Just a quick note, you can still compile the C++ portions with VC++ 2008 compiler while using newer VS IDEs. All you need is to install both VC++ 2008 and the newer VS. Then set the C++ projects to use the older compiler.
I've been using VS 2013 express for some time, including for privately testing my code against AGS compiled this way and it works just fine.
The downside is that it will require two installation of Visual Studio until those native projects will be upgraded. The upside is that the IDE is much better and the express version supports compiling both C# and C++ in the same solution. This was very useful on multiple occasions.
If, however, the consensus is to stay with VS 2008 IDE, moving to .net 3.5 is a good step forward.
I've been using VS 2013 express for some time, including for privately testing my code against AGS compiled this way and it works just fine.
The downside is that it will require two installation of Visual Studio until those native projects will be upgraded. The upside is that the IDE is much better and the express version supports compiling both C# and C++ in the same solution. This was very useful on multiple occasions.
If, however, the consensus is to stay with VS 2008 IDE, moving to .net 3.5 is a good step forward.