Conan Exiles Game Cover
Step into the Hyborian Age with Funcom’s surprising take on the survival genre.

"Conan Exiles" is a survival game set in the brutal world of Conan the Barbarian. Players must gather resources, craft tools and buildings, and survive against enemies and other players in a vast open world. With a focus on exploration, combat, and player freedom, "Conan Exiles" offers a unique and challenging experience in a rich and immersive setting.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 51,289 reviews
gameplay1,548 positive mentions
stability2,958 negative mentions
  • gameplay4,615 mentions

    The gameplay of *Conan Exiles* is characterized by its deep crafting and building mechanics, which many players find engaging and rewarding. While the game offers a rich open world filled with exploration, combat, and survival elements, it is often marred by bugs, clunky mechanics, and a steep learning curve that can frustrate newcomers. Despite these issues, the game has a dedicated modding community that enhances the experience, and many players appreciate the unique features such as the thrall system and climbing mechanics, which set it apart from other survival games.

    • “The building mechanics in Conan Exiles set the gold standard for survival games.”
    • “The world of Conan Exiles is rich and immersive, full of diverse biomes, dangerous creatures, and challenging dungeons that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
    • “The gameplay features that most set Conan apart from other survival games are: the robust building system, the ability to capture and utilize thralls, and the engaging combat mechanics.”
    • “If you're considering this game, you must go in accepting that despite its promises of immersion, the apparently persistent bugginess will interrupt your gameplay.”
    • “However, the simple mechanics of moving items from your inventory to your quickbar were broken.”
    • “The mechanics remain clunky and are often un-intuitive, so it's a pain in the ass.”
  • graphics3,094 mentions

    The graphics of "Conan Exiles" are widely praised for their beauty and detail, showcasing stunning environments and character models that enhance the immersive experience. However, players have reported various graphical glitches and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. While the game is visually appealing, some users feel that it still requires optimization to fully realize its potential.

    • “The graphics are stunning, and the environment is incredibly detailed, making every step you take in the game feel like a true adventure.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the world is large and filled with interesting things to explore.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely gorgeous, and the whole survival experience is very realistic and immersive.”
    • “The graphics of a 2005 game, and the optimization, the optimization.... I run Elden Ring easier on ultra than this game on medium.”
    • “The graphics aren't great (comparatively), the menus are not hugely user friendly and the controls can be a bit iffy.”
    • “The graphics are outdated and do not hold up well compared to other titles in the same genre.”
  • stability3,076 mentions

    The stability of "Conan Exiles" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reviews highlighting persistent bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience. While some players find the game enjoyable despite its issues, others express frustration over game-breaking glitches, lag, and unresponsive AI, leading to a consensus that the game feels unfinished and requires further polish. Overall, while the game has potential, its current state is marred by instability, making it a challenging experience for many players.

    • “The game runs great, looks great, and plays overall just great.”
    • “It looks beautiful, runs great, fun combat system, satisfying progression, and has an active Steam workshop with many interesting mods.”
    • “Game runs great on mid to low settings.”
    • “This game is a buggy, incomplete dumpster fire with more bugs per minute than a Florida barbecue.”
    • “The game can be very laggy, buggy, and glitchy at times even when playing on a high-end gaming PC.”
    • “It's really hard for me to give this game a thumbs down, 'cause Conan is still one of the most extensive survival-crafting games I've ever played and of course it had its great moments, but still, even after 6 years this game feels just unpolished and buggy.”
  • story2,755 mentions

    The story in "Conan Exiles" is often described as minimal and fragmented, with many players noting that it lacks a clear narrative or quest structure. While there are elements of lore scattered throughout the game, such as journals and environmental storytelling, the overall experience feels more like a sandbox where players create their own stories rather than following a defined plot. Some players appreciate the freedom this offers, while others express a desire for a more cohesive and engaging storyline to enhance their gameplay experience.

    • “The lore and story are really incredible, but I do wish it was expanded more with cinematics, instead of being told by notes and by NPCs.”
    • “The world is rich with lore, and the game’s sandbox nature allows for emergent storytelling.”
    • “The story is subtle and you have to look for it as the game will not railroad you towards pursuing it.”
    • “The lore is pretty good in itself, but I will say, there is a huge lack of storyline in the game.”
    • “The story in the game is fractured and there's no form of guidance whatsoever on finding the pieces of the story so you're left chasing fragments all over the world to piece it together into a speculative story.”
    • “There's virtually no story at all.”
  • grinding1,770 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Conan Exiles" is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as tedious and time-consuming. While some appreciate the immersive crafting and building mechanics that come with the grind, others find the resource gathering and leveling processes excessively repetitive and frustrating, especially in solo play. Overall, the game is characterized by a heavy emphasis on grinding, which can either enhance the experience for dedicated players or detract from enjoyment for those seeking a more streamlined gameplay experience.

    • “Building is easily done, resource harvesting is not too tedious and crafting is made very easy to do.”
    • “There's a lot of different armor and weapon sets, progression is pretty steady and not too grindy.”
    • “For a game that captures the MMO vibe, it also isn't grindy; you can get to the cap quickly, build relatively quickly, etc.”
    • “But for casual or even hardcore solo players, it can be tedious and boring at times, so that in itself might be a turn off among other things like game mechanic jank here and there.”
    • “It's not that fun to spend half a day running around, grinding resources, building up your clan's base and then getting raided by a single hacker monkey flying right over your fort defense and just ripping the whole fortress to ashes.”
    • “The game is fun and was the only open-world survival to actually hook me, other games like Rust just felt tedious.”
  • optimization1,210 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, lag, and crashes, particularly in multiplayer settings. While some users note improvements over time and commend the game's graphics, others express frustration over persistent bugs and inadequate server performance, leading to an overall perception of the game as poorly optimized. Despite these challenges, a subset of players finds the game enjoyable, especially on high-end systems, suggesting that optimization varies widely based on hardware and server conditions.

    • “The game is very well optimized and can even run well on a potato from what I've been hearing from other players who own said potatoes. One user claimed he runs a 7-year-old laptop and plays this on medium flawlessly.”
    • “This is hands down one of the best optimized, running, and looking survival games on PC. I would know because I follow and support/back nearly everyone that comes into early access that looks like it has potential.”
    • “The game has become much better optimized and has experienced no crashes to desktop in over 50 hours of playing.”
    • “After almost 5 years, the game is still unoptimized... it seems like the developers only care about selling new packs and DLCs.”
    • “This game is poorly optimized to the point of unplayability.”
    • “The performance issues are infuriating; I can run Elden Ring on ultra settings easier than this game on medium.”
  • music582 mentions

    The music in "Conan Exiles" has received widespread acclaim for its immersive and atmospheric qualities, drawing heavy inspiration from Basil Poledouris's iconic score for the original Conan films. While many players appreciate the orchestral and thematic elements that enhance the game's setting, some have noted issues with the repetitive nature of combat music, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and nostalgia for fans of the franchise.

    • “Conan Exiles boasts a beautiful and immersive soundtrack with well-done voice acting coupled with a structured UI and progression system that can be adjusted for those who prefer a more challenging or 'grindy' journey or a more relaxed, exploration and combat-focused experience.”
    • “The music is excellent and contributes a lot of feeling to the game, capturing the spirit of the Conan universe beautifully.”
    • “The soundtrack ranges from awe-inspiring to haunting and moody, with tons of influence taken from the 1980s Arnold film, making it a perfect accompaniment to the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The off/on/off/on with the exploration/combat music was so annoying that, despite the otherwise lovely Poledouris-like score, I had to turn the music off.”
    • “The background music sometimes starts mixing with its other background music.”
    • “I've had to turn off the music as whenever I load into the game I hear that same soundtrack over...and over... and over... and over... that it is doing my head in.”
  • monetization489 mentions

    The monetization model of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it as a "cash grab" due to the aggressive introduction of microtransactions, a battle pass system, and numerous paid DLCs that were previously promised to be absent. While some players appreciate the cosmetic nature of these purchases, the overwhelming presence of in-game advertisements and the perception that developers prioritize profit over gameplay quality have left a sour taste in the community. Overall, the shift towards monetization has overshadowed the game's original appeal, leading to a decline in player satisfaction.

    • “It does have cosmetic microtransactions and DLC, but they are not a must-buy to have a fun, full experience.”
    • “While it's understandable that developers need to generate revenue to support ongoing development, the way in which these monetization methods have been integrated into the game may not sit well with all players.”
    • “The monetization is relatively painless, and it is all the things that those Kickstarter MMOs with base building pretend to be.”
    • “The reason I can't recommend this is the very obnoxious monetization in this game that is creating serious issues.”
    • “Overall the game play still is good, but you can tell they are not focused on this game except for monetization and it is showing hard.”
    • “The new monetization system is just predatory.”
  • humor390 mentions

    The humor in "Conan Exiles" is often described as chaotic and darkly funny, with players enjoying the absurdity of glitches, character animations, and the game's unique nudity mechanics. Many reviews highlight the hilarity of bugs and awkward NPC behaviors, which can lead to memorable moments, especially when playing with friends. While some players find the humor charming, others note that the frequent glitches can become frustrating, but overall, the game offers a mix of fun and laughter amidst its survival challenges.

    • “But while the world looks gorgeous, the character animations can be hilariously stiff, and NPCs sometimes behave like they've been enchanted by a wizard specializing in awkwardness.”
    • “It’s brutal, it’s hilarious, and yes, you’ll die a lot—possibly in very embarrassing ways.”
    • “The game is very funny, no matter single-player or multiplayer.”
    • “The base game content itself has its bugs, some funny -- some very not funny, and eventually you will run out of content, but if you like defeating the same bosses over and over again and building houses over and over again, it might be your type of game!”
    • “This is not a full release of a game, it is so buggy it is not funny, you cannot play for more than 5 minutes without running into a game-changing bug.”
    • “I have clipped into so many tents mid-fight with an archer who just runs backwards and quick fires that it's not funny.”
  • atmosphere331 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Conan Exiles" is widely praised for its immersive and captivating environment, effectively capturing the essence of the Conan universe with rich lore, stunning graphics, and atmospheric sound design. Players appreciate the game's diverse biomes, detailed world-building, and the nostalgic feel reminiscent of the original Conan stories and films. Despite some criticisms regarding bugs and gameplay mechanics, the overall ambiance and thematic depth create a compelling experience that draws players into its brutal and savage world.

    • “The atmosphere, music, and visual design are all very fitting for the Conan setting and bring up nostalgia for the Arnie movies.”
    • “The attention to detail in the environments and the atmospheric lighting create a sense of realism and make every location feel unique and captivating.”
    • “Conan Exiles offers a boatload of content, and some very interesting features like pets, slaves, religion, full frontal nudity, sandstorms, invasions, base building, killer boss fights, crafting, planting, a big world map, captivating atmosphere, a satisfying combat system, and much more.”
    • “The game has a trash (rust/dayz like) quality in terms of visual, audio, animation, player control, etc. Many devs do not understand that a big part of survival is atmosphere and immersion.”
    • “It had no atmosphere, no story to it, no theme, and the design made no sense.”
    • “The atmosphere in some of them (looking at you wine cellar and warmaker's sanctuary) actually made me need a break; it was just too dark.”
  • replayability179 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its high potential due to extensive mod support and multiplayer options, which enhance the experience significantly. However, some users express disappointment over the lack of randomized content and limited post-completion activities, suggesting that while the game can be enjoyable for hundreds of hours, it may not sustain long-term replayability without further updates or content additions. Overall, the community-driven enhancements and sandbox elements contribute to a generally positive view on replay value, especially in multiplayer settings.

    • “The game has amazing storybuilding, great replayability, and is really fun with friends.”
    • “With so much opportunity for creativity, roleplay, and replayability, honestly I could play this game endlessly.”
    • “Conan Exiles has now become one of my favorite games due to the amount of replayability, friendly community, and great developers who continue to work with the community on this game.”
    • “The static nature of all challenges reduces the game's replay value tremendously.”
    • “There just isn't enough to this game to make it a perpetually replayable gem, and it is definitely not worth $60.”
    • “I want to thumbs up this game, but there is one fatal flaw... the map doesn't change; it's fine for 1-3 plays, but it kills all replay value!”
  • emotional69 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of feelings from players, including joy, heartbreak, and frustration. Many players express a deep attachment to their in-game experiences, highlighting moments of adventure, community, and personal loss, while also lamenting the emotional toll caused by bugs and gameplay issues. Overall, the game fosters a sense of connection and nostalgia, but it is often marred by technical problems that lead to disappointment and emotional distress.

    • “A wholesome game about making friends with the natives of a harsh and unwelcoming land, and together, overcoming many hardships to etch out a wonderful life.”
    • “The emotional high when you find the missing piece you needed to advance to the next technological level is amazing.”
    • “What I keep returning to is the atmosphere; emotionally, they pretty much manage to hit the mark completely, everything from the winds blowing through your clothes and hair, swaying the trees and plant life, to the wildlife, to the sounds and the music itself, potent with substance and just great.”
  • character development47 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the depth and variety in character design and customization, as well as the immersive world that enhances roleplaying opportunities. However, some players criticize the linearity and lack of complexity in character progression, noting that many characters end up following similar paths. Overall, while the character design is often highlighted as a strong point, there is a desire for more diverse and intricate development systems.

    • “The attention to detail in the environment and character design is commendable, immersing me fully in the harsh and beautiful world.”
    • “As someone who enjoys not just the mechanical aspects of a game but also the storytelling and character development opportunities it can offer, I have found 'Conan Exiles' to be a treasure trove for roleplaying enthusiasts like myself.”
    • “Absolutely everything I have ever wanted in a game in every aspect: open world, comprehensive character development, rags to riches survival, freedom of interaction, and awesome combat, among many other features.”
    • “One thing I always disliked about Funcom was how amazing their worlds looked, and how horrible their character design was.”
    • “You are just walking (forget mounts) around and gathering stuff and building a few bases, which you can make really big (well woopie ffing doo man) and all this you can do looking a little bit like Conan (if you want of course...and of course that's what you want :) ) and that's the whole game, really there is nothing else... no progression, no character development, no excitement, nada, nope, nothing!”
    • “Character development - not particularly complex and all toons have to follow the same paths (religions offer some small differences between them, but my knowledge of this aspect is not comprehensive enough to offer anything other than that).”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Conan Exiles

Play time

101hMedian play time
371hAverage play time
39hMain story
124hCompletionist
20-500hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 509 analyzed playthroughs

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