While
Everquest is an old franchise on the PC, it is breaking new ground on
the PS2. Not only is Everquest Online Adventures (EOA) the first
Everquest game on a console but it also introduces console gamers to
whole a new gaming experience. I dont play a lot of PC games. I have a
lot of reasons but the biggest one is I enjoy the ease of console
gaming. It is all ready as soon as you take it out of the box; there is
little to no upgrading, and rarely do you have problems with a game once
you start playing it. The downside is I have missed out on a variety of
great games over the years. One game that I had always wanted to try was
Everquest. I had many a friend who had fallen to the game, leaving me
feeling a little left out when they would all go directly home from work
to begin living their other lives. They all seemed addicted. Perhaps
Everquests magic wasnt simply in the game. Had my friends fallen prey
to some sort of spell?
Then
the next big thing in console gaming hit, the thing that PC gaming had
beaten us to the punch on by years: online gaming. First the PS2 then
the X-box went online. There were a few games, but nothing that really
exploited the possibilities of online gaming. That was until one of PCs
biggest online adventures took the leap to console. Everquest exploits
the PS2s network adapter like nothing before; its not necessarily all
good but I will get to that later. But best of all, I could finally
experience Everquest and I didnt even have to touch my computer.
My
enthusiasm was tempered by a bit of nervousness. I had never played this
type of game before and I didnt have any friends playing the PS2
version. I have been doing the online thing for a little while with Xbox
Live and found my fellow gamers to be an even mix of the good and the
bad. As goofy as it sounds, I really didnt want to be the newbie
goofing up my partys adventures. What I found though was one of the
best online communities out there, lots of friendly and helpful
conversation and groups looking for companions of all skill levels. I
ran into very few impatient diehards and even fewer fourteen-year-old
potty mouths, who dont realize that "your momma jokes" are no longer
insulting or entertaining. It was a community that you could come into,
be welcomed, and feel comfortable. Im sure this was one of the allures
of Everquests original incarnation, and it continues to be on the PS2.
I
quickly found myself drawn to Everquest in a way that a game hasnt
drawn me in for some time. I was thinking about it while I was working,
watching TV, and even hanging out with my girlfriend (much to her
chagrin, although she got a kick out of seeing me get pimp-smacked by a
boar). I wanted to get back to the game and complete my quests. I wanted
to make my character stronger (I would show that boar who was boss the
next time). I was becoming an addict, falling just as my friends had
fallen before me.
EOA
exists in a persistent gaming world. That means when you shut of your
PS2 the game goes on without you. Now you have to choose which world
will go on without you, the game world or the real one. I know this will
be a tough one for a lot of you.
Normally
I would tell you a little about the story but EOA doesnt really have a
story, at least not in the traditional sense. Instead, the gamer is
given the opportunity to forge their own stories. There are quests to
follow, lands to explore, enemies to be made, and friendships to build.
You are able to do these things at your own leisure though. There is no
plot line that you must follow. You are able to go anywhere you please
at any time; you just better be able to take care of yourself. A
back-story from the other games does exist but we arent really given
any of that in the game and it doesnt have any bearing on the game. In
the end, it is liberating and something new and unique for a console
game.
You
are capable of discovering the expansive world of Norrath as one of ten
races (Human-western, Human-Eastern, Gnome, Dwarf, Elf, etc.), with
fourteen different classes to choose from (Monk, Ranger, Wizard,
Warrior, etc.). As usual each race and each class comes with its own set
of unique advantages and disadvantages. Also, not all races are
compatible with all classes. For instance, a Barbarian cannot be a
Wizard nor could an Erudite be a Warrior.
Choosing
race and class is really only choosing the blueprint from which you will
create your character. You start by assigning attribute points, allowing
you to choose your characters strengths (stamina, wisdom, strength,
agility, etc.). You continue to gain attribute points throughout the
game, so you can fill-in your character once you discover your
weaknesses.
After
assigning your initial attribute points you must design the look of your
character. It is all fairly basic, nothing like the amazing character
builder that Tony Hawk Pro Skater sports, but good enough to add a
little distinction to your character. I chose a mostly bald (the Captain
Jean Luc Picard look), middle aged, man. I decided that would be a
fairly unique look for a Ranger. You are allowed to choose your name
from either the pre-manufactured list or create your own. After having
four names rejected (they were already taken, get your minds out of the
gutter), I gave up and chose one from the list. Now I was ready to be
born again unto a new world.
My first
quest was to kill a rabid badger and bring back a sample of its meat for
studying. It really was more entertaining than it sounds (imagine a
middle-aged bald man in a fistfight with a rabid badger!). Even if you
dont believe me, never fear; I was soon building a weapon, and then
joining a party for a quest. This, of course, is when an online game
really starts to shine.
Communication
is a little more aggravating than what I was used too, coming from
playing Xbox Live. There is no nifty headset; instead you have to type
out each message. The PS2 is compatible with USB keyboards, but I didnt
have one. I was forced to use the controller to navigate an on-screen
keyboard. Might I say it is also one of the most annoying on-screen
keyboards Ive used? The pointer constantly jumps from letter to letter
in an unforeseeable fashion. It was extremely frustrating never knowing
which letter it was going to go to when pushing up, down, or over. On
the other hand it was good enough to keep it from severely hampering my
enjoyment of the game. If you can afford it, my recommendation is for
you to pick up a keyboard. It will save you time and a lot of misery.
One
negative way that EOA exploits the online capability is now console
gamers are being introduced to the notion of paying a monthly due for
the service. The good news is that it is fairly affordable at only ten
bucks a month. A smart move on the developers' part was making a card
available, much like a phone card, that you can purchase a months
subscription on. This is great for the credit card impaired and parents
who would rather not give their credit card number to their children. I
have seen these at most retailers and think it is one of the best ideas
in online gaming thus far.
Everquest
Online Adventures is a huge leap forward for online console gaming. It
is a game that not only holds promise but pays off on that promise. It
is an in-depth role-playing game that will have RPG fans drooling.
People not fond of the genre will probably want to stay away. I hope
that the great community will continue to grow and thrive, making the
game better and better. Please, if on your travels through Norrath you
see a middle-aged, bald Ranger, give him a hand with those pesky
badgers.