[AnomalousSilence]

I am having a terrible time deciding between the two.

EQ2 has diverse races... VG races all look the EXACT same (even though EQ2 is switching to a same skeletal system like VG)
EQ2 has mediocre classes... VG classes are unique
EQ2 has beautiful graphics... VG has decent graphics unless you have a mega monster computer (even then I think EQ2's are better)
EQ2 has a lot of interesting lore... VG has a little lore that is somewhat interesting
EQ2 has an OK world... VG has an amazing world where you can see for long distances and go wherever you want
EQ2 combat is faster... VG combat is slower
EQ2 doesn't have flying mounts... VG does SMILEY:P

Meh, I could go on and on, but... *shrug*

What are some reasons I should choose Vanguard over EverQuest II? I can't decide for the life of me. X_x

Something I also really need to know...

Are there "little things" in VG?

EQ2, for example...

As a troll, a rat in the city will follow you.
There's ghostly voices in the sewers.
A group of birds will fly if you are near them.
If you are climbing a wall, and don't move for a bit, your character gets a cramp and moves their arm to shake it off.
NPC emotes when you talk to them.

Those are just a few I can think of; are there these really neat little things in VG?

VG pwns EQ2 in character customization... but races look the same minus skin color and a new head glued on. Even tails for animal races wouldn't make a difference. EQ2 is switching to a uni-skeletal system, and keeping their races the way they are. Frogloks will still be bents, etc. The new PC Sarnak with the new expansion uses the human skeleton, and you never would have guessed it. Anyone know what the technical differences are between the two skeletal systems?

*sigh* I remember when I was such a huge vanboi. What happened? Gah.

Anywho, thanks all for the help! *huggles all* ^_^

[MagicNumbers]

Who cares

[Brikk]

Video games are not an either/or decision unless you have money problems. Play them both and then decide. You shouldn't ask people what 'you' should play. Do you ask people what 'you' should wear, eat, drive?

[rhagz]

Originally Posted by Brikk

Video games are not an either/or decision unless you have money problems. Play them both and then decide. You shouldn't ask people what 'you' should play.

Maybe not a money problem, but a time problem. Most people find it difficult to devote themselves to 2 involved MMOGs at once and still have a job/family/etc.

Do you ask people what 'you' should wear, eat, drive?

All the time. Do you never read reviews of cars? Never ask a friend who owns one what the pros and cons of it are? Never asked someone what they thought of a certain resteraunt? Never asked someone how this shirt looks on you or do these jeans make my butt look big?


To the OP, I'd say EQ2. It's more stable, more fleshed out and more populated.

[Grizzlebeard]

Play FFXI.

[Brikk]

Originally Posted by rhagz

Maybe not a money problem, but a time problem. Most people find it difficult to devote themselves to 2 involved MMOGs at once and still have a job/family/etc.

Quite aware of this, I chose to play two games at a time. Some MMO type and then some FPS type. It takes me all of about 3 days to decide if I like a game or not. If I feel like I have to make myself play it then I don't play it.

Originally Posted by rhagz

All the time. Do you never read reviews of cars? Never ask a friend who owns one what the pros and cons of it are? Never asked someone what they thought of a certain resteraunt? Never asked someone how this shirt looks on you or do these jeans make my butt look big?

No I don't. I just bought a new car last week because I liked it. If I would of asked other people they probably would of told me not to buy it since it gets 14 MPG. Clothes and restaurants I try myself before making a decision. In fact I'll give a place 3 chances before I either ban it or decide to eat there again.

So again, try things out yourself unless you know 100% that you wouldn't like something... for example I know I wouldn't like a MiniVan so you will never see me test driving one of these.

[rhagz]

Originally Posted by Brikk

No I don't.

Just like playing VG, part of a very tiny minority. Good for you. So if you don't have any advice to offer the OP then don't post!

Still have to say EQ2 if you have the only 2 options, otherwise there are plenty of other better options. FFXI was an interesting suggestion and there is always WoW or EVE or LotRO or one of the upcoming games like TR and HG:L.

[Brikk]

Originally Posted by rhagz

Just like playing VG, part of a very tiny minority. Good for you. So if you don't have any advice to offer the OP then don't post!

I gave him advice, play them both and then decide. Or I guess he could not play either and just post on message forums about not playing.

[Whatthe]

EQ2 is the safer investment of your time, and much less frustrating to play.

[AsheMan]

Having played both, EQ2 is the way to go. (I don't play either currently so that's not a factor in my advice)

[trouser03]

I'm in the same boat as you OP. I've been in Vanguard since beta 3 and have stuck with it playing at a very slow pace. My highest toon is lvl 27. I recently got the mail from SOE that was inviting me back to EQ2 with free download of the expansions i was missing.

Here are my feelings after playing EQ2 again for a few days and my pro's and cons for VG

First thing that jumps out at me is that EQ2 is a much more pollished and profesionally done. I'd equate it almost like a Hollywood produced movie vs a well done B movie. Or should i say a "potentially" well done B movie that was realease too eary. The ironic part is i'm pretty sure VG cost more to make, being only second to WoW.

The lore in EQ2 is 1000 times better but it has the advantage of having a back story. It's a lot of little things that make EQ2 feel more ... alive i guess. The voice overs, the lore, the activity in the towns, i like the music better (although VG's is nice too). The only problem i've run into in going back was that i did not want to go back through the Antonica/Freeport leveling paths. I started a toon in a newer area (Kelethin) and am having trouble finding where to go at my level (12) that is still in the newer area.

Ok VG Pros (IMO):
1. Large Open World and great WORLD graphics. Although a little more
variation would be nice
2. Good armor and wep graphics
3. Horses at low lvls, Boats (which i guess are token items now) flying
mounts (one of these days)
4. Newer game so you don't feel as far behind
5. and my personla favorite ... the train wreck factor. I'm just curious to see if this train wreck can be salvaged and where they take it. Also being in game to be a part of it could be fun (or most likely a big waste of time).
6. Classes: I've played a Cleric, Necro, Ranger, and Dread Knight. All of them were fun and pretty unique and with the cool armor and weopons they are just fun to advance and outfit.
7. Community. This is a pro and con too in a way. The VG community seems very active and vocal, the /ooc channel is always moving, while in my short return to EQ2 it seemed quiet. There are more people around though in EQ2. The only negative i've noticed about the VG community is if anyone complains in /ooc or mentions that something is too hard/difficult/time consuming you get a lot of "go back to Wow". That bothers me becuase VG needs more players.

VG Cons:
1: My biggest con is i guess the lack on confidence in the people/resources behind it. They are still playing catch up as far as i'm concerned getting the game to a point where it should have been at release. I doubt there is much thought going into plans way down the road and i fear things will just be kind of done on the fly without too much thought or imagination.

2: Performance. This is actually a pro and con for me as it has gotten quite a bit better. The hitching is quite annoying though. As far as pure FPS i actually get higher numbers in VG than EQ2 and VG is more detailed/complex.

3: Character graphics/animation: They are ok actually, but i find EQ2's much better and love the animations in EQ2. Textures are better in VG though.

4: Quests: I'm not a big of the task quests in any of the modern MMO's. I find it easier to read the text (or listen) in EQ2 as it ties in with the lore very well. A lot of quests in VG give some nice rewards but some can be quite "grindy"

5. Spell graphics are pretty poor, almost unnoticable.


I think i've personally decided to stay with Vanguard as i'm just too far behind in EQ2 and i have not been too affected by bugs as some people seem to be. That and i'm just curious to see where it goes. Then again, there is always the station pass which i might consider as my play style is very slow and don't feel the need to rush through content.

[Muggi]

Having played eq2 for 2 years and VG for roughly 1 (with Beta and Live), I'd say eq2.

VG does have some really amazing elements but..as I read someone post once, VG seems an awful lot like they built this big beautiful world and forgot to put the game in it.

eq2 or WoW are sure bets. Both good games with good enough graphics, interesting storylines, dungeons and a "full" world. That's one thing you'll find in a lot of areas in VG..they're great to look at, but there's absolutely no reason to be there.

EDIT: and raiding.

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by Brikk

Quite aware of this, I chose to play two games at a time. Some MMO type and then some FPS type. It takes me all of about 3 days to decide if I like a game or not. If I feel like I have to make myself play it then I don't play it.



No I don't. I just bought a new car last week because I liked it. If I would of asked other people they probably would of told me not to buy it since it gets 14 MPG. Clothes and restaurants I try myself before making a decision. In fact I'll give a place 3 chances before I either ban it or decide to eat there again.

So again, try things out yourself unless you know 100% that you wouldn't like something... for example I know I wouldn't like a MiniVan so you will never see me test driving one of these.

Dude, you need to get some friends.

[shadowrelm]

to the OP,

EQ2 is way more polished right now than Vanguard. from the small things to the big things.
vanguard is probably half the size with no where near the content. everything from the voices you mentioned to NPCs in the city, to armor quests, to mounts, everything.

Vanguard has more defined classes i thnk. they are certainly more interesting. the necromancer for instance, who wants a bug for a pet when you can have a really really cool monster?

Vanguard has better classes IMO, and a more plesant world to play in. but that is where it stops. EQ2 is better at every thing else. as far as how long a fight takes, they are the same. the game play is the same too IMO.

Vanguard might be better than EQ2 someday, but not today. not this year. probably not next year either. and untill SOE gets off this "group only" content kick they have been on since EQ1, neither one will ever have a very populated world like WoW does.

if its about the world and classes, go with Vanguard. if its about a more complete and finnished game, its EQ2 hands down.

the game play in both is almost identical. begging for groups to finnish quests that almost never happen, but happen more frequently in EQ2, or grinding levels to get to the top for whatever reason you feel you need to get to the top.

class+world vs finished game with all the bells and whistles.

[AnomalousSilence]

Thanks to the couple or so helpful posts! ^_^

What about the "little things" that I mentioned about EQ2; are there neat "little things" in VG?

[VoiceOfReason]

Originally Posted by shadowrelm

to the OP,

EQ2 is way more polished right now than Vanguard. from the small things to the big things.
vanguard is probably half the size with no where near the content. everything from the voices you mentioned to NPCs in the city, to armor quests, to mounts, everything.

Vanguard has more defined classes i thnk. they are certainly more interesting. the necromancer for instance, who wants a bug for a pet when you can have a really really cool monster?

Vanguard has better classes IMO, and a more plesant world to play in. but that is where it stops. EQ2 is better at every thing else. as far as how long a fight takes, they are the same. the game play is the same too IMO.

Vanguard might be better than EQ2 someday, but not today. not this year. probably not next year either. and untill SOE gets off this "group only" content kick they have been on since EQ1, neither one will ever have a very populated world like WoW does.

if its about the world and classes, go with Vanguard. if its about a more complete and finnished game, its EQ2 hands down.

the game play in both is almost identical. begging for groups to finnish quests that almost never happen, but happen more frequently in EQ2, or grinding levels to get to the top for whatever reason you feel you need to get to the top.

class+world vs finished game with all the bells and whistles.

Very well said.

[trouser03]

Ahh one more pro for VG and something that might qualify as a "cool little thing" is that you can cast or shoot an arrow while moving, you do slow down a bit. I found it annoying in EQ2 after being used to VG.

[gamer88]

[quote=AnomalousSilence;322063]I am having a terrible time deciding between the two.

EQ2 has diverse races... VG races all look the EXACT same (even though EQ2 is switching to a same skeletal system like VG)
EQ2 has mediocre classes... VG classes are unique
EQ2 has beautiful graphics... VG has decent graphics unless you have a mega monster computer (even then I think EQ2's are better)
EQ2 has a lot of interesting lore... VG has a little lore that is somewhat interesting
EQ2 has an OK world... VG has an amazing world where you can see for long distances and go wherever you want
EQ2 combat is faster... VG combat is slower
EQ2 doesn't have flying mounts... VG does SMILEY:P

Meh, I could go on and on, but... *shrug*

What are some reasons I should choose Vanguard over EverQuest II? I can't decide for the life of me. X_x

Ugh come on. That isn't even eq2. I played that game for hell since it started. And the damn thing crashed hourly.

Now as I still don't know about this game completely in its current state this is the main reasons.

Eq2 the classes are the same, the same. Brawlers, scouts, mages, healers, they're all dmg dealers. Even the damn wardens who are main group healers have been revamped into ass kicking melee dmg dealers.

The last time I played this every class has its use. Well almost every. Some really sucked.

eq2 population. That equals a crap load of level 70's or 60's Take a stroll in ant, ts, nek, cl's, el, zek, LS, EF, their all dead or near it. The main population is up there waiting daily for the next expansion to hit 80 which they're doing now I believe. So unless your in a guild, and even in a guild, have fun lfg for hours while soloing because the entire game is solo based except for raiding, and some dungeons.

Now granted vanguard didn't have that many people either since the old crew just ****ed the game up. But at least their was grouping for quests. Quests really meant something to. Not just ok lets solo names, and heroics and level up and get uber gear.

heh and combat systems. eq2 say hello to your best friend named resist.

Anyway eq2 equals a wow tried recreate. It is solo no matter how you look at it. Classes, same. Content, same. Level after level, the same. Crafting, well crafting sucks considering treasured is either the better or the same as anything a crafter can make in that game

Vanguard or at least VG as it was the last I played it. The mobs could fight back, some could kick your ass, the content was their, the classes all had their own useage, leveling means something as you can't just gear up at some level and go "oh ya im ready to rape everything. And crafting means something as well. You can make boats, gear, damn near everything that is needed. Mounts, flying mounts, everything is earned not well we just got 100 plat lets take this level 10 char here and pimp em out. Best steed, best fabled gear, house, everything.

eq2 is easy, vanguard was more difficult. It wasn't hard, but it took at least some type of a thought of using any type of brainpower to concentrate on it.

So you want an easy game or if your just a really casual player looking to solo and achieve stuff and make progress in a pretty game eq2. If you want something more difficult to occupy time vanguard.

[lomiller]

I’m a little biased because I think EQ2 is the best fantasy MMO on the market at the moment. Vanguard is still a troubled game and that goes below the surface stuff like bugs, performance, etc. IMO Vangaurd has never really established an identity.

For example EQ2 has established itself as a middle ground between casual and more hardcore play with outstanding lore and quest content it’s achieved a fairly good level of polish. Even though it has some very good solo content it’s definitely a group game where the best lore and quests is only accessible via groups & raids but it makes it viable to accomplish things within the timeframes a casual player can meet. Unlike WoW it maintains this character throughout. I.E. it doesn’t switch from a solo super-causal game to a hardcore raid&grind game the second you hit max level. Clearly, even though EQ2 is clear successor to Everquest lore wise, it’s not a true successor in the style of game. It’s aimed at people who like the world of Norath but didn’t really like some of the mechanics in Everquest.

Vanguard was supposed to recapture some of that EQ1 style, but it’s never really managed to do it. Part of this is certainly due to the changing landscape in MMOs. Millions of new players who have never played anything but WoW don’t quite understand why it’s important for making accomplishments hard come by, and it doesn’t help when the rewards for hard come by accomplishments seem meh. Many other players though the negative aspects of the EQ1 style outweighed the positive, even they the frequently felt other games were missing that certain something and couldn’t identify what it was.

This is just another example of the bad management decisions that plagued Vanguard from the start. They didn’t understand who their market was, didn’t understand that it was more or less an niche market, at least until they could get the game running and allow people to see it in action. Finally of course they completely failed to execute and waffled on the style.

EQ2 is easy, it’s a know quantity, it has found its identity, if that identity suits you then play it. Vanguard is tougher because it’s still working on technical issues and even though it’s primary appeal was initially as a hardcore EQ1 style game is that even something it’s remaining subscribers want. For me at least, this makes it tough to say to people “Vanguard is the game for you”, but if you are already playing and liking Vanguard this isn’t an issue.

If you are playing Vanguard and having fun there is your reason for choosing Vanguard over EQ2. If you are not and the EQ2 style suits you there is your reason for playing EQ2. If neither of the above is true then you are best looking for something else and not trying to impose your tastes on either game.

[slayde]

ok wait a second brotha... Let me clarify something real quick. The combat in EQ2 is NOT faster than VG's,,not even by a longshot. I've played EQ2 at release for 4 months,,then again for a couple months during the summer, and VG from Beta 2 until May of this year. VG's solo combat fights + group combat fights are definitely faster than EQ2 solo battles + group battles.

I'd be playing EQ2 right now If they took out the silly melee combat animations along with the absurd combat wheel. VG's combat system is much better, faster, realistic, and more conveniently fun than EQ2.. Thats reason alone to try VG out.