[edit] Aion: Post release date impressions.

[drakenabarion]

Right before replying to this thread, lets just forget about WOW, the term WOW killer, or dominating MMO scene. That is not the purpose of this thread.

Right, so Aion has finished its pre-order headstart run, and I must say that I am very pleased with this game. It has lived up to whatever expectations I had built. And most importantly, battling is not just a case of clicking on an enemy and waiting for the stats to roll whether you survive. Also leveling up is not dependent on just killing the same mob over and over. Quests also add to experience, meaning you dont have to be bored killing that same type of fungus, orc, or bird amd you can just get into the game and enjoy it.

So what are your opinions on Aion? Whether you have played it or not. (again, none of that WOW killer stuff).

 

[SquirrelPants]

I never really was interested in it, but it's made by NCsoft, ain't it? Their games tend to be pretty damn good. *Goes to look up some more info on this game*

 

[Kajt]

Yeah, it's good. I haven't even reached level 10 though.

 

[loremazd]

I hit 17 and i'm really feeling a big pushback on momentum. Really to level up in this game you have to do every single quest available, every -single- quest. Even doing so i'm looking at grinding out the next 3 levels in the same area killing Krall with a group. And though gorgeous, the thought of leveling alts doing the -exact- same quests in the exact same zones in the exact same order is just making me feel blah.

I'll get to the abyss and see if it's any better.

 

[DazZ.]

Does it have a free trial? If so, I'll check it out. Games that don't have free trials or demos always make me suspicious - Like they're hiding something...

Only just came out, I'm sure it will do in a month or two. I'm waiting until then aswell to decide.

 

[drakenabarion]

As far as I know there is a trial. NCsoft have trials for all their other game so there should be no difference here.

 

[thehoff]

I was wondering whether or not to get this game, heard there were long waiting times for the servers so might see how that gets sorted. Glad you enjoyed it, perhaps someone will right a review in the review section soon.

 

[Void(null)]

Did NCsoft ever drop GameGuard?

I played the Early access beta and that had gameguard so I never bothered picking up a retail copy.

 

[Midniqht]

Did NCsoft ever drop GameGuard?

I played the Early access beta and that had gameguard so I never bothered picking up a retail copy.

They dropped GameGuard at release to ensure that things would go smoothly, however there is no promise that they wont try to bring it back.

I love it so far... played all the betas, got my headstart and have been playing it all week.

 

[Void(null)]

That's a shame.

I would pick up Aion in a heartbeat if I knew there was a promise that GameGuard would never rear its ugly head again.

I'm half tempted to pick it up and just drop if it NC ever puts GG back in... on the other hand, I really don't want to support that "Drop it now for the publicity, add it later when people are invested" mentality.

 

[A Weary Exile]

...battling is not just a case of clicking on an enemy and waiting for the stats to roll whether you survive.

That was always my primary complaint with MMOs (And the pointless fetch quests) But the combat is different you say? How so?

 

[MentalBakura]

I guess some people will look for a fight even when you go out of your way to make the point that the thread isn't here to pit the game against WoW. Anyway, I played in some of the betas, and made my character in early access, but I haven't actually started my paid time yet. CD key's still sitting in the box waiting to be revealed. I might start tonight, or tomorrow, dunno.

 

[Aloran]

That was always my primary complaint with MMOs (And the pointless fetch quests) But the combat is different you say? How so?

It's more or less the same as WoW, except not as good.

I would be inclined to disagree. I for one feel that the combat is far more intuitive and requires more focus.

 

[tsolless]

I guess some people will look for a fight even when you go out of your way to make the point that the thread isn't here to pit the game against WoW.

You cannot ignore WoW when talking about Aion.

A game can be discussed on its own merits.

If you can't, personally, then don't join a thread where that is what is asked.

 

[drakenabarion]

Aion = pointless grinding for grinding's sake. You don't even get new equipment because quests don't give you any, drops are rare and crafting is effectively impossible due to the ridiculous scarcity of the required materials. Leveling up is very slow, combat is mind-numbingly boring, and you can't really use your flying ability either. I deleted my characters, cancelled my subscription and uninstalled the game a day ago.

I am not sure how you have this problem, but I am sorry that the game didnt work for you. Of course, it is always up to you whether you play a game or not, so I hope you enjoy whichever game you do move onto. And if that happens to be WOW, then all the better for you. Like I said, this thread is not intended to be about comparisons.

In my experience of playing the game, I have found that equipment drop rather easily, and there are many other drops that can be sold for crafting, etc. Materials need to me mined or collected if you want to go along the paths of crafting. They are plentiful with a little effort, but you don't need to craft if you dont want to.

Also there is plenty of opportunity for playing in groups. And flying is very important later in the game. So you cant fly in the starting zones. Is that really such a problem when there are many areas after that?

That was always my primary complaint with MMOs (And the pointless fetch quests) But the combat is different you say? How so?

It's more or less the same as WoW, except not as good.

I would be inclined to disagree. I for one feel that the combat is far more intuitive and requires more focus.

Battling requires more attention. I found that WOW, and some other MMOs, battling meant you just click on a mob, auto attack, and wait until it dies, or die waiting for it to die. Occasionally you get a combat skill in there somewhere.

In Aion, there is a nice setup for combos and skill chains that require attention. Its not just about "Who is wearing the biggest boots" etc. Timing of skills becomes important. Which makes the experience much more interesting.

I mean sure, the game may not be for everybody, and sure it might have a few faults here and there, but by and large, I have had a pretty damn good experience with this game so far.

[Edit] I am editing the thread title because the title "Aion is great" isnt all that great of a title.

 

[Flying-Emu]

I found it rather bland. The combat wasn't nearly as amazing as it was made out to be, and I didn't really get a chance to sink my teeth into the PvP aspect of it.

I dunno, I'll probably check back in with it in a few patches, see if they bumped the XP rate a bit.

 

[Flying-Emu]

Aion = pointless grinding for grinding's sake. You don't even get new equipment because quests don't give you any, drops are rare and crafting is effectively impossible due to the ridiculous scarcity of the required materials. Leveling up is very slow, combat is mind-numbingly boring, and you can't really use your flying ability either. I deleted my characters, cancelled my subscription and uninstalled the game a day ago.

I am not sure how you have this problem, but I am sorry that the game didnt work for you. Of course, it is always up to you whether you play a game or not, so I hope you enjoy whichever game you do move onto. And if that happens to be WOW, then all the better for you. Like I said, this thread is not intended to be about comparisons.

In my experience of playing the game, I have found that equipment drop rather easily, and there are many other drops that can be sold for crafting, etc. Materials need to me mined or collected if you want to go along the paths of crafting. They are plentiful with a little effort, but you don't need to craft if you dont want to.

Also there is plenty of opportunity for playing in groups. And flying is very important later in the game. So you cant fly in the starting zones. Is that really such a problem when there are many areas after that?

That was always my primary complaint with MMOs (And the pointless fetch quests) But the combat is different you say? How so?

It's more or less the same as WoW, except not as good.

I would be inclined to disagree. I for one feel that the combat is far more intuitive and requires more focus.

Battling requires more attention. I found that WOW, and some other MMOs, battling meant you just click on a mob, auto attack, and wait until it dies, or die waiting for it to die. Occasionally you get a combat skill in there somewhere.

In Aion, there is a nice setup for combos and skill chains that require attention. Its not just about "Who is wearing the biggest boots" etc. Timing of skills becomes important. Which makes the experience much more interesting.

WoW is not about who has the biggest boots. It's about who can apply skills in the proper situation at the proper time. For example, if my 80 Protection Warrior in full PvP gear fights a mage the same way he fights a Death Knight (Concussion Blow, Three Devastates, Shockwave, Disarm), he will lose. Anyone who thinks that WoW is "Auto-attack until death" needs to stop playing Rogue and play a tank, caster, or healing class.

 

[Lizmichi]

I'm indifferent. Yes the flying thing is nice but also it's a pain in the ass when you don't have much time to fly. Lvling it too easy for my taste and not picking your true class till 10 bothers me some. I like how it's PvPvE meaning there is two playable factions and one NPC faction that no matter what side you are you have to fight. In flight fights are nice but to me seems tedious. To me the game is far to easy. In beta all I had was really a 2 skill rotation and the mob was dead and I don't like how they set everyone up as this great hero. By the time they have to deal with other people they have the mightier then tho ego and that makes for bad raids. However, I'm willing to give it a try so I know for sure what it's like. I haven't been on my rogue in wow for a while and nows a good time for a new game. The single players I've been playing are lonely.

 

[Lizmichi]

Anyone who thinks that WoW is "Auto-attack until death" needs to stop playing Rogue and play a tank, caster, or healing class.

Uh... Rogues don't autoattack.

Rogues need some skill too. If a rogue auto attacks something the rogue will die first and that's just a shitty rogue if they don't even use Sinister Strike or Stealth.

 

[Flying-Emu]

Anyone who thinks that WoW is "Auto-attack until death" needs to stop playing Rogue and play a tank, caster, or healing class.

Uh... Rogues don't autoattack.

My point exactly