Age Of Conan Review (levels 1-20)

(This is the first part of multi-stage review of Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, this was my review of the levels 1-20 UPDATE: added my views on the games lore)

Game Lore: Funcom had a wealth of information to draw from, going back to the original Robert E. Howard’s novels (such as Tower of the Elephant) to the various comics that have been released since then and Funcom have been very faithful to Howard’s vision of Hyboria and it shows in Age of Conan (AOC), from the extensive quest lines (“Destiny Quests” a progressive quest line, unique to each class architect) to the realistic, dark and gritty visual style.

Funcom have also put a lot of work into normal quest lines, drawing again from the extensive Conan lore to create both interesting and fun quests. Many of the quests also offer multiple response options (Bioware style) something that is usually seen in games like Mass effect. The added effort here really helps to immerse you into the story line and you will no longer want to just skip the quest text.

Age of Conan Levels 1 -20:

Firstly you will be picking your class and creating you character, pretty standard stuff you can choose from 12 different classes ranging from the standard tank classes to healers all of which will fill in certain spots as with most MMO’s. Luckily there is a lot of diversity within each class and can allow different classes to suit different roles, this is great for both PVP grouping and raiding.

Ok on to character creation and this is where Age of Conan really starts to shine, you can only chose from human characters (lore based) though but there is a lot of customization options available to you, by using the advanced options you can really get into the details of your character from nose shape to eye color and this can be a real joy to play around with and really make your character your own…no more generic dwarfs with red beards (thank god).

So you have finally reached Tortage the 1-20 starting area, and your first impressions will be “WOW” when you seen the trees moving in the wind or the flock of birds soaring high above you. Age of Conan is a stunningly beautiful game, and quite a technical achievement but it will require quite a good computer to play on (so make sure you check out your system specs first!).

You will be introduced into Tortage with a Varity of quest lines which allow you to become more familiar with the game world and the combat system, it is important to note that the levels 1-20 are a single player/ multiplayer experience this is due to the extensive story line that you play through and which changes for each class. Surprisingly this combination works amazingly and really helps immerse you into the story, combine this with full voice over on NPC’s (quest givers) these levels rival a fully single player game.

Combat in Age of Conan truly is the next generation in MMO combat, Funcom have added a unique combination system (sequence of attacks) along with dynamic shielding and movement to create the most fun and engaging combat ever seen in a MMO. Battles are no longer static point and click where the “best” class wins, but a highly skill based battles where the “best” PLAYER wins; this active combat also extends into NPC combat.

Ok se let me explain, the combo system in Age of Conan, uses a sequence of attacks which are activated by the player threw various key presses or clicks (1, 2, 3, Q and E), but there is a lot more variables in play here take for instance the dynamic shielding system this is the players “active defense” system and has 3 “shields” in total these can be moved to various sides of the NPC/player in order to negate certain percentage of damage. These shields surround the target on 3 sides (top/left/right) and these can be moved dynamically by both NPC and players, and considering that combos target certain areas of the target making sure you avoid the shields can mean the difference between victory and defeat. But this is not all to consider there is also active strafing within the game, by double tapping a movement key you can activate evasion bonuses. While this may sound quite difficult on paper, in practice it comes together to form an amazingly engaging combat system that rivals that of FPS shooters and action games.

Ultimately levels 1-20 are big tutorials for life after 20 lol, and you will get to explore and advance your character through this stunning section of Hyboria, and you will see your actions directly affect the quest line and experience you first grouping and PVP, while looting every body for that new piece of armor.

Funcom have provided a great introduction to Hyboria, and hands down beats any MMO currently on the market but can this really continues into the later levels? Check back for my next review on Age of Conan.

Review based on levels 1-20 of Age of Conan:

9.7/10

Tabula Rasa Review

Flash Review: Tabula Rasa is a fresh step for the MMO genre. From its real time combat to the unique setting Tabula Rasa takes you far from the traditional MMO experience but its one hell of a ride. 7/10.




Game Lore:
- Tabula Rasa uses the age old story of humanity struggling against a more powerful evil force, while this may have been used before in Tabula its used extremely well and immerses you into the game and the story. I wont go into the story but throughout the game its used very well. Story Verdict: 6/10.

Gameplay:
- Game play is mainly determined by the combat system within an mmorpg and how players can interact with the world and socially, and Tabula rasa has certainly shaken up this and created a new but somehow familiar experience overall. In tabula combat is done very dynamically with the main usage being of guns and powers (logo's), it uses the same damage system seen in other mmorpgs but adds a few things to spice it up.
Combat is very active and very much similar to an action game in function with the environment playing a key role in fighting, they have done this using a great cover system that allows objects to act as damage de-buffers and creates a far more strategic variables to the mix. Tabula also is a very dynamic game in every sense when playing it you feel like a war is actually raging with small and large battles all taking place around you, but still allows free movement.
You could be passing a bridge and see a few AFS soldiers trying to hold it, while an barrage of bane soldiers pummel them...and you feel connected to the soldiers that your part of this huge struggle and you can help them if you want (which will give you exp/loot/cash) but you will be risking your own life, so combat can be rewarding as well as quite dangerous. But Tabula also takes this to a new level with adding control points that are of extreme important to players in terms of supplies and quests, these bases are frequently under attack and can get overrun quite quickly, if everyone doesn't pull together and help the npc's....its adds a whole new level of game play and role playing to the game...mainly it seems realistic. You hear the alarms sounding and emergency lights flashing while solders rush to defend the gates from both the bane and natural predators ( yes the animals will also act dynamically running in packs to get their next meal be in a bane/nps/player or even other animals). These combined make an amazing a very social experience, people will help you and you will help them its as if the game has pulled the community together in a great way which i haven't seen in a long time in mmorpgs..if ever to this extent. Tabula also rewards you for helping out and defending bases with varies extra bonuses and points. Economically the game is quite flat since loot isn't really defined as well as it is in say hell gate London, but the addition of a soon to come auction house should revamp things. But i can honestly say this is best game play experience i have had in a long time with games. Gameplay Verdict 7.5/10.

Visuals/Graphics:
- Tabula Rasa does has good visuals but doesn't match up to the quality of lord of the rings online, but the are great in their own right and suit the setting of the game. They have a variety of interesting a exotic places from huge valleys to scifi military bases to explore, its a joy to watch and experience. Models and animations are great from the bane drop ships to how guns feel and look, but a bad point is the lack of variety in armor while they are realistic a bit more pimping wouldn't have hurt from a visual stand point. But overall they are nice to look at and for a mmorpg do just fine. Visuals Verdict: 7/10.

Sound:
- The sound quality of the game is top notch, the use of quality voice acting and sounds really do make a difference. You can hear machines ticking over, bane and AFS forces shouting and bantering while quest givers do provide so nice voice work. You will hear a variety of sounds from shotguns firing to majestic waterfalls that all sound great.
Sound Verdict: 7/10.

Overall:
- Overall Tabula Rasa is a game that will enter you in a fun and compelling world with alot of stuff to do and experience, I highly recommend it to any mmo/action/rpg fan!
Final Verdict: 7/10


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