2013

Ding 95 (And Jenni’s Stained Pants) #EQ2

stargrace January 21, 2013 0Comment

I finally managed to reach level 95 on my main, Stargrace (defiler) last night. I was cruising along doing quests, and ended up completing the Chains of Eternity line with about 75% still needed. The rest of the level was spent in Palace of the Awakened, one of my favorite places.

I final quest was a bit of a let down. I did get an incredible cloak from completing the series, but I was expecting a bit more when I went to meet Drinal. I did have a lot of fun finding a suitable mate for Jenni’s bug, skitters, above shows the map with all of the potentials – however. The quest right before the cute mate one happened to be called “Jenni’s Stained Pants” – and that threw me for a loop. I couldn’t get over the fact that I was working on an EQ2 quest actually called that. Now, as you’re doing the quest you find out it’s because of Jenni’s bug, but to see that as an actual quest title was a bit disturbing. It could have been named anything else and not left such a sour taste in my mouth.

What’s next now that I’ve reached 95? I’d like to attempt a few dungeons, but I’ll have to do a bit of research and find out which ones are within my range. I’d also like to work an enchanter to 95, and perhaps a handful of other alts. My shadowknight may be useful. The enchanter is still only level 90 at the moment though, so there’s work to be done on that alt at least.

I really love the new guild depot boxes. I purchased the L&L one as well as the shiny one for my small guild (two people in it, we’re inching towards level 65) and gladly cleaned my bank and inventory out from all these items. It was also really nice to be able to click ‘deposit all’ and not have to sort through the bags myself.

Next I’ll have to place the 40 or so house items I got from working through the Chains of Eternity quest lines. I still wish I had of gotten a bit more gear as rewards instead.

As always, happy gaming, no matter where you find yourself!

Trying to Tell a Story Through Quests #EQ2 #EverQuest2

stargrace January 20, 2013 0Comment

I’m about 50% into level 94 now, and I’m having a bit of an issue trying to “get into” the quest chains I’m doing in Chains of Eternity. The zones look absolutely incredible, but almost every single quest is exactly like the quest before – what I mean is this.

Person A explains their situation and sends you out to collect 10 flower petals. You happily do so and cure them of whatever ailment they had. Then you speak to person B who needs 10 flower stems. So you head back out to those same flowers and help them out. Person B sends you to C who needs – you guessed it, flower leaves. You’re back out at the same flowers you’ve already been to twice before.

It feels like I’m doing almost the exact same quest for each person with just a slight difference in their story. Now, I’m determined to complete the Chains of Eternity story line at least once, but I’m having a really hard time ‘getting into it’.

When I completed the story line for EQ1 and their whole ether realm I felt quite pulled into the lore. It was exciting – and new. I just can’t say the same for EQ2. I feel that EQ2 has lost the art of story telling. Now, I don’t blame the developers for this either because lets face it, most of us are never going to read the stories we’re presented with. We’re just going to eagerly click through every conversation and ignore and tidbits of lore.

On the plus side I am having a fun time “running into” old dead EQ2 characters, like Jenni from Everling Castle and as I already mentioned, this is probably the ‘prettiest’ expansion I’ve ever seen them put out. Really, kudos to the art team on this expansion, it’s just amazing.

I just wish I felt more ‘compelled’ to help out Vie or whomever, as it is I get a sense of “oh great you want me to go right back to where I JUST was, and collect what now?” each time I finish a quest.

Anyone else get this feeling? Or is it just me?

As always, happy gaming, no matter where you find yourself!