Aion is a MMORPG that at the time of this writing is only days away from being launched on servers in the U.S. and Europe after earning itself an incredibly good reputation in Asia where it has been played for a couple of years now.There are some obvious similarities between World of Warcraft and Aion, but under the covers it’s a very different game! This is a very unique game, with stunning visuals and graphics that will appeal to the most hardened WoW fan – while also improving and innovating in many areas of gameplay.
What’s different about Aion then? Well, for one thing, you can fly–once you reach Level 10 and become a Daeva, no matter which one of the four human classes you are, you can fly. And–with your own wings! You don’t need a magical steed or to hop a ride on some mandrake as inWoW. Flight is an integral part of the Aion gaming experience for all concerned.
The basic premise of Aion is that there are “angels” and “demons” (actually both are factions of humans/Daevas who grew apart after the breaking of their original world of Atreia; so neither one is evil or good, but both factions readily believe that the other guys are indeed plenty evil and need to be obliterated) who are at war simultaneously against each other and against a third common enemy: a group of “fallen dragons” whose hubris started this never-ending war in the first place (yeah – it’s Satan and the Fallen Host of Heaven). The evil dragons are AI-controlled NPCs; you get to choose an “angel” or “demon” human character to play.
Talking about characters, the character creation process is hugely detailed and has a dazzling array of options for customisation. In fact–do you want to see a Condoleezza Rice with a big bust flying through the air? Easily done. Want to make yourself in the image of your favorite super hero? Whatever you want.
Surpassing even graphically stunning games like EVE Online, the visuals in Aion have amazing detail, and are probably the best we’ve seen from any MMO to date. Yes, probably better than WoW. There is also a great soundtrack by famous Asian New Age music composer Yang Bang Ean. As far as movement and control, you get the feeling that you’re some cyborg with a data-feed chip stuck in your brain who is otherwise looking out on a very real world. The game’s Crytec servers even give you independently created and player-inspired storylines.
Finally, Aion introduces you to a dizzying “PvPvE” situation: Player vs. Player vs. Environment. You’ll find yourself facing up against other player-controlled characters, while simultaneously fighting off NPC demons, and random AI monsters who will wander into the area.
Does Aion herald a revolution in MMO gameplay? It could well be!