Having experienced Aion now up to level 20 with a ranger, I thought I make a post about few things.

I liked my first experience with this game. Was not expecting too much, but was pleasantly surprised. Like I have said before in this forum, the game feels like a hybrid between WoW and Lineage 2. It is very easy to get into, but is quite a bit more difficult than WoW. (which I personally welcomed).

Playing Devil's Advocate here...(after following comments from games like AoC)

Immersion - the game world is not seemless, you have zones. You change zones with teleporting or scrolls (have to be purchased).  Zones themselves have been seemless so far and very nicely designed.

Instanced  Zones - at least early zones were instanced, having been in the second instance most of the time.

Flying - major selling point is very restricted at least up to first 5 zones you get access to. In fact, you can hardly fly at all. Also the flying time is so short that you hardly have time to do anything. Cooldown is also too long to make it that useful anyway.

Restrictive Classes - there really aren't many ways to differentiate your characters. You have no points to assign to either talents or skills. You have something called Stigmas, which give you extra skills. At the maximum level you can assign 5 different Stigmas. However, there really aren't that many different ones either. So you probably will have a set that you use for PvP and a set you use for PvE. The second thing you can do is assign "gems" called Manastones to your equipment which boost your stats slightly (like Physical Critical or Magic Boost). Again, there are specific stones that are very good for certain classes, so you cannot really differentiate yourself much with these either.

Crafting - While the items you can actually craft are pretty useful, the skill-up process itself is really tiresome. All you need is the game currency and lots of it...after that it is extremely boring repetition until you get your skill high enough level to be able to manufacture something useful. Instead they could have made you pay 100k to level from 1-99 and 250k from 100-199, it would have had the same effect without extremely boring grind with Craft Requests from your trainer. Note: you actually do not have to use any crafting materials you have gathered to make these requests, just have to buy certain items from the vendor (also close to the crafting station).

Linear Theme Park - while the environments are quite nice, the gameplay itself is very linear. Some will like it and some will hate it with passion, this is not a sandbox MMO for those who are still wondering.

Cut Scenes - without voice acting reduce the experience.

The game will do ok but not great. It needs more western chacter creation and looking armor, Grathering and crafting need work, English voice overs or ability to turn off Aisian grunting.

Yeah I agree with most of it.  The thing is though the game changes quite drastically once you get past level 25 ish and into the Abyss where a lot of this would not apply.  The crafting and class restrictions are still there, but the crafted items are useful even at end game, and the classes are supposedly very well balanced as a result of the restrictions.  Also in 1.5 they added a ton of customization options for classes which we will launch with. 

@elsa:  I think that the grunting is not asian, but a made up language similar to the Sims.  The thing is Aion is already doing really well and they don't need our subs to continue to thrive.  I doubt we will see any of those things, but I think Aion will still do very well worldwide.  Not saying the devs don't care about the west, but their priority will be to expand on the core game while leaving NCWest to port stuff over to our version as fast as possible.  NCWest seems to be doing a very nice job so far.  In the end though this is a Korean game aimed at a worldwide audience. 

It is however quite easy to create characters that don't look anime or asian at all, and the only asian armors or clothings I see are little gimic things like ceremonial robes.  This is a fantasy game with a unique setting.  I don't see where you are seeing so much eastern influence.  The sounds do sound a bit asian, but again I think they are a made up language.

Originally posted by ProfRed

Yeah I agree with most of it.  The thing is though the game changes quite drastically once you get past level 25 ish and into the Abyss where a lot of this would not apply.  The crafting and class restrictions are still there, but the crafted items are useful even at end game, and the classes are supposedly very well balanced as a result of the restrictions.  Also in 1.5 they added a ton of customization options for classes which we will launch with. 

If what you saying happens then i might change my opion, I bought the collectors edition and will be there at least the first month. Problem is when your a gamer you tend to look at a game differnt from the Buisness point of view.

I think the only game to offer a complete char creation/view reworking was EQ2 and it was to appeal to the East because it's sales were down.  I did enjoy have the two different styles and being able to create 2 char looks and switch between it in the menu, but at the same time it didn't feel right so I wouldn't really want this option. 

The point is, this game has a major Achilles heel.  Transportation is 2nd class in this game.  Flying is a joke, and there are no mounts.  Hope you enjoy running everywhere, because that is exactly what you do.

As I stated in another thread .... there is a huge way to make yourself unique. Even though you dont distribute points you still have stigmas and Manastones.

The better your gear is the more slots you have , the more slots you have the more unique you can build yourself.

Since we`ll start at v 1.5 that Patch itself adds 90+ new Stigmas.

Originally posted by Zorndorf

How would you know ?

You weren't at the end game and 1.5 is not even published. The game is out 1 year now in Korea, in fact it launched before War.

War is done than ? :))))

I am always surprised why always the same hoppers jump from game to game.. And every time invent things and hype things just because THEY play it (for the next 3 months).

It must be something in their blood I guess.

They play it so they think they are the center of the universe.

Huh?  I don't hype it if you dig up my 'Some words on Aion' post you will see I am fairly unbiased and find many faults in Aion.  I know this because I have friends that are level 50 in KAion, and numerous people I chat with online that are that are at end game.  I know what is in 1.5 because they have published the notes. 

WAR was a lot of fun to me for the first few months.  So was AoC.  I got my moneys worth for sure.  I play every MMO I can at launch and try to see the good the devs have created and almost always get my moneys worth.  I am critical though at the same time.  Don't mistake optimism for fanboy hype.

Originally posted by Zorndorf

Originally posted by ProfRed

Yeah I agree with most of it.  The thing is though the game changes quite drastically once you get past level 25 ish and into the Abyss where a lot of this would not apply.  The crafting and class restrictions are still there, but the crafted items are useful even at end game, and the classes are supposedly very well balanced as a result of the restrictions.  Also in 1.5 they added a ton of customization options for classes which we will launch with. 

 

How would you know ?

You weren't at the end game and 1.5 is not even published. The game is out 1 year now in Korea, in fact it launched before War.

War is done than ? :))))

I am always surprised why always the same hoppers jump from game to game.. And every time invent things and hype things just because THEY play it (for the next 3 months).

It must be something in their blood I guess.

They play it so they think they are the center of the universe.

 

 

1.5 is definately being released with NA, states it on NCsofts website http://www.aiononline.com/us/, i have tested these features and yes there new customisation options (eye color e.t.c), new stigma's e.t.c. (all tested on korean Test servers)

Originally posted by thexrated

Having experienced Aion now up to level 20 with a ranger, I thought I make a post about few things.

I liked my first experience with this game. Was not expecting too much, but was pleasantly surprised. Like I have said before in this forum, the game feels like a hybrid between WoW and Lineage 2. It is very easy to get into, but is quite a bit more difficult than WoW. (which I personally welcomed).

Playing Devil's Advocate here...(after following comments from games like AoC)

Immersion - the game world is not seemless, you have zones. You change zones with teleporting or scrolls (have to be purchased).  Zones themselves have been seemless so far and very nicely designed.

You are right, it's not seamless, but still way better than AoC, EQ2, WAR IMO, and very well designed as you said.

Instanced  Zones - at least early zones were instanced, having been in the second instance most of the time.

All PvP zones are non-instanced, that means that once you go to any zone which has rifts or the Abyss, it's only the one instance. Most of the 20+ zones are non-instanced. I actually prefer the early levels to be instanced as there's only the one starting zone, so you can imagine the insane amount of people crowded, kill stealing, it's chaos overall!

Flying - major selling point is very restricted at least up to first 5 zones you get access to. In fact, you can hardly fly at all. Also the flying time is so short that you hardly have time to do anything. Cooldown is also too long to make it that useful anyway.

Flying is a HUGE part of the game 25+ in PvP, you can fly anywhere in the Abyss and other PvE zones have more areas you can fly in than the early levels.

Restrictive Classes - there really aren't many ways to differentiate your characters. You have no points to assign to either talents or skills. You have something called Stigmas, which give you extra skills. At the maximum level you can assign 5 different Stigmas. However, there really aren't that many different ones either. So you probably will have a set that you use for PvP and a set you use for PvE. The second thing you can do is assign "gems" called Manastones to your equipment which boost your stats slightly (like Physical Critical or Magic Boost). Again, there are specific stones that are very good for certain classes, so you cannot really differentiate yourself much with these either.

Actually there are going to be 8 stigma slots, 5 for the basic stones and 3 for the advanced stones, purchased through Abyss points.

Also, From the 1.5 patch notes (the version Aion is launching with in EU/NA):
"- 93 types of "Basic Stigma Stones" and "Advanced Stigma Stones" have been added in this update.
  - 6 new Advanced Stigmas have been added for each class, and they can be purchased with Abyss Points."

This is still not enough for most players however, but it's one of the things NCsoft is known to be focusing on next, as shown in the latest patch.

Crafting - While the items you can actually craft are pretty useful, the skill-up process itself is really tiresome. All you need is the game currency and lots of it...after that it is extremely boring repetition until you get your skill high enough level to be able to manufacture something useful. Instead they could have made you pay 100k to level from 1-99 and 250k from 100-199, it would have had the same effect without extremely boring grind with Craft Requests from your trainer. Note: you actually do not have to use any crafting materials you have gathered to make these requests, just have to buy certain items from the vendor (also close to the crafting station).

Crafting is tiresome, a money drain, boring etc.. however it's worth it. Depending on which craft you focus on, it will be a great source of income once you get high enough in the skill. I think it's safe to say that it's kind of a big part in the game and very meaningful. I agree that it's tiresome, but I wouldn't want a fun easy way to craft as everyone and their granny would max out crafting and it would be a huge blow to the game economy, and the prestige of achieving such a feat.

Linear Theme Park - while the environments are quite nice, the gameplay itself is very linear. Some will like it and some will hate it with passion, this is not a sandbox MMO for those who are still wondering.

Yep, Aion is linear especially for the first 20levels. A lot of people are going to be giving up on the game after playing through those levels, which is a shame as lvl25+ is what the game is really about.

Cut Scenes - without voice acting reduce the experience.

Voice acting are going to be in the game at launch, no worries there! 

No HORSE???? OH NO I QUIT!!!

Gees... people if you actually play the game long enough, you would know there are different ways to run faster and fly longer

1. Ranger can transform to add 10% or 20% faster running speed. (maybe more not sure since only lvl 16)

2. buy scrolls to increase your running speed and flying speed

3. Certain class has charge

4. USE POT to increase your flight time

5. Get better gears i.e. absyss armor or accessaries to increase flight time

6. Gliding can let you escape from mobs if you are good at it or get you to the place you need to be if you know how.

Level 32 Cleric on Region 9 Chinese server

Originally posted by Zorndorf

Originally posted by ProfRed

Yeah I agree with most of it.  The thing is though the game changes quite drastically once you get past level 25 ish and into the Abyss where a lot of this would not apply.  The crafting and class restrictions are still there, but the crafted items are useful even at end game, and the classes are supposedly very well balanced as a result of the restrictions.  Also in 1.5 they added a ton of customization options for classes which we will launch with. 

 

How would you know ?

You weren't at the end game and 1.5 is not even published. The game is out 1 year now in Korea, in fact it launched before War.

War is done than ? :))))

I am always surprised why always the same hoppers jump from game to game.. And every time invent things and hype things just because THEY play it (for the next 3 months).

It must be something in their blood I guess.

They play it so they think they are the center of the universe.

 

 

Uhm .. Go back to tetrix plz ;)

Originally posted by Elsabolts

The game will do ok but not great. It needs more western chacter creation and looking armor, Grathering and crafting need work, English voice overs or ability to turn off Aisian grunting.

The character customization is better than any western mmo(probably any mmo period w/ maybe the exception of city of heroes).  The crafting is better than most MMOs, and actually gives you some of the best gear.  And the armor art is bar none the coolest armor in the industry, their artists are absolutely spot-on for armor and weapon design.

I do agree w/ the English voicovers.  And  alot of the npc mobs need to look less like pokemon.

Originally posted by MrSeb

Originally posted by Zorndorf

Originally posted by ProfRed

Yeah I agree with most of it.  The thing is though the game changes quite drastically once you get past level 25 ish and into the Abyss where a lot of this would not apply.  The crafting and class restrictions are still there, but the crafted items are useful even at end game, and the classes are supposedly very well balanced as a result of the restrictions.  Also in 1.5 they added a ton of customization options for classes which we will launch with. 

 

How would you know ?

You weren't at the end game and 1.5 is not even published. The game is out 1 year now in Korea, in fact it launched before War.

War is done than ? :))))

I am always surprised why always the same hoppers jump from game to game.. And every time invent things and hype things just because THEY play it (for the next 3 months).

It must be something in their blood I guess.

They play it so they think they are the center of the universe.

 

 

 

Uhm .. Go back to tetrix plz ;)

Here the link to 1.5 thats ALREADY OUT !!!!

http://massively.com/category/aion

the voiceover will be added with the next patch ..

and what's wrong with pokémon? :b

Originally posted by Zorndorf

How would you know ?

You weren't at the end game and 1.5 is not even published. The game is out 1 year now in Korea, in fact it launched before War.

War is done than ? :))))

I am always surprised why always the same hoppers jump from game to game.. And every time invent things and hype things just because THEY play it (for the next 3 months).

It must be something in their blood I guess.

They play it so they think they are the center of the universe.

 

 

Maybe he played the Korean and Chnese version? Read up on reviews written by gamers that play on foreign Aion is also possible.

Orange part: 

Yup, they paid for it so they should be able to treat it how they like.  If you bought it for them maybe then you might have a say.

Originally posted by thexrated

Having experienced Aion now up to level 20 with a ranger, I thought I make a post about few things.

Restrictive Classes - there really aren't many ways to differentiate your characters. You have no points to assign to either talents or skills. You have something called Stigmas, which give you extra skills. At the maximum level you can assign 5 different Stigmas. However, there really aren't that many different ones either. So you probably will have a set that you use for PvP and a set you use for PvE. The second thing you can do is assign "gems" called Manastones to your equipment which boost your stats slightly (like Physical Critical or Magic Boost). Again, there are specific stones that are very good for certain classes, so you cannot really differentiate yourself much with these either.

 

You know what happens when you put talent points into a game?  Everyone specs damn near exactly the same way anyway.   It's not a big deal.  The stigma system +manastones will give just as much of a character difference as the average skill point game.

 I agree with most of what the op said, still going to be playing it anyway.

But one thing is going to go off when when this game goes live and anyone who has played any beta knows what it is and its the flight , or " Bird in cage" flight as you can only fly in what feels like a invisable dome , its really pointless gimick that they have been touting it off as you can fly ouuu aww its amazing when its really pritty shite. So expect to see this forum and any offcial forum they have on the day of release catch fire from the flames of angry gamers who feel lied to.

Also really disapointed in the linear starting Zone i say Zone as there both pritty much the same for each side, Same quests diffrent mobs names diffrent skin , i think the map is even the same just flipped around but i havent  put them side by size so im not 100% sure about that. 

This game wont have huge numbers , i think if they had more starting zones , and bigger less linear it could pull in more people.

The only thing i agree with is the restrictive flight.

Its not a smart move to give players wings,  a major selling point of the game, and having it so restricted. It will turn a few players away for sure.

Does it really get less restrictive though? I know the Abyss has no limitations but how about the PvE zones later in the game? Are there any zones where you can actually fly ALL around in?

 Well i only got to 21, And that zone was kinda wide open pritty big like , Couldnt fly apart from the initial town and maybe some quest hub in the area, didnt get to see all of it. I could glide pritty far there as places are elevated over each other you can jump from some bug height  and glide around , also running out aether and droping to your death if your not carefull.

Originally posted by thexrated

The second thing you can do is assign "gems" called Manastones to your equipment which boost your stats slightly (like Physical Critical or Magic Boost). Again, there are specific stones that are very good for certain classes, so you cannot really differentiate yourself much with these either.

This is the only other false statement in the OP that hasn't really been addressed yet.

Customization with manastones is actually a very big deal.  What type of bonuses you specialize in for your equipment makes a big difference in gameplay.  You downplay this customization option as no big deal, or everyone of a certain class will have the same setup.

That is just simply not true. 

For example if you are a Gladiator and want to do more damage you would focus on damage increasing or +crit manastones, but this will leave you with less defenses and open to magical attacks.

On the other hand you could focus on +magic resist and be able to plow through mages, but if you came up against another melee character you will probably get taken down.

Or you could go middle of the road and be able to resist some magic, or take some melee damage.  You will live longer, but won't be able to kill as easily.

This is just one example using 2 of the available manastone types, there are many more combinations you can do, obviously.