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Conan Exiles

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Conan Exiles
Item: Conan Exiles
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2018

GenresFantasy, Adventure, Action, Third Person Perspective, Open World, Simulation, RPG, Fighting, Strategy, Single Player, Multiplayer, First Person Perspective

AvailableMay 8, 2018

PlatformPlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

DeveloperFuncom

Overview

Conan Exiles is an online multiplayer survival game set in the lands of Conan the Barbarian. Enter a vast, open-world sandbox and play together with friends and strangers as you build your own home or even a shared city. Survive freezing cold temperatures, explore loot-filled dungeons, develop your character from a lowly peasant to a mighty barbarian, and fight to dominate your enemies in epic siege wars. Conan Exiles can be played in full single-player, co-op, or persistent online multiplayer.

Elsewhere

5.3

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

28%

Mixed (50-79)

69%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The critics' opinions on the story of Conan Exiles are varied, with some positive aspects highlighted. Critical Hit mentions that the game starts with a compelling premise of being exiled and crucified in a desert wasteland, with the story unfolding gradually through interactions. Eurogamer Italy and Push Square appreciate the survival aspect of the narrative, emphasizing RPG elements, character development, and the harsh desert environment players must navigate. TrueAchievements and IGN commend the open-ended storytelling approach, where players are encouraged to create their own narratives through exploration and discovery. These elements contribute to an immersive and engaging experience for players, allowing for personal investment in the game world. However, several critics express negative sentiments towards the story of Conan Exiles. Digitally Downloaded criticizes the lack of a true Conan experience and a narrative beyond generic dark fantasy with nudity, indicating a missed opportunity to fully embrace the Conan lore. We Got This Covered and GRYOnline.pl also highlight the absence of a meaningful story mode, with players having to craft their own narratives through gameplay. This lack of a cohesive and detailed narrative may lead to a disconnect for players seeking a more structured storytelling experience, potentially impacting their overall engagement with the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards acknowledging Conan Exiles for its immersive survival gameplay and the freedom it offers players to shape their own stories in the harsh world of Conan the Barbarian. While the game may lack a traditional narrative structure, the emphasis on survival, crafting, and exploration resonates positively with many reviewers. IGN's mention of carving one's own tales of high adventure, alongside Gamer.nl's praise for rewarding dungeons worth exploring, reflects the game's strengths in providing a rich and engaging world for players to delve into. Despite some criticisms regarding the lack of a cohesive story mode, the overall sentiment suggests that Conan Exiles succeeds in delivering a compelling survival experience set in the brutal and unforgiving universe of Robert E. Howard's creation.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics have mixed opinions on Conan Exiles' story. Some praise its immersive survival gameplay and open-ended storytelling, allowing players to create their own narratives in a harsh desert world. However, others criticize the lack of a true Conan experience and a cohesive narrative. Overall, while the game excels in player freedom and exploration, it falls short in delivering a structured storytelling experience.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

58%

Mixed (50-79)

38%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Conan Exiles are predominantly positive. Critics such as COGconnected, Digital Chumps, and GamePro Germany highlight the engaging survival and crafting elements of the game. They praise the focus on challenging gameplay, character progression, and the deep crafting system that allows players to gather resources, build shelters, and level up their characters. The flexibility in play modes, addicting gameplay loop, and the ability to customize attributes and abilities are also appreciated by reviewers like Critical Hit and Eurogamer Italy. On the other hand, some critics express concerns about certain aspects of the gameplay in Conan Exiles. Metro GameCentral mentions imprecise combat and an overemphasis on resource-gathering, while GameSpot on Xbox One criticizes the monotonous and unsatisfying gameplay with a steep learning curve and confusing crafting system. TheXboxHub notes that acquiring basic supplies can feel more like a chore than a challenge, and ZTGD criticizes the confusing and convoluted crafting system. These criticisms suggest that while the game offers depth in survival mechanics, there are areas where improvements could enhance the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Conan Exiles delivers a challenging and immersive survival experience with a strong emphasis on crafting, resource management, and character progression. The game's deep crafting system, engaging combat mechanics, and the freedom to explore and build in a vast world are highlighted as its strengths. Despite some criticisms regarding combat issues, learning curves, and crafting complexity, the majority of reviewers appreciate the unforgiving nature of the gameplay and the sense of accomplishment that comes from starting with nothing and building an empire. Critics like Gamer.nl and Gamer.no commend the game for capturing the essence of survival in a harsh environment and providing a deep and engaging experience for players.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics mostly praise Conan Exiles for its engaging survival and crafting elements, challenging gameplay, and deep crafting system. Some express concerns about imprecise combat, monotonous gameplay, and confusing crafting. Overall, the game delivers an immersive survival experience with strengths in combat mechanics and exploration, despite some criticisms.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

36%

Mixed (50-79)

56%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The Graphics and Visual Design of Conan Exiles have received a mix of praise and criticism from various critics. Many critics appreciated the stunning and diverse world presented in the game, with rich biomes and impressive building capabilities. GamePro Germany, for example, highlighted the unique and stunning visuals of each biome, while GameOver.gr praised the notable soundtrack that enhances the immersive experience of the prehistoric world. Additionally, Impulsegamer commended the impressive graphics, including harsh landscapes and well-designed characters. The world design and variety of locations were also lauded by 3DJuegos for excelling in creating a vast and engaging world to explore. On the other hand, several critics pointed out various technical issues and graphical shortcomings in Conan Exiles. Digital Chumps described the graphics as average and not a standout feature of the game, while Eurogamer Italy criticized the console version for its technical and graphical deficiencies compared to the PC version. Critics like Everyeye.it and Hobby Consolas mentioned issues such as fluctuating frame rates, poor animations, rough textures, and construction problems, detracting from the overall visual experience. GameSpot on both Xbox One and PC also criticized the unpolished graphics, mentioning disappearing bodies and pop-in issues as notable drawbacks. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Conan Exiles leans towards a mixed reception. While the game is praised for its stunning world design, diverse environments, and immersive atmosphere, it is also criticized for technical issues, graphical shortcomings, and inconsistencies in visual quality. Critics like IGN appreciated the rich and varied environments that encapsulate the world of Conan Exiles, while others, such as JeuxActu and PC Gamer, highlighted the lackluster graphics and poor optimization affecting performance. Despite the mixed opinions, it is evident that the game's visuals play a significant role in shaping the player's experience, with some aspects shining brightly while others needing improvement to reach their full potential.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics have mixed feelings about the graphics and visual design of Conan Exiles. While many praised its stunning world and diverse biomes, others criticized technical issues like fluctuating frame rates and rough textures. Despite some flaws, the game offers a vast and engaging world to explore, but falls short in optimization and consistency. Overall, opinions vary on the game's visuals, with some aspects shining brightly and others needing improvement for a better player experience.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

40%

Mixed (50-79)

40%

Negative (0-49)

20%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Conan Exiles are quite varied. Several critics praised the soundtrack for enhancing the gameplay experience. GameOver.gr and GamePro Germany both highlighted the notable and orchestral soundtrack that added to the immersive exploration experience. Generación Xbox and Impulsegamer also commended the fantastic and brilliant soundtrack, with Generación Xbox specifically mentioning how the sound effects like dismemberments and enemy screams contributed to creating tension and conveying the brutality of the world. On the other hand, some critics pointed out significant issues with the sound design and music in Conan Exiles. Hobby Consolas and BaziCenter mentioned technical problems and criticized the delayed and inconsistent sound effects, impacting the overall immersion and experience. PC Gamer highlighted audio sync issues, enemy AI problems, and combat animation issues that affected the sound design and music experience negatively. TheSixthAxis, We Got This Covered, and XGN also noted various audio issues such as desynchronization, delayed audio, and moments of complete silence, which hindered the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed reception of the Sound Design and Music in Conan Exiles. While some critics like Generación Xbox and Impulsegamer appreciated the epic and immersive soundtrack, others like BaziCenter and PC Gamer criticized the technical issues and inconsistencies in the sound effects and music. Vandal's positive mention of the rich and immersive soundtrack with original compositions and tracks from previous Conan games adds to the overall positive sentiment, but the negative feedback from critics like TheSixthAxis and PC Gamer regarding audio desynchronization and technical problems cannot be ignored. Despite some positive aspects, the prevalent issues with sound design and music seem to have impacted the overall experience for many critics.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics' opinions on Conan Exiles' Sound Design and Music are mixed. Some praised the immersive soundtrack, while others criticized technical problems like delayed sound effects and audio sync issues. Positive mentions of the epic soundtrack are offset by negative feedback on issues like desynchronization and enemy AI problems. Overall, the game's sound design and music receive a varied reception, with both positive and negative aspects highlighted by critics.

Voice Acting

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Summary unavailable

TL;DR

voice acting

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Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

59%

Negative (0-49)

39%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the positives for each gaming platform, some critics highlighted specific aspects of Conan Exiles that were commendable. For the PS4 version, Multiplayer.it praised the technical improvements and stable launch, indicating progress in addressing initial issues. On the Xbox One, Impulsegamer found the game enjoyable and immersive despite graphical glitches, suggesting that the overall experience was still engaging. On the PC platform, Shacknews noted that the game ran smoothly without performance issues, offering dedicated servers and mod support for enhanced gameplay experiences. Moving on to the negatives experienced on each platform, the PS4 version faced significant challenges according to various critics. Issues such as frame rate drops, glitches, bugs, and technical hiccups were commonly reported by reviewers like Digital Chumps, Eurogamer Italy, and Push Square. These technical shortcomings impacted the gameplay experience negatively, with concerns raised about stability and polish. Similarly, the Xbox One version also encountered its share of problems, including inconsistent frame rates, crashes, and immersion-breaking issues, as noted by TrueAchievements and Windows Central. The PC platform was not exempt from criticism either, with reviewers like BaziCenter and PC Gamer mentioning combat animations, frame rate drops, crashes, and AI issues that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding Conan Exiles' technical performance across all platforms is predominantly negative. The game was frequently described as buggy, with poor AI, glitches, freezes, and various technical issues that hindered gameplay enjoyment. Critics such as COGconnected, Everyeye.it, and GamePro Germany highlighted the presence of game-breaking details, rough animations, and server crashes that significantly impacted the overall experience. While some improvements were acknowledged on certain platforms, the prevailing sentiment suggests that Conan Exiles struggled to deliver a consistently stable and polished technical performance across PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The criticisms regarding technical flaws and performance issues were widespread, indicating a need for significant optimization and bug fixes to enhance the game's overall quality and player experience.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics praised technical improvements on PS4, found Xbox One version enjoyable despite glitches, and noted smooth performance on PC for Conan Exiles. However, all platforms faced issues like frame rate drops, glitches, and crashes, impacting gameplay negatively. Overall, critics criticized the game for being buggy with poor AI and technical problems, suggesting the need for significant optimization to improve player experience.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

32%

Mixed (50-79)

68%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

In terms of positives, several critics highlighted the vast amount of content and gameplay options that contribute to the replay value of Conan Exiles. COGconnected praised the game for offering hundreds of hours of gameplay with the potential for growth and improvement through patches. GameCrate mentioned the different difficulty levels and online servers with custom rulesets, providing players with varied experiences. Additionally, Generación Xbox commended the endless gameplay possibilities, especially in PvE servers, and the ability to customize single-player games for added replay value. TheXboxHub also noted the rewarding nature of the game for the effort put in by players. On the negative side, some critics pointed out issues that could hinder the overall replayability of Conan Exiles. IGN Spain mentioned that the game may feel repetitive and lacking in content after extensive exploration, suggesting that future updates are needed to introduce new features like mounts. Impulsegamer on Xbox One highlighted technical issues that may impact replayability, while TrueAchievements mentioned that technical issues on Xbox One could hinder long-term enjoyment. Vandal also noted shortcomings in areas like enemy AI and transportation options, which could detract from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Conan Exiles offers a deep and engaging gameplay experience with significant replay value. Critics like GameCrate, Generación Xbox, and TheXboxHub appreciated the variety of gameplay options, rewarding progression, and the ability to play with friends, which enhance the overall replayability of the game. Despite some technical issues and repetitive elements mentioned by critics such as IGN Spain and TrueAchievements, the potential for growth through updates and the immersive world of Conan Exiles make it a compelling choice for players seeking a survival adventure with long-lasting appeal.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise Conan Exiles for its vast content and gameplay options, offering hundreds of hours of gameplay with potential for growth. Some highlight the variety of difficulty levels and custom rulesets, while others commend the endless possibilities and rewarding nature of the game. However, concerns are raised about potential repetitiveness, lack of content, technical issues, and shortcomings in AI and transportation. Despite these drawbacks, critics agree that Conan Exiles provides a deep and engaging experience with significant replay value, making it a compelling choice for players seeking a survival adventure.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

26%

Mixed (50-79)

67%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics, it is evident that there are several positive aspects highlighted in their reviews of Conan Exiles. Critics such as BaziCenter and GameCrate commend the engaging gameplay and vast fantasy setting of the game. They appreciate the deep crafting system that allows for building unique structures and items. Additionally, GameOver.gr praises the immersive and intense experience the game offers, particularly in exploration, building, and combat within the Conan universe. The potential for improvement and captivating gameplay experience are acknowledged by Vandal, who recommends the game for survival genre enthusiasts and fans of Robert E. Howard's work. On the other hand, there are notable negative points raised by the critics regarding Conan Exiles. GameSpot, ZTGD, and PlayStation LifeStyle criticize the game for technical flaws, tedious resource harvesting, boring combat, and a slew of bugs. TheSixthAxis and Eurogamer Italy mention the lack of quality and technical issues affecting the overall experience, despite the game's potential. IGN and GamePro Germany highlight issues with combat, crafting, and technical performance that hinder the enjoyment of the game. Furthermore, Metro GameCentral and XGN point out the game's broken state, need for patience, and resource grinding as major drawbacks. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding Conan Exiles leans towards a mixed reception. While the game offers a unique and challenging survival experience with potential for improvement, it is marred by technical issues, unpolished gameplay mechanics, and lackluster graphics. Critics like Shacknews and COGconnected praise the engaging gameplay, deep crafting system, and rewarding survival elements, emphasizing the fun experience when played with friends. However, the prevalent criticism from various reviewers about the game's technical flaws, tedious gameplay aspects, and lack of polish suggests that Conan Exiles falls short of achieving widespread acclaim. Despite its flaws, the game manages to capture the essence of Conan's world and provides an immersive experience for fans of the survival genre and the Conan universe, indicating that with continued support and updates, it has the potential to evolve into a more refined and enjoyable gaming experience.

TL;DR

Critics praise Conan Exiles for its engaging gameplay and vast fantasy setting, deep crafting system, and immersive experience in the Conan universe. However, they criticize the game for technical flaws, tedious resource harvesting, boring combat, and numerous bugs. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some highlighting the game's potential for improvement and captivating gameplay, while others point out its technical issues, unpolished mechanics, and lackluster graphics. Despite its flaws, Conan Exiles offers a unique survival experience that can be enjoyable, especially when played with friends.

CRITIK

Reviews

99 reviews found

Shacknews

Jun 5, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Conan Exiles is praised as the current high water mark in open-world survival games and the biggest surprise of 2018 so far. The reviewer rates it 9/10, highlighting the engaging gameplay, deep crafting system, and the fun experience when played with friends.

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Impulsegamer

Xbox One

May 22, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Conan Exiles may lack the budget and finesse of AAA games, but it is a decent open-world survival game that successfully immerses players in the world of Conan. Despite some inconsistencies and bugs, the game's charm and addictive gameplay make it recommended for players looking for an engaging survival experience.

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Multiplayer.it

PlayStation 4

May 10, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Considered a solid and deserving title that sets a good example for early access game development.

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PlayStation Universe

PlayStation 4

May 16, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review praises Conan Exiles for its gameplay, sandbox design, and emergent player possibilities, but also mentions that there is work to do in terms of polish and expanding its feature set.

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GameStar

May 27, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game has some improvements to be made, but overall it is enjoyable and worth playing.

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GamePro Germany

PlayStation 4

May 18, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game offers a unique survival experience with a compelling story and stunning visuals. However, it still has some technical issues that need to be addressed.

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Digital Chumps

PlayStation 4

May 21, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review overall praises Conan Exiles as a great game that can be played for hours, especially in co-op mode.

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Generación Xbox

Xbox One

Jun 25, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Conan Exiles is described as a tough and demanding MMORPG, highly recommended for players seeking a survival adventure. The game offers a dynamic and hostile world, with options for alliances and a variety of things to do. The potential for the game to improve with continued support is mentioned.

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3DJuegos

May 16, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Delivers a rich and immersive gaming experience, blending action, teamwork, and survival challenges within a captivating world inspired by Conan's literary universe

TheXboxHub

Xbox One

Jun 19, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The reviewer recommends the game for fans of similar titles like ARK: Survival Evolved, praising its huge world, visuals, and building opportunities. However, they mention that crafting can get complicated and the first few hours can be a slog.

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