Post by hrafnr on May 22, 2008 10:53:01 GMT -5
After getting through some technical difficulties, and server issues - I managed to play a good dose of AOC the last 24 hours.
Initial thoughts. The game LOTRO should have been in terms of character development and story delivery.
It in every way is superior in those two aspects. Characters are highly customizable in both appearance and through play (through role-master type point allotments to skills, as well as feats and class abilities and special combination abilities). It really feels like an RPG.
The world is hugely immersive, and geared towards actually moving a coherent story forward that both makes sense and makes you feel a part of it. The NPCs seem like real characters instead of cardboard cut outs placed to vend you experience points and pocket change (with the occasional item). Mind you, I haven't gotten out of the largely solo/small group zone yet so I can't speak for high level content. And truth be told I'm enjoying the story and play so much I don't care about rushing through it to get to high level. Of course, a year from now, I may feel differently.
The game is not for everyone. It is HUGELY system intensive, and not easy. I've died more times in the intro scenarios than I do in an average night in The Rift. But I haven't minded it. It gets you prepared for what the PVE and PVP elements will be like.
The combat is active and much more 'video game' like but for the first time in one of these things since perhaps EQ1 - I feel like I'm actually *doing something* during combat instead of just using computer controlled point and click. Your use of keys and combinations actually allows your character different weapons/spell moves - which have different effects. Combat is unpredictable, fast paced, and exciting. It is also dangerous and you get killed frequently if you screw up.
The animations and interactions with the world are stunning and immaculately detailed. The enemies - so far - actually seem threatening and the atmospheres evoke real moods. There are no baby steps in terms of a training zone. You learn to fight or you get killed. Non-brawlers have it particularly rough early on. Again, I haven't seen high level content yet so I can't judge how it holds together there.
The bad news: there are a lot of people playing the game who are clearly not remotely interested in immersion, role-playing, or the very broad and deep story Funcom has created. Much less the Conan lore. I'll bet 99% of them have only seen the movies and are unaware of who Howard is. I'll leave it at that. But if you turn off your names the world is immersive unlike any other MMO I have ever seen.
The content is definitely adult. I had a guard threaten to shove a spear up my %$$ if I called her a B*$%H again, and have had blood sprays and body part hits that were actually shocking to behold. Not to mention the constant BDSM/violent sexuality innuendo that often pervades NPC interactions. Prostitutes are some of your best friends in Tortage (the pirate city where the game starts). Politically incorrect. You bet. If you are easily offended or can't stomach sexist remarks (from NPCs), ethnic generalizations, and a pervasive disregard for human dignity. This probably isn't the game for you. However it IS broadly in the spirit of Conan and the bronze age ancient tribal cultures upon which Hyperboria is based. And your main character contacts are those few who stand up against the wanton abuse and degradation that is all around.
As far as depth of content, sophistication of system and character development. I believe this is the next generation of MMO design. It makes WoW and LOTRO look juvenile in terms of architecture and content delivery. I would have liked to have seen Middle-earth treated with the intent, depth of story, and out and out guts (but not necessarily blood and guts) that I have seen so far in Hyboria. Several of us pointed to system/design elements of AOC as far back as Alpha in LOTRO. But sadly it was impossible for Turbine to adjust the framework within which they were already designing.
Do I still love LOTRO simply because it is Middle-earth? Yes. But when i first saw Doom, Warcraft/Starcraft and Half-Life, I felt like I was seeing the evolution of a genre of gaming. Something fresh and daring. Those are the few video games that have interested me due to their level of excitement and immersion. I feel the same way about Age of Conan.
Initial thoughts. The game LOTRO should have been in terms of character development and story delivery.
It in every way is superior in those two aspects. Characters are highly customizable in both appearance and through play (through role-master type point allotments to skills, as well as feats and class abilities and special combination abilities). It really feels like an RPG.
The world is hugely immersive, and geared towards actually moving a coherent story forward that both makes sense and makes you feel a part of it. The NPCs seem like real characters instead of cardboard cut outs placed to vend you experience points and pocket change (with the occasional item). Mind you, I haven't gotten out of the largely solo/small group zone yet so I can't speak for high level content. And truth be told I'm enjoying the story and play so much I don't care about rushing through it to get to high level. Of course, a year from now, I may feel differently.
The game is not for everyone. It is HUGELY system intensive, and not easy. I've died more times in the intro scenarios than I do in an average night in The Rift. But I haven't minded it. It gets you prepared for what the PVE and PVP elements will be like.
The combat is active and much more 'video game' like but for the first time in one of these things since perhaps EQ1 - I feel like I'm actually *doing something* during combat instead of just using computer controlled point and click. Your use of keys and combinations actually allows your character different weapons/spell moves - which have different effects. Combat is unpredictable, fast paced, and exciting. It is also dangerous and you get killed frequently if you screw up.
The animations and interactions with the world are stunning and immaculately detailed. The enemies - so far - actually seem threatening and the atmospheres evoke real moods. There are no baby steps in terms of a training zone. You learn to fight or you get killed. Non-brawlers have it particularly rough early on. Again, I haven't seen high level content yet so I can't judge how it holds together there.
The bad news: there are a lot of people playing the game who are clearly not remotely interested in immersion, role-playing, or the very broad and deep story Funcom has created. Much less the Conan lore. I'll bet 99% of them have only seen the movies and are unaware of who Howard is. I'll leave it at that. But if you turn off your names the world is immersive unlike any other MMO I have ever seen.
The content is definitely adult. I had a guard threaten to shove a spear up my %$$ if I called her a B*$%H again, and have had blood sprays and body part hits that were actually shocking to behold. Not to mention the constant BDSM/violent sexuality innuendo that often pervades NPC interactions. Prostitutes are some of your best friends in Tortage (the pirate city where the game starts). Politically incorrect. You bet. If you are easily offended or can't stomach sexist remarks (from NPCs), ethnic generalizations, and a pervasive disregard for human dignity. This probably isn't the game for you. However it IS broadly in the spirit of Conan and the bronze age ancient tribal cultures upon which Hyperboria is based. And your main character contacts are those few who stand up against the wanton abuse and degradation that is all around.
As far as depth of content, sophistication of system and character development. I believe this is the next generation of MMO design. It makes WoW and LOTRO look juvenile in terms of architecture and content delivery. I would have liked to have seen Middle-earth treated with the intent, depth of story, and out and out guts (but not necessarily blood and guts) that I have seen so far in Hyboria. Several of us pointed to system/design elements of AOC as far back as Alpha in LOTRO. But sadly it was impossible for Turbine to adjust the framework within which they were already designing.
Do I still love LOTRO simply because it is Middle-earth? Yes. But when i first saw Doom, Warcraft/Starcraft and Half-Life, I felt like I was seeing the evolution of a genre of gaming. Something fresh and daring. Those are the few video games that have interested me due to their level of excitement and immersion. I feel the same way about Age of Conan.
