It’s hardly worth mentioning that there were fans of the now defunct game, Asheron’s Call 2. Clearly, there weren’t enough of us to keep the game alive. Yet that doesn’t mean that we didn’t exist at all. *Smile* I tired of the game toward the end. There was no “end game” to speak of, something I wasn’t even conscious of at the time. Having graduated from AC2 to numerous other MMOs since then, I’m clearer about what was missing and why I was logging on less, as I got higher in level.
Regardless of all the launch issues, persistent bugs and lag that couldn’t be fixed to save their lives – or their game, the developers put in features that remain favorites of mine to this day. Player item persistence, seasonal landscape changes, pieces of lore and nostalgic items scattered throughout the content for “real” explorers to find. Enough places in the world of Dereth where you could run off and just “be”. A blending of leveling that employed quests and grinding in such a way that they felt one and the same – it all sort of blurred over the lines. Vaults – OMG how I loved vaults. The thrill of figuring out how to solo them by hook or by crook, was one of my favorite pastimes. That was followed by graduating to the group Master Vaults which were mass confusion, riotous and pure lag-hell fun. A reward and itemization system that didn’t dominate or decide the outcome combat. Your spec and play-style, both highly customizable, determined your success.
Some things in AOC are so opposite what I like – all the instancing and zoning. However, it’s blended in a way with other things that it doesn’t bother me at all. Later on this week I’m going to do an in-depth review of the game levels 1 to 20 including the Destiny Quest system. I want to articulate what it is that I like so much, so that you can understand where I’m coming from, in case you’re still on the fence about trying AOC. You can't go wrong with a trial. See if you can get your hands on one once they are allowed into the game.
I will go out on a limb right now and say that if you enjoyed AC2 right up until its bitter end, I think you’ll find a home in Age of Conan. It’s all there - the essence of what I loved. Like snowflakes falling on Christmas Eve. You sense the magic. You feel the wonder. You just can’t articulate why.
It's funny because I hadn't even thought of this until you mentioned it in chat the other night.
VERY true.
AC2 was the game I played when I got really excited for WoW and couldn't wait for it to launch. About a year before it closed down, I played on and off.
I still remember my sheer confusion at playing that game because it truly was my first MMOG that I gave a crap about.
You're right, there's a similar sort of atmosphere in Conan and one I'm totally digging. :)
Posted by: JoBildo | June 11, 2008 at 08:13 AM
I was feeling so alone in my appreciation for Age of Conan. I think the only people on my blogroll who liked the game are you and Bildo. I don't know why since I think this game has a lot of potential. If Funcom is able to grow the end game PvP like they claim then it could deffinitely weather the release of WotLK and Warhammer.
Posted by: Relmstein | June 11, 2008 at 10:08 AM
It's a different sort of MMO - at least in the lower levels which is all I can speak to with experience. I like those differences. I hope the things that make me like it aren't the things that didn't make AC2 popular. :-(
I'm digging it and enjoy reading the blogs of others that do too. Some of your blogs I dont comment on even when I have something to say because they want a particular ID to post a comment - *coughs @ Bildo*. I can abide those and dont maintain accounts on those popular ones listed.
You're not alone Relm. *Pats shoulder* There...there.
Posted by: saylah | June 11, 2008 at 11:16 AM
You can actually post a comment on my blog using your Typepad ID, Saylah.
Just click the OpenID button and drop the box to Typepad and use what you use to admin this blog.
That'll do.
Posted by: JoBildo | June 11, 2008 at 12:56 PM
I tried a few times and gave up. :-9 The Typepad ID always comes back invalid. I tried again today and got same thing.
Posted by: saylah | June 11, 2008 at 01:49 PM
I know this sounds odd... but did you follow the little gray box's instructions?
http://profile.typekey.com/username
I'm sorry if it's a pain, but it helps prevent the spammers. :)
Posted by: JoBildo | June 11, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Er, that link is not meant to be a link, obviously.
That's what you're supposed to type in as your username.
By example:-http://profile.typekey.com/saylah
Posted by: JoBildo | June 11, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Gosh darn it all! Enough people are starting to say enough good things about AoC that I'm probably going to have to drop LotRO and give it a try. I'm going to stay active in EVE though, so don't even think of making me turn off my strip-miners, LOL!
DAoC was my first MMO, but AC2 was my second and from the first login to AC2 I was swept up by it's sheer beauty and sense of adventurous exploration. I loved that there were places there that I felt like I was the only person for miles around, or that nobody had even been there before... I also liked that I could craft stuff anywhere that was immediatly useful (armor, weapons, etc.) If AoC is anything like that, I'll try it and probably stick with it - I haven't seen where you can buy/DL it online, is it "box only?"
BTW - Love the PDX skyline, I've lived near there twice before, once in Beaverton in the mid-80's, and then out in Hillsboro in the late-90's.
Posted by: Markosias | June 11, 2008 at 06:17 PM