EverQuest II: Rise of Kunark Previews

IGN and GameZone have both kicked up their own hands-on previews of SOE’s fourth EverQuest II expansion pack, Rise of Kunark. A snip from IGN’s article:

The Sarnak inhabit a series of islands around Timorous Deep, just off the northwest coast of Kunark. Surrounded by sulfurous waters, these new islands offer an entirely new starting experience for characters, giving them plenty of low-level content that should carry them through level 20. The main conflict here seems to be between the Sarnak and the avian Haoaeran poachers, but players of any evil race can begin their adventuring career here.

One thing that was apparent to us right away was that the geography of the new areas is designed a bit differently. The vast plains and open sight distances of the rest of the world aren’t a big feature of Kunark. While there are definitely some stunning vistas to be found here, it seems like most of Kunark is designed to screen off player’s views and focus their attention on important quest areas. Venturing through a variety of locations, it was always apparent to us where we might find more content.

And a snip from GameZone’s article:

Part of the charm for the Rise of Kunark expansion is environmental blending and the idea that if you can see it, you can go there (well, obviously with some exceptions). After Timorous Deep, other points of interest on the tour included the Kylong Plains, the Kunzar Jungle, Sebilis (dominated by the Iksar), the Jarsath Wastes and the final stop on the tour was Veeshan’s Peak, which featured a host of epic mobs and is clearly designed for the big raiding parties. And if you hit Veeshan’s Peak, don’t just look for the mobs to run at you. (Here there be dragons,) stated Sony’s Craig Dalrymple.

Some of the zones have been changed. As Craig said, if you played Sebilis to death in the original EQ, it won’t prepare you for the look of the zone in EQ II.