MaximumPC 2008 09

IN THE LAB^

REVIEWS OF THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

O

ur help was needed—again. Such is the fate of a hero. In the world

of Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures all manner of fi shermen, pi-

rates, merchants, guards, beer wenches, and assorted ne’er-do wells

require assistance. This motley cast of characters imbues the game with a

vibrant sense of life; we just wish that they showed even a bit of initiative

and took care of some of their own problems. We were tasked with passing

along loads of messages in order to drive the story forward, but in truth, we

quickly lost interest in the game’s narrative, as it simply took away from the

game’s fi nest achievement: its fi ghting system.

Eschewing a turn-based format, Conan uses a real-time combat system

that allows you to take on multiple foes; icons show how strongly each part

of an enemy’s body is defended, and you choose attacks and combos that

focus on a foe’s weaknesses. Particularly eff ective attacks reward users

with a splatter of blood across the computer screen.

While Conan’s melee combat system is innovative, the rest of the game

follows typical MMO conventions. You choose a race and class that falls

into one of three basic categories: (tank, damage dealer, or healer) and

complete a variety of missions to level up and gain ever more powerful

items. While castle

sieges and some quests

require you to be part

of a guild, it’s quite

possible to complete

much of the game

solo. This pick-up-and-

play attribute adds

to the game’s appeal,

allowing you to jump

in whenever the mood

strikes without having

to compare schedules

with a half dozen compatriots.

Conan launched with a variety of minor bugs and irritations,

but the development team has implemented fixes in a timely man-

ner, assuring we’ll stick with the game—at least until we reach the

level cap. –T O M E D W A R D S

Age of Conan:

Hyborian Adventures

More leather and fl esh than an S&M bar

VERDICT

$50/$15 per month, http://www.ageofconan.com, ESRB: M

7

Rich character-

creation system;

engaging combat.

Too many delivery

missions; bugs at

launch.

PEPPER MARTIN

AGE OF CONAN

PEPPER SPRAY

During your adventures, you’ll kill enough wolves, bears, crocodiles,

tigers, and scorpions to make Marlin Perkins weep from his grave.

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