Out of Character

Is it just me, or does this game feel like it's optimal when there would be a lot of quick back and forth between players and the GM? Everything flows pretty smoothly, but there appears, in my (very) limited experience with this game a lot of discussions about the ways a PC could handle a situation. It's not a bad thing, but I'm getting the sense this game flows much differently in a live session.

You're very much right. I played Conan at a con and the quick directions from a GM on each roll take no time, making combat feel fast and gritty, but each interchange stretches out hugely in PBP.