Conan Exiles: A Brutal Survival Sandbox in Hyboria

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Conan Exiles, developed and published by Funcom, is a survival sandbox game set in the brutal and unforgiving world of Conan the Barbarian. Released in full in 2018 after a period in early access, the game plunges players into a world of exile, forcing them to scavenge, build, and conquer to survive.

The core gameplay loop revolves around crafting, building, and combat. Players begin stripped of their possessions and must quickly gather resources like stone, wood, and fiber to construct basic tools, clothing, and eventually, shelters. As they progress, they can learn new crafting recipes and build increasingly complex structures, from humble huts to imposing fortresses.

Survival in Conan Exiles is multifaceted. Hunger and thirst are constant threats, requiring players to hunt, gather resources, and find water. The environment itself is hazardous, with extreme temperatures, dangerous creatures, and treacherous terrain posing significant challenges. Combat is visceral and impactful, featuring a combination of melee and ranged weapons, as well as the option to tame and control animals and even summon colossal avatars of the gods.

Key Features and Mechanics:

• Open World Exploration: The Exiled Lands offer a vast and diverse environment to explore, ranging from scorching deserts to frozen tundras, each with unique resources and challenges.

• Building and Crafting: A robust building system allows players to construct a wide variety of structures, from simple shelters to elaborate cities. A vast crafting repertoire enables the creation of weapons, armor, tools, and decorations.

• Thrall System: Players can capture and "train" NPCs, known as thralls, to perform various tasks such as crafting, fighting, and entertaining.

• Combat and Divine Avatars: The combat system is challenging and rewarding, requiring players to master different weapons and tactics. Players can also progress to the point of summoning colossal avatars of their chosen god, wreaking havoc on their enemies.

• Multiplayer: Conan Exiles can be played solo or with others in online multiplayer. Players can form clans, wage war against rival factions, and build vast empires together.

• Lore and World Integration: The game draws heavily from the Conan the Barbarian universe, with locations, characters, and lore elements that will be familiar to fans of the source material.

Reception and Considerations:

Conan Exiles has received mixed to positive reviews. Critics have praised the game's expansive world, engaging building system, and brutal combat. However, some have pointed to issues with performance, bugs, and a steep learning curve. The game has also been criticized for its sometimes-controversial depictions of slavery and nudity, although this can be adjusted in the game's settings.

Conclusion:

Conan Exiles offers a challenging and rewarding survival experience in a brutal and unforgiving world. Its engaging gameplay loop, expansive building system, and multiplayer options provide a wealth of content for players to explore. While the game is not without its flaws, it remains a popular choice for fans of the survival sandbox genre and those who enjoy the Conan the Barbarian universe. Prospective players should be aware of the game's challenging nature and potentially controversial content before diving in.

Have you ever played Conan Exiles if so, what are your thoughts? Personally, it is one of my go-to games! I always seem to find my way back to it even when I take a break from gaming. Admittedly, I must admit it does have some buggy moments and that can be quite frustrating; however, the vast options that the game provides make up for it. The developers have recently stated that they are currently working on addressing the issues with the game and its performance. They have stated that the game wasn't expected to get as big as it did and the platform needs to accommodate the popularity of the game. Personally, I can't wait to see how the gameplay will be once the developers fix the issues.

Let me know what you think in a comment below!