$63.49
Brand: Sony
Edition: Standard
Features:
Format: CD-ROM
Details: Product Description
Players choose from 15 individually customizable Lords to dominate the action on the medieval battlefield. From its graphics, to its ease of use, to its epic storyline, Lords of EverQuest is sure to be the new king of the Real Time Strategy genre.
From the Manufacturer
Overview
Lords of EverQuest brings the best elements of the real-time strategy (RTS) world together with the epic storyline and depth of the legendary EverQuest fantasy roleplaying game (RPG). By capitalizing on the rich history, detailed characters and literally hundreds of monsters found in EverQuest, and building upon successful feature sets of the RTS genre, Lords of EverQuest creates a revolutionary gaming experience. Three factions will vie for the control of the continent Antonica to ultimately shape the future of Norrath. Players choose from 15 individually customizable Lords to dominate the action on the medieval battlefield. From its graphics, to its ease of use, to its epic storyline, Lords of EverQuest is sure to be the new king of the RTS genre.
Features
An epic story playable from three unique and different perspectives that involves over 75 hours of single player gameplay Three completely different factions, each with their own special units and strategies Hundreds of items and magical artifacts to arm troops with 36 challenging single player maps and dozens of multiplayer maps Take command of one of 15 different Lords Level up Lords and uncover even greater power as all units level up, gaining experience and abilities The ability to carry over key troops from mission to mission A spell and ability system with more than 125 unique properties Superior online multiplayer options for up to 12 players–No subscription fee required State of the art custom 3D engine providing cutting-edge 3D graphics with more than 3 levels of zoom, 32 bit color and support for 1600×1200 resolution for superior detail
Review
The last couple of months have seen a whole slew of new RTS titles hit the market. Some good, some bad, but none with the gargantuan EverQuest franchise attached. Expectations for this title were pretty high, and for the most part Lords of EverQuest doesn’t live up to them.
The gameplay is classic RTS, and thus a bit simpler than the current favorites. Resources in particular are dumbed-down – there’s only one, and you can harvest it much faster than you can spend it. This makes for a different flow of play from similar titles, and cheapens strategy in the process.
Though there are three very different factions, the depth of units, upgrades, and spells isn’t anywhere near what can be found elsewhere. Also, the skills are pretty weak – when I cast a spell with a 60-second cool-down, I expect it to lay down the law. In LoE, it’ll maybe kill one unit. Also, even Lords (the LoE equivalent of a Hero in WarCraft III) only have four skills total, the second two of which you won’t see in most games since it takes so long to get to the required level. The combat just never reaches the level possible in the big-time RTS titles.
With multiplayer significantly less user-friendly than in other titles and a lame single-player mode, LoE falls well short of the genre’s top dogs. The fact of the matter is that this is the first RTS title from Rapid Eye, and they simply don’t have the experience in smooth gameplay, balanced factions, and online support that Blizzard and Ensemble can bring to the table.
Concept:
Combine EverQuest with real-time strategy and try to give the big boys a run for their money
Graphics:
Nothing that pushes the envelope too much, but high-end for the genre
Sound:
Nicely orchestrated score. There could be a lot more unit voiceovers
Playability:
Having full control of the camera is cool, but doesn’t really add much. Trying to click on units during battle gets frustrating
Entertainment:
EQ fans will likely eat this one up. Without the EQ license, it’s merely an above-average title
Replay:
High
Rated: 7.5 out of 10
UPC: 814582404329
Release Date: 20-10-2003
Package Dimensions: 33x193x340
