Age of Conan: Unchained vs Merek's Market
Age of Conan: Unchained
Age of Conan: Unchained is an MMORPG that's based on the timeless classic comic and TV series, Conan the Barbarian. Featuring one of the best fantasy-themed lore, the game also has a very unique action-based combat system that, despite its steep learning curve, is comparable to that of TERA... though, we'd say that combat in this game is much more varied. You can weave spells, attempt to capture battlekeeps with massive siege machines and even enjoy some good ol' mounted combat that is surprisingly not at all too clunky. However, you should bear in mind that this MMO has been around for quite some time, so the graphics in this game might be a tad bit old fashioned.What we love the most about Age of Conan is that the game actually rewards players who go off the beaten track and explore the secret corners of the world that questlines will never bring you to. The shift from being a subscription-based MMO to becoming a free-to-play MMO has been very well-received too, mainly because it injects a certain amount of much-needed players into its population and well, it allows newcomers to try the game out at no cost.
All in all, Age of Conan is a solid MMORPG that is very well-suited for players who like to explore and a challenge. Hardcore fans of Conan may want to try this game out as well, even if it's only to experience the different storylines in the game.
Merek's Market
Merek's Market is a whimsical shop simulation game with time management elements, putting you into the running shoes of a shopkeeper in a medieval fantasy period where adventurers are aplenty. Craft and sell a huge variety of useful items, be it armor, weapons, potions, or even… pottery, serve your customers as quickly as possible, and try to upsell your items whenever they decide to haggle!As you play, the levels get increasingly more difficult, making that shiny gold rating a real achievement to get. The game also comes with a host of twists to its gameplay, spicing up the typical time management levels with mini-games and funny dialogues.
If you’re a fan of time management games, Merek’s Market offers the kind of gameplay you seek with a couple of nice twists, slathered with enough tongue-in-cheek humor to make you bark out a laugh once or twice on every level. Although I’ve not tried the game’s co-op, its single-player mode is already very entertaining to play, and challenging too, if you’re aiming for that shiny gold rating. Highly recommended!