Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures First Look
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The greatest attraction of Age of Conan is implicit in the game's title. This isn't a game about Conan; it's a game about Hyborea, Conan's world -- and what a world it is. The game immediately impresses by dint of the sheer physical beauty of its setting. Funcom's Hyborea is a Wonderland of variegated landscapes ranging from the raw jungles of the Baruchan Islands to the stark desert of Khemi to the severe slopes of Conall's Valley. All of them offer immediate treats to the eye but even more fun for the dedicated explorer. Funcom's Hyborea is unfortunately segregated by instances into self-contained landscapes bounded by invisible walls, but when there are delicious little details waiting to be discovered with every step (check out the "road apples" in Tarantia) this is pretty minor.
Naturally, a savage land wouldn't be much fun without savage people. The game's avatar creation system is an exceptional example of its type. Players get the opportunity to adjust virtually everything about their character from the angle of their eyes to the size of their butt to the kinds of scars or tattoos they'll sport. All of it works well and creates a stunningly attractive (if occasionally scary) populace. In standard MMO fashion, players will be able to get better armor and equipment as they level up; here too, Funcom's artists shine through. While nothing a player can wear betrays the game's low-tech setting, it's always easy to tell the difference between ragged lowbie gear and higher-level loot.
