I really really like the gameplay, but

[Ontbyd]

I feel a bit let down by the graphics. And in quite a subtle way.If I take a screenshot of any scene, it looks great. But the game seems to suffer as soon as something is moving. I've noticed this in many areas, here are a few:- Running makes you look a bit like an onld B&W movie playing too fast- The druid tiger form running animation is very strange indeed- The fairy hover animation has lovely wing movement, but the body (especially the legs) is woodenI could go on but you get the idea. The game is so complete - loads of diverse classes that appear (from my lowbie viewpoint <40) to work really well together. An extremely neat harvesting/crafting system. Player housing that is practically a game in itself. A quest/journal system that is intuitive and inventive in terms of the way quests update. And so much more. The only thing really missing from the game (imho) is realistic movement. Anyone else feel this way? 

[-Arctura-]

<cite>Ontbyd wrote:</cite><blockquote>I feel a bit let down by the <strike>graphics</strike> <b>animations</b>. And in quite a subtle way.</blockquote>(( ahh you mean the animations... well, I haven't really been bothered by them, but then again It takes alot of processing power to blend animations like how Ubisoft did with Assassin's Creed.If you can show some comparisons maybe with youtube showing other games like WoW, AoC vs EQ2  then I might see what you see.Right now i'm not disagreeing with you, I just dont really see it heh. Can you clarify what you mean with visual examples?---<img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g69/Arctura000/Skree-sig2008a.jpg" alt="" border="0" />

[TabrisNightwind]

I know what the OP is saying in regards to both the almost all the running animations. Truth be told, they used to look fluid and nice. Then SOE gave in to the requests from users who felt that they needed to run across continents in 3 minutes. They up-ed the runspeed, but basically just made the animations move quicker than make it look like the characters were actually putting forth more effort =P.

[orchard54]

I think the animations in EQ2 are great. Most of the character animations were done via motion capture using the professionals that worked with the actors in The Matrix. Compared to anything else I've played, I think EQ2 is the best in character and enemy animation. I'll make a video comparrison of EQ1 animation vs. EQ2 since I have the station access. EQ1 animations are horrible. I also think the enemy animations in EQ2 are great to. The various attacks, and death animations are sweet as well. I also noticed the combat in EQ2 starts out kind of... "clunky" looking when you're level 1, and throughout the lower levels. Gradually as your skills increase you can visually tell the difference between how smoothly the combat looks. What I mean is... a level 1 using a 2 hander is going to LOOK like he really is a newb in using 2 handers. Then you watch a level 80 using a 2 hander and just looks like a pro slinging that blade around <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />my 2cp

[Armawk]

<p>Well the walk/run anims are not perfect, but they are better than, for example, lotro (horrible horrible run cycles), conan (dont get me wrong the figures are superb but the cycles are dull and unconvincing) etc.</p><p>the fae are not running by the way.. hence their legs being pulled along as they hover/skim the ground.</p>

[Celline-Layonaire]

<cite>Ontbyd wrote:</cite><blockquote>I feel a bit let down by the graphics. And in quite a subtle way.If I take a screenshot of any scene, it looks great. But the game seems to suffer as soon as something is moving. I've noticed this in many areas, here are a few:- Running makes you look a bit like an onld B&W movie playing too fast- The druid tiger form running animation is very strange indeed- The fairy hover animation has lovely wing movement, but the body (especially the legs) is woodenI could go on but you get the idea. The game is so complete - loads of diverse classes that appear (from my lowbie viewpoint <40) to work really well together. An extremely neat harvesting/crafting system. Player housing that is practically a game in itself. A quest/journal system that is intuitive and inventive in terms of the way quests update. And so much more. The only thing really missing from the game (imho) is realistic movement. Anyone else feel this way?  </blockquote>A Fae's body moves fine, so-so, mediocre. But I agree with ya. EQ2 needs slightly better body movements and an addition of dance emotes. 

[ZerkerDwarf]

<p>All the running animations are totally ugly; except the little races: dwarves, rattongas etc.</p><p>A long time ago they have changed the running animations of large race females that had been extremely strange.</p><p>But those and those of all tall races still look in a way that makes me refuse to play a tall race. It looks very slapstick with their unfitting postures and limb movement while running.</p><p>On the other hand, the slow walking animation of the little races is also strange: running in slow motion (Matrix effect) :-/</p>