Hi guys, made a similar thread a few weeks back but narrowed this one down a bit. Population is absolutely essential to me, if it doesnt have a healthy player base and good future ahead I don't want to invest time into it! I like PVE and PVP and don't really mind the balance as long as both do exist. Which do you recommend?

Cheers!

I think that Aion probably has a higher player base just because its newer and they just added 2.0 update recently. However on a personal basis I wouldn't waste your money on either. 

But based on your question - Aion. 

I played Aion up to level 35 at release (extreme grind) and from 35-45 since 2.0 (much less grindy but still quite a chore without a fun group)

I also played AoC up to 80 and it was a much higher quality experience all round (i played at release, quit cos it was dire, and then resubbed 6 months ago).

both can be enjoyable with good groups, AoC has higher potential to be enjoyed alone, and in groups imo. it has better immersion, better gfx and music imo, and much more enjoyable zones.. it's just a better product in every regard, and last i checked 3 months ago it was very healthy.

Hope you find the one you enjoy most.

AoC is a great game all around. They have brought a lot of changes that have improved the game in the last 2 years. The unfortunate thing is that because it had such a bad launch, many people never came back. If you don't mind a lower population, but a GREAT game, then AoC is for you. If population is your main thing, Aion would be the way to go.

If you are worried about player base, I really wouldn't worry with either of these games. While there are a lot of haters about the grind of Aion and the brokenness of AoC at launch, both have large amounts of people playing. People don't complain about the population now.

I played them both and I liked them both.  Aion still has issues with making you sweat blood endgame, which is why I finally quit it.  I just read too many forum posts about people talking about how impossible it is to do certain things end game.  I just don't see how a company like NCSoft thinks that frustrating your players and punishing them for things that aren't their fault like random rolls makes a game fun. 

AoC however is a great game and would be my vote.  Aion punishes you for making it to high levels.

Out of these two, I've only played AoC and just started that recently. I'm just now at the point where you do the last quest in the starting area before branching out at level 20+/-. I've loved it so far. I like the more adult-themed gameplay. The combat system is a nice change from some of the other MMO's I've tried. It keeps you on your toes more for those combos and also regarding the best areas to hit your target, based on their moving defenses.

I can only play the game on medium graphics on my PC, but it still looks nice. The original UI is horrid compared to the recent MMO's I've tried, so I had to DL a few new ones to make my life easier. It's probably been the best starting experience I've had on 1 character so far. I don't know how repetitive it is if you're an alt-aholic though...

The community seems pretty helpful so far. I've grouped/helped with some people when needed and we've promised to stay in touch as we play. I think there are only 2 PvE servers, 1 PvP server & 1 RP server if I'm not mistaken, but it still has those options available depending on what you're in the mood for, which is nice...

So my biased vote so far is for AoC out of these two, but I also want to try Aion....ha

Gutlard Out!

IMO 

If you want an asian grind heavy game with lots of PvP but lacking content, then Aion. It uses the Crytek game engine tough I can't say it shows.

If you want a western EQ questing style with some PvP and respectable amount of content, then AoC, don't forget AoC got boobs'n blood   The graphics is very good, music is awesome, combat is fun,  population is good. I like the brutal feel to the setting, tough the core mechanics is very similar to EQ/WOW so a little more of the "same old" but with some interesting twists that make it interesting.

Personally I wouldn't touch a grinder game with a 5 metric meter long pole, but I hear some people like that. AoC is, despite bad launch and doomsayers, quite a fun game now days, and one of the few worthy of a subscription.

Having played both AoC and Aion, I would say go with Aion. The game is just more in depth than AoC. Aion has a  healthy population and isn't really grindy. I would compare it to vanilla Wow right now as far as leveling goes.

I might add that I had to grind in the early days of AoC far more than I had to grind in Aion. Once you hit 80 in AoC there isn't much to do except the weekly raid. At least Aion has meaningful crafting. Aoc's melee combat is cool but I don't think it's enough to put it over Aion. The world is just so beautful.

Originally posted by kyrusosis

Having played both AoC and Aion, I would say go with Aion. The game is just more in depth than AoC. Aion has a  healthy population and isn't really grindy. I would compare it to vanilla Wow right now as far as leveling goes.

Depth in Aion? Its grind grind grind and shitty PvP in the end. AoC is better in almost every way: better graphics, better music, better quests and character development, better combat, better endgame content (yes, since RoTG expansion there is more to do at level cap, then in Aion). So the choice is obvious

Like I said before both games aren't worth the money imo they both have their underlying core mechanics that are shit in my opinion. 

AoC combo system isn't the greatest for pvp, the whole mage vs melee is dumb. 

- This is pretty much the same in Aion except its for flight pvp, melee is shit in flight pvp in comparison to range. 

Both are core mechanics of the game and both are stupid concepts that deter some hardcore pvpers. 

I wouldn't touch Aion after all the reports of players accounts becoming compromised/stripped/banned. At least FFXIV has proper security measures i place to prevent this from happening.

For that reason alone, I'd prefer to take a shot at AoC.

I have been having alot of fun in AOC really good game now.

A better question would be

Do I want Mc Donalds or do I want Burger King?

Both suck, but make good fast food when in a rush or need to eat and there is nothing else.

AoC imo, the server tyranny is dead from what I hear so I would play on Wiccana if you prefer PVE and Cimm if you prefer PVP.

Originally posted by Explorium

A better question would be

 

Do I want Mc Donalds or do I want Burger King?

 

Both suck, but make good fast food when in a rush or need to eat and there is nothing else.

KFC you pleb, it tastes the best by a significant margin.

Game-wise: AoC; reasons in other posts.

HOWEVER, the community (at least on Crom EU) was ballachingly crap. So, yeah, be warned.

So I have played about 10 or so hours of each...Aion felt like WoW Asia! Very grindy, dull..AoC on the other hand is very very good! Are you guys that say it sucks talking about its early release? I am having a LOT of fun with it...Seems like a great game, though I'm only level 11

AoC, Aions grind is hopeless and AoC is kinda fun even if the game needs another expansion, the content are still thin for some levels.