"The Evolution of MMOs Continues"

Well, the slew of new MMORPGs are heading to and already in stores, and after past experiences with MMOs such as Ultima Online, EverQuest Live, and DAoC, I must say that EverQuest 2 is very impressive in comparison.

Firstly, I haven't played WoW yet, nor do I know if I will, but this game is very newbie-friendly (I've heard that WoW is incredibly newbie friendly). The Isle of Refuge provides a great start for anybody just getting into the MMO scene, and provides everybody with quests and camps for grouping and gearing up for when you head into Qeynos or Freeport.

Gameplay 9.5/10
The gameplay in EQ2 is great, everything just seems to flow and it works quite well. The heroic opportunities offer something to spike the interest of battles in and out of groups, as no longer will you be pressing auto attack and watching your character slay the oncoming mob. The community in EQ2 is also very mature and helpful, but just like every MMO, it doesn't lack the common immature teen. Altogether though, it all adds up to a great experience.

Graphics 9/10
If you can run it on anything higher than Balanced, then the graphics deserve a 10/10. A complete monster computer could run this game at high quality and it would look absolutely breathtaking.

Sound 10/10
Environmental sounds and attacks all sound great, and the music score is outstanding.

Lasting Appeal 10/10
Just as many of the MMOs, this will take over your life if you like the genre. EverCrack lives again in its second form.

User Interface 10/10
It's a completely customizable UI and offers anything that one could want in it. Very easy to follow, not confusing in any way.

Quests 9.5/10
Tons upon tons of quests in the game, and many to a nice reward, however, some are unfinished or broken, which makes it lose the half of a point.

Overall 9/10
Overall this is a great MMO to anybody looking for one to play, whether it be hardcore or casual, it will fit both styles. The high end game is obviously geared toward the hardcore gamers, but if you're looking for a few hours a day to play alone, it's very easy to just pick up and go solo. No game is perfect, but EQ2 shows both style and finess in its attempt to create a game which is friendly to all kinds of gamers...newbies, casual, hardcore, etc.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/30/04