Play EQII!

Yep, after trashing SOE's ad yesterday (they fixed that double "and" by the way), I feel it's my duty to spread the word and convince any readers who aren't currently playing EQII to do so. So, here's some reasons:

1. The Splitpaw Saga: If you're like me and you love exciting, event-filled quests, this is the place for you. SOE added some really high quality content with this adventure pack. You can read my review here. Yeah, I know it costs a few dollars but it's a pretty reasonable price. I just think it took the zone design, npc dialogue, voiceover work and fun level up a notch. I love chilling with the gnolls in SP - they trust me.

2. Update Cycle: SOE has been very solid with pushing new updates out every few weeks. There is always something to look forward to and I have not seen any other company come close to the effort SOE puts in with the updates. You occasionally get some new content and even a live event in the mix.

3. Let Freedom Ring: Level 2 and want to go to Lavastorm? Go for it. There are no more level restrictions on zones. Felt constrained by the locked encounters system? That is being removed. You will soon be able to drop a heal on that poor lowbie who is about to get killed. Yes, I am not personally in favor of the locked encounter changes but I mention them here to appeal to those who like more freedom. You will also soon be able to rez out of group which I wholeheartedly support. Want to group with some lower level friends? You can go ahead and mentor down to their level.

4. Bye-bye to the Patron System: Now every member will be able to contribute and there will be less work in running a guild. There are also new and handy features in the guild window and I find web-based guild chat very useful.

5. Desert of Flames: The feature-packed expansion (including PvP) is on the way and even if you don't buy it you still get the added benefit of guild vaults.

6. Best Community Reps: If you don't think so, trying reading the dev posts on other games' forums (and that goes for other SOE games as well). We have the best.

7. Better Endgame than WoW: Yeah, I know, attacking WoW isn't that smart. They have 3 million reasons why they're the king. And I'm not even going to say that EQII is a better game than WoW. I think that's a matter of taste. What I will say is that the raid content is clearly superior in EQII. Believe it.

8. Choose your Playstyle: This is an issue where it's impossible to please everyone. But I think most rational people can agree that you can definitely enjoy EQII with either solo or group play.

9. Ease of Play: Things like out of zone invites, the mail system and clear item descriptions make gameplay more enjoyable. I'd also like to add here that I have only twice in all my time playing been unable to log onto the server. They had one bad weekend a long while back but honestly, the server record has been exceptional in my opinion. You may not think so, but I'm comparing it to other games with which I've "enjoyed" extended server downtimes and queues.

10. It's a Great Game: I've focused mainly on the additions since launch up until now but let me say in general that EQII is a great game. The zones are dramatic and well-crafted and the world is a detailed one that is steeped in lore. The combat is fun and HO's add a little spice to it. Some of the quests are just amazing. There is a lot of depth and complexity to EQII and it's the truest RPG-style game of any of the current MMORPG's I've played. I find the community to be terrific. The fact that I find EQII stuff to write about most days should be evidence of how rich and engrossing this game can be.

So play it! You don't want to miss out on an Aggro Me Friday Humor EQII in-joke do you? And feel free to jump in with any selling points I've missed in the comments section.