EQ is still going pretty strong, releasing new DLC every year and adding the DLC from 3 years prior to the free to play list. Theres 23 years of free content to play, though it may feel baron at times due to being top heavy
For that classic EverQuest experience come join Project 1999: https://www.project1999.com
Project Quarm just launched Kunark this month and will go all the way to Planes of Power! Single box only and very active development team!
Project 1999 is forever locked in Velious with no plans to ever launch a new server.
For me personally, Velious was the last expansion that still felt like “classic” EverQuest. Luclin introduced some pretty significant changes such as The Nexus and The Bazaar, that for me really impacted how the game world felt. If Quarm is just up to Kunark then it would definitely be worth playing there as well.
I never could get into Everquest because I played Asheron’s Call. Back then it seemed you either chose EQ, UO, or AC and stuck with it.
But EQ was the biggest and therefore every MMO onward essentially used EQ as a foundation.
BTW, Everquest 2 just added a classic mode.
The thought of seeing someone shouting “Train!” still gives me nostalgia.
