Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, released on May 20, 2008, stands as a monumental achievement in the realm of video games, particularly within the expansive genre of Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs). Developed collaboratively by Eidos Interactive and Funcom, this game draws its inspiration from the iconic tales of Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Cimmerian, offering players an immersive journey into a dark and intricate universe.
The narrative unfolds in the later years of Conan’s life, during his reign as the self-made king of Aquilonia. The fragile state of Conan’s rule becomes the epicenter of the game’s plot, as players navigate through a perilous landscape filled with enemies and hostile nations. The fate of Conan’s kingdom hangs in the balance, and it falls upon the players, whether individually or backed by their guilds, to determine the destiny of the embattled king.
What sets Age of Conan apart is its commitment to providing a gaming experience tailored for adult players. The MMORPG delves into the savage, violent, and seductive Hyborian universe, staying true to both the essence of Howard’s original writings and the influence of Schwarzenegger’s portrayal in various media.
The game offers a diverse selection of playable cultures, including Aquilonians, Cimmerians, and Stygians. Each culture features archetypal character classes, with distinctions in available classes and subclasses. The Aquilonians, internally divided yet united against their barbarian neighbors, live on the edge of a kingdom known as the “Flower of the West.” Cimmerians, northern barbarian clans facing the end of their era, have King Conan I as a notable member. Stygians, masters of magical arts, worship the serpent-god Set and excel in occult and diabolic lore.
Age of Conan introduces a unique blend of singleplayer and multiplayer modes. Players embark on a singleplayer experience as a lowly galley slave, gradually building skills over levels 5 to 20 before transitioning to the multiplayer aspect. The game unfolds across diverse environments, providing a rich and dynamic backdrop of jungles, deserts, mountains, dungeons, and cities.
The gameplay evolves as players progress through in-game levels. Levels 20 and above focus on multiplayer, with subsequent stages introducing guilds, large-scale combat, interactions with King Conan, and ultimately, end-game play. Notably, the combat system diverges from traditional MMORPGs, adopting a real-time approach inspired by first-person shooter (FPS) games. This innovation immerses players in the brutality of the Hyborian universe, offering a dynamic and engaging experience.
Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, available exclusively on Windows PC, belongs to the Adventure and RPG genres. With its groundbreaking combat system, captivating narrative, and attention to adult themes, this MMORPG stands as a pinnacle in the world of video games, inviting players to explore the depths of the Hyborian universe and shape the destiny of King Conan and his kingdom.