300,000 players since it launched in November of last year."

You can read the entire EverQuest 2: Desert of Flames Preview at GameSpot.
If you love EverQuest 2, then you will love our EQ2 community site. We have more information and more guides than any other site on the Interweb. Go have a look-see for yourself.

Features, Previews

Wed, Jul 13, 2005

Boomjack
EQ2: Splitpaw Saga Interview

Gnolls have a saga?
GameCloud has posted a Interview with Sony Online Entertainment's Scott Hartsman covering the latest EverQuest 2 adventure pack, The Splitpaw Saga. While watching the clouds drift by we saw one that looked a lot like Lord Nagafen and it appeared he was writing this:

" The folks at Sony Online recently release the second "adventure pack" for their hit MMORPG Everquest 2 titled The Splitpaw Saga. Gamecloud got a chance to quiz the pack's senior producer Scott Hartsman to find out more about their mini-expansion pack for the game. "

You can read the entire EverQuest 2: The Splitpaw Saga Interview at GameCloud.

Features, Interviews

Mon, Jul 04, 2005

Boomjack
EQ2: Desert of Flames Preview at CGO

Does an expansion to EQ2 make it EQ2-2.
Computer and Video Games has a preview of EverQuest 2: Desert of Flames posted. They probably wrote this:

"The expansion adds 12 new zones, in particular the new city of Maj'Dul, which lies nestled in the heart of the desert. Although you'll be able to attack the NPCs in this city, it's protected by a group of flying guards that will swoop down if you cause too much trouble. And since they become more powerful the more you kill them, it dissuades you from too much NPC killing, something that's been problematic in WOW. The city is also home to four different factions: the Court of Tears, the Court of Coins, the Court of Swords and the Court of Truth. All the Courts have their own unique missions and eventually you'll have to decide which one you want to ally with. The strength and support a Court gets from the players will ultimately have an impact on the city itself, and dictate the types of guards present, as well as the kind of relationship the Court has with its rivals."

You can read the entire EverQuest 2: Desert of Flames Preview at Computer Games Online.

Features, Previews

Mon, Jun 27, 2005

Boomjack