|
|
|
Everquest Online Adventures is published by SOE |
|||||
|
Everquest Online Adventures for the Playstation 2
Like many EQPCers, I doubted that EQ could ever be ported to the 32MB of memory and unique architecture of the PS2. While not a C++ programmer nor a 3D graphics artist, it doesn't take expertise to examine the current library of PS2 games and note that there isnt anything even remotely close to EQPC's game design in terms of size, interface, texture diversity , character customization etc.
When EQOA was formally announced last year, the idea of porting the PC game was put to rest. Sony had the foresight to ditch the idea of porting code from a PC specific game designed 4 years ago and build EQOA on the PS2 from the ground up. Everything from graphics, to the quest engine was to be unique. SOE presented us a PS2 only 'prequel' to the greatest MMORPG of all time.
Sadly the initial announcemt was accompanied by some very early screenshots that did little to impress gamers new to MMORPGs and helped bolster early doubts that "Everquest could not be done on the PS2".
A few months later EQOA started accepting applications for the public beta test. I had trouble with the application as I believe I may have exceeded character length for part of the form , but there was no length limit posted on the form. (my first bug discovery! ;) i surmised it was probably a 255 limit and edited my application down.
About a week later I received an email stating I was invited to beta 1. Mission accomplished. I had acheived an EQ addicts daydream, free everquest and a chance to interact with the devs to help shape the game.
My first character was a Dark Elf shadowknight, I was interested in seeing how Neriak looked compared to the PC version and how the SK class functioned. After playing around with the interface and controls I was questing in no time. Simple "go here , meet this NPC" quests familiarize one with the starting city and basic controls.
My first impressions were obviously the low resolution dictated by a television's display and the blurry texture sets for the architecture. I quickly adjusted to the shock of not playing EQ in 1024 and began to look at it as a PS2 game. Instead of nitpicking the flaws, I was soon exploring the cleverly designed architecture and completing the n00b quests.
In Beta 1 the server was pretty empty, but I did see a few folks traveling back and forth. As I ventured out with my toon to kill beasts and level up I encountered a nice chap who initiated a discussion. Sadly I had no USB keyboard and he was quickly off for greener pastures, I managed to "virtually type" responses and a few sentences of chatting but it was so time consuming that a natural flow was impossible.
I bought a USB keyboard the next day, and I would suggest anyone interested in playing this game get one ASAP.
Once I was able to chat freely I quickly made group buddies and we began the tried and true process of killing mobs as a team and gaining levels. In beta 1 there were no damage indicator numbers so it was difficult to really test effectiveness. I did submit a number of bugs, many to do with the interface, and a few regarding balance. I was victim of the notorious coachman bug, blocking me from signing ledgers and really getting any good exploration done. I did join a beta guild but most of the members seemed to be on a different time zone.
Just when I started to hit the teen levels and really get rolling beta 1 ended, and the dreaded yet expected character wipe cleaned us out.
|
- |
Some screen shots from ebgames.com and gamespot.com 
Veggies gone wild 
Halas from a distance |
|||
 |
|||||
