Aion Coverage - It's live folks!

[zebano]

I'm getting the MMO itch again. What makes this worth spending money on as opposed to playing Runes of Magic or DDO for free? I really hate buying a game that I haven't trialed but so far it sounds like most of you like it.

 

[Magusigne]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
Ugh, they've got to get rid of those shops, if only for the improved aesthetics. What's the point of pouring resources into developing the artistic visuals of places like Sanctum if you can't even see past the carpet of personal shop billboards.

reminds me of this

I agree...but not entirely.

I mean..in a perfect world..people or guilds could buy shops or buildings to sell their wares. I like the idea of the harder to find/rarer vendor that sold really top shelf items which as I mentioned..the crafting system provides.

However..I think utilizing another system...almost similar to how SWG had the Trader class..having a skill system that allowed your shop to stay open for X amount of time per hour...X amount of words in your spam...X charges...I don't know. You get my point.

If they just remove the AFK dodging ability and toned it down to maybe 1 hour tops it would solve alot.

 

[Magusigne]

Originally posted by: zebano
I'm getting the MMO itch again. What makes this worth spending money on as opposed to playing Runes of Magic or DDO for free? I really hate buying a game that I haven't trialed but so far it sounds like most of you like it.

Runes of Magic IS a decent game. DDO on free mode is gimped IMHO.

This game has a very good engine...improves upon WoW in many respects. It's a bit more than a standard WoW Clone, but close enough to duplicate its formula of success.

It's been out for 2 years in Asia...which means its proven to do well and its generating enough income that they have recently had to add more servers.

Crafting system actually matters as the crafted goods are almost always better than drops. As well as the crafting system being much more interesting (to me anyways).

PvP is pretty interesting, your able to fly at lvl 10 which is pretty neat as you don't need to wait till later levels.

Artwork is fantastic...others might disagree

Combat (especially melee) is pretty good looking.

In conclusion I think that Aion has taken various variables from assorted MMO's and blended them nicely into a good looking game.

I think at the very least it's worth it's money.:beer:

 

[caivoma]

Look like the queue is gone on Azphel. I guess they lifted the soft cap?

 

[KMFJD]

Logged in just before 6, 2 hour q on Zikel....ugh , might have to switch servers if this shit continues

my only complaint so far is the the combat feels slow but i am only lvl 11 and 7

 

[Schadenfroh]

Tempted to give this game a go, but a few things holding me back...

*The possibility that this involves a heavy amount of grinding (as earlier reports indicate, but I hear that the US release version has buffed quest XP to greatly reduce it)
*Your avatar being some kind of winged creature that flies around and fights sounds... rather silly to me, even for a fantasy MMO.

I need a game that has great world (and scenario based) PvP, solid, challenging PvE with a crafting system / economy that matters.

 

[Magusigne]

*Confirmed*

AFK Stores limited to 30 minutes.

/Win

 

[caivoma]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Tempted to give this game a go, but a few things holding me back...

*The possibility that this involves a heavy amount of grinding (as earlier reports indicate, but I hear that the US release version has buffed quest XP to greatly reduce it)
*Your avatar being some kind of winged creature that flies around and fights sounds... rather silly to me, even for a fantasy MMO.

I need a game that has great world (and scenario based) PvP, solid, challenging PvE with a crafting system / economy that matters.

I can't answer your question about pvp/pve since I haven't experience it yet. I like crafting so far since I can actually make useful stuff for my level 20 cleric to wear (armorsmith) and use (alchemy and cooking). And that is just running around doing gathering as I level although these profession can be a money and time sink.
Also, from the rifting (pvp) in Mohorim (level 20 area in Asmodae), it seem like everything is land base so far.
And the private shop change is awesome.

 

[pontifex]

So, since NCSOFT MMOs have a history of being shitty grindfests, is this another one? Any trials coming out soon?

 

[novasatori]

Originally posted by: pontifex
So, since NCSOFT MMOs have a history of being shitty grindfests, is this another one? Any trials coming out soon?

yes there is a definitely a grind - if you expect to go straight to cap you will probably be sorely disappointed

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: caivoma
Look like the queue is gone on Azphel. I guess they lifted the soft cap?

I haven't run into a queue on Azphel since Tuesday.

But that might be due to the fact that Azphel is also by far the least stable of the servers -- I saw some posts mentioning at least three crashes yesterday. So the AFK shops are no longer there (at least for a while) when the server comes back up, freeing up slots. Not even a week in, and it's already earned the name "Azphail".

Glad to hear that NCsoft listened to feedback as far as the AFK shops. Things looked a lot tidier in Verteron this morning when I logged in briefly to check my auction house listings.

Now if only they'd do something about the gold-selling spam. The global chat servers went down briefly yesterday night, but I'm not sure what work they were doing and if they implemented any changes to cut down on the spam.

 

[Tremulant]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
I haven't run into a queue on Azphel since Tuesday.

But that might be due to the fact that Azphel is also by far the least stable of the servers -- I saw some posts mentioning at least three crashes yesterday. So the AFK shops are no longer there (at least for a while) when the server comes back up, freeing up slots. Not even a week in, and it's already earned the name "Azphail".

Glad to hear that NCsoft listened to feedback as far as the AFK shops. Things looked a lot tidier in Verteron this morning when I logged in briefly to check my auction house listings.

Now if only they'd do something about the gold-selling spam. The global chat servers went down briefly yesterday night, but I'm not sure what work they were doing and if they implemented any changes to cut down on the spam.

For the gold spam you can /autoreporthunting the seller. I know that they've been banning gold sellers already. (But, the command only works when there's a GM on or something... so it's kinda silly)

And I'm also glad that they're limiting the player shop time, though I think an hour might work a little better (not much can sell in 30 minutes). But, it'll still work as a quick AFK to eat or whatever. They're making that change today, so hopefully I won't hit a queue tonight.

Azphel does seem to crash fairly often, but I also think it's one of the most populated. The goons alone have about 7 full legions (and not all players are in a legion). Only one is lvl 3, others are lvl 2.. we've been pooling our money to upgrade them all.

 

[ChickenShwarma]

I have a question.

My Asmodian Warrior started in Ishalgen, a spot near the raider's main camp. I saw alot of different classes running around in the area, which makes me think that they started there as well.

Where else in the game do players start? It wouldn't be fun if I roll another toon just to start at the same place, beating on same mobs, doing the same quests...

 

[Punter]

There is only one start area per race at this point.

 

[ChickenShwarma]

Originally posted by: Punter
There is only one start area per race at this point.

Yikes. Thanks for the answer, but that sounds pretty crappy as far as replay value goes.

It makes the world much smaller when everyone is starting at the same spot...

 

[VashHT]

Originally posted by: ChickenShwarma

Originally posted by: Punter
There is only one start area per race at this point.

Yikes. Thanks for the answer, but that sounds pretty crappy as far as replay value goes.

It makes the world much smaller when everyone is starting at the same spot...

Well I think in general MMO's aren't really designed that way, even in WoW once you get past the starting zone it's all pretty much the same anyway. I've rolled all the classes in Aion just to try them though, it's still pretty fun just because the playstyle can be so different between classes.

 

[VashHT]

Originally posted by: KMFJD
Logged in just before 6, 2 hour q on Zikel....ugh , might have to switch servers if this shit continues

my only complaint so far is the the combat feels slow but i am only lvl 11 and 7

It felt really slow to me on my Templar until i got to 16. I have enough attack skills now that I'm not waiting for stuff to cooldown like I was. I know some of the DPS classes pick up faster though, just because they get more attack skills earlier on. I like how there aren't any "spam" attack moves like sinister strike, I use all of my attack skills on my Templar, whereas in WoW I would use like 2 or 3 skills most of the time.

 

[ChickenShwarma]

Originally posted by: VashHT

Originally posted by: ChickenShwarma

Originally posted by: Punter
There is only one start area per race at this point.

Yikes. Thanks for the answer, but that sounds pretty crappy as far as replay value goes.

It makes the world much smaller when everyone is starting at the same spot...

Well I think in general MMO's aren't really designed that way, even in WoW once you get past the starting zone it's all pretty much the same anyway. I've rolled all the classes in Aion just to try them though, it's still pretty fun just because the playstyle can be so different between classes.

I liked the fact that different classes started in different small towns in DAoC. It added depth to the RPG aspect of the characters, and going into bigger city by walking a long distance just to see other classes made the world seem bigger, and that there is more going on in the world than myself.

Low level mods were designed to match classes of these individual towns, and you get appropriate quests and drops. I think that's pretty important to the RPG aspect, aside from the gameplay mechanic itself.

I think I got lucky in a sense, but being a raider in Ishengal fit my character's class as a warrior, but if I was a mage, it might not make much sense to be raiding those Maus.

Are the quests at lease different for other classes?

*Sorry for the noob questions, I could very well just roll new toons, but I'm at work

 

[abaez]

Damnit, I was in the beta and want to play this but don't want to drop $50 on it to play.

 

[VashHT]

Originally posted by: ChickenShwarma

Originally posted by: VashHT

Originally posted by: ChickenShwarma

Originally posted by: Punter
There is only one start area per race at this point.

Yikes. Thanks for the answer, but that sounds pretty crappy as far as replay value goes.

It makes the world much smaller when everyone is starting at the same spot...

Well I think in general MMO's aren't really designed that way, even in WoW once you get past the starting zone it's all pretty much the same anyway. I've rolled all the classes in Aion just to try them though, it's still pretty fun just because the playstyle can be so different between classes.

I liked the fact that different classes started in different small towns in DAoC. It added depth to the RPG aspect of the characters, and going into bigger city by walking a long distance just to see other classes made the world seem bigger, and that there is more going on in the world than myself.

Low level mods were designed to match classes of these individual towns, and you get appropriate quests and drops. I think that's pretty important to the RPG aspect, aside from the gameplay mechanic itself.

I think I got lucky in a sense, but being a raider in Ishengal fit my character's class as a warrior, but if I was a mage, it might not make much sense to be raiding those Maus.

Are the quests at lease different for other classes?

*Sorry for the noob questions, I could very well just roll new toons, but I'm at work

Nah the quests are the same for all the classes as far as I've seen.

 

[CurseTheSky]

How big is the overall world in the game? Is it relatively tiny, for instance like Kalimdor alone in WoW, or is it decent sized like all four WoW continents combined? Are there large expanses of land with nothing but critters and monsters to kill, or will there be another NPC / town / quest hub every two steps of the way?

Finally, is it zone-based ("Now entering Thousand Needles") or greatly divided by impassible barriers such as mountains, or seamless?

 

[Magusigne]

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
How big is the overall world in the game? Is it relatively tiny, for instance like Kalimdor alone in WoW, or is it decent sized like all four WoW continents combined? Are there large expanses of land with nothing but critters and monsters to kill, or will there be another NPC / town / quest hub every two steps of the way?

Finally, is it zone-based ("Now entering Thousand Needles") or greatly divided by impassible barriers such as mountains, or seamless?

I can speak from my limited game experience 1-22 levels.

The world Seems to be about the size of the Vanilla WoW world. If not exact then its just a little over.

There are a fair amount of quest hubs..maybe a little closer than the WoW quest hubs were.

Zone based..as you discover areas much like WoW...and theres not really any loading screens..its pretty seemless. I did notice when flying about..when entering a "Zone" sometimes it would be impassible by flight..and flight was disabled...like you hit a force shield...although a bit more tastefully done.

Honestly..when people say WoW 2..it very much is, there are enough differences to interest most previous WoW players and keep their attention.

This is the reason why I keep using WoW in my comparisons.

 

[JoshGuru7]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Tempted to give this game a go, but a few things holding me back...

*The possibility that this involves a heavy amount of grinding (as earlier reports indicate, but I hear that the US release version has buffed quest XP to greatly reduce it)
*Your avatar being some kind of winged creature that flies around and fights sounds... rather silly to me, even for a fantasy MMO.

I need a game that has great world (and scenario based) PvP, solid, challenging PvE with a crafting system / economy that matters.

It's a bit of a grind but not too much. I actually prefer leveling through kill XP and enjoyable combat then by following a bunch of waypoints around though, so you may want to discount my opinion on this point.

Flight is implemented well. You primarily fight on the ground like in any other MMO and a large part of the world restricts you from flying. The zones where you can fly are a nice change of pace as you're a little stronger in the air (as well as out of the reach of melee mobs on the ground) but even then flight is limited in time and has a cooldown associated with it. The areas that require flight (like the Abyss) are scattered with physical islands you can rest on and fight from.

The PvP areas are largely what you'd expect in any RvR game but you're sent there for PvE as well. This gives the game the old school "PvE with surprise PvP" thrown in flavor which I've always liked as a way to spend time.

Crafting is both important and also a grind. A lot of the best equipment is crafted (even at lower levels) and the crafted consumables are definitely desirable.

Originally posted by: AmberClad
Now if only they'd do something about the gold-selling spam.

Gold Spam is avoided if you go /anon. Your legion will still be able to see that you're online, but you won't get random tells from the sellers.

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
How big is the overall world in the game? Is it relatively tiny, for instance like Kalimdor alone in WoW, or is it decent sized like all four WoW continents combined? Are there large expanses of land with nothing but critters and monsters to kill, or will there be another NPC / town / quest hub every two steps of the way?

Finally, is it zone-based ("Now entering Thousand Needles") or greatly divided by impassible barriers such as mountains, or seamless?

It's reasonably large but not enormous, and there are both wide open areas and tight areas where you essentially questing along a single path moving from point A to point B.

Lastly, I should mention that I like the combat a lot in comparison to other MMO's. My skill chain on any of the classes I played included nearly my entire repertoire of skills in set desired orders, but the ability for a skill to miss or a spell to be resisted means you need to be fluid at changing your skill orders mid-fight as needed. I prefer the combat to LOTRO, WoW, AoC, and WAR and like it a little less than DDO.

 

[Reckoner]

So will this game hold the interest of veteran MMO players? I loved both WoW and DAoC, so I'm looking for something new that I'll enjoy until Star Wars: TOR comes out.

 

[Sureshot324]

I see that the Collector's Edition has some extra items that give bonuses to flight time and other stats. Am I going to regret it if I don't get the Collector's edition, or are these items not that important? Am I likely going to still be using them once I reach endgame?