Aion Open Beta

[lokyst]

For all those wanting to get a free trial, the Aion Open Beta will soon be upon us.

http://na.aiononline.com/en/news/aions-open-beta-pre-select-and-headstart-programs.html

The ludicrous speed download will apparently become

Comments

[dnaltews]

What's compelling about Aion? How does it stack up against FFXI and other MMO's past?

[lokyst]

This wasn't aimed to be an advertisement so much as a "You can find me here" post, but here goes.

Right now I would say it's major selling point is that it's not something I've been playing for 4+ years, but that is probably selling it short.

It's got amazing character customization and gorgeous landscapes. As much as I enjoyed Warcraft for the mechanics the cartoony graphics never gelled for me. Unlike FFXI levelling progression can be done solo and there are the standard kill quests for experience or you can grind I suppose, but I actively dislike grinding mobs for experience with no "reason" after FFXI.

There are PVE instances, but it seems world PVP plays a major part in the game -- including something which the devs have dubbed PVPVE which seems to be shorthand for "the Big Bad NPCs will come gank you if your side is doing too well", but I haven't gotten that far in the beta so it's all hearsay.

You also get frigging wings at level 10. :E

[dnaltews]

Yeah, I think I got the grinding-critters-for-optimal-xp out of my system in my two years and change in FFXI. I've poked at WoW a couple times but, yeah, the art style doesn't grab me and maybe FFXI broke me, but it just seems too easy in some ways (like there's virtually no risk at all). The Aion art I've seen does look pretty nice.

How's the world / quests / backstory? FFXI wasn't perfect but I really enjoyed the sense of place the various zones had and the big story arc mission stuff was often fun.

I should just check out open beta and see for myself, I guess.