Everquest I and Everquest II are both great games.
If you are new to this world of online games then choose Everquest II, it is easier.
Most experienced players might prefer Everquest I, It is more challenging. However it have worse 3D quality.
My first ever MMO was Everquest. I played the beta, got hooked and have been with it ever since as well as with EQ2. Have met some incredible friends over the years and other wonderful people. It has a tight knit community, especially over on the time locked servers (for both games, though EQ2's have only opened up in the last few weeks. If you are bored with the whiner's and LEET idiots, then come check out EQ2. The time lock servers are just about as close to launch as they could get. Gruops are popping up left an right, guilds are begining to flurish as well as the cities too. Yes, you have to have a subscription. Toss a sub (14.99 for one month all access to a vareity of games that one sub wil cover. Check out the website www.everquest2.com to see if it might be a good fit for you. If not, you can always not resub.
Very underrated game. Never fully reached it's peak. Hopefully they keep this game running as they are about to launch everquest next.