Ok, here I am playing another online game, something I started doing 6 years ago when Everquest came out. I played that one for a few years until I totally burnt out by the time it took away from my personal life and the nowhere I was going.

Then came Everquest II, at the beginning of '05 I decided, heck I have been taking a break long enough so why not check it out, I was hooked and played for a few months until the realization was that as soon as you get higher lvls you have to group and raid, all of the things I quit the first one for.

So, here I am again, faced with my strange addiction for these games facing me, should I play WOW, I had heard so many different stories, how it was easy, had lots of quests and you could solo. So far, its been meeting those expectations, though I have since heard that once you get to lvl 60 you need to start grouping but I cant even imagine myself getting that high yet so im still addicted.

Here is the aspect of the game that I like as a solo player, yes I'm anit-social in my gameplaying:

Firstly the game requires a 3D graphics card, its not as graphic intensive as some of the other games but its pretty good, just more cartoon like than the other ones. But there are some really great scenes and pictures. The world seems to be alive and move which makes it really cool.

Before you make your character you can choose a server which is PvP, Player Vs. Player, or just normal. I dont like fighting other players so I choose normal.

There are 8 different races you can choose from: Humans, Night Elves (which I chose), Dwarves and Gnomes, these 4 are from the Alliance. The other 4 races are from the Horde: Orcs, Tauren, Undead and Trolls. Basically the good vs. Evil.

There are nine different classes you can pick but only certain races can be certain classes. I picked a Night Elf druid. Only a Night Elf or a Tauren can be a druid. The other classes are: Hunters (Night Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, Tauren, Trolls), Mages (Humans, Gnomes, Undead, Trolls), Paladins (Humans, Dwarves), Priests (Humans, Dwarves, Night Elves, Undead, Trolls), Rogues (Gnomes, Humans, Dwarves, Night Elves, Orcs, Undead, Trolls), Shaman (Orcs, Tauren, Trolls), Warlocks (Gnomes, Humans, Orcs, Undead), and Warriors (All).

There are many different monsters to kill, wandering mobs like spiders, owls, wolves, and bears. Of course the undead roam and the occasional humanoid foe! There are dungeons to explore and caves too. Some cities have been taken over by some baddies so it makes travelling interesting:)

The quests are great, this is what I want in my games, lots and lots of quests so I'm not mindlessly killing mobs for no other purpose than to lvl. They are also easy to find, easy enough for my 6 year old to find even. The big yellow exclamation point over the NPC is great hint and once you complete the quests there is a little yellow dot on your map you just head towards.

Profesions, so they are not as great as some other games, such as EQII, but they are pretty cool , you can train in things such as cooking, hunting, herbalism, fishing, mining, skinning, alchemy, blacksmithing, engineering, leatherworking, tailoring, enchanting and first aid. With side quests for those also.

The game is so easy to control I didnt have to tell my 6 year old more than once how to move around.

There are a few thing I dont like, the whole group concept and and guild shouting. Like I said before I'm anti-social, not because I'm mean, but I have three kids! The time I have to be on the computer playing a game is slim to none to I dont want to spend my time grouping with people I dont know and doing things I'm not interested in doing. I want to get on, do some quests and get out. Or if need me sit somewhere while I tell the kids to stop fighting or wipe a nose.

The other bad thing of course is the cost, first you have to buy the 50 dollar game then spend cash each month to play it. For me I'm lucky, my mom is addicted to games and has about 15 billion accounts so I'm just using hers until I get bored or decide to get my own:)

Overall I see it being the best game SO FAR for the solo/casual player. Hopefully in the future a game will focus on us soloers and make an everchanging world where grouping isnt required.

Recommended: Yes