This is the first major expansion for the MMORPG Age of Conan: Unchained, requiring the base game. Released in 2010, it introduces the exotic eastern lands of Khitai, adding new zones for levels 20-40 and four high-level zones for level 80 characters. Gameplay focuses on unraveling a deep corruption narrative through hundreds of new quests, battling unique monsters, and acquiring specialized gear. Distinctive features include new Asiatic-themed environments, enhanced DirectX 10 visuals, and original music, significantly expanding the world's scope.
The core appeal of this expansion lies in its introduction of Khitai, a setting steeped in Asiatic atmosphere within the established Conan universe. Players will traverse new overland regions, moving from the grassy steppes to areas featuring purple pagodas rising from dense, vine-choked bamboo jungles. The narrative centers on unraveling a deep corruption threatening this ancient empire, a story that directly follows the upheaval caused by King Conan's own actions in the region, presenting players with morally complex political intrigue.
This expansion provides content tailored for a wide spectrum of the existing player base, ensuring relevance for both mid-level adventurers and veteran players:
The expansion enriches the core RPG mechanics with fresh challenges and rewards. Players will encounter all-new monsters, necessitating adaptation to new combat scenarios. Success in these endeavors yields countless new rewards, including unique weapons and comprehensive armor sets designed specifically for the Khitai regions. Furthermore, the narrative structure is enhanced through hundreds of new quests that integrate dramatic storytelling techniques directly into the high-level gameplay experience.
A notable feature accompanying the geographical shift is the integration of enhanced graphical fidelity. The expansion leverages the capabilities of DirectX 10 to bring the visual style of the East to life, offering enhanced visuals and new graphical features that provide a fresh aesthetic contrast to the rest of the Hyborian world. This visual update is complemented by original music composed by Knut Avenstroup Haugen, specifically crafted to convey the unique Asiatic atmosphere of the new zones.
As of its release and current information, this specific expansion stands as a singular, substantial content addition to the base game, without subsequent downloadable content (DLCs) or further expansions built upon it.