Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures A Game Review by Nathan Palmer

Basic Info Based on the world created by author Robert E. Howard Based on the world created by author Robert E. Howard Game created by Funcom, co-published by Funcom and Eidos Game created by Funcom, co-published by Funcom and Eidos Game Type - MMORPG Game Type - MMORPG Price Price Initial Release: $49.99 USD Initial Release: $49.99 USD Current: $19.99 USD Current: $19.99 USD $14.99 per month for online play after first month $14.99 per month for online play after first month

System Specs Minimal Stated System Specs Minimal Stated System Specs Recommended Resolution: (1024 x 768) Recommended Resolution: (1024 x 768) Intel Pentium 4 – 3.0 GHz or equivalent Intel Pentium 4 – 3.0 GHz or equivalent 1 GB RAM 1 GB RAM ATI Radeon 9800/nVidia GeForce 6600 ATI Radeon 9800/nVidia GeForce GB free hard disk space 32 GB free hard disk space Actual System Specs from Experience Actual System Specs from Experience Resolution Used: (1440 x 900) Resolution Used: (1440 x 900) Intel Core 2 Duo – 2.0 GHz or equivalent Intel Core 2 Duo – 2.0 GHz or equivalent At least 2 GB RAM At least 2 GB RAM Dedicated video card with at least 512 MB memory Dedicated video card with at least 512 MB memory 32 GB free hard disk space 32 GB free hard disk space

Installation Game can be run off of a purchased disk or downloaded from authorized sites Game can be run off of a purchased disk or downloaded from authorized sites Once installed the game is run from then on using a patcher that will update game files as necessary and launch the game Once installed the game is run from then on using a patcher that will update game files as necessary and launch the game Note: the game takes a considerable amount of hard disk space compared to the average computer game Note: the game takes a considerable amount of hard disk space compared to the average computer game

Overview MMORPG focused heavily on Player vs. Player combat MMORPG focused heavily on Player vs. Player combat Combat designed to be more “action-packed” Combat designed to be more “action-packed” Game can be played beginning to end solo Game can be played beginning to end solo Best experience comes from playing in groups, generally consisting of 6 people Best experience comes from playing in groups, generally consisting of 6 people Game play activities include: Game play activities include: Player vs. Environment (PVE): leveling, collecting items, crafting Player vs. Environment (PVE): leveling, collecting items, crafting Player vs. Player (PVP): combating enemy guilds, bragging rights, gaining PVP levels Player vs. Player (PVP): combating enemy guilds, bragging rights, gaining PVP levels

Story Line Your Character You begin as a nameless slave with a strange mark tattooed on your chest. The ship transporting you is attacked and you are one of very few to survive thanks to the assistance of some unknown deity. You awaken on an island and encounter a strange old man who tells you that you have been marked by destiny to accomplish a very important task. The World Conan the Barbarian created by Robert E. Howard is now the king of the most powerful empire in the world, but his empire is starting to fall apart. Enemies from all over are rising to challenge him and the king’s soldiers are not enough to stop them. Even worse is the rumor that some dark power might be behind everything that has been occurring. The call has been put out for all brave men and women to help stop this dark power.

Player’s Role Sandbox Style Sandbox Style Player free to roam and progress as he or she wishes, for the most part Player free to roam and progress as he or she wishes, for the most part A player’s level is the only limit to what they can do A player’s level is the only limit to what they can do The point of the game is to progress through the levels completing quests, and in the process fulfill the “destiny” described in the storyline. The point of the game is to progress through the levels completing quests, and in the process fulfill the “destiny” described in the storyline. Once at maximum level there are several activities to perform including crafting, raiding, and PVP Once at maximum level there are several activities to perform including crafting, raiding, and PVP

Game Play Game Play Player vs. Environment Player vs. Environment PVE (player vs. environment) game play is mostly story-driven early on with more side quests later on PVE (player vs. environment) game play is mostly story-driven early on with more side quests later on Quests between levels 20 and 80 not as based on the overall storyline Quests between levels 20 and 80 not as based on the overall storyline Endgame (level 80) PVE consists of 24-man raid zones and some 6-man zones Endgame (level 80) PVE consists of 24-man raid zones and some 6-man zones

Game Play (cont.) Player vs. Player Player vs. Player Game focuses on this aspect more than most previous MMO’s Game focuses on this aspect more than most previous MMO’s Sieges - guilds can defend and attack battle keeps (48 man teams) Sieges - guilds can defend and attack battle keeps (48 man teams) Mini-games – 6 man team games with different objectives Mini-games – 6 man team games with different objectives World PVP World PVP Crafting Crafting Different resource types gathered from around the game world Different resource types gathered from around the game world Using recipes found or learned from NPC’s the player can craft items to use, trade or sell Using recipes found or learned from NPC’s the player can craft items to use, trade or sell

User Interface Button Slots: used to hold and spells, abilities or macros the player wishes to put there Button Slots: used to hold and spells, abilities or macros the player wishes to put there Personal and Target’s Indicators: show the health, mana and stamina of yourself and your target Personal and Target’s Indicators: show the health, mana and stamina of yourself and your target Chat Windows Chat Windows Mini-Map Mini-Map Group Window: shows group members and their stats Group Window: shows group members and their stats Tool Shortcuts: opens windows for inventory, player attributes, feats, etc. Tool Shortcuts: opens windows for inventory, player attributes, feats, etc. FPS and Latency Bar: hovering over the bar shows player’s latency and frames per second, the bar changes color as latency increases FPS and Latency Bar: hovering over the bar shows player’s latency and frames per second, the bar changes color as latency increases

Scoring No formal scoring system No formal scoring system Players’ PVE score could be determined by their level and gear Players’ PVE score could be determined by their level and gear Players’ PVP score could be determined by their mini-game points and PVP level Players’ PVP score could be determined by their mini-game points and PVP level Guilds can be scored by their numbers, success in sieges and world PVP Guilds can be scored by their numbers, success in sieges and world PVP Bragging rights Bragging rights

Artwork The games graphics are quite good, some of the best in the genre The games graphics are quite good, some of the best in the genre Made to use dx10 Made to use dx10 Settings and characters in the world are detailed and unique to the game Settings and characters in the world are detailed and unique to the game There is some reuse of NPC models There is some reuse of NPC models Character creation isn’t quite as extensive as it could be, so some players will look very similar Character creation isn’t quite as extensive as it could be, so some players will look very similar

Sound and Music Sound Game sound is high quality and there is not too much repetition of sounds for different purposes Game sound is high quality and there is not too much repetition of sounds for different purposes Game supports multiple sound settings and speaker configurations Game supports multiple sound settings and speaker configurations No built in voice chat No built in voice chatMusic Music has an epic feel Music has an epic feel Different music for different zones, music matches the surroundings Different music for different zones, music matches the surroundings Music changes to alert player of something going on in the game Music changes to alert player of something going on in the game Example – Music changes to alert player that something is attacking Example – Music changes to alert player that something is attacking

Special Features Game is detailed and has many features considered normal for a game of this genre Game is detailed and has many features considered normal for a game of this genre Special features could include… Special features could include… Game Forums – to discuss different aspects of the game with other people and the creators Game Forums – to discuss different aspects of the game with other people and the creators Extra Purchase Options – players can buy additional character slots, server transfers, and character name changes Extra Purchase Options – players can buy additional character slots, server transfers, and character name changes Specialty Items – For example, if a player pre- ordered the game they receive special items Specialty Items – For example, if a player pre- ordered the game they receive special items

Manual Instruction Manual Instruction Manual installing and running the game installing and running the game changing game settings changing game settings How to read and use the UI How to read and use the UI Much information received by asking for assistance from experienced players, GM’s and through trial and error Much information received by asking for assistance from experienced players, GM’s and through trial and error

Bugs Server Instability Server Instability “Lag Spikes” “Lag Spikes” Better than at launch but still the games biggest issue Better than at launch but still the games biggest issue Causes lag and disconnects Causes lag and disconnects Memory Leaks Memory Leaks Most noticeable when crossing multiple zones Most noticeable when crossing multiple zones Very bad at launch, much improved now but still some present Very bad at launch, much improved now but still some present Cause graphical issues and game crashes Cause graphical issues and game crashes Quests Bugs/Glitches Quests Bugs/Glitches Were quite a few, now only a few remaining that I have seen or heard of recently Were quite a few, now only a few remaining that I have seen or heard of recently Player Exploits Player Exploits Players exploiting game mechanics to achieve some advantage they wouldn’t normally have Players exploiting game mechanics to achieve some advantage they wouldn’t normally have Third-Party “Hack” Programs Third-Party “Hack” Programs External programs that give players different abilities they are not supposed to have External programs that give players different abilities they are not supposed to have Most functions of these programs have been blocked, but some still present Most functions of these programs have been blocked, but some still present

The Good Very good graphics Very good graphics Game earns the M for mature rating Game earns the M for mature rating Game is fast paced and can be quite intense Game is fast paced and can be quite intense Fairly easy to learn, hard to master Fairly easy to learn, hard to master Good amount of PVP activities Good amount of PVP activities Easy but profitable crafting system Easy but profitable crafting system Arguably the best combat system in any MMORPG Arguably the best combat system in any MMORPG New content still being created New content still being created Full expansion announced, likely within the next year Full expansion announced, likely within the next year

The Bad Server instability Server instability Graphics can be a downfall for players with low end computers Graphics can be a downfall for players with low end computers Game earns the M for mature rating Game earns the M for mature rating Game bugs can add up to sometimes aggravate players Game bugs can add up to sometimes aggravate players Could be more PVE content Could be more PVE content Some class imbalance between playable classes Some class imbalance between playable classes Somewhat low, but stable population Somewhat low, but stable population May limit player’s choices in some ways May limit player’s choices in some ways Due to lower population, money going to those maintaining the game is also somewhat low Due to lower population, money going to those maintaining the game is also somewhat low Issues not fixed as fast Issues not fixed as fast New content not being added as fast New content not being added as fast

Compared to Other MMO’s Better graphics than most Better graphics than most Arguably the best graphics in the genre Arguably the best graphics in the genre Uses dx10 with great results graphically Uses dx10 with great results graphically Runs somewhat slower than other popular games Runs somewhat slower than other popular games Does utilize dual core processors Does utilize dual core processors Depends a lot on player’s hardware Depends a lot on player’s hardware Average amount of content at launch Average amount of content at launch Better combat than most, maybe all other MMO’s Better combat than most, maybe all other MMO’s Combat is more mobile and intense Combat is more mobile and intense Better storyline than most games of the genre Better storyline than most games of the genre Familiar UI style Familiar UI style

Audience The game is M for mature and definitely earns the rating The game is M for mature and definitely earns the rating Blood and Gore Blood and Gore Intense Violence Intense Violence Language Language Nudity and Sexual Themes Nudity and Sexual Themes Appropriate for those 18 or older Appropriate for those 18 or older

Design Mistakes Game is an MMO and uses high-end graphics so hardware requirements are high Game is an MMO and uses high-end graphics so hardware requirements are high Limits players with lower end computers to low graphical setting, game may still run slow Limits players with lower end computers to low graphical setting, game may still run slow Some low end machines will not be able to run the game at all Some low end machines will not be able to run the game at all M for mature M for mature May keep some from purchasing the game May keep some from purchasing the game

Overall Faster pace Faster pace May be refreshing for those who play a lot of MMO’s May be refreshing for those who play a lot of MMO’s May interest others who haven’t played this type of game before May interest others who haven’t played this type of game before Great visually, if computer can handle it Great visually, if computer can handle it Good amount of content, could be better Good amount of content, could be better Population low but not yet to the point of the game failing Population low but not yet to the point of the game failing Expansion on the way Expansion on the way

Worth Purchasing? Yes Yes Game is only $19.99 now and is much more finished than it was at launch Game is only $19.99 now and is much more finished than it was at launch Price includes free month of play so player can try it for a while and decide if its worth re- subscribing Price includes free month of play so player can try it for a while and decide if its worth re- subscribing

Improvements Being worked on: Being worked on: Additional content Additional content Fix memory leaks, server stability and remaining bugs Fix memory leaks, server stability and remaining bugs Balancing/Tweaking classes Balancing/Tweaking classes The rate at which all of the above gets done depends on the income the game generates The rate at which all of the above gets done depends on the income the game generates Biggest issue is increasing the game’s population Biggest issue is increasing the game’s population More marketing, promotions needed More marketing, promotions needed