Comments on: Conan Update: “Epic And Memorable”

By: Hmm-hmm

Hmm-hmm — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:04:18 +0000

So, yes, it’s pretty. It has atmosphere. But wasn’t it the bugginess and gameplay that were lacking at launch? Aside from the PvE content showcased here, has AoC improved a bit?

By: h4plo

h4plo — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:31:15 +0000

I’m not sure that it’s terribly relevant to compare the launch seven years ago to one today – every game released in that timeframe had a pretty abysmal launch. I’d argue that those games were a great deal more experimental at the time as well, with EQ being the only major commercial success, and the game being released in an unfinished state was probably more due to publishers demanding release than Funcom wanting to try and sell a somewhat broken game.

By: Davee

Davee — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:21:11 +0000

I liked AoC. And I’m planning on going back soon.
The reason I’m not playing right now is what others have already said – not finished, buggy, missing content – and that is true. But it’s still one of the best MMOs I’ve played so far and I really hope that Funcom (note: ‘m’) will get it back on it’s feet and make it survive – because if it does I’m sure it will be a greater game…
Sure, I only made it to something around lvl 55 with one character, but this game is so much more than levels and items to me.
Unlike other MMOs iv’e played it had some really nice storylines (well, the main story wasn’t that great accually, but the others were), interesting characters (it was accually fun to talk and listen to them!) and the most beautiful music and eye-candy in an MMO ever in my opinion. There were times I just pressed the ‘Toggle walk/run’ -key when sitting on my fine brown horse, riding down a valley in the Cimmerian mountains and just looked at the beautiful scenery and listened to the music, sensing the awesome atmosphere. Until some power-leveling dude came jumping past me, killing animals on-the-fly just for the XP.
Oh well, that’s atleast what I liked (and the reason I think many others don’t) about AoC – it was more than finding a new sword or reaching a new level. It had ‘immersion’.

By: Zyrusticae

Zyrusticae — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:39:37 +0000

I’m saying it was a precedent they set, and that people should have been wary of playing a game at launch made by a company that’s known for the worst MMORPG launch ever.

Or are you saying a company’s development history is entirely irrelevant?

By: Scott B

Scott B — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 08:06:20 +0000

Anarchy Online’s launch is totally irrelevant, unless you want to prove that you’re accomplished at paying for garbage.

By: Zyrusticae

Zyrusticae — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 06:08:18 +0000

I wonder what all these people calling them ‘FUNCON’ would’ve said if they played during the release of Anarchy Online.

I also wonder how many of these people were also there for the release of Anarchy Online and made the mistake of playing at launch a second time.

Hey, nobody said you had to buy the game immediately first thing it was released, especially from a company that has the precedent one of the worst MMORPG launches ever. But I guess it’s human nature to go for the shiny new thing first chance they get…

That said, this game is not a freakin’ atrocity. Aside from the incompleteness, the game is the best MMORPG I’ve ever played, and as I’ve said before, I’ve also played Everquest, Everquest 2, WoW, SWG, Eve, CoV, and Vanguard. I think, or at least, I hope, I know what I’m talking about here. Yes, the launch was a travesty. So was the launch of Anarchy Online. I know, some of you expected them to learn from their mistake the first time, but the sad truth is that, well, that happens less often than you’d think. But after all the launch bugginess was fixed and content added, the game’s really become quite solid.

It’s got great graphics, combat that isn’t horribly repetitive like every other MMORPG on the market, a variety of interesting quests with writing that’s above the par of other MMORPGs, lots and lots of violence (and references to sex), and a great low-fantasy setting that’s entirely unique to this particular game. I like it. I like it plenty. I really don’t appreciate it being called an atrocity, unless you also use that term to describe most of the other MMORPGs on the market. And then your standards are just ridiculously high anyways, so why bother telling anyone else?

…That said, they desperately need to introduce a trial. Even if they merge the servers, they’re still going to need an influx of new blood, after all…

By: Michael Pearson

Michael Pearson — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 01:34:35 +0000

Give me a free weekend and I’ll come back. In a few months. Once I’m bored of Fallout, Far Cry, Lich King (not a big raider), Mines of Moria.

Did they fix the weird graphics slowdowns? A 8800GT should not be doing <20fps in a boring city area but 40+fps near a lovely mountainside…

By: Scott B

Scott B — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:14:14 +0000

Newsflash for FUNCON, too little and too late.

By: Brian English

Brian English — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:53:00 +0000

i agree. i may try it if there was a trial but theres not so nopes.

By: h4plo

h4plo — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:10:08 +0000

I really would love to play this game, but .. I’m not blowing 50$ when there really should be a trial for it by now.

By: Novotny

Novotny — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:32:30 +0000

Has it got better? I played solidly for two months after release and then meh’d.

By: sindre

sindre — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:24:19 +0000

bah, i’m tired of all the people bashing this game. And I am certain there will be more bashing in future comments.