Anarchy Online

On Thursday, I decided to leave Everquest. I left my character at level 61. I have not cancelled the account yet, but I plan on doing it this week. When I left the character, he was sitting completely buffed and ready to fight. I will revisit the game at a later date, and plan on taking him to 65. In the meantime, I have found a different game to play.

I am now playing Anarchy Online. AO is in the same genre as EQ(MMORPG), but it takes place in the far future instead of some fantasy world. It takes place on a planet called Rubi-Ka. 2 factions seem to be fighting for control of the planet. There is the Clan, and then there is the Omni-Tek Corporation. I won't get into too much detail, because I have not yet figured out a lot of the game/storyline.

This game is not as newbie friendly as EQ is. During my first moments fighting in the Training Grounds, someone came up to me and asked me if I had any questions about the game. There is a group called the ARK, or Advisors of Rubi Ka I believe, and they help out newbs. Well, I did not have many questions yet because I had just started and did not know a lot of what I was doing. Now I have a ton! There is a lot to learn about this game. Online guides have been helpful, and so has trial and error in the game.

The graphics in the game are gorgeous. The characters remind me a lot of the players in Morrowind, which isn't that great, but the enviroments are spectacular. EQ's Luclin environments are nice, but I think they are beaten by what I have seen in AO.

I have had very little interaction with other players. A few people have asked me questions, but of course, I was unable to answer them since I was new also. I have been soloing, which is what I liked to do in EQ. Most of the other players I have seen were also soloing, but I was invited to join a team the other day. I couldn't because I was about to leave the house, but it would have been nice to meet some of the other players.

One thing I do like about this game is that it is friendly to soloing. EQ was not friendly to it at all, and would often "nerf" certain mobs/zones to keep the soloers out. Also, a lot of players in EQ frowned on soloing and called it anti-social, and would demand that the game be changed to keep people from soloing. I have no idea what the hell crawled up their ass, but it was really pathetic. One of the main reasons I solo is it gives me a lot of freedom to do what I want in the game. Also, during times where I would have a limited play time, it does not leave me with the burden of spending a lot of time just trying to find a group. Yes, I could just stick to single player games, but even when soloing there is a certain social interaction you get, and I can group if I want to.

So far, I am happy with Anarchy Online, and I will probably let the 7 day free trial expire and continue on with the game.

My characters name is Zlexin. He is a Martial Artist that is at level 8. I am allied with Omni.