EQ2X: EverQuest 2: Extended - F2P (Free To Play)

[damunzy]

http://www.everquest2.com/free_to_play/game_overview

I was wondering if any other Fanatics are playing EverQuest 2 now that it has a Free to Play model? The subscription option is still there in both EQ2X and the original subscription is on different servers and called EverQuest 2: Live (don't ask me why the naming- pretty lame IMO).

EQ2X has 4 different subscription levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Bronze is completely free, Silver costs a 1 time $10, Gold is basically like the original subscription ($14.99/month) model but you don't have to purchase the base game. Platinum is a yearly cost subscription and is the only level that allows access to the latest expansion pack. More can be read at the top link.

I am currently playing a Templar (one of the 8 free classes) and I am up to level 20 in about 7 days of casual play (but for some reason my in game account says that it has been around for 360+ days?). Besides your adventuring class you can also have a TS (Trade Skill) class. You start out as an Artisan until you reach level 9 when you can choose which one of 3 different groups you want to start specializing in. After you reach level 20 in your specialized group you further specialize into your final TS class.

I've played the original EverQuest, EverQuest 2 before the F2P model (and I would have continued past my 14 day trial but I couldn't justify the $15/month), WoW (once again trial), and a few freebie betas of other MMOs. Out of all the MMOs I have played EQ2/EQ2X has been the most fun. Unfortunately, I have seen a bunch of grumbling in the official EQ2X/Live forums about the changes that SEO (Sony) has made lately and in the past.

 

[SuperJay]

I played EQ2 a couple years ago, but left it when it became clear that SOE really had no clue what they were doing with the game. They'd make class changes in one patch (which us players would repeatedly point out the problems with) and reverse those same changes in the next patch. It became a running joke that if you didn't like your class, you didn't reroll - you'd just wait a week and it'd change completely.

I can only hope the game has stabilized in the years since I left, but I don't see myself returning even if it's free now. I did log back in a while ago when they were having a free month for old subscribers (yet another attempt to win back the players they'd lost long since), and it just felt like a drag trying to play again.