Ah, Norrath!  A fantastical world where dragons take flight over the treacherous Rathe Mountains and bards sing about legends of old and of heroes that journeyed into a place called Broken Skull and lived to tell about it.   Yes, this is the world introduced to online PC gamers in a widely popular game called EverQuest --a massively multiplayer online role-playing game with an extreme fan following (thousands of subscribers and still counting).  This is a game that consumed the lives of those it came into contact with and one player even said that he skipped a few days of work just to keep playing.

And now console owners . . . rejoice!  Thanks to the PS2 Network Adaptor, EverQuest Online Adventures will take gamers into a realm filled with monsters, magic and fellow gamers just itching for adventure.  This is also the first console game that requires gamers to pay a fee ($9.99 a month with the first month free).  Of course, you can use your credit card or a pre-paid card you can purchase in your favorite game retailer.

For those unfamiliar with the EverQuest world, the game takes place in a fantasy realm known as Norrath.  This game, however, takes place centuries back in time when certain areas in this immense world were still inhabitable and familiar cities seen in the PC game are barely being built.  Like any sword and magic adventure RPG, this world is filled with monsters such as giant rats and powerful dragons.  Twelve major cities make up this massive map, each with its own unique ambience.  Yes, there is much to see in this world and much to do.

You start, though, with designing your own character and choosing everything from sex to race.  You can be a human, Dwarf, Elf, Halfling, Gnome or even a troll.  You can even change facial features, hairstyle and color.  There are also character classes to choose from like bards, clerics, magicians, rangers, warrior or wizard.  From there the game leads you by the hand to teach you the basic control functions as well as a tutorial on combat and experience building.  Your character starts at Level One, of course, and you can only gain experience by engaging and winning a battle.  This is also a good way to make Tunar (this world’s currency).

In the course of moving around in this world, you’ll encounter other players.  The game’s community is a massive one and in order to interact with others is to use the virtual keyboard or plug in a USB keyboard to chat with other players.  Gamers can invite others to join them or join a party when the invitation is offered and here this is when the game really takes off.  Either way, this game was meant to be experienced with others.  You can also Buddy List players and even ignore those that happen to become overly annoying, but the majority of the players online are in it for the fun and adventure.

EverQuest has no story to follow, you basically do whatever you want and accept any quest you’d like.  Much like Morrowind, you can accept as many quests as you like and do them in any order you like.  Quests are issued by NPC characters found throughout the game and are usually the kind that have you venturing on to dangerous areas.  In a changing world, there are enough quests to choose from. 

The game’s battle system is easy to manage, as is the spell casting and weapon use.  The only real thing you have to worry about is the condition of your weapon that can wear down and become useless in battle.  Swords, for instance, need constant repairs (which is done by a blacksmith for a fee).  The monsters and enemies come in different sizes and strengths and some even impossible for lower-level adventurers to take on even as a group.  Battle is done like most RPG games, you target the enemy and strike when its your turn.  The problem with this, though, is in the targeting system that makes it hard to lock-on the nearest enemy.  As a result of this, you’ll end up loosing hit points quickly.

When death does come, you are transported back to the place where you last used a Spiritmaster to resurrect you.  Of course, the penalty for resurrection is any money you just happened to have had with you at the time of death as well as fifty percent of all experience gained. 

Unfortunately, this is not a spectacular looking game--although it’s not a horrible looking one either.  The character models, for instance, are not highly detailed (in fact, don’t be surprised if you run across several different “clones” of your own character).  Environments, while spacious, feature some really plain textures.  However, there are areas in the game that will not fail to impress such as the city of Highbourne or any place where large groups of online players have stopped to gather.  At times you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of players just chatting and going about their business.

As to be expected EverQuest does not feature a running soundtrack or any voice acting whatsoever.  Since conversations take place through text messages, the only sounds you’ll hear throughout the game is that of swords clanking, grunts of pain and wonderful ambience sounds that change depending where in the realm you are.  The only time you’ll hear a soundtrack is during the load screen and during the creation of your gaming character.

If you needed a reason to buy a Network Adaptor for the PS2, EverQuest Online Adventures is reason enough.  With all the wonderfully addictive elements that made this game so lovingly popular on the PC, gamers will find it a thrill banding together with other gamers to explore this vast rich world filled with danger and excitement.  This is what truly what online gaming was made for.

 
Gameplay: 8.8
It’s not simple adapting a PC game to a gaming console, but somehow Sonly Online manages to do it without sacrificing elements of the original or making things more complicated than they should be.  There are things that could have made the game flow a bit easier, such as the targeting system that can get a bit erratic and occasionally annoying.  The chat function is also the highlight of the game and it’s nice that the game doesn’t require you to use a USB keyboard . . . although its highly recommended since it does make chatting with other players faster and easier.

The game also allows you to be anyone or anything your heart desires.  The character creation process lets gamers design your warrior, magician or barbarian down to the color of his or her hair.  From there you can chose to go adventuring on your own, gaining experience and money all on your own, or join others that happen to cross paths with you.  The possibilities are endless in this world.

Graphics: 6.4
EverQuest is surely not the best looking game when it comes to certain environments or character models, but there is certainly much to admire here as well.  The environments are immense and there is plenty of shrubbery and trees, although there are places that are awfully plain--such as the Desert of Ro.  Yet indoors, the quality of the graphics dramatically changes.  Shops and banks all have their own unique architecture depending on the city you visit and their interiors are nicely detailed.

 Characters move around at a steady framerate so you’ll see a character walk around rather smoothly and naturally.  And, while there are a number of character features to choose from, it’s often common to see other players that resemble your character.  There is also no FMV sequences in this game, but watching the magic-users perform spells is quite a sight to see. 

Sound: 6.0
While not spectacular in any way, the graphics are still a lot better than the sound found in this game.  You’ll be treated to the EverQuest theme fans of the games will be familiar with but then again you’ll only find it in the main menu screen.  Music is also found on the character creation screen and, surprisingly, it does change depending on the race . . . a nice little touch.

The highlight of the sound, though, comes from the sound effects.  The absence of music can be forgiven especially during a heated battle since the sounds of swords striking swords or slashing into a troll will grab your attention right away.  Trekking near the forests and you’ll hear birds singing and a breeze blowing through the leaves of the trees.  The cities are bustling with noise, be it from the blacksmith’s workshop or the marketplace.

Difficulty: Medium
The many perils you’ll encounter in this world are many and, depending on the level of experience, certain places should not be visited until your experience level is adequate.  The same applies when going up against powerful monsters.  It’s wise to know what fights should be avoided, especially if you decide to go at it alone.  Still, it’s quite beautiful to see how players use teamwork to make up for inexperience and depend on each another when they do decide to take on powerful creatures.

Concept: 8.9
Aside from being the first subscription-based online game, EverQuest showcases several unique features.  For one thing, the world is in constant transition, meaning the game world doesn’t cease to exist simply because you logged off.  You’ll find that things change each time you revisit different areas.  You might just find that new guilds have started or gamers that decided to live life as a band of thieves and cutthroats.  In this game you will constantly meet different people and friendships or rivalries will form.  You can also Buddy List people you met and liked to adventure with another time.

Multiplayer: 9.0
Almost immediately gamers will notice the sense of community that comes with an MMORPG and making friends is just as simple as stopping in front of somebody and just saying Hello.  While there are guilds already available for you to join, gamers can start their own guilds with a group of friends and can invite anyone they wish.  EverQuest also introduces factions that can be joined and depending on your behavior throughout the game, the faction could react favorably or could even become angry with you.

Overall: 8.5
EverQuest Online Adventures is every bit as addictive and enjoyable as the PC game and gamers everywhere will appreciate all the things the world of Norrath has to offer.   This is a world that, even long after you have logged off, is constantly changing so the experience is never the same each time you find yourself adventuring again.   There is plenty to see and do here so do yourself the favor and buy this game . . . just don’t skip too many work days, okay?