Aion: The Tower of Eternity Reviews
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IGN gives it a score of 8.5/10:
Aion is a beautiful, well-polished, well-presented game that introduces a new combat mechanic in fantasy MMOs, fighting on wings. In fact, it's such a lovely game that we wish there were more of it. While it offers something for both PvE and PvP-oriented players, it will only truly appeal to those who enjoy both, as the full Aion experience can only be achieved both by leveling up through quests and by playing in the Abyss when you're strong enough. The developers have actually added a great deal of PvE content in the process of localizing it for the North American/ European market and the potential is definitely there for the game to grow in that aspect but as it stands, ultimately the heart and soul of Aion is the Abyss. So obviously, if you enjoy both aspects in an MMO, Aion is definitely for you. If you lean towards PvE, there is enough content for you to enjoy for a few months but longevity may be an issue. Of course there's always a chance that more content will be introduced before you get tired of it, and who knows you might even enjoy PvP-on-wings.
Impulse Gamer gives it a score of 9.1/10:
In conclusion, Aion is a very entertaining MMO game that although doesn't challenge this genre too much, still uses the traditional Dungeons & Dragons archetypes. However there are some new twists and turns to the gameplay and if you're looking for something different than World of Warcraft, (like we were) than you'd be pressed to finding something better than Aion.
Gameplanet gives it a score of 9.0/10:
With the game almost two years in development and beta, and the pedigree of previous games created by NCSoft, Aion fortunately isn't plagued with the usual opening night jitters. It's finely balanced and very well engineered. It delivers some real innovation in the genre, particularly in game balance and graphics, and it's a refreshing and very real alternative for MMORPG players.
If you are tired of the cry of the murlocs, pack your bow and spell book and enter the world of Aion.
GamingHeaven gives it a score of 83/100:
Aion is a stunningly attractive MMO which has received a lot of care and attention during the development phase and it shows. It is a well balanced game with a decent amount of content for both PvE and PvP players but this strength is also its biggest weakness because other MMO's have more content to suit specific play styles. In Aion you will need to level up through the quest missions and then play the Abyss when you get powerful enough to compete. To be fair NCSoft are adding a fair amount of PvE content with the idea of localising it for the European and North American market. Right now I can certainly recommend it as a well rounded and entertaining game but whether it will last long term is a question we will have to answer another day.
Gamer Limit gives it a score of 8.5/10:
Aion may not the new messiah, but it's certainly an alternative for those who haven't been all that satisfied with other titles in the genre. It's a polished, complete, interesting, graphically breathtaking example that proves other companies can develop intuitive and playable MMOs. It doesn't re-write the rulebook nor introduce generational change, but it does make other failed contenders (Warhammer Online, Age of Conan) look like mauled, decaying animals in comparison. If you're looking for something new to suck up all of your spare time, then you could do a lot worse then Aion.
Frictionless Insight gives it a score of 4/5:
Aside from being a simply beautiful game, Aion is built for the late-game experience. And while I loved the beginning, there is a 15-level grind in the middle that requires stamina and stubbornness to surpass. Despite that, Aion boasts some wonderful systems and polish compared to many available MMOGs that make it a pleasure to play (when I'm not killing the same beast for hours on end). Ultimately, I found the sitting emote in Aion to be emblematic of the game as a whole. Other games just have your character sit on the ground. Aion has style I could summon a floating magic carpet upon which to rest why would divinely imbued, winged creatures sit on the ground?
AceGamez gives it a score of 7/10:
A few years ago, Aion could have emerged as the seminal MMO experience. Unfortunately, the market has become more crowded recently; World of Warcraft continues to grow, fuelled by its regular expansions and, with more progressive titles such as Bioware's The Old Republic due for release next year, Aion runs the risk of disappearing into obscurity - especially if its server issues aren't quickly addressed. It's with a hint of sadness that, even for all its charm and original aspects, I'm not able to recommend Aion over a game five years its senior. NCSoft have produced a fine game but, in the end, it's simply too little, too late.
Big Download gives us their first impressions:
Aion is easily one of the most entertaining MMOs to come along in a while. It has excellent graphics, a functional (and eventually moddable) user interface, rock solid gameplay mechanics, top-notch writing in quests and dialog, and a world that feels like an homage to every mythology ever concocted. If you are looking for a change of setting from your standard western fantasy fare, but don't want to go too far out of your comfort zone in terms of gameplay, Aion is a must buy. For everyone else, it's worth a try, if just for the way that it manages to bring everything together so well.
And so does Ten Ton Hammer:
My overall impression of Aion is that this is a solid game. The game is created very well, and with a very talented staff which has turned this into a game that the world can enjoy. I do not see many shortfalls here with the removal of GameGuard. A positive company decision here went a long way. I think this game will show its true colors in 6 months to a year when they start promoting expansions and such to keep us all interested.
