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What the hell are you playing? That's the message I keep getting over Xbox Live. Usually this will be accompanied by an invite to play a certain other game that has recently appeared by the name of Halo 3. Yes folks, in the week that the world finished the fight THQ released Conan into the video game world and I've been delving through the Hyborian world with Conan the Cimmerian and his trusty swords.
So should you rush to grab a copy of Conan now that you've finished the fight and Master Chief has been killed/saved/re-born or whatever happens in the end? No, probably not. Now don't get me wrong here I actually quite like Conan, mainly because of its simplicity and button mashing fun which I find quite entertaining but also because there's no pressure to 'perform'. No matchmaking playlist, no shottys or snipers, no oddballs or bubble shields and best of all no Timmies screaming how much they love 'pwning' me. There's just me, Conan, some bad guys, some big bosses and a trusty sword (or two).
Now before all the hate mail arrives I do actually like and enjoy Halo 3 but sometimes I just need to step back from the world of competitive cock-waving and 'stat' whoring and just play a 'game'. Conan is my current choice. If you've played Lara Croft Tomb Raider before then just imagine Lara with a few more muscles and a gruff voice and that's the game we're talking here. Simplistic puzzle/platform action with waves of baddies and an end of level boss to defeat. A wealth of moves are offered to which Conan will whirl in a frenzy, hacking, slashing and generally causing pixel chaos. My favoured attack entails using two swords and results in the rather unpleasant removal of any nearby foes arms. A move which - albeit satisfying on its own - results in more pleasure as the 'Achievement Unlocked' notice pops up and you realise you may just be favouring that particular attack a little too much. 500 limbs removed. Ouch. Bet that hurt.
As the game progresses the bad guys get tougher, they fight a bit smarter and their quantity increases. End of level bosses require multiple 'attacks' to defeat and this will require some quick 'QTE' skills at times to progress at certain action points. Dragons need slaying, Giant Elephant skeletons must be thwarted and rumours of a Giant Squid on the next level are keeping me playing. Along the way the health power-ups are plentiful and hidden treasure chests can be sought out for wealth and yes - achievements! Scantily clad ladies require rescuing at regular intervals and once rescued many of them thank Conan with the cry 'Thank you, crush me with your love Conan!' alas there are no suitable button presses to perform that particular action however.
If you enjoy the Tomb Raider style games then give Conan a chance. The puzzle elements are nowhere near as complex, usually just requiring a correct set of button pushes to progress. The graphical style of the game is good, game play enjoyable and overall it's simple gaming fun, nothing too taxing and nobody to laugh at you when you die or call you a n00b when you miss an easy target.
If I had to score Conan then I'd rate it as a 6.8, in comparison to similar games it stands up quite well, It's not a 'must-buy' title by any means just harmless, slashing, button-pressing fun and a welcome diversion from the pressures of competitive online play. 
 Readers have left 5 comments. Quote(1) nice.02-10-2007 09:32:40 Much as i'm enjoying H3 (though id enjoy it more if i came something better than 2nd) its good to know theres other games out there for when my internet dies.
Had my eye on the stuntman game too. Quote(2) Stuntman02-10-2007 09:35:34 I tried the demo and wasn't enthralled by Stuntman. Seems pretty tough and unforgiving, I'm not big into frustration these days, I need simple fun and all the hair I can keep for now thanks!  Quote(3) 1st one was fun02-10-2007 09:43:26 Though you're right, 99% frustration 1% joy that you completed it and get to be frustrated at another level.
Heard this one is easier? Quote(4) Might be me...02-10-2007 09:47:02 Didn't play the first one, I just found the demo frustrating and the odd bit of review I've read has hinted at it being pretty tough throughout so I've left it alone myself. Still need to play the ruddy Jericho demo - I keep forgetting.... Quote(5) oh yeah02-10-2007 10:13:58 I'll fire that up when i get home.. only 15 mins of work left :P
Did i mention im only 80% until march? moahahahah!! |
