Around The World(s)

Fools!
April fools has come and gone. I always cringe reading my feed because you never know just what you will find, heh. Blizzard had a very silly bunch of patch notes for WoW and an ugly model for female Draenei. Rather weak compared to some games which added actual pranks within the actual game. I admit the Draenei got me for a moment then I remembered the date. The only one I had a chance to really experience was EverQuest. Which spawned illusions in the guild hall on players as they logged in, which was funny. I'm always glad when the day is over, lol. But I did read about some other great pranks.

EverQuest
Still at it with good ol' EQ. Dire and I have been playing regularly. The new Plane of War was released this week. I have been very excited about this zone, as it is for level 100 characters. I suppose it isn't horrible but it is a bit underwhelming, or overwhelming, depending on how you look at it. The named that spawn can drop some of the nicest gear available. The only thing is that you need two groups to take them down. When we play it is late, I think by the time we got into the zone there were five people in the zone, two of them being Dire's boxed characters and one was my own. These mobs hit hard too. The trash respawns quick, so quick people complain that it respawns while they are trying to clear a path to named mobs. I'm not big on the two group deal at this point in the game, especially when so many games offer open tagging, it just feels like such as hassle. But there are chances for some good gear here, this isn't a zone for XP but merely loot and some quests, which I suspect lead to more access to more loot.

Other than that things are going well. I'm working on racking up AA, Dire has been leveling the mage a bit, hitting 98 last night. He's also going to be playing his shadowknight more, which is awesome, one of my favorite characters of his. He seems to enjoy boxing two characters, one always being the bard (100... we're uber fast!), but I can't complain, the bonus buffs from it are so great. For now this is a good game for us to play together, we sort of let LoTRO go for awhile. Why? We got kind of gapped in levels and ended up not playing together as much as we had hoped. My fault for slacking off, lol.

WoW
I still have a few weeks left on WoW. I don't know if I will resub. I mainly play my monk on the Horde for a change of pace and also to hang out with my bud over there in his guild. I decided to work on LFR one groggy morning this week. I managed to get a weapon, boots and head item from the first half of SoO. Things haven't changed one bit since I was last in LFR, the same toxic people spouting nonsense, bragging, berating each other, even one tank not even trying at all, pulling 9k dps. I suppose he had auto attack on at least. I won't complain too much as I really enjoy the ease of getting into LFR. If it truly is removed as a way for players to actually gear, I'll never raid in WoW again. It is all I have the time for, I have way too much else to do IRL, I can't dedicate to a raid schedule. So I overlook a lot for convenience.

The Warlords patch notes for 6.0 are out. It is a massive read. It took me a few hours to go through, back and forth on my phone last night, trying to sink ALL the changes in. Overall a lot looks good on paper but in my heart I  heave a heavy sigh at all the class changes again. Stat squishing will hit then too it looks like, I just wonder what the development team was thinking when they inflated them so badly. It doesn't seem like the changes will be that bad but it just feels like a step in the wrong direction. It just seems so, well, unprofessional. We've had Four expansions over NINE years, such huge inflation! Seriously? Everquest has had TWENTY expansions over FIFTEEN years and never had this issue. As a player I just feel like it is all a big joke, nothing is reliable, nothing is lasting. News flash: I'm not attached to my character's look (model revamp comment on keeping the feel as close as possible to the original) as I was to the mechanics that brought me to the class.

While I sound bitter, I have been enjoying myself despite the things that bother me the most. Nobody else is really playing it with me and I've not pre-ordered the xpac. I was thinking about it but I decided to invest the money in another game. It won't even be here for months and months, plenty of time to wait it out. So maybe I'll wait until closer to the xpac.

Into the sunset... 
Free Realms went off into the sunset this week. I feel sad seeing that happen. I played it since beta and thought it had such potential. In the end it really felt like it was too cash shop heavy. I have a lot of nice memories. Thinking that it is actually gone is weird. I couldn't bother logging in, just feeling a bit jaded about the whole game. I didn't even get a fraction of the lifetime sub utilized, lol. FR you'll be missed. Many children are probably upset. They should head over to Onverse. Probably the most similar game you'll find. Highly recommend it.

TESO
Next week I want to write a bit about the new flashy game we're all playing, or most of us. Yep, another last minute decision. I am taking lots of great pictures, having fun learning my way about. I want to play more to give out some concrete thoughts on things. Busy weekend ahead but expect something at the beginning of the week if you're interested in hearing about my thoughts.

Have a great weekend!

Transmog runs, getting closer to finishing the monks. I think I just need a belt.

April fools! You're a giant chest... or something.

I'm a trap! 

Rallos Zek. He looks like someone who might PvP... haha. (Rallos was always a PvP server)

Waiting on Dire to pull meh some mobs!

Lots of pets and stuff. Can't see the mob, lol.

Just thought this was quite pretty, a newer area in EverQuest. 

Time, Never Enough

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I have just been very busy and not in much of a mood to write when I did have time. Hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day, fun with events and such. I really was slack this year with events. I just ran out of time mostly. I've been working on handmade jewelry, mostly steampunk themed items, which I thoroughly enjoy, stocking my shop on Etsy and taking pictures. It really is time consuming. I have tried to keep up a blog for it but it never works out well. I have more time invested on this one and when I sit down to write I just want it to be here. Anyhow, if you'd like to see some of my work, check it out here. 

I decided to get over Vanguard being sunset and stop being angry with SOE about it, thus I have been paying a bit of EQ2. I really wanted to participate in the holiday event and got a few neat items from it. I have been playing my Brigand mostly, which I really love. It is nice being back, EQ2 is a great game for someone who likes to do something different all the time. Sometimes I work on housing or building a dungeon, other times crafting, some days I will work on quest chains and factions and then there are plenty of events to break up the monotony as well. 

That being said, I also picked up one of the founders packs for EverQuest Next: Landmark. The requirements for the game seem a bit steep if you ask me. The game doesn't look as though it should require the specs it does. It looks good but currently there are not a lot of options, if you want to turn things like shadows off, you need to go into a file and change it. It is in alpha though. It runs on my computer but a lot of halting when running across areas, it runs on Dire's newer machine very well but it still has a washed out look on both machines. I think it will shape nicely into a good game. I am not as excited about it as I thought I would be, I suppose having to play it on someone else's computer probably sucked the fun out of it for me. My processor is a bit slow for the game, unfortunately. 

Dire and I still play LoTRO daily. I mostly play with him, as busy as I have been I end up logging into EQ2 while he is away or I'd never get any time to play anything else. My lore master is level 30, just hit it last night and his is 32. We are also working on a better duo for dungeons and instances, he is playing a warden and I the minstrel, which are both sitting at 23. We have a smattering of other alts but really no time to play anything besides the four we have together. We both enjoy the game and it has kept us entertained this far. We picked up the bulk pack with expansions, leaving just one needed. 

When I have a few moments to squeeze in I like to play Onverse still. My friend, Rak, has been playing it also and I feel bad I don't log in enough. He has really gotten some awesome stuff,  he's definitely surpassed me in the cool items department, lol. I am also wanting to design more in Second Life, my sales have picked up slightly and it gives me a bit of spending money when I do play. I miss creating items, so maybe I'll utilize some time on that soon. 

That's it for today, I should be back on posting in a more timely manner for now on, schedule changes for the family, busy working on my shop and just life in general sometimes get the best of me. Have a great weekend! Pics, because even if I don't write, I am always thinking about writing and sharing here!

I love wings in EQ2.

Another pic of my brig, all steampunk-y looking.

The throne is mine!

My neighborhood in LoTRO.

My character making some stupid faces.... She bugged out and kept making her face do crazy things.

Wandering around in the mist, oh my eyes.  

I hope my robe doesn't get muddy...

Starry night.

My lore master! Because top hats are awesome!

Questing.

Dire and I, he is on his warden here.

Chasing the moon.... Not really. 

Hanging out with Twig. 

Eye Candy

Ding 89! So close, only half a level to go!

I love the monk animations, they're pretty cool. 

Trying some more 'monk' looking mog gear. 

Heri and I, checking out my Megaplot in Onverse.

This shopping cart is a mount, two people can ride it. Passenger sits in the buggy, so cute! 

Moving along in LoTRO.

Dire and I questing along.

Swimming!

Doing a jig or something while I wait on Dire to figure something out, heh. 

Pretty night scene. I really need to turn the UI off when I take pics.... oops. 

Cut scene, LoTRO.

Moonlight. 

Falling Into Place

Running after my champion as he slays those big bad newbie mobs.

Last night Dire decided he'd like to try out Lord of The Rings Online with me. We've not really been playing anything together for awhile so I thought he might take to the idea of something different that he's never tried. I haven't played LoTRO in quite awhile and figured maybe it would be a nice time to return. It is old school enough where he would enjoy it, but not too modern where he feels there isn't a challenge. We rolled up a tank and healer duo. We quested a bit and he commented on how nice the world looked. The game still is beautiful and holds up quite as it ages.

We ran around questing for a bit, which he seemed to enjoy. I've done the starting areas many times but it was really nice to do it over with Dire. A few years ago I was really enthralled with this game but he didn't want to play, so it is nice to go back with him this time.

We're starting over, well I am, he's never played. We figured out old trusty combo might fare us well with this game. So far it has been fun and I'm introducing him to things in the game such as traits and deeds. Which I often hear moans about the grind behind them but we're pretty happy to grind away at content, especially him, if it offers a neat goal behind it. We're 'EverQuesters' after all, heh. We were born into the MMO scene when it was a horrible grind! Honestly though, he really likes game play with things to work on such as AA points from EverQuest, so traits and deeds sound like something he'd enjoy working on. We'll see.

Thus far he hasn't complained about the combat, that is what makes it or breaks it for any game he plays. Combat. Lets play Rift? Combat sucks. EQ2? Combat sucks. That's what I am up against. If it doesn't click with him, which I enjoy combat in both of those games, it will kill it for him. I received a text earlier today from him"LoTRO tonight?" Which is a good sign so far! We're playing for free now to gauge how much we like it. I want to play this as a duo, more fun that way. We're on Landroval, I can't remember where I was playing before. I think this is the RP server, add me if you play there- Sablesix.

Heri and I. Ninjas (he's in the black)! That is the inventory there, it works well and is easy to work with.

On my own I am playing Onverse. Heri joins me on occasion. I've been doing a lot of questing lately. There are many quests which involve grinding player points for items and/or completing puzzles. It is casual and laid back, I enjoy this type of play. No stress or pressure to do anything in particular. That's how I like it. I still find this my go to game for relaxing. I play it on a regular basis because I just really love this little game. It isn't just a social type game where you just pump (RL) money into it for anything and everything, a lot of the cool stuff you have to obtain through quests and buying with player points.

A couple of weeks ago I was reading about rune hunting. Basically you hunt runes, with a special tool, within a temple maze for keys. These unlock a steam punk chest full of all kinds of neat steam punk themed items. I really wanted to do this but you had to complete a quest and you need other players to do so. I wasn't quite sure if I could even find anyone to help. Luckily there were some people working on this quest and several others helping when I headed out there. I was in luck! One amazing gal led me through the maze to the jumping puzzle part which I then cringed and balked at. I was dead tired that night and the thought of me jumping through the puzzle as the others jumped on platforms to move the ones I needed.... Well that was just daunting! People had to wait on me to jump through it, gah!

Questing. Those pillars behind me are part of a quest, more jumping, oh joy!

I am not the best at jumping games. I'm not terrible though. I'm harder on myself than I deserve in all honesty. I made it after several attempts and I was so thankful to the people who helped. The other person with me trying to complete it never got to the end, she just couldn't do it and I felt really bad for her. Nobody can do it for you, so to speak. I've asked my son to try a few jumping puzzles before, even he thinks they are quite hard and he's amazing at that kind of stuff. He's way better than I am but I do like to do them myself. Maybe one day I will convince him to play it with me!

I can't wait to get more mog gear. The monk is so fun to 'dress up'  =p

I'm also playing WoW. I subbed back for the holidays. Since I have time on the account I don't want it to go to waste and I am working on finally getting my monk to 90. I am sitting at 88, not too bad for a slacker! This will be my 4th 90. I would like to get my 86 DK to 90 but I think I will work on the monk instead, enjoying it at 90 and taking a long break from leveling. I will use my free boost to 90 (that is if I purchase the expansion) on my priest.

I'm back on the Horde with this one. I have an old friend who I enjoy playing with over there so I figured it was due time to go back. I still play my other 90's but for now I want to get back to the Horde some and just enjoy the monk I've wanted so badly for so long! I'm actually feeling quite excited about hitting 90 with it.

Things are falling into place with gaming this year, I'm pretty content and have plenty to keep me entertained. It comes and goes sometimes. If you're playing WoW, what will you use your boost to 90 on? If you're not playing WoW, what is keeping you entertained as we wait for all these long awaited 2014 releases?

Visiting This Week: Aura Kingdoms, Onverse, Mabinogi

Awhile back I mentioned Aura Kingdom, trying it out and giving a few ideas of what I thought on the game. My brother decided to try it as well and thus we had a bit more time to take a better look at this title. I'd have to say as we progressed through, the game continued to feel polished. A bit sterile at times too though, it offers the option to auto path to quest objectives and quests. But that isn't a bad thing. It is just a very linear game. Perfect for jumping in and getting things done.

We had a chance to try some solo instances, which were very small but interesting. We picked up mounts at level eight, which was quite spiffy. They resemble chocobos. The game is really quite beautiful. you can't deny that. Flowers and storybook looking trees decorate the landscape with little cottages and fishing huts dotted along the way. It is really beautiful. I made it to around 20, I'd say the game is pretty easy to hop in and out of  and I've enjoyed myself quite nicely.

Heri and I.

The pet system is decent, we picked up our first combat pets, as you progress through the main story you get access to everything you've been wondering about such as pets and mounts, even appearance clothing. So, if you haven't tried it, it is a nice way to pass some time, relaxing, cheerful and overall decent. I don't know if I have the time to continue it on a regular basis, but it will be nice to pop in when I can.



I also decided to revisit Mabinogi. This is an interesting title. Lots of very unique classes and systems. I mean who doesn't want to be a puppet master?! The downside to all the interesting things about this game would be that is takes a lot of time to learn everything, such as rebirthing. Which resets your age so you can get more points, which make the character stronger. There is no level cap, I read the highest character was around 15, 000. Which is boggling!

The game has a lot of interesting things to offer, plenty of cool classes, there is a lot of variety on things to do. Farming, pets, mounts, and more than I really got to get too far with. It was just so overwhelming, so I am taking it slow and picking it up when I have time to sit and put some time into learning it.

I did like the puppet master class (pictured at top), there is now a tutorial which lets you try out some of the classes you pick from. I was swinging my puppet round about into mobs, smashing him all over and controlling him to do my bidding. Very, very fun! The tutorial for humans looks to be quite a bit different from the last time I played. It seems to give more direction, I also read you want your first character to be a human for bonuses. There is so much to learn, a very in depth game.

I'm still puttering about in the world of Onverse. Megaplots were released last week. Basically huge islands with a much higher item count allowed, for more extravagant building. I decided to try my hand at creating my own house instead of having one to only decorate. I had a great time coming up with an idea, still work to be done on the isle but it is looking pretty decent. I've had a lot of players complement me on it, which always just makes me glow :)

Exploring different areas.

Finishing up a quest I've been working on for about a week now. Elemental planes. 

My house, Stellar Isle.

Building the house, wish we had the option to fly on plots to build!