Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

EverQuest II: Rise of Kunark builds upon the familiar systems of the base game and previous expansions, delivering a focused progression path for characters leveling between 65 and 80. From the moment you land on the shores of Kunark, you’re drawn into a sprawling war campaign, where each quest feels tied to the larger conflict between the Iksar Empire and the continent’s other inhabitants. The pacing is well-balanced: you’ll spend time exploring lush jungle ruins, storming fortified strongholds, and navigating treacherous mountain passes, all while earning experience and gear upgrades at a steady clip.

The introduction of the Sarnak as a playable race is a major highlight of the expansion. As a Sarnak, you begin in an exclusive starting zone that immerses you in your people’s struggle for survival. Racial abilities, such as improved stealth detection and unique crowd-control spells, give Sarnak players a fresh combat experience. Quests in the early levels teach you to leverage these skills, making you feel like an integral part of the war effort.

Group content remains at the heart of EverQuest II’s design, and Rise of Kunark does not disappoint. New zones are dotted with challenging solo and group quests, encouraging you to team up with other adventurers. Dungeon encounters scale well for five- to six-player parties, while larger raid events tease the upcoming epic weapon questlines, hinting at new endgame goals. Whether you prefer dungeon crawling or open-world skirmishes, there’s plenty to keep your party engaged.

One thoughtful design choice is the seamless integration of past expansions. You can revisit the lands of Desert of Flames, Kingdom of Sky and Echoes of Faydwer to fill any leveling gaps before you throw yourself into the Kunark war. This not only adds replay value but also ensures that players who invested time in earlier expansions feel their efforts remain relevant. Overall, the gameplay loop in Rise of Kunark is robust, satisfying both solo players and veteran groups seeking new challenges.

Graphics

Rise of Kunark presents a marked visual upgrade over the original Ruins of Kunark setting, employing richer textures and more dynamic lighting to bring the continent to life. Verdant jungle canopies shimmer in dappled sunlight, while ancient temple ruins reveal intricate stonework touched by moss and vines. This expansion demonstrates that EverQuest II’s art team still excels at crafting memorable landscapes that evoke awe and a sense of history.

The new Sarnak character models deserve special mention. Their dragon-like features—elongated snouts, scaled hides, and glowing eyes—are rendered with greater polygon counts and detailed animations. Watching a Sarnak warrior unleash a flurry of claws or a magical blast feels visceral, thanks to sharp particle effects and crisp motion. Enemy Iksar soldiers, giants and Sarnak NPCs share this level of polish, making every battle visually engaging.

One of the standout zones, the Sunken Temple of Veeshan, demonstrates the expansion’s attention to environmental storytelling. Bioluminescent fungi light cavernous halls, while waterfalls cascade down moss-covered walls, creating an immersive backdrop for exploration and combat. Frame rates remain stable on modern systems, and the expansion offers a range of graphical settings to accommodate different hardware, ensuring smooth performance whether you’re in a crowded warzone or a solitary dungeon.

While the overall art direction stays true to EverQuest II’s established fantasy style, subtle enhancements—such as improved shadow mapping and more realistic water shaders—give Rise of Kunark a fresh look without alienating long-time fans. Even if you’ve explored Kunark before, the visual upgrades make this iteration feel like an entirely new experience.

Story

Set 500 years after the events of the original Ruins of Kunark, this expansion plunges players into a continent torn apart by war. The Iksar Empire, once an unstoppable force, is now clashing with the newly awakened Sarnak and the native giants, who have been pushed north by imperial campaigns. This tense backdrop creates an epic canvas for your adventures, where every quest contributes to the tide of battle.

Storytelling in Rise of Kunark is woven into the quest structure rather than confined to cutscenes. NPC dialogue, environmental details and dynamic events—such as village ambushes or fortress sieges—immerse you in the conflict. As you progress, you uncover ancient Sarnak lore that ties directly to the dragon god Veeshan, adding layers of mythical intrigue. Each questline feels purposeful, whether you’re sabotaging Iksar supply lines or forging alliances with local tribes.

The narrative pacing is effective: lower-level quests introduce the political stakes and key factions, mid-tier missions explore hidden temples and powerful relics, while the endgame storylines set the stage for future saga chapters and epic weapon hunts. There are moments of genuine emotional weight, particularly when witnessing the giants’ plight or rallying fellow adventurers to the Sarnak cause. This sense of heroism and high-stakes drama elevates the expansion’s overall impact.

Rise of Kunark’s storytelling also rewards players familiar with EverQuest lore. References to past events, rediscovered artifacts and returning NPCs evoke nostalgia, while new revelations keep even veteran explorers intrigued. The balance of fresh narrative content with meaningful callbacks makes the expansion appealing to both newcomers and series aficionados.

Overall Experience

EverQuest II: Rise of Kunark offers a compelling blend of new content and refined mechanics that breathe fresh life into a beloved MMO. The expansion’s focused level bracket, dynamic war-driven quests and the introduction of the Sarnak race create a clear reason for both returning and new players to dive in. With fresh solo and group challenges, you’ll find countless hours of engaging gameplay across diverse landscapes.

Packaging this expansion alongside EverQuest II’s base game plus Desert of Flames, Kingdom of Sky and Echoes of Faydwer ensures newcomers get a complete progression path, while veterans can seamlessly continue their journeys. The 30-day free subscription included with purchase provides ample time to explore all the content. With promises of upcoming epic weapon questlines and future updates, there’s even more to look forward to beyond the initial launch.

From its lush jungles and ancient ruins to its high-stakes war narrative, Rise of Kunark stands out as a substantial addition to the EverQuest II universe. It caters to group-oriented players eager for fresh raid and dungeon content, as well as solo adventurers drawn to rich lore and immersive environments. The expansion strikes a fine balance between challenge and accessibility, making it a welcome return to Norrath’s most storied continent.

In summary, Rise of Kunark is a strong expansion that successfully revitalizes Kunark’s legend, offering a rewarding experience for MMO enthusiasts. Whether you’re rallying friends for large-scale battles or delving into hidden temples solo, this pack delivers depth, spectacle and a sense of true adventure. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to embark on a new saga in EverQuest II, Rise of Kunark is a journey worth undertaking.

Retro Replay Score

7.9/10