I keep going back to EQ2.  EQ2 has the best character development options in any mmorpg I have played (except maybe AO).  On top of the standard level and loot you have

achievements; gained by doing quests, finding certain items, killing named mobs and finding world locations.  Achievment points are spent to customise your character.  Achievement XP isn't linked to your level - you can customise your character faster than you level.

Spells: your spells and attacks have multiple quality levels - apprentice 1 and 2, adept 1 and 3, master.  This extra layer of character development gives you get another layer of things you can do to make your character better.

There is always something you can be doing to make your character stronger at every level range. 

Well, I should have been more specific about the animations.  Mainly its how some races run (especially with speed buffs) that just reminds me of SWG.  Just something I personally don't like very much.

Coming back to EQ2 from another Lineage 2 stint, the broker system is just so much easier.  The ability to sell so much and to quickly search for item prices....If that's too much for you in EQ2, dont ever play Lineage 2 where you have to maunally search a town full of afk shops for the prices :)

I do agree about the amount of spells.  It is a little overkill. 

I've been a returning player twice.

When I first started around the launch time, the game became really bland around level 15, plus there wasn't any PVP so I figured there was no point in going on.

After coming back, I rerolled a swashbuckler on a PVP server. Since I hadn't played for a long time and tried to get back into it, it was very difficult to do. It's hard to get everything done as a new player with all the twinks and gankers out there.

The time I quit again was when they nerfed swashbucklers reach in PVP. Plus, the group of people I was playing weren't really as active, and it was kind of hard to meet new people and friends there. Well, at least it was for me. It seemed as if this games community is mostly the older generation and such.

I tried to get back into it recently on a PVE server, but it didn't really give me the same satisfaction of a PVP server. However, trying to solo at 4x tier on a PVP is very, very stressful.

Originally posted by Wizardry

I always liked EQ2,i would have probably never left if not for real life issues the first time.Then when i went back years later,there was no players on my server that was merged.There was only 800 players on average logging in everyday,so it seemed barren at times.Even with that i was willing to stick around but they botched up my accounts,i was so frustrated by something that should be simple that i did not bother to pursue it.

My perfect game would be FFXI combat with the added renkai /elemental part of it and the sub class system.If EQ2 had that it would be the near perfect game.Well plus i don't really care for the multi grouped mobs EQ uses i prefer the controlled single mob fights that FFXI uses.FFXI does not have ALL single fights ,they have some unique ideas that are kind of cool like the Chigoes that can allow for chaining MANY MANY kills.

I like EQ2 crafting also but since they have a dedicated team and a paid lead hand for crafting i was dissapointed it was not advanced even further.I never believe in stopping at a good thing when you can make it even better,i mean if they are paying that staff to look after crafting,make them do something lol.

It is funny i kind of considered FFXI my MAIN game,but no question FFXI pissed me off with several ideas and i can't remember ever getting pissed at EQ2,well other than the odd glitch where mobs go through walls :D.It is no wonder Blizzard chose to copy AC2 for WOW SOE does just about everything right when comes to their MMORPG.

I have no idea as to the animation comment, i found WOW animations to be blocky unreal,where IMO EQ2 is about as bang on as you can get,i guess this is after playing WOW so long you get used to one look.I will agree 100% on the graphic settings ,it seemed like i had to constantly change from day and night settings.

I started up my account again after two years.  EQ2 has so much content and great stuff (Housing, crafting, etc) and its a shame that not more people still play it.  I played it at launch and altho it had many problems then, the content was wonderful.  Now after returning I doubt I can get into it again.  Soling is painful, the zones are deserted (I know many are in instances) and the game is top heavy with very few lower level characters.   Its kinda lifeless to me now, and I want a game that's alive. 

/shrug  I dont know, just wish it had more people. 

Bitch as much as you want to, but World Of Warcraft's graphics feel the same since launch. If you like their art style & graphics, you will feel the same even coming back after a few years. I go back to a game like Everquest 2 and the graphics do feel old and dated. That's is the next everlasting advantage of Blizzard's development. Your own Art Design > Medieval Fantasy BS

Originally posted by jhall229

Okay, EQ2 isn't quite as polished as WoW, the animations may seem a bit SWG, and it's still a pain to get the graphics settings where you want them  sometimes...but this is still the best MMO out there IMO. 

You have tons of stuff to do:  There are endless quests, guild halls, player housing, mentoring (group with anybody no matter what level), in depth character development, a good/mature community,  raiding, solo'ing, factions, fun crafting, voice chat, lore, collections, appearance tab, broker system,  eq2players, eq2 ZAM (check the broker offline), and did I mention the best community....oh yeah and dont forget CONTENT!!!, endless amounts of it.

If you're looking for a game that won't let you down, go ahead and try this one.   Also, send me a PM if you want to join a good guild.

Definitely agree with what you said here.  If it were not for me absolutely loving AoC, I would be in EQ 2 because it truly is one of the best PVE mmorpgs out there today.

Just came back myself and have to admit the game is quite different, in a good way, from what I remember. 

Send me a message if you want a 14-day trial and someone to group with on the RP server, Antonia Bayle.