If you are not aware Eschalon Book II is an Classic style RPG that follows Eschalon Book I. Check it out at Basilisk Games.
I am looking forward to it and will pick it up on release date.

Never heard of them. What is the first one like?

Well, since I like older style games it is a fun, hard, text filled (i.e lots of text describing things) world that has day night cycles...well the best thing I can say is try the demo and see it for your self! :o)
I am sure it will not appeal to everyone, but it is a big game with lots of quests, and Book II is even larger and longer.

You'll like it if you like an old school RPG. Graphics are pleasant, not hi-res with all the fancy works, but pleasant looking 2D sprites on an isometric view. Good, old school dialogue, and combat is somewhat similar to Ultima if I didn't remember wrongly.
I only played Book 1's demo, never bought the full game because of army enlistment back then. But I'll get it someday, this game is fantastic.

Graphically, it was a step up from the other stuff at the time, Book2 is meant to have a higher resolution and slight graphical refresh.
I liked it for the old school style, but never got much into it enough to do more than the demo. Having dozens of other titles calling out for attention did not help. Still intend to check it out though.

Nice, and it seems that release date is coming right up too. I've been looking forward to Book II's release, so thanks for posting this.

Funny, I was just thinking about picking up Book 1 a couple days ago. Guess I'll have to get on that. Thanks for the heads up about Book 2.

The screenshots look like Ultima Online but textures seem to have more details. I was surprised to see there are also mac and linux version available, very nice!
I have too many games in my wishlist, LOL.

Liked the first one's demo in some way, but it's quite a way too much of hardcore gameplay depending on the class you play, as a mage it was a real pain... better with a thief tough but not so much.

I enjoyed playing as a mage, but it was slow going at first with a lot of running away from baddies! :o)
For the money there is a lot of game play to be had in the game.

First one looked good, but never got around to it.
Any word on if they are planning to put this on Steam? I think it is on Impulse, but I am trying to avoid using that these days (the download/install process is just painful for even small stuff).

Not sure about Steam but you could ask over at the boards as someone there should know.
I buy directly as I like no DRM and burning the file to disk. This game however, I will be buying the disk version from the publisher.

It's available on Steam, Gamersgate, and Direct2Drive for $19.99.

Thoroughly enjoyed the first one, definitely going to get this one, even though I just started playing Master of Magic.

You can also buy it directly from Basilisk Games.