Aion

[Penthero]

1. Some of the leveling can get tedious (oh shit... just like every mmo i've played!) and some of the quests can be done at way low levels if you're playing your class right (I think I did a level 17 quest at level 13 as a templar).  However, the game UI is very user friendly and [most] quests are pretty straightforward (as in don't require dredging around the entire zone just to find some guys shoe, who lost it at an undisclosed location... nothing like that)

Even if the quests are straightforward you do have in-built quest-helper and npc/mob locater. If you're doing the quests effectively you usually don't do lower lvl quests, you make them when you are same level as them or lower.

2. Flying is restricted to certain areas in the zones (kinda disappointed about this) HOWEVER its still extremely fun in the areas you can use it.  And I believe that in the Abyss (end game) you can fly nearly everywhere (I think the higher levels you are, the more flight areas open up)

Yes, Abyss have no limit to where you can fly, so fly everywhere there as long as you have enough flight time

Also you can make/buy flight pots which increase your flight timer, so you can fly as long as you want until someone knocks you down.

And yes, it's divine power, and you'll get even more powerful DP-skills at higher level obviously.
Elyos Spiritmaster lvl50 DP-skill:

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[Borror0]

And yes, it's divine power, and you'll get even more powerful DP-skills at higher level obviously.

Read about the Divine Power feature.

I'm curious about one thing: does it encourage you not to die or not to challenge yourself?

[Penthero]

And yes, it's divine power, and you'll get even more powerful DP-skills at higher level obviously.

Read about the Divine Power feature.

I'm curious about one thing: does it encourage you not to die or not to challenge yourself?

I would say not to die, though later when you come to abyss you gain DP pretty fast so it ain't such a big worry. The bigger restriction to the strongest DP-skills are the 1hour cooldown.

[Slysoft]

If anyone has questions about this game, just send me a PM. I've been playing since the Korean beta in 2008 and I know a lot about it. I can assure those of you who have doubts that this game is amazing.

[kyanwan]

If anyone has questions about this game, just send me a PM. I've been playing since the Korean beta in 2008 and I know a lot about it. I can assure those of you who have doubts that this game is amazing.

Ever since I read this wings thing - my doubts have been renewed, and in a force that is about double what they were before.

2 races, and typical korean graphics.   ( AKA: show some tits & skimpy outfits - and you've got a game. )

It's sounding more and more "meh" to me.

As for challenge in "leveling and getting there" - I don't care about that anymore, and I'm never EVER going to play any game where "omg, spending 5 years getting there is half the fun!"  No it's not.  It sucks.   Status symbols?   Meh?   Do you really call it "an accomplishment" to have played a game 20 hours a day for 2 years straight?   I sure as hell don't.   I call that:  "pathetic".  ( then said person with an "epic" character wonders why they can't get laid. )

I'll wait till there's a real review out - real access to the title.  

Because on a scale of 1-10 - Just having "Korea" on the game is a mandatory -10.  

[Mele]

If anyone has questions about this game, just send me a PM. I've been playing since the Korean beta in 2008 and I know a lot about it. I can assure those of you who have doubts that this game is amazing.

Ever since I read this wings thing - my doubts have been renewed, and in a force that is about double what they were before.

2 races, and typical korean graphics.   ( AKA: show some tits & skimpy outfits - and you've got a game. )

It's sounding more and more "meh" to me.

As for challenge in "leveling and getting there" - I don't care about that anymore, and I'm never EVER going to play any game where "omg, spending 5 years getting there is half the fun!"  No it's not.  It sucks.   Status symbols?   Meh?   Do you really call it "an accomplishment" to have played a game 20 hours a day for 2 years straight?   I sure as hell don't.   I call that:  "pathetic".  ( then said person with an "epic" character wonders why they can't get laid. )

I'll wait till there's a real review out - real access to the title.  

Because on a scale of 1-10 - Just having "Korea" on the game is a mandatory -10.  

Typical Korean graphics? What Korean games have you played? Tits and skimpy outfits tend to be a staple for many MMOs and has nothing to do with Korea. As far as graphic style, Aion is nothing like most Korean shovelware MMOs. It takes a more "realistic" style Guild Wars approach.

[Penthero]

...

As said, there will be a open beta, hopefully they will have patched it to 1.5. Becasue 1.0 is pretty meh compared to 1.5.
Also, if vanilla-wow is too much leveling for you, Aion will be too much, as I mentioned before that the leveling speed is similiar.

[mgz]

yay another warhammer/conan/insert other wow killer game

[Penthero]

yay another warhammer/conan/insert other wow killer game

Though unlike those 2 games this doesn't have serious issues and already been on the market for over half a year in Korea. Though I don't think they think they can "kill" wow, as it's not like a mmo will kill another one. And most likely it won't gain as many subscribers as wow, though that's quite irrelevant imo.

[Arveene]

The only thing that can kill WoW is another Blizzard game or itself.

Aion will not kill WoW. Some people will be moving to it (like myself), but it's not going to kill WoW.

[TMRNetShark]

The only thing that can kill WoW is another Blizzard game or itself.

Aion will not kill WoW. Some people will be moving to it (like myself), but it's not going to kill WoW.

Don't get me wrong, WoW was a great game, but just a bit repetitive. PvP and endgame material is what really makes WoW into the game it was. Wow was just boring from 1-55 (my opinion) but really started with the end of the original, and went through Northrend. Raids, PvP, and getting your armor sets was by far what made that game.

Now if Aion can make the whole leveling experience amazing, then I will play for sure. But to get the formula right, you need leveling to be great along with the PvP and end game material. I'll still wait for the reviews from publications and join a month or two after (when all the server bugs are fixed!).

[Slysoft]

WoW is already dead. Blizzard killed it with a lethal virus known as Wrath of the Lich King.

[Mele]

WoW is already dead. Blizzard killed it with a lethal virus known as Wrath of the Lich King.

I agree, but I think the ~11 million subscribers wouldn't.

[shabutie]

WoW is already dead. Blizzard killed it with a lethal virus known as Wrath of the Lich King.

I agree

+1!

[Penthero]

But to get the formula right, you need leveling to be great along with the PvP and end game material. I'll still wait for the reviews from publications and join a month or two after (when all the server bugs are fixed!).

I agree, and from what I've seen they've done it pretty alright, can't say they cannot do it better, because they always can <.<
I think we will have less bugs than usually, mostly because Korea did the bug-testing for us in all versions, unless they seriously screw up will say.

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[Mirgond]

WoW is already dead. Blizzard killed it with a lethal virus known as Wrath of the Lich King.

I agree, but I think the ~11 million subscribers wouldn't.

Those are just the numbers told by Blizzard. When i stopped playing WoW a third of my server was already not playing anymore... And a few month later it was half of the server

I don't think that Blizzard is really honest with the numbers about subscribtions.

[Slysoft]

In Blizzard's mind, if they at one point subscribed to wow they are a subscriber, even if their account is inactive.

[shabutie]

In Blizzard's mind, if they at one point subscribed to wow they are a subscriber, even if their account is inactive.

which would count all the gold spammers as well

[Penthero]

Well, open-beta finally announced.

Aion’s Open Beta Test featuring version 1.5 will take place 6-13th September and will include numerous Western enhancements, including improvements to Aion’s innovative character customisation with a host of Western styles, as well as new zones, instances, skills, quests and continued game balancing and improvements. Open Beta will retain a level cap for both Elyos and Asmodians characters at 30 allowing players to focus on getting to the same level so they can explore the lands of Atreia together, as well as the Abyss.

Players who have pre-ordered Aion will be treated to a Pre-Select and a two-day Headstart period giving them the opportunity to explore, organise and progress through the game prior to the official launch. Pre-Select will take place on 18th September, while Aion’s Headstart will begin 20th September.

Source: http://ncsoft.gamespress.com/link.asp?i=331&p=0

[maltime]

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Hooray. I pre-ordered a copy and recieved a beta key, only to realize all closed betas were already finished. Thought i had to wait until the 22nd to actually give it a shot.

Groovy news.