70 to 80 and the 'wall' theory
I've mentioned that I'm likely to be more critical of Age of Conan's 'Endgame' than my leveling experience. Partially because I can glimpse already what's there (or what isn't), but also because I've had such a good time I haven't had a lot of complaints so far.
Here's one though, I'm level 74 and I'm not too fond of Kheshatta.
That shouldn't be a big deal, but past level 75, Kheshatta is the only viable zone. This has been mostly the case since level 50, the zones overlap a little bit, but generally you don't have options. You pretty much need to go everywhere in Funcom's Hyboria if you plan to level to 80.
I hadn't noticed it so much honestly, because I guess I've been lucky: I've enjoyed the zones I've been in up to this point, with the exception of the Noble District (although I do like those Villas). I never hit any 'wall' as other have put it, not at 35 and not at 50. When some have insisted they've run out of quests, my log has been full. I suspect because I branched into several of the zones for 20-35 (I did all of Wild Lands and most of Conal's Valley) so I didn't start out early chasing red quests. Plus just the way I tackle content.
I've already put a great deal of hours into this game. I don't rush. I'm very thorough with the content and I've seen pretty much all of it to this point, aside from some of the group dungeons.
Comparing this to WoW for a moment, because it's the obvious measuring stick, there were always at least two solid choices for questing. Impressive given that they had faction-specific zones at lower levels. They did have one 'wall' though, in that sooner or later everyone had to go to Stranglethorn Vale, in fact you felt stuck in it for a long while. So after an alt or two you sure got sick of STV. I've heard it complained about many times even though on first visit it's not bad at all.
I suspect I'll find some hidden gems in Kheshatta, I haven't been everywhere in it and so far Funcom's zone design has really shined at the higher levels. There was so much that surprised me in Atzel's and I even ended up going back to Thunder River on group quests for the Prison colony which I'll enjoy a few more times too.
But I am sitting here, wondering what it's going to be like stuck in Kheshatta for months, because at this point, it's the only viable zone for both leveling and then farming at 80.
Today I went and did the Villas for the first time since about 50 or so.



Jul 7, 2008 6:52am
One simple comment
They should have stopped at level 60.
Jul 7, 2008 7:17am
You know, that's a really good point and one that honestly hadn't occurred to me. If they'd capped at 60 and all of the zones past Eigolophian Mountains were Endgame gravy, it would've worked a lot better for me.
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