Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

100 or More Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Highly addictive"

I joined Age of Conan a month after it was released. And despite it's rocky first six months, I couldn't let go. I do feel for the more naive players who expected another polished WoW; and Funcom has paid a price for going to market too early: bad early press and lost subscribers.

Nonetheless AoC is compelling. It has a more engaging and more responsive combat mechanic than any of the other MMOs. The players are more involved in the action and after a couple of months of AoC other MMOs start to feel make you feel one-step-removed. Like driving an Audi coupe with a responsive standard transmission then having to run a mini-van automatic with cruse-control; AoC makes you feel connected and other more comfortable MMOs leave you feeling insulated from a really visceral experience.

AoC is NOT FOR KIDS. If you're over 27 and you don't want an MMO that's got wabbits and hobbits (and God luv 'em, BTW) then AoC is the only show in town. If you like THE 300 or Gladiator or the old Schwarzenegger flick, you be feeling right at home when you score a fatality and the enemy's head goes off like a bottle-rocket!

Funcom has taken a slow and steady approach to improving the game and the core players are hungry for more. The re-vamp of the itemization system was a big job. Since then, things have moved faster. Some of the immanent updates are adding new wrinkles and options (e.g. new zones, re-tooled classes, and raid content.). Craig Morrison, the Game Director, has worked hard and AoC has rounded second base (turned the corner, as it were) and is set to slide into third with the Godslayer expansion forthcoming.

Improvements to PVP are still needed and a ways off. The in-game economy and crafting needs work. And lot's of RP players want housing and more social items. AoC is not a home-run, but it will definitely cross home plate in the new year. If you haven't tried it; you've missed some very entertaining play.