EverQuest II

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 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
Everquest 2's Splitpaw Saga Wraps Up!

EQ2's Splitpaw Saga becomes an "epic" tale

SOE adds the final chapter to this summer's adventure pack. Those
crazy
Underpaw gnolls are on the march, led by the epic-challenge mob
Faroth Mal. Before the SPCA descended on the instance
for alleged cruelty to animals, the devs posted this bit of lore based
on the exploits of guild Ascendance:

"As soon as Faroth Mal fell, the caverns began to collapse. It was
now a race to get out--a race for their lives. Ascendance began to
scale the collapsed rocks and broken tusks towards the surface with
desperate haste. As they moved through a final chokepoint, the ceiling
let out its last shudder and buckled. With daring resolve, the
remaining members of Ascendance leapt into an open cavern while the
rocks filled in behind them.
"The tremor stopped, and the guild looked around at each other,
stunned. “So much for loot,” Kumek laughed and began dusting
him/herself off. “Not funny!” Jedette scorned, “I’m sick of risking my
skin for…” “Look!” shouted Drave. A mysterious glow surrounded them.
Salvatorre reached forward to touch it in disbelief. “It’s gold!
Wagonloads of it!” Ascendance had stumbled upon the fabled treasure
vault of the Underpaw Clan. The rest is history."

Visit our very own EQ2 Splitpaw Saga guide, if you dare!

News

Sun, Jul 10, 2005

Ethec
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: Splitpaw Saga Guide

Yes, but where is the grassy Gnoll?
Our own EverQuest 2 community managers have posted a guide to the Splitpaw Saga Instance. We don't gnoll for sure, but supposedly they wrote this:

"If you've chosen to pre-order the adventure pack, the Splitpaw Saga
access quest is available to you immediately. In it you'll find not just the key to get you into the upcoming SS zone, but also a scalable (meaning the mobs and experience adjust to your level or your group's average level) instance which can be soloed or duo'ed for a gain of about 10% exp total for a half an hour's work (this is for levels 41-50, at lower levels its likely more!)."

You can read the entire EverQuest Guide to the Splitpaw Saga at EQ2.TenTonHammer.com.

News

Mon, Jun 27, 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
EQ2 Mystic Spell Comparison Guide

Spell tiers, not to be confused with spell tears.
Our very own EverQuest 2 community site has posted a comparison guide to spell tiers for the Mystic class. We cried. We laughed and then we noticed that they probably wrote this:

"The Mystic Guide now has Spell Tier comparisons. Jimbob finally used some of that extra energy to get me the spell numbers from his own list."

You can read the entire Everquest 2 Mystic Class Spell Comparison Guide at TenTonHammer.com.

News

Wed, Jun 22, 2005

Boomjack
EQ2 Heritage Quest Guide Updated

It's your heritage. You owe it to yourself to learn about it.
Our very own EverQuest 2 community site has updated their already comprehensive Heritage Quest Guide. We traced back through the family tree to find this:

"Heritage quests have the combined benefit of providing some very nice items (which hearken back to EQ live- hence the name) and massive jolts of status points for yourself and possibly your guild. They are very involved, and usually very long. The good news is, they're usually worth it for the items alone and are great team-building activities for your guild."

You can read the entire Everquest 2 Heritage Quest Guide at TenTonHammer.com.

News

Wed, Jun 22, 2005

Boomjack
EverQuest 2 Producer's Letter

Add-ons and expansions.
Scott Hartsman of Sony Online Entertainment has posted his June Producer's Letter on EverQuest 2. It was a long article, but we read at least the first few lines and are confident that he might have written this:

"There's been a lot of focus lately on Desert of Flames, our first major expansion to the game due out this fall. While we're extremely excited about this first expansion, I wanted to take some time to talk about a few things that will also be coming up for EverQuest II."

You can read the entire June EverQuest 2 Producer's Letter at the Official Site.

News

Wed, Jun 22, 2005

Boomjack
EQ2 Access Quests Guide Updated

I need access and I need it now, well about two months ago.
Our very own EverQuest 2 community team have updated the Access Quests Guide. It's only a rumour that they wrote this:

"Access Quest Compendium Access quests allow you toenter certain "keyed" areas of Norrath. Some are more or less necessary to progress in level (Enchanted Lands and Zek access, for two), others are necessary to complete heritage quests, while still others are more or less avoidable unless your friends are begging you to join them."

Read the entire EverQuest 2 Access Quest Guide at EQ2.TenTonHammer.com.

News

Thu, Jun 16, 2005

Boomjack