I tried it to lvl 22 and I will admit the game is fairly nice to look at, definately top 5 grahics-wise, but not nearly as impressive as the hype-  This is not a comment on end game or PvP. It is about an immersive quality, PvE experience.

Conan and Lotro are more detailed and prettier imo.

Wings are cool, but the story details and the quests to support that story are clearly 'bolt-on' (although overall world history/concept is cool) . Every single quest is kill this, grab that. And you will run, alot. Needs mounts, the flying is used in a small portion of the PvE experience, so far. Also, the lack of many instances ruin the game imo. Instances help with immersion and this game is really a means to get to end game, made pretty.

It's a grind unless you do not consider endless running around and kill x quests, not grind. I think  that it is personally. Writing real story chains and solid mission chains requires alot of creative effort and the quests in this game are simply using game mechanics; chanigng the scene, monster and rewards, over and over and over again. Nothing custom hardly at all.  There are a few lame cut scenes. Also the crafting is very unimaginative imo.

The game has merit, but if you are a person who also likes PvE, I would be shocked if you do not end up as bored as I am. Cannot bring myself to login... If you need immersion on the way to end-game, this is not it.

One gamers .02

That seems to be a common trend of the new MMOs.

Good PvE = crap PvP.

Good PvP = crap PvE.

Hopefully someday a dev team will come along and balance it all out.

Yes, sadly, it is pretty typical MMO fare in the quest department. Go here and talk to this person, kill x mobs, or collect x thingies. That is a theme in AAA list games these days. It seems you need to find a non-mainstream game to find something different. NCSoft tried to create quality quest text, but there are only so many excuses you can mask that sort of quest with.

The engine... I was surprised at it. I think the characters and their armor have more texture and model detail than those in LOTRO or AoC. However, the environments (and ground) don't look as detailed to me.

I would argue there are just about enough quests to level to 20 without grinding if you're willing to do every single quest (including a couple repeats).

I like the storyline and world lore, and personally, those early-on cutscenes kind of dragged me in.

I really do think that the purpose of playing Aion is to level up and then participate in PvP. While you can play PvE content only, you're missing out on a major selling point of the game.

Originally posted by Elreic

It's a grind unless you do not consider endless running around and kill x quests, not grind.

Enter any MMO name here.

I think you're playing the wrong type of game.

/agree

Polished korean grinder / less harsh version of lineage 2, exactly as advertised. Tough to find an inspiring mmo experience there.

Having to go out and trying to find quests as well as doing repeats is a grind to me.  Having the ability to choose between quests, is not a grind.

No mmo is without the grind.

Saying Aion Isn't quality pve due to quest stacking is wrong. the truth is every MMO sucks when it comes to pve stuff like quests and storytelling.

For a person like me I would rather have my nuts smashed by a sledge hammer than play a quest stacker.

I don't even mess with quest stacker MMOs anymore, I would rather just play a single player rpg or action/adventure.

Originally posted by Elreic

I tried it to lvl 22 and I will admit the game is fairly nice to look at, definately top 5 grahics-wise, but not nearly as impressive as the hype-  This is not a comment on end game or PvP. It is about an immersive quality, PvE experience.

Conan and Lotro are more detailed and prettier imo.

Wings are cool, but the story details and the quests to support that story are clearly 'bolt-on' (although overall world history/concept is cool) . Every single quest is kill this, grab that. And you will run, alot. Needs mounts, the flying is used in a small portion of the PvE experience, so far. Also, the lack of many instances ruin the game imo. Instances help with immersion and this game is really a means to get to end game, made pretty.

It's a grind unless you do not consider endless running around and kill x quests, not grind. I think  that it is personally. Writing real story chains and solid mission chains requires alot of creative effort and the quests in this game are simply using game mechanics; chanigng the scene, monster and rewards, over and over and over again. Nothing custom hardly at all.  There are a few lame cut scenes. Also the crafting is very unimaginative imo.

The game has merit, but if you are a person who also likes PvE, I would be shocked if you do not end up as bored as I am. Cannot bring myself to login... If you need immersion on the way to end-game, this is not it.

One gamers .02

Its seems as if you don't like MMO's in general. All MMO's are grinders.  Make a friend and chat with them while you quest. Thats what an MMO is about, not soloing to 50.  If you are go play on a console. Every MMO has quest where you kill X and return for reward.  The twist is how they do it and how you chose to play. Clearly, AIon is not for you. Your not going to like every MMO out there so saying you will be surprised if people are not bored is kinda silly.
 

Originally posted by Elreic

I tried it to lvl 22 and I will admit the game is fairly nice to look at, definately top 5 grahics-wise, but not nearly as impressive as the hype-  This is not a comment on end game or PvP. It is about an immersive quality, PvE experience.

Conan and Lotro are more detailed and prettier imo.

Wings are cool, but the story details and the quests to support that story are clearly 'bolt-on' (although overall world history/concept is cool) . Every single quest is kill this, grab that. And you will run, alot. Needs mounts, the flying is used in a small portion of the PvE experience, so far. Also, the lack of many instances ruin the game imo. Instances help with immersion and this game is really a means to get to end game, made pretty.

It's a grind unless you do not consider endless running around and kill x quests, not grind. I think  that it is personally. Writing real story chains and solid mission chains requires alot of creative effort and the quests in this game are simply using game mechanics; chanigng the scene, monster and rewards, over and over and over again. Nothing custom hardly at all.  There are a few lame cut scenes. Also the crafting is very unimaginative imo.

The game has merit, but if you are a person who also likes PvE, I would be shocked if you do not end up as bored as I am. Cannot bring myself to login... If you need immersion on the way to end-game, this is not it.

One gamers .02

Well of course this game is a grind fest, its based off of a Chinese/Korean version what did you expect? Ive been saying this on this forum for over a year and all I got was flamed for stating what has happened. Lmao. Aion is just another Auto Assault fail.

I always found grinding groups in other games to be decent enough fun, and it makes a change from 99% solo games where youre all passing by each other. Solo grinding on the other hand is a total pain in the arse and can be mind numbing if the enemies are tough.

Originally posted by Unive

Originally posted by Elreic

I tried it to lvl 22 and I will admit the game is fairly nice to look at, definately top 5 grahics-wise, but not nearly as impressive as the hype-  This is not a comment on end game or PvP. It is about an immersive quality, PvE experience.

Conan and Lotro are more detailed and prettier imo.

Wings are cool, but the story details and the quests to support that story are clearly 'bolt-on' (although overall world history/concept is cool) . Every single quest is kill this, grab that. And you will run, alot. Needs mounts, the flying is used in a small portion of the PvE experience, so far. Also, the lack of many instances ruin the game imo. Instances help with immersion and this game is really a means to get to end game, made pretty.

It's a grind unless you do not consider endless running around and kill x quests, not grind. I think  that it is personally. Writing real story chains and solid mission chains requires alot of creative effort and the quests in this game are simply using game mechanics; chanigng the scene, monster and rewards, over and over and over again. Nothing custom hardly at all.  There are a few lame cut scenes. Also the crafting is very unimaginative imo.

The game has merit, but if you are a person who also likes PvE, I would be shocked if you do not end up as bored as I am. Cannot bring myself to login... If you need immersion on the way to end-game, this is not it.

One gamers .02

Well of course this game is not a grind fest, its not based off of a Chinese/Korean version what did you expect? Ive been saying this on this forum for over a year and all I got was flamed for stating what has not happened. Lmao. Aion is not just another Auto Assault fail......................There fixed that for ya. :D

Originally posted by Lathander81

Originally posted by Elreic

I tried it to lvl 22 and I will admit the game is fairly nice to look at, definately top 5 grahics-wise, but not nearly as impressive as the hype-  This is not a comment on end game or PvP. It is about an immersive quality, PvE experience.

Conan and Lotro are more detailed and prettier imo.

Wings are cool, but the story details and the quests to support that story are clearly 'bolt-on' (although overall world history/concept is cool) . Every single quest is kill this, grab that. And you will run, alot. Needs mounts, the flying is used in a small portion of the PvE experience, so far. Also, the lack of many instances ruin the game imo. Instances help with immersion and this game is really a means to get to end game, made pretty.

It's a grind unless you do not consider endless running around and kill x quests, not grind. I think  that it is personally. Writing real story chains and solid mission chains requires alot of creative effort and the quests in this game are simply using game mechanics; chanigng the scene, monster and rewards, over and over and over again. Nothing custom hardly at all.  There are a few lame cut scenes. Also the crafting is very unimaginative imo.

The game has merit, but if you are a person who also likes PvE, I would be shocked if you do not end up as bored as I am. Cannot bring myself to login... If you need immersion on the way to end-game, this is not it.

One gamers .02

Its seems as if you don't like MMO's in general. All MMO's are grinders.  Make a friend and chat with them while you quest. Thats what an MMO is about, not soloing to 50.  If you are go play on a console. Every MMO has quest where you kill X and return for reward.  The twist is how they do it and how you chose to play. Clearly, AIon is not for you. Your not going to like every MMO out there so saying you will be surprised if people are not bored is kinda silly.
 

All MMO's are like that until there's one that's not.

"You're so concerned with squabbling for the scraps from Longshanks' table that you've missed you're God-given right to something better"

LOL what dont people complain about, Now its the grinding, before it was instancing in AoC,.....Aion is a solid game, the grinding is no different then any other mmo out on the market, People should definitely pick this game up, it has alot of unique and different things going on in the higher lvls, thats what makes this game awsome, I look forward to the higher lvls, thats what makes this game, and the journey to there is spectacular

 The OP does sound almost how i feel. And quite frankly maybe mmo's aren't my thing anymore. I keep going from game to game trying to find something that captivates me and keeps my interest. I think i don't mind the grind so much when i have more control over my characters development? Not sure.

 At least in a skilled based game i knew what i was working towards with the grind in these preplanned classes it just doesn't seem worth it to me. I have zero control on how my character turns out in the end and what he can do. So I always end up making tons of alts trying to find a class that i really enjoy. It typically turns out i like some parts of the class but not others. Like ranger i loved the range/melee/traps, but the dps was horrible, my cleric did more dmg.

 To compare to another game before its change swg was nothing but a massive grindfest but i enjoyed it cause i got to choose what skills to pick next and what to work towards, even wow with it's talent tree could kinda keep your character fresh with trying different builds and testing them out. So far in Aion it is straight kill kill kill get next lvl grab new skills....kill kill kill lvl up grab new skills. And i know some ppl actually really enjoy it, i can even bring myslef to play it now and again. I just want ....more.

You guys don't know what grind is.

Aions fine.

Why so many people hate this game so much and still server has long Q time.... Gees, please QUIT the game, so my guild members can get in and we can do dungeons and PvP......

Im 23 and like the PvE content so far. Its stuff we've seen in other games but a bit more challenging, and leveling takes a little longer so I tend to join exp groups.

well whatever you are saying about grinding there are definetely not enough quests to do in order to level.. im 21 and for the last half level i had to repeat the same 2 quests for 4 times, kill3x10 mob gather 15crystals again and again and unfortunately judging from what i c it is going to be the same until 25 dunno how you call it but this is boring and it turns me down :P

 lol some havent rerolled in wow in a long time or have been powerleveled too much and dont remember what leveling is like ¸<

as for raid there are lot of them but then again your too hasty reach level 40 then post a comment like that lol

by thy way you do know this game has lot of pvp mingled into the raid right

gees people dont play to end game then come here whine go back to wow without posting lol

if you dont want to level a toon in any game dont play or go ask a gold seller to powerlevel you gees