The last few weeks, I have posted a lot about what is frustating me about today's MMO's... mostly that they are too easy.

This weekend, I found the answer.

E V E R Q U E S T

No joke. I signed up again and am having a blast. The truth is, it is just a really good game. I expected it to be old and stale, but I even had fun grinding in an old zone to get my skills up to speed... nevermind the myriad of new zones available.

I think it is 19.99 or something to get all the expansions except the most recent ones. How can you go wrong?

The game dwarfs all other MMO's in terms of content. Honestly, it is still the best of the MMO's

Can't argue that it still holds a great deal of appeal for hardcore gamers. is it still the best? I dunno about that. Problem is there isn't a game out there that is like it. There's never been a true hardcore next gen replacement for it. Being a 10 year vet, I have great memories of what the game was like day one and a bit of spite towards waht the game has become. If they ever release a classic server, you will see hordes of people returning to Everquest.

They should do a true EQ2. Not a revamp of the rules like the currently released EQ2, just the saem exact rules with new content and graphics.

Originally posted by Puffah

Can't argue that it still holds a great deal of appeal for hardcore gamers. is it still the best? I dunno about that. Problem is there isn't a game out there that is like it. There's never been a true hardcore next gen replacement for it. Being a 10 year vet, I have great memories of what the game was like day one and a bit of spite towards waht the game has become. If they ever release a classic server, you will see hordes of people returning to Everquest.

So true. Don't you remember that independent project entitled EQClassic.org? It got so many users that sony shut them down in fear of losing a significant amount of their playerbase.

I really wish that I had been a part of Everquest when it first came out.  Both that and Ultima Online.  I think if I had been there at the start, then today's MMO's would be pale in comparison. 

Unfortunately, as I only got hooked up to the Net a few years ago, I missed out in its heyday.

My first MMO experience was actually EQ2, and I loved it.  I still do to some extent.  However, when I tried the original Everquest, it was just too dated.  I have no ties to it, no fond memories, or nostalgia to harken back to, so my experience of Everquest was not a pleasent one.  Which is a shame, as I bet it was a great game in its day. 

With this in mind, I doubt the validity of the OP's title statement.  Unless you were a vet of Everquest, I sincerely doubt that many of today's MMO players would enjoy the experience.  Sure, if you were there in its prime, then possibly it may be worth re-visiting, especially if you are frustrated and sick of today's cookie cutter, spoon fed games.  Otherwise, it may seem like a backward step.  Shame, but that is just the way things are.

Originally posted by Majestico

I really wish that I had been a part of Everquest when it first came out.  Both that and Ultima Online.  I think if I had been there at the start, then today's MMO's would be pale in comparison. 

Unfortunately, as I only got hooked up to the Net a few years ago, I missed out in its heyday.

My first MMO experience was actually EQ2, and I loved it.  I still do to some extent.  However, when I tried the original Everquest, it was just too dated.  I have no ties to it, no fond memories, or nostalgia to harken back to, so my experience of Everquest was not a pleasent one.  Which is a shame, as I bet it was a great game in its day. 

With this in mind, I doubt the validity of the OP's title statement.  Unless you were a vet of Everquest, I sincerely doubt that many of today's MMO players would enjoy the experience.  Sure, if you were there in its prime, then possibly it may be worth re-visiting, especially if you are frustrated and sick of today's cookie cutter, spoon fed games.  Otherwise, it may seem like a backward step.  Shame, but that is just the way things are.

I will grant you this... if you are a first time player, then it would be best to sign up with friends. The newbie zones are not too populated (I think).

Beyond that though, the game is incredibly deep in content. The graphics are dated, but they aren't all *that* bad, and honestly... graphics are far less important than gameplay.

Originally posted by Aetherial

Originally posted by Majestico

I really wish that I had been a part of Everquest when it first came out.  Both that and Ultima Online.  I think if I had been there at the start, then today's MMO's would be pale in comparison. 

Unfortunately, as I only got hooked up to the Net a few years ago, I missed out in its heyday.

My first MMO experience was actually EQ2, and I loved it.  I still do to some extent.  However, when I tried the original Everquest, it was just too dated.  I have no ties to it, no fond memories, or nostalgia to harken back to, so my experience of Everquest was not a pleasent one.  Which is a shame, as I bet it was a great game in its day. 

With this in mind, I doubt the validity of the OP's title statement.  Unless you were a vet of Everquest, I sincerely doubt that many of today's MMO players would enjoy the experience.  Sure, if you were there in its prime, then possibly it may be worth re-visiting, especially if you are frustrated and sick of today's cookie cutter, spoon fed games.  Otherwise, it may seem like a backward step.  Shame, but that is just the way things are.

 

I will grant you this... if you are a first time player, then it would be best to sign up with friends. The newbie zones are not too populated (I think).

Beyond that though, the game is incredibly deep in content. The graphics are dated, but they aren't all *that* bad, and honestly... graphics are far less important than gameplay.

 

I actually had a bigger issue with the gameplay than the graphics.  When I first started it, I actually really liked how it felt a lot more like an older, adventure game.  The way it gave you text descriptions about things, like when you hailed someone, etc.  That side of it really appealed to me, as I am an adventure game fan from way, when games were text based (was never really into MUDS though).  Anyway, I digress.

I also liked the attention to detail, like how you had to learn other people's languages.  (As in the game's races).  However, I quickly found that all other player's seemed to be vets, and they had little time for newbie's.  So I quickly became frustrated with the controls, and the way the community seemed to shun me, just for being new (when you would think the opposite would be the case, as in new blood to the game equals a healthy game).   WIthout the visual aspect, I was not as forgiving with the user-interface, which probably seems like second nature to Vets, but not to new comers, and due to the this, I gave up on it.

It's still there though, lurking somewhere amongst my hard-drives.  You see I am the type of player who loves exploring, and seeing new content.  As a result, I am a sucker for expansion packs.  And this game is the mother-of-all-expansion-pack-games!  If there were ever such a thing!  So perhaps, maybe I will one day get around to mastering it, and seeing all the games contents.  I doubt it though, and don't think the majority of gamers would give it a chance to make the OP's statement true.  Therefore I stuck to my guns, and say that it is probably best left for the vets.  Or people who love the EQ Universe.

You guys are kidding me. I started with EQ beta so i was there from the beginning.

It is an adequated game with a LOT of boring parts. Sitting down for mana is one. In those days, EQ is popular, so EVERYTHING is camped to the max. It is really NOT fun to take a number, waiting 30 min to kill a mob.

And they put in so many boring time sinks. 

I recently logged back in just to check it out (they still keep my char .. LOL). The graphics is really dated and the interface is antiquated. I may be able to live with ancient graphics ... but i can't deal with a bad interface.

as much as i hate to say it but i am a stickler for graphics. they don't have to be Crysis level but i gotta have some nice eyecandy to look at. if EQ made EQ Reborn with EQ2 graphics I would play it in a heartbeat.

Originally posted by Majestico

I really wish that I had been a part of . . . and Ultima Online. 

Best and most fun mmo ever made, and that I've played. . .thats before the care-bear nurf....Im going back to 1997/98 I think.  Many consider that the 'good 'ol days'.

Ahh EQ.. I havent played in years but last time I checked I had logged about 450 days online.. no other game has ever come close to that for me, but it is a shame it is too easy now. 

hah, I remember having to decide wether or not to consent someone to get my corpse from the bottom of backburrow, back when /consent allowed them to loot it, or trying to find somewhere in the newbie area to level on RZ. 

 What I liked most about it was high level characters were very few so when you saw one you thought WOW!!  Nowadays its just a matter of little PLing and thats it.

What I would like to see in a modern MMO is the same difficulty that old school EQ had, together with no levels and no limits, even an exponential curve or something to keep it a journey and not a "waste of time until endgame"

WTB TP or TL to DL

on a side note:  Did anyone get to play project-m?  LOL that was the most laughter you could possibly pack into one session, I mean randomly spawning as a gnoll in BB, making your way to some hapless player and then pretending to stand still and look like just another gnoll, only to spot another gnoll doing the same thing, and then racing to the player to see who can kill him first!

Project-M was one of the funnest experiences I had in MMOs, but the QQers cried about monsters pulling trains on them, boo hoo, another golden feature subtracted in the name of kleenex.

pretty much gotta agree with everything said in this thread, especially last poster..

a game where being at level cap meant something, a 60 in EQ, was equal to 50x 70s in WoW, easily..

and game WAS a journey, definitely agree with that, not just lame filler until level cap.

When a true MMOrpg comes out(not a MOG, or OG, like they are now), all the ppl who have played all the easy mode games r gonna have to learn how to play again.  I mean our EQ guild went to WoW when first came out, got to 60 very quickly(damn, leveling is so fast), smashed the multi-group instanced at the end-(WoW players call these raids(40 ppl wth?) then as a group we went back to EQ. .

see sig ->

Still one of the best too me one of the best for most old school mmoers just people bashing it all the hell are the dumbys who started the mmo genre with WoW so yeah it suck too them spoiled little morons who dont relize what mmo's were all about, Communit,lore and gameplay was always the big factor too enjoying a mmo now the wow players its all lvling,items and pvp.Dunno i miss the old days and some people i wish were never introduced too the great online rpg genra cause they done screwed it up so dang bad.

EverQuest was my first MMOG And still this very moment I tend to go back and try the oldies once more.

EQ & DAoC... Wish I could say SWG to...

I just remember when EQ came out. Old EQ pre PoP : best thing ever created.

I played EQ until GoD came out. ( 66 monk on Ayonea Ro  ). Then WoW came out and hooked me. I came back to EQ recently but it seems like you are sooooo out of the loop if you havent been playing through all of the xpacs.

Originally posted by Airdefier

I just remember when EQ came out. Old EQ pre PoP : best thing ever created.

I played EQ until GoD came out. ( 66 monk on Ayonea Ro  ). Then WoW came out and hooked me. I came back to EQ recently but it seems like you are sooooo out of the loop if you havent been playing through all of the xpacs.

Oh yeah. There is SOOOOOO much content, variety, itemization, UI changes etc.

I am still very lost. The first thing I did was go to the Bazaar, re-gear, and head to a familiar zone. After 5 years, getting all of that complete was difficult enough to figure out.

I plan on just soloing, maybe some PUG. I will never be a raid player again.

But what the hell, getting to 85 in EQ (as carebeared as it is now) is stil lmuch more of an accomplishment than 70 in WoW.

Originally posted by AKBandito

pretty much gotta agree with everything said in this thread, especially last poster..

a game where being at level cap meant something, a 60 in EQ, was equal to 50x 70s in WoW, easily..

and game WAS a journey, definitely agree with that, not just lame filler until level cap.

 

When a true MMOrpg comes out(not a MOG, or OG, like they are now), all the ppl who have played all the easy mode games r gonna have to learn how to play again.  I mean our EQ guild went to WoW when first came out, got to 60 very quickly(damn, leveling is so fast), smashed the multi-group instanced at the end-(WoW players call these raids(40 ppl wth?) then as a group we went back to EQ. .

 

see sig ->

 

Level 60 in EQ was an accomplishment.

In fact, it was so difficult for a ranger that the grind from 50-60 made me quit the game for 4+ years until last week.

If you could make it to 60, you really accomplished something. You also HAD to know how to play your character and you HAD to have friends (unless you were a solo class, i.e. NOT rangers :))

... at 60 now, I am a gimp ranger. My equipment, once pretty good, was laughable :)

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Originally posted by tigris67

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Originally posted by Puffah

Can't argue that it still holds a great deal of appeal for hardcore gamers. is it still the best? I dunno about that. Problem is there isn't a game out there that is like it. There's never been a true hardcore next gen replacement for it. Being a 10 year vet, I have great memories of what the game was like day one and a bit of spite towards waht the game has become. If they ever release a classic server, you will see hordes of people returning to Everquest.

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So true. Don't you remember that independent project entitled EQClassic.org? It got so many users that sony shut them down in fear of losing a significant amount of their playerbase.

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It's pretty stupid they never did one- all they had to do was look up and see all the demand for it as well as the fact DAoC had done it. Probably too late to do it now..

Yes why play the clones when you can play the orginal.

UO is better.