Chaotic prelude in new EverQuest II game update

You know, I started a new character the day before yesterday after having not played in so long that I'd completely forgotten how to play my old one. It turns out I'd also forgotten just how much there is to do in that game! You find quests pretty much everywhere you turn. So many, in fact, that there's absolutely no way to complete more than about 1/4 of them. And that's only with your own faction! You could quite literally play this game multiple times with totally different paths each time. It's a breath of fresh air when compared to other games that are making you feel like there's more content by adjusting the experience curve so that you can skip more in order to get to the end. (Hello WoW and LotRO)

Plus there's the deeper crafting system. Most people never really do come to understand the synergy between their six crafting skills and simply wait for the occasional problem to pop up. But if you do understand and actually work the system you'll find that there's real strategy and quick adaptation to the crafting process which will let you consistently turn out higher quality stuff.

The alternate advancement system is great, too, with three completely different ways to allocate your achievement points. It pretty much guarantees that no two characters play the same. I was also surprised to find that you can now convert any percentage of combat XP you wish into achievement XP. Given how many quests the game has, that actually makes great sense. You slow down your leveling a little so that you can progress your character through the achievement (aka talent) system, all without running out of content.

The only downside is that the graphics for this game really are subpar compared to a lot of the other AAA titles on the market right now. But SOE has clearly put a lot of effort into optimizing their engine because the game is prettier now than it used to be and performs much better.

I don't know if it will last, but for now I'm falling in love with this game all over again.

All great points, however, WoW and LOTRO give me something EQ2 never does, a REASON to do all that stuff. LOTRO more so than WoW. I'm talking about story mainly.

If EQ2 would just add in some epic overarching storyline delivered via cutscenes etc, I think I'd play it for longer than a month. Also, the whole combat skills aspect should be tossed. Give me one skill with one rank, none of this adept/master crap that is a waste of money because you outlevel the skill too fast to worry about updating the skill. Same goes with the gear, if I have to change gear every 10 levels just because of level, let me know this at least.

Which brings me to another point, EQ2 really needs to explain systems better via tooltips or tutorial windows. For instance the difference between fabled, legendary, and mythic items. I also think quests should be labeled as being solo/heroic/raid. But that's just me.

Speaking of the new expansion, any chance you'll have some beta keys to distribute this year?

I have to agree with Bryan. I love EQ2, but the lack of story has driven me away. I love LOTRO right now and bought the Siege of Mirkwood, first timer, since this a story driven game. I have to blame Dragon Age for bringing me back to a more story oriented games.