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Beautiful game. Tortage is a great looking pirate haven. Performance has not been as bad for me as some reports on the net. In fact, considering this is a beta client and supposedly not the same client the closed beta people have I am actually impressed. There are many kinks to be sure but I havent noticed anything game breaking or even close to the fiasco that was Vanguard.
Combat is without a doubt the most intriguing aspect to AoC and what Funcom intends to set AoC apart from the field. In the end it will determine its player base. Those that are drawn to it will remain. I think it is smart because as the most basic mechanic of all MMO's they have attempted to stand out. My early impressions is that it is a moderate success.
Combat is reactionary, entirely area based (no locked targeting, no target encounters). If you swing a sword whatever is in the sword's path will be hit and if not - it will not. This is a far cry from eq2 because without auto-targeting and autoattacks if you arent literally positionally facing your target and near enough to your target you simply swing for the heck of it. I like this because it is more realistic. Again, no auto targeting, you simply have to put yourself in position for a maneuver and then make it.
Spellcasting and some buffs are similar although I have not personally experienced these yet. Some buffs I know are simple group maintained spells, other temp buffs are also area defined - some circular, some out in a cone, some lateral - heal and damage spells are the same.
Unfortunately the level 13 cap is a tease only. The game is designed where its level 20 is equivalent to other games level 1! The first 20 levels can entirely be performed in a solo instance if desired with perhaps a few minimal quests or kills needed outside (at one point you may need lvl 10 to continue the series). Supposedly a classes basic abilities are not really complete until 20 and the world does not fully open to you until then - you are basically locked into doing this story line progression as best as I can tell? Because of this it seems limited to the starting zone. I don't have a clue how large the world is. I have no grasp of opposing factions. How will PvP be implemented?
I am disappointed that all classes start in same place with same story. How do you take an evil path? I am disappointed at seeing only three races and only 12 classes. Is 12 enough? Is 24 ala EQ2 and Warhammer too many?
It is good enough of a tease that I want to see what lies behind the surface and will purchase the game. It is not so awesome I am ready to throw down EQ2 and live in AoC - still hope to attain a mythical and still looking to Warhammer which IMO will be the most well rounded game available for those with a pvp bent and offer the most refined MMO from a systems perspective - its Tome of Knowledge by itself is inventive enough to have me wanting to play.
Theo
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Sounds like we will get to play till at least 20 (from email): Quote:Dear Age of Conan beta tester
We hope you are merrily chopping off Pict heads in the Age of Conan Open Beta, and that your journey in Hyboria has been a memorable one so far. You have only seen the beginning though, as we prepare an EPIC ending to your Open Beta experience.
On the 10th of May we are transforming the entire Open Beta into PvP MAYHEM, while at the same time giving you access to all which Hyboria as to offer! That is right, as we take down our servers for a short period we are at the same time changing the entire server rule-set to Free For All PvP carnage! Your servers will ALL become PvP! Participate if you dare, or make a new character and stay in the safety of Tortage!
Details:
* All servers become PvP servers. You can kill each other – no level restrictions on killing or getting killed, but you cannot PvP in the major cities.
* All level 13 characters becomes level 20. Their inventory is wiped, but they have “tons” of money and really nice equipment suitable for level 20’s. Shopping bonanza!
* You have access to ALL zones and ALL levels after level 20!
* You will be zoned to your Race’s Hub (Cimmerians – Conarch Village, Aquilonians – Old Tarantia and Stygians – Khemi)
This means bye bye Tortage! Welcome Hyboria at large, and what a blast you will have. It all starts at level 20, and then it’s up to you, but you can be sure your fellow players will do their best to stop you!
We will get back with detailed information on the exact time it starts on the official Open Beta forums at IGN, as well as on the Age of Conan forums and community site.
You may ask, why skip levels 14-20? The reason is simple – the story. We take it seriously, and we would like for you to experience it at launch.
We urge you to join us for some epic PvP mayhem on the 10th of May, and we hope you will leave Hyboria with a bloodied smile on your face.
Heads will roll!
Sincerely
The Age of Conan development team
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Sweet.
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At first, I wasn't that psyched to play this game. I thought, why would they design a game around a B movie from the 80's? Then I realized my lack of knowledge of fantasy writing and that the Conan world had existed since the 30's and is very rich in lore.
I'm loving the beta and I've pre-ordered and can't wait for the 17th. I'm thinking of starting a Tempest of Set since I tend to play healers.
I would like to join what ever server you guys are planning on joining when they release the server names (as long as it's not pvp). :-P
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Flibbertigibbit wrote:I would like to join what ever server you guys are planning on joining when they release the server names (as long as it's not pvp). :-P I will be on pvp without question. I honestly don't know if I could ever play in a PvE environment again. Theo
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Patch to the client today - I am shocked how much better the game runs after this patch - HUGE difference.
Theo
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Theodoric wrote:Patch to the client today - I am shocked how much better the game runs after this patch - HUGE difference.
Theo I decided to take the family out of town to my parents for mother's day weekend but just checking the forums this morning, I'm hearing the same thing. They must have patched in the Cheetah 2 engine. Let me know how the zones outside Tortage are as well as the pvp. Hope you guys have fun pvping today and I'll be there for sure on the 17th. I'll be on a US PVP server. Laz
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Gameplay is greatly improved. Very impressed with the new stuff we can play so far. Hopefully I can get into some pvp tomorrow. Very surprised about the size of the first overland zone I was in...reminds me of RoK in size.
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Currently in love with the conqueror. It will be my main.
Theo.
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Going Demonologist here.
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