by Jody - January 16, 2004

With the new EverQuest expansion out, just what are we to expect this time around? A pretty good bit. EverQuest now has over 500,000 players � according to Sony and Verant�s stats and it is still growing. How can one expansion add to that though? Balance. Even though not every class gets something special in this expansion, it in turn, still needs to be added to your EverQuest collection.

The Lost Dungeons are finally found!

As with a lot of expansion packs, Lost Dungeons of Norrath isn�t just for the most hardy and powerful characters. All of the various factions will be involved in the story and vying for power over these newly discovered dungeons. LDoN opens up over 40 different and diverse dungeons in over 5 environments, making sure to keep EverQuest players busy. Verant is also boasting some interesting new technology � for example, the Dynamic Dungeon System (DDS). The DDS takes a look at your character/group and set the difficulty of the dungeon to match your skill level. Then there is the new Adventure Rewards Technology � basically it�s the way the DDS deals cash. Will this just be another easy way to gain platinum pieces (pp)? I guess we�ll just have to wait and see. Another exciting feature is the game�s boosted interface that helps you keep track of your progress in each dungeon. Rather you�re in a low level room or higher up, it will know! The emphasis seems to be on making sure that any adventurer, character of any skill level can enjoy this expansion from the moment they install it.

Nothing new with the expansion graphic wise.

As with most of the newer EverQuest expansions, boosting the graphics isn�t really what they are looking for. With the exception of Shadows of Luclin, the only EQ Expansion to give a new GUI, the other EQ expansions are only for the content. Still, for a five-year old game, the graphics can still blow your mind away. Go look off the top of Rathe Mountains at Lake Rathe and tell me that it is not beautiful!

Sounds just the same.

Just like the graphics, the EverQuest expansion did not set out to improve the sound quality of this game. What it was before is what it is now. From the beautiful sounds of the lush cities to the hollow sound of the dungeons, caves, and mountains, EverQuest�s audio is still pretty damn good. At times, if your computer multitasks a lot, the game will skip around the sound, but that�s not really the game�s fault.

More territory to explore!

Even though I have not been to every new dungeon, I can already say that Lost Dungeons of Norrath will be fun for any EQ player � hardcore or non. Just the other day, I took one of my friends to a dungeon to let him level � he came out at the end of the day 5 levels higher! EverQuest is by far one of the most fun games that I have ever had the chance to play, and with all of the expansion packs coming out, game updates, and quests to do, it will never die.

Not fit for a druid

I really love the idea how SOE improved the older zones and added more � it just makes Norrath much more open to full exploration. Although there isn�t really new land, or a brand new planet, but we still have a lot of other areas to go to! It gives you more to do! I remember when I first got EQ � I had to run from Freeport to Qeynos, and I must say that it was one hell of a trip. Ever since then, I have never stopped traveling and learning how to go from new areas to other areas. My only downer for the dungeons, which has nothing to do with the game, is that I�m not going to really look into going into the dungeons a lot. Being a druid, and since we�re better outside then inside, dungeons really limit my magic spells. I refuse to go into Unrest because I can get the same satisfaction from Rathe Mountains. (Half of my spells only work outside) So if you�re some sort of nature magic caster (a druid mainly), this will not be much of a good thing for you unless you have another character or want to reroll.

Any EQ player deserves this, druid or not!

EverQuest: Lost Dungeons of Norrath adds 40 new dungeons to 5 different locations, the Dynamic Dungeon System, and even the new Adventure Awards Technology. It�s no wonder EverQuest overcame Ultima Online so fast. Adding new spells, monsters, treasures, storylines, new trade skills, Lost Dungeons of Norrath is a must have for any EQ player.