Age of Conan is finally coming of age. It is becoming the MMO we were all wising for at release. With its recent update 1.0.5.4, it is getting even closer to what we all are looking for. Details for the latest update can be found here at FunCom and the TOG AoC thread (stop on by and say hi).

So what is new and why should I care you ask?  Well, a lot has been introduced that we wish was in the game at release time. 

PvP

PvP has been implemented. PvP gear, PvP levels, the Murder System (watch the ganking) and the Criminal System (don’t come to town or the guards will getcha!).

Crafting

Quite a bit can be said about the ups and downs of crafting, but I found that it is easily possible to level crafting at a steady easy manner and have seen that the items have been modified to make their attributes easier to understand and make more sense. This makes it possible to know what the benefits are for what you are actually making and not have to be a rocket scientist with formulas.

A new game designer was brought on to revamp the Gem System. The results are that we have new PvE gems, and new PvP gems that both follow a socket and color system. The new system also presents rare gems which can be found from boss encounters. Sockets can be reused, so if you want to replace a gem with a better one, you can. So you are no longer stuck with old gems.

Combat and Balance

FunCom is consistently improving the mechanics and balance of each class. Barbarians and Bear Shamans got the love this time around. We all love the new and improved Fatalities.

Leveling and Dungeons

They have improved leveling with improving exiting dungeons by modifying Boss encounters, mob locations and additional instances. They have also provided new realms for the high level warriors to travel. Tarantia Commons has quite a few scoundrels and pickpockets to look out for and of course Xibaluku brings some additional level 80 fun. Xibaluku feels and looks like a real dungeon and not some hastily created instance. You will find that the way the encounters are scripted make the instance even more fun.

So what is on the horizon you might ask? Well we are looking forward to what comes out of GameCon in August. FunCom has announced that they will be giving us a glimpse of the first Age of Conan Expansion. Not a lot of details but since they have gotten the majority of the player whishes completed I see that they will be able to get to new content and continue to implement the Conan lore that we all have been wanting to be a part of.

Overall with its new leadership FunCom has become more focused on what the player base needs and is looking for. The cities are busier than ever with more guards, more merchants more citezens and yes more whores. So if you are looking for some blood, gore and a little flesh being flaunted, stop on by the TOG Age of Conan forums as well as online in the beautiful world of Hyboria.