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EverQuest: Evolution

EverQuest: Evolution

List Price: $9.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An Aging MMORPG That Still Has Legs
Review: If you have not yet tried the immersive and addicitive PC gaming experience that is Everquest, and are still curious, Sony now offers this impressive collection of the original game plus five of the expansion packs in one massive three disc set.

For what it is, Everquest Evolution is a very good value. Granted, you still have to pay a monthly subscription fee in order to access the content (after an inclusive 1 month free "trial" period), however, the original software titles in standalone form would easily exceed the cost of this single package.

In fact, I would probably recommend this even if you own some of the titles already. For example, "Legacy of Ykesha" is only available as a digital download direct from Sony's Station web site and costs nearly as much as what Amazon sells this product for.

And for those that aren't sure if they want to commit to an ongoing subscription, Sony still offers multi-month gift cards with keys that allow you to participate for a limited time without using a credit card.

Since this is merely a collection of existing titles that have already been reviewed all over, I will go right into the Pros and Cons of this particular set:

Pros:
Great value--5 software titles in one!
Rich, immense fantasy world to explore
Included expansion packs offer improved graphics, better interface, and more streamlined features compared to EQ Classic

Cons:
Steep learning curve for newbies
Sparse in-box manual offers little insight into the game or how to get around
Monthly fees required to play
Does not include the newest expansion "Lost Dungeons of Norrath"
Some of the expansions require characters to be level 20 or higher in order to access or play in.

Summary:
EQ has aged somewhat gracefully from it's inception over 3 years ago. Still the largest and most successful game of it's type yet, EQ has a lot to offer players looking for fun in a persistent online fantasy world. And recently, the developers have gone through some changes to reduce the difficulty for new players--at least in the beginning and some of the mid-stages of the game. In addition, the expanded content means that there are far less overcrowded areas where players need to compete for adventuring for that special item or quest. There are still the ongoing issues of technical problems, socially-inept players, game balance tweaking, and the enormous investment of time needed to properly enjoy the game, but it still arguably the sentimental favorite in this ever-growing field of gaming. Giving credit to where it is due, Everquest continues to add more and more new or improved content in it's efforts to remain one of the top MMORPGs in the industry. Even with a sequel on the horizon, Everquest Evolution is a great opportunity to get in on one of the best online games around.

Recommended

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: this is ridiculous
Review: In order to play this game you have to pay $10 a month above the price of the game. This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: worse than crack
Review: ok i started playing this game a couple years ago and im in hook line and sinker! i would not recommend this game to anyone that has a life i.e friends and loved ones. cuz guess what? you'll forget what they look like and how they sound. on the good side you'll be able to recognize a guild mate all the way across a zone lol. customer service for this game is virtually non-existent. in fact login servers have been down for quite awhile now and there has been very little feedback from sony about the problem. must've spilled their beer on the wires! they know we're hooked they dont care? also be prepared to spend big bucks upgrading your system to get the best game play! which equates to way too much work for the end-user to be able to play a game they are paying for! "delete this , download that",
"if that doesnt work do this or try this". "hey its your system, the problem could not possibly be on our end"! buy the game and these words will haunt you "you're in our world now!!!". good luck see ya in norrath. that is when and if i can log in!!
spend your money more wisely and take your family(or friends) out to diner and a movie!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Corporate policies
Review: Problem with EQ is that Sony has decided to consider paying customers as a secondary concern. Here are some of the problems you will face in purchasing this product.

Firstly, if you don't have every expansion, then Sony will attempt to get you to buy that expansion with a pop up window. Never mind that you are already paying them to play their game. Friend of mine got all but the latest expansion and got harassed immediately the day he signed up. Current expansion (Omens of War) doesn't come out until July. They started harassing us 2 or 3 weeks ago about it. This will continue on a daily basis and there is no way to play the game without dealing with it. You can't ignore it or escape out of it. There is no way to turn the solicitation off. Not Sonys policy. Glad my playstation doesn't do the same thing.

Secondly, bugs can take weeks or never to be fixed. Sony has been prioritizing releasing expansions and making changes to the game instead of fixing the bugs that have been present for some time. For example, boats were a long standing problem (years) that never worked properly. With Gates of Discord what do they add? MORE BOATS. Yup, these didn't work either. Go fig.

Customer service. Well if your having issues in game, it will take anywhere from hours to weeks to get assistance. The only way to do this is to stay logged into the game until you get a response (and hopefully you will be looking at your screen at that time). If you log out, your request will be deleted. They tend to have many loopholes as far as player assistance is concerned. Like not having 'exact' verbage for example. Also, if you need outside technical help, the employees working for Sony will either tell you to petition in game (see the beginning of this paragraph for how effective that is) or tell you to check the online help file.

Now if all those problems don't detour you, here are the benefits. Other people I have met online can be a joy to work with. EQ is a game designed for grouping and it is strongly encouraged. Many zones to explore with various mobs to fight. Quests are fun for items or faction (exp is always negliable). There is tradeskilling, which can be tiresome but also a good way to bring in income. It is a hack and slash game though. Don't you think otherwise. Thats the only way to get any exp to lvl.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Pro's and, what cons? There are none.
Review: So here are the obvious pros:
1. Massive! EQ is the hugest game out there. It could take up to 100 hours just to see the whole world (and that's with out even staying to enjoy each zone, more on these later).
2. People! In EQ there are so many people to meet, 1000's on each server (more on these later). Some nice, some mean, and some that are in-between. The people you like, the people you love, and the people everyone loves to hate (people as in attitudes and behavior). People are the heart of EQ. They make the game. You make friends and you make enemies, and you can even make armies of friends to help you fight army's of enemies. They sometimes help you kill a foe, or sometimes help a foe kill you, but either way it depends on you. So, in short, EQ is all about the people, whether or not you like them or hate, you can't enjoy EQ without 'um.
3. Versatility! You can be a warrior for a city, or a traveling merchant, a battle thirsty barbarian, or a peace spreading cleric, you're bound to find your place (its called role-playing). If you want to take a break from slaying dragons you can vacation in a beautiful forest or a desolate island or anywhere you want. It's a whole world created for you to explore, liberate, or even corrupt, if that's your thing. Everything you do in EQ is up to you and you alone.
4. Its a game! This means when you die, you're not dead, but in this game you can't save, so in the same respect if you want to continue the life you have you have to pay a little sweat and blood (well just some Experience Points, EXP) and track down where you left off and try again.
5. it's not a game! If you don't want it to be, you can get away from real life and into a (In my humble opinion) better one called EQ. People have faces in EQ (fully customizable) and names. They have personalities and feelings and so do you.

The game you play or the life you live is up to you, why not try both at the same time, why not try EQ.

(No I am not employed by EQ, [although I would love to be **wink wink**] just a player who loves the game)

Now for the probable cons:
1. Costly Expansions? No, no, no you have it all wrong, the expansions are for fun, I had the original + Kunark pack until they came out with the trilogy. And had that until they came out with evolution, and still don't have Lost Dudgeons of Norath (although it looks like oodles of fun.). Even with my "out of date" version of EQ I have had, and still have the same good old oodles of fun. They're not needed, just extra fun.
2. Needing to group? Ahh humbug to you to buddy, its fun, and in EQ you make so many friends it's no sweat. And if you like to be a lone wolf its harder, kind of realistic don't you think?
3. Nerfing? Ok, ok I give, it's a con. I don't really enjoy the becoming weaker over night, but hey, in their eyes they feel they made a mistake when they first made the game and are now correcting it. So stop being so pessimistic ya meany head! You know they make classes strong to :P.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Unbelievable
Review: The ultimate game ever. This must be played. Yeah the graphics are kinda crummy (now they've improved though) and it can get boring at early levels. Then it gets fun. Its great when grouping because the group can support one another and get some major XP. It gets better when you are invited into a guild 'cos there can be some real nice people in it (or really boring ones). I personally play on the Povar server and am an officer so I can invite people into my guild (all hail Chaotic Vision). The guild is very nice so if you are looking for a guild send me a /tell and I'll come find ya! =)

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: everquest evolutions
Review: This is beth, overrall it's probably a four star game it's not boring but it takes so long to get to level 65 heck my highest char is only level 40, she's a human monk but she's the best player i have, although i like emmaria my dark elf too. Anyway they have great gear but it took up some of my allowance, it's hard to earn lots of money unless u buy it.
The thing that is great about this game is that you can play with your friends, group, and be all sorts of races, if you don't have 50 k and good gear you're done for in the higher levels. The graphics are pretty good and going shopping in the bazaar rocks, I love my horse! Doing magic isn't my favorite thign to do, and it's more expensive. You have to buy new spells and get a wardrobe that gives you good mana. Fighters is where all the action is in my opinion, like the Warriors, Rogues, monks, paladins... if you really like doing magic pick the enchanters who can make themselves turn into pots and other races which is fun, or the wizards who can cast heavy damage, but if you want to be a shoewin to be chosen in the group, pick a CLERIC clerics are always invited in. The fighting doesn't have much gore, and looting is pretty fun. You develop online friends a lot of times so it's fun to chat with them. Another thing about evolutions is that you get legacies of ykesha (however you spell it) luclin, and plain old eq and traveling is always fun you can go into all these cool places but on the higher levels you have to stay in one place for a long time which gets boring :(. It's hard being a newb luckily my friend helped me out! I've played for 1 and a half years since i don't go on on schooldays only on weekends and summer break. I must admit it is a definitley Challenging game, i don't go on anymore really, cuz i've gotta concentrate on school more. It's probably not as good for kids like me becuz it's sort of addictive and obsessive, but it's a REALLY COOL game to do in ur spare time! Hope I helped all the newbies who might wanta try it out!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: BEST ONLINE GAME EVER
Review: this pack is going to be great! its 30 dollars and you cant beat that i know everquest trilogy was a ton of fun but this is going to blow you away its going to be a must for new people of everquest starting of the entire collection and saves you money you get all those packs in 1 for less the price i say Get it when it comes out!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Graphical MUD
Review: When Everquest first came out I saw the price for the game. $49.99 or $39.99, I can't remember which. Then I found out you had to pay a monthly fee. I said to myself, "People have to be crazy." Then I found Everquest: Evolution for $29.99 at Best Buy. I said to myself, "Ok. I think I will check this out."

IF you have ever played the Mirkwood MUD or Sojurn MUD back during the early days of the Internet then you already have a heads up on how to play Everquest. The difference is EQ has graphics and those other MUDs are text-based.

Evolutions is worth the price even if you have to pay $13 a month. I would have given it more stars, but I have only been playing it a week.


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