Age of Conan: Getting My Feet Wet

Reviewing an MMOG is a tricky process, because I can't in all fairness start playing until the game is officially live. It also needs to played for a long time, more than games from most any other genre. As a result, prospective players often need to wait to get the information they crave, possibly even going so far as to buy a game they regret purchasing later.

Of course, my job is to play the game so you don't have to, and hopefully give you a good idea of whether any given game is worth your money, time, and effort. While you shouldn't expect to see a review for Age of Conan this week, for obvious reasons, I did want to share daily thoughts on my progress, with a little media to whet your appetite. It's 4:30 AM here, so obviously I have no gameplay videos yet to share, but I did take some screenshots of my travels in the last hour and a half. I hope you enjoy them!

Part 1: Delivering a stable launch.

Funcom will never live down its mercilessly buggy launch of Anarchy Online. Both that game and another MMOG, World War II Online, launched with disastrous results in 2001, so it's no surprise that Funcom was aiming for smooth sailing. They got it. Sort of. Funcom delayed the launch time several times throughout the day, finally setting the servers live at 3AM Pacific (the original announcement I read this morning had it at 7PM Pacific). In a world where we must choose one evil over another, I am personally grateful Funcom delayed the launch for a few hours until they were certain the servers were prepared.

It turned out to be a good move from my angle. I have only played for an hour and a half, but I experienced a smooth, lag-free experience without any noticeable issues. If Funcom can deliver this stability throughout the week, after the game has reached shelves across the country, then perhaps they can shed 2001's stigma at last.

Part 2: Row, row, row your boat.

You know, life as human property isn't all it's cracked up to be. But before I had to deal with the consequences of my slave ship's untimely sinking, I had to create a distinct look and choose a race and class. Looking through the manual, I already knew I wanted to play the Herald of Xotli class, which is a melee/magic hybrid. As a result, I went with one of the races that allowed the class: the Stygians. The Stygians value cunning over brute strength, but judging from my exploits later, I think I may have expanded my race's horizons a bit.

Character creation is surprisingly robust, though you can keep it strictly top level if you prefer. My final look was muscular and balding, just like me. Well, half like me, at least.

Part 3: Wherefore art though, oh Juliet?

The opening cinematics are quite well done in Age of Conan, but who has time to notice when you're lying on a deserted beach? Once I picked myself up, I went out into the jungle in search of a way into the city of Tortage. It probably won't be easy: my wrists are still bound by shackles.

In any case, I soon encounter a fair maiden dangling from chains. No, this isn't Lost in Eden 3! This is still Age of Conan, and the beautiful Casilda needs released. I go off in search of the key. As it turns out, I have to fight my way through some brutal battles to get it. Combat is easy to control but bloodily executed. By hitting the number keys, I bludgeon some baddies, but still make time to set a few of them on fire.

I set Casilda free, but it seems she's not content wading through the jungle on her own. Perhaps she forgot her scimitar at home? Anyway, I must escort her to Tortage, so she tags along while I continue beating up poachers and other minor meanies.

I take some time to gawk at the beautiful scenery and fluid animations on my gory trip through the lush vegetation. I dig the contrast between the beauty of the foliage and the thuds of my boat oar against the thick flesh of beastmen. But alas, I can't get too comfortable playing tourist. I continue slaying picts and collecting their nose bones while making my way towards the city. This could get messy. And indeed it does, for who should be blocking my way through the first set of gates than slave trader Saddur, who decides he can't let me pass because we both wore the same dress at his grandma's birthday party.

He goes down easily, but goshdarnit to heck, he doesn't have the key, so I have to make my way through the jungle ruins to the boss guarding the thing.

Part 4: Justin Calvert is right: Monkeys really do make everything better.

I've managed to earn a shiny new dagger by this point, as well as some awesome spells. One of them knocks back my target. Another turns me into a powerful pockmarked demon for a few moments. Good thing I grabbed some Oil of Olay. I'm level 4, and I've still got some ass-kicking to do, so I take out my aggressions on a few apes before I cross the bridge to the city proper. Just outside I meet Turach, who's building a lava dam and doesn't seem thrilled to see me so I move on. The new problem is that Wall captain Laranga can't let me in because I still have shackles on my wrists. Luckily he knows someone that can help. Of course it's the monosyllabic Turach.

Turach reminds me that I can't get something for nothing. And he wants bricks, so I have to fetch him some. This requires a public beatdown of some nearby thugs, though this time I am joined by other players, who seem to enjoy the bloody melee as much as I do. Finally, I tow the bricks back to Turach and he removes all traces of my iron retraints. Now that I can pretend to be a free man, I mosey on over to Laranga, who lets me into the city, where I prepare to crush some skulls.

Thus began my foray into the world of Hyboria. Look for more updates in this space as well as a proper hands-on impressions soon! Also keep your eyes open for a special Age of Conan event we're bringing you later this week.