EverQuest II (Preview)
Sweet, sweet EverCrack
by Libe Goad

PLATFORM: PC

PUBLISHER: SOE

DEVELOPER: SOE

GENRE: MMORPG

ESRB: Rating Pending

Not only has the EverQuest franchise caused a media frenzy with in-game marriages and game-related suicides—it has been one of the most popular games with femmes to date. EQ allows you to run freely through a virtual universe, in addition to becoming an incredible experiment for in-game socialization.

Since the original game’s release in 1999, the massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) continues to attract new members and retain old ones with the release of five expansion packs, a sixth soon on the way. Even though the game has improved greatly over its lifespan, its age is beginning to show. The graphics and interface, which has been greatly improved upon over the years, can't help but show its age. Even though the original game will still be up and running after EQ II launches, a complete overhaul has been a long time coming.

Based on our second look at the game, it looks like EverQuest II may be able to fit the bill. (Click here to read our E3 preview). Boasting a shiny, new 3D gaming engine, you’re looking to be blown away by immensely detailed character models, a ripping new interface and the overall seamlessness of the entire gaming experience. So far.

The part of the game demo that stood out the most were the graphics. Mmm, lush, thick, moist graphics. As we roamed around two towns, Queynos and Freeport, I was practically licking my lips in anticipation. The lush, detailed enviroments looked so fantastically sharp and detailed, thanks to an impressive use of the lastest graphical technology: bump-mapping, pixel-shading and mutilayered texturing. It almost makes real life look drab in comparison.

The character models looked equally delicious. First, you’ll be able to create a character belonging to one of 16 races. Races carried over from the original EQ have received overhauls--the ogre race now appears more streamlined, for instance. Each character is loaded with natural movements--a realitic gate, roaming eyes, the chests rise and fall with each breath. Fantastic.

Add the new character customization system on top of that, and you're faced with an extremely large number of possibilities. Plus, you'll be able to play as a new rodent race--the aptly named Ratonga--an evil race made complete with cuzomizable scars and piercings.

A host of other game enhancements will ship with EverQuest II, including player-owned real-estate, player-controlled ships, reduced learning curve for newbies and a boatload of new items and spells. We also got to see the new quest system in action—now instead of wandering to specific guilds or people for tasks, you’ll be able to pick up a mission almost anywhere in the game—signs sprinkled throughout towns, animals and other seemingly random places around the virtual world. NPCs will be delving out more quests, but in an impressive turn, they’ll actually reach out to you for quests based on your current stats. That means, if you’re a certain level in hunting, an NPC will evaluate your character, and if you qualify, will ask if you want to perform a specific quest. It sounds good in writing, but seeing it in person left a lasting (read: good) impression.

That and the eerie next-generation zombies roaming about. Granted, they’re not the sprinting flesh-eaters of 28 Days Later but they’re certainly configured for maximum creepitude. I’m still sleeping with the lights on.

That wouldn’t scare us away from the game, however. Though we can't say the game is more than a spectacular piece of eye candy right now, you can rest assured that EverQuest II will be at the top of the GameGal Holiday wish list in the coming months.