So what's this game like? I'm shopping around for a new MMO and this always seemed kinda interesting because it tried to be a bit different, from what I understood. What's the end game like? Does it turn into another raid grind?
It *IS* different - if only you can stomach MMO combat, it's a unique action/adventure game with challenging content and minimal handholding. If you look for more traditional MMO features - it may not be for you.
The story part is tailored for solo experience - there's a big weight put on atmosphere and lots of missions require a slow approach (reading, hacking, sabotaging). Quests are generally very creative and even "go kill" ones are executed well. There's enough of that to sink ~200h and totally disregard the MMO part (which is not required to progress).
Setting mixes Lovecraft-ish mythology with historic events, real-world phenomena and cliches from Gaiman, Barker and King - but puts that into modern world where people know what's a cell phone or internet (some characters even use twitter). It has serious tones, but is also pastiche-y and ironic.
Finally - it has high production values: it's fully voiced, has cutscenes for majority of missions, there are tons of unique and beautiful locations/assets (hopefully you saw that if you visited screenshot thread).
Dunno what you expect of endgame - there is no new content released weekly (or even monthly), at some point you will have to repeat stuff to keep playing. But like I said - there game is very big and has almost no filler IMHO. Even the smallest quests give a bit of flavour and sometimes provide unique lore.
Since the recent currency revamp, all content gives the same rewards (except Kaidan) - you never waste time even if you move back. The only difference is speed - doing endgame content pays more.
Disclosure: I was featured on official Age of Conan website, also I 've invested roughly 1300€ in Age of Conan and The Secret World
