EverQuest II - PC

Following nearly a dozen expansion packs, compilations and even a console port, developer SOE has finally deemed the EverQuest series worthy of a brand new title. Imaginatively named EverQuest II, should players be expecting more of the same, or should they be prepared for something entirely new? Truth be told, it's more of the same, just bigger, better and bolder. But as nearly half a million paying EverQuest gamers will attest, that's really no bad thing.

Before you begin the game proper, as with most MMORPGs, the creation and customisation of your new protagonist must be completed in order to gain a unique identity in the massive online world that awaits. Skin tone, hair and build are just a few of the options players can tweak, but it's your character's chosen profession that will have the greatest influence on the way the game is played throughout.

In the beginning, only several 'umbrella' job classes are made available, but that's not to say the inhabitants of the EverQuest game world wont be diverse, because with experience and time comes the opportunity to specialise your profession. Scouts, for example, can later develop their abilities to become assassins and so on.

As far as gameplay is concerned, EverQuest II is much like Final Fantasy XI in that the game's earlier missions can be tackled as a solo adventurer, but will later on require players to seek out parties and participate co-operatively to progress further. Players are also free to make friends and chat with anyone they meet.

However, the most obvious changes are seen in the game's visuals and control method. A more user-friendly experience, EverQuest II boasts a simplified play mechanic that helps make an otherwise steep learning curve much easier to tackle.

Finally, the brilliantly detailed world of Norrath has undergone a major overhaul that marks a massive visual improvement over its predecessor. The fluidity and animation of the entire adventure is noticeably superior, as is the resolution and texture detail of EverQuest II.

All in all, while its easy to nitpick at certain areas of SOE's new MMORPG, the game as a whole is solid, lacking in any major flaws, and will probably be every bit as successful as the original game was...and still is. more