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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Aion

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 41 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 252 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: NCsoft
Developer: NCsoft
Genre(s): Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game
Players: Thousands
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: September 22, 2009
Summary
Aion is a massively multiplayer online RPG where players ascend to divinity and fight in an epic celestial war. Wielding divine powers and the capability for true flight, players must bring salvation to their people and restore balance to a vast, beautiful world shattered by cataclysm. [NCsoft]
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
GameFocus
Aion is very close to being a perfect example of the current idea of how a fantasy based MMO should be implemented. I would even suggest Aion might be the climax of the typical design elements of the genre. There was room for 1 more player in fantasy based MMO’s (as long as they were a major player) and Aion has taken up that spot, and definitely pushed some competitors out of the picture by doing so.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
It’s still too early to judge Aion’s endgame content, but that may be the true test of whether the game will have real staying power, or be just another passing pretty face.
Read Full Review >ImpulseGamer
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.
Read Full Review >Gameplanet
Jaded by the current crop of MMORPG's? Tired of the endless band aids in the form of patches designed to disguise the boredom? Sick of the grind? Come over to the all new world of Aion and experience the art of MMORPG at a new level.
Read Full Review >RPG Fan
Without a doubt, Aion is an incredibly polished experience that refines the best aspects of the genre and creates a spectacular new world. As a fan and critic of the genre, I wholeheartedly recommend Aion to both casual and experienced gamers.
Read Full Review >GamingXP
Aion is simply the best looking MMORPG out there. Also it’s fun and challenging!
Read Full Review >Gamer.nl
"Aion is an extraordinary MMORPG. Both the PvPvE-concept and presentation of the game are fantastic. Story-wise and gameplay-wise the game feels finished. Combined with the hundred hours that it will take to play through the game, Aion: The Tower of Eternity is an unforgettable experience which every MMORPG player should experience.
Read Full Review >GamesNation
Structural balance, evocative graphics, inspired character design. These are just a few of Aion’s assets. It is a game that has definitely met most of the highest expectations we all had. As such it is possibly the best available alternative to some of the most important MMORPG out there, including his majesty World of Warcraft!
Read Full Review >NZGamer
If you're looking for something with a different storyline to WoW, don't play WoW for reasons other than its gameplay or want something more than combat, Aion is well worth checking out. It's arguably the best MMO at launch that we've ever seen.
Read Full Review >SpazioGames
Aion is a good MMORPG experience. While it won't reinvent the genre, it makes a very good use of various inspirations. The gameplay offers the best elements from previous MMORPGs, and Realm vs Realm will be a perfect endgame experience. The graphics engine is optimized for older computers, while the oriental concept is lovable and dreaming.
Read Full Review >Gamer Limit
On its own merits, Aion is a supremely impressive MMO that should appeal to both casual and veteran players alike.
Read Full Review >IGN
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.
Read Full Review >Multiplayer.it
Despite the need to grind some levels and the PvP that could not be appreciated by everyone, Aion is a great MMORPG, with a stunning visual and one of the best gameplay to date.
Read Full Review >Everyeye.it
Despite its old-fashioned game mechanics, which include a good amount of grinding, Aion delivers a solid and entertaining MMO experience that truly shines as the players reach the engaging PvPvE aerial combats in the Abyss.
Read Full Review >GameStar
On the one hand Aion offers great player versus player combat, on the other hand the quests are quite boring, like quests to collect a certain amount of items or to kill a certain amount of monsters. But once you're in a great group fighting other players you'll forget the weaker points of the game.
Read Full Review >Gamers.at
Aion has definitely more potential than other most recently released MMOs. Its already quite a polished game, but lacks still some content especially for the high level range.
Read Full Review >Gamervision
Aion is a wonderful foundation to what can absolutely, positively become one of the best MMORPGs on the market.
Read Full Review >Vandal Online
Aion can become the ideal option for those tired of World of Warcraft, or those who want an actual alternative in this market.
Read Full Review >9Lives
It's a bit too early to say whether NCSoft has got a lasting hit on their hands, but it looks to turn out that way. Even though some features lack depth, Aion is without a doubt one of the most solid MMORPG's we've seen in recent years.
Read Full Review >PC Zone UK
Every care has been made to make this a game that anyone from any region will enjoy. However, there just isn't that intangible harmony nor inset differentiation that the game would need to compete with WoW - and that's a shame, because otherwise, Aion is damn good at what it does. [Christmas 2009, p.74]
Cynamite
The Asia-themed setting is quite fresh, but not everybody's cup of tea. There is no shame in giving it a try though.
Read Full Review >InsideGamer.nl
To give an MMORPG a fair judgment is a difficult one. MMORPG’s develop through years to achieve the goals they have for it. Still a MMORPG needs a solid base to achieve those goals. The character creation is massive and for MMO standards unprecedented. The classes on the other hand, are a little bit boring, certainly till level 10. But the way the story is presented makes up for a lot. The climax is Abyss where PvP is pushed to a whole new level. For the PvE players among us Aion might be the right MMO to go with.
Read Full Review >Level7.nu
Beyond the beautiful graphic you have seen most of it before but if that doesn’t concern you then you will enjoy the gameplay and the beautiful graphics for many hours.
Read Full Review >Boomtown
NCSoft's latest RPG has gotten off to a flying start and will be hoping to steadily gain altitude until it climbs to the lofty heights of long term RPG greatness.
Read Full Review >Meristation
Aion isn't the revolution the genere probably needs, but it is definitely a well-designed MMORPG that is going to be specially enjoyed by all those PVP fans that want a deeper experience while fighting other players. Beautiful graphics, excellent performance and almost no bugs/problems. It definitely deserves a try.
Read Full Review >RPGamer
The game has a high degree of armor customization. The player could have a giant fish weapon, or even have a pair of devil horns and a bright red suit. Being able to fly and attack at the same time is unique and very entertaining in Aion. Those who do not like PvP should steer clear since a large part of the story is protecting your land from the opposing faction, but PvP lovers owe it to themselves to check this game out.
Read Full Review >Strategy Informer
The emphasis on grinding, the linear environment and the rather uninspired early levels pose a serious threat to this games growth. Whilst these are things that cannot be changed, it will depend on what NCSoft will do next which will ultimately make or break it.
Read Full Review >Cheat Code Central
Aion is one of the best, most well-polished MMORPGs to be released in a long time, which is reinforced by its popularity and hype. It stays within the traditions of an aging genre and makes sure to maximize on it at the same time. Nevertheless, its lack of unique components doesn't help set it apart from the competition, and calls into question Aion's ability to establish a solid, faithful, and long-lasting community.
Read Full Review >Eurogamer
A streamlined, structured, gorgeous grind, an addictive and even rewarding grind if you're that way inclined, but a grind nonetheless. An ultimately grim and unvarying pursuit.
Read Full Review >AceGamez
NCSoft have produced a fine game but, in the end, it's simply too little, too late.
Read Full Review >LEVEL (Czech Republic)
Solid and well-balanced MMORPG is somehow sterile and linear. Aion does not offer anything that its MMO competition already has. No reason to leave WoW or Warhammer Online. [Nov 2009]
Eurogamer Italy
If you are tired to venture out by the same MMORPG, Aion is a great choice.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
It's a highly polished experience that will satisfy you if what you're looking for is yet another MMO, albeit one with a few more bells and whistles.
Read Full Review >PC Gamer
Rewards long-term play with interesting PvP combat. [Jan 2010, p.82]
GameSpot
This fantasy massively multiplayer online game makes a great first impression, but almost every aspect of it devolves into a grind before you're even halfway to the level cap.
Read Full Review >PC PowerPlay
Hard to see long-lasting appeal amongst the grind and lag. [Christmas 2009, p.48]
PC Gamer UK
A genuinely beautiful place crawling with magnificent beasts, host to interminable hours of mindless, soulless grind. [Dec 2009, p.110]
GameShark
If you play MMORPGs for the journey and the storyline, then Aion: the Tower of Eternity is not for you. There aren’t enough quests to engage you in the story, and spending days grinding mobs just to level is not something many people relish doing.
Read Full Review >1UP
Because of the relatively short amount of time I've had with Aion, and, to be honest, a general apathy toward playing any further, I've not yet experienced the so-called "PvPvE" endgame that lies in the central Abyss zone.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 6.6 (out of 10) based on 252 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Copain no gave it a0:
The game is terrible. The idea behind it is great! But BAD development led to it's destruction. It looks good, that's great, and in order to do that they make game play BAD, such as you not being able to move thanks to spells, instant cast spells NOT BEING INSTANT, and hey, ridiculously OP attacks. The game is OVERRUN with bots, but the admins don't want to do anything about it. You know what they DO do though? They make it harder on the players by making it so Aether items (Which you gather while flying, which until higher levels you get almost no time for) poison you and you have to cleanse it... By sitting there and typing random crap while you die from FALL DAMAGE. The game is centered around PVP, and it balances that TERRIBLY. Thanks to different factions having different skills, each class is hindered if it didn't choose the right faction (Such as the Templar's on Elyos's side being hurt bad because while they get a weak shield, their counterpart gets a high damage life drain). Also, in PVP, the TANKS are one of the weakest things. They are the only class with an on demand shield or a good "Get away" skill without a high CD, or even the ability to chase (Their one ability to stop runners gets ruined if it's 10 Damage is partially absorbed). Further more, the Tank class is worse at tanking than the DPS class who is an offbranch of the same class (The Glad, off branch of Warrior), thanks to it having no on demand threat boost ("Instants" have a cast time, thank you good graphics?) where as the Glad's get a stance system to boost threat and take less damage while steal DOING MORE damage, Glad's even get a +BLOCK (Shield Block) Spell when they are supposed to use TWO HAND WEAPONS. Events? Events are terrible. The Christmas even got a Tree. That's it. No Quest, no gifts, no music, nothing.
Ivan D gave it a4:
Pros: - Good graphics - Characters can fly in some areas Cons: - Not nearly enough PvE content - No brains needed for the skillbar arrangement. Just collect the skills for the combo and use it. - Quests are unrewarding and the repeatable quests are a joke. - One needs quite a hardware for not to see the "epic" PvP in a slideshow. - Lots and lots of gold traders and scammers. - The community... Well it's almost absent and generally not the friendliest. - Poor end-game content. Overall - A generous 4.
Gabriel Q gave it a1:
I give this game a '1' because I can use the 2 discs as coasters. Otherwise this game is about 5 minutes of anticipation. For a good 5 minutes I kept thinking, 'this is going to get better right?'. And no...each minute was more disappointing than the last... They should make inmates in prison play this game as punishment. Instead of breaking rocks they could be grinding quests instead...
Paul W gave it a4:
If you’re a hardcore PvP fan, or someone who likes old school grinding than Aion may appeal to you. My first MMORPG game was Everquest Online Adventures, when Everquest Online Adventures was released MMORPG games were no where near as advanced as they are today. It was expected for there to be mass grinding with little to no quests. Fast foreword to a couple years later and things changed drastically in the MMO world. Games after EQOA have more advanced graphics, better storylines, more quests, and better PvP. However, when I turn on Aion I feel like I am going back in time, not a nostalgia trip but to a time when MMORPG games sucked. Let me first say that the PvP in Aion is fun. However, the PvE expericnce is poorly done. I found myself running out of quests with nothing to do but grind for hours to finish off a level. I canceled my subscription before reaching the level cap because the grind is too extreme for my tastes. Even with double experience weekends I could not take it anymore.
Paul N gave it a9:
Visuals are stunning and definitely make it a must-play game. Player advancement Ok, but new skills not available at every level. Some quests not possible to complete without a team. A few quests encountered that were buggy. Personal store interesting concept but not sure about viability.
The Chase gave it a9:
If you give the game less then 5 only because its a grind you really need to play more games. Anyways Ive played aion since beta Pros: Graphics, Sound, Large Scale organized pvp, crafting produces useful items, plenty of quests to keep you busy. pvp designated and pve designated zones. Monthly rewards for subscribing to the game. Cons: Solo PvP is unbalanced you will be useless without a group if you play certain classes. Drop rates for items are really shitty. a 20 minute boss fight with no loot is pretty annoying. pvp highly dependent on consumables, making it costly to be at your best. Instances are very very long because there are a lot of repeatable quests you do during them that u have to run out and back in for which takes about 5 minutes, when u have a group and 6 people do it there is a lot of slow down. Thats all i can think of but another thing to mention is until u get near level 50 pvp does not scale well. Even though the cons look longer i still find this one of the most enjoyable mmo's i have found in a long time, and considering this game is still pretty fresh the horizon is looking bright and im sticking around.
Trudi A gave it a3:
Looks flashy, in fact very flashy. Everything in this game is done in a stylish manner. It's easy to pick the game up and also easy to appreciate the game. At first, the game gives you an impression that its somewhat a redux for WoW. None the less you'll be impressed with the, graphics, user interface (including build in quest helper) arial PVP and vast character customization possibilities. Game play is also quite enjoyable at lower to mid levels, you learn to appreciate the game. Earlier stages of the game I thought bunch of people sat down and asked them selves "how can we improve wow" prior to designing the game. But soon the novelty wears off. For myself the game utterly disappointed me in PvP, versatility of builds, user interface, lack of contents and other balance issues. Firstly the user interface which I adored absolutely in the beginning. Much appreciated inbuilt quest help will more often fail to locate mobs and quest NPC (it is funny how this doesn't really happen until you hit mid 20's coincidence? ). At times I missed my curse client.... The lack of user customization of interfaces will put a frown on your face, if you are used to the likes of WOW and guildwars customization of your HP bar etc (size, color, place etc) then you're going to be extremely disappointed. I'll now move on to game contents Lack of versatility: the game lacks versatility in builds; when I say this I don't mean every second guy will have the same skills. (in this game stigmas are the only ways to differentiate your builds, until lvl 45 you're only allowed to have up to 4 stigmas = thats 4 skills.....) The only times where you'll see the guy next to you is having a different set of skills, is that the poor guy couldn't yet afford the stigmas. this is the worst during your lvl 30's where you can only have 3 stigmas, but really every templar will have unwavering devotion and inescapable judgment equipped, leaving 1 stigma slot for 'your build'. PVP system is quite horrible, at first you may be fooled by the fancy motions and effects, but you'll soon become a victim of auto target. Unlike in WoW a lvl 45 can run into a mob of lvl 38's and wipe them out, and there's nothing you can do to stop the higher lvl. If you encounter someone 5~7 lvl + rest assured you wont' land a single sleep, root, stun, slow etc. Simply there's no way of beating the higher lvl (unless its somewhat 2 ~3 party vs 1). The game lacks in contents. By that I mean it hasn't enough raids. No where near enough. Even though the game may be fairly new what I'm about to describe is unacceptable in my standards. The game only offers a few instances once you hit max level. There are some instances available in abyss (free for all maps), but these have 1 day cool down, and your race must own the respective fortresses for you to be able to enter these instances. Last balance between classes. Most games suffer from balances between classes, but Aion has to be the game that suffers from inbalance from classes in pvp. Since skill play a small role in pvp battles it makes this matter worse. Overall the game is a good eye candy and is very appealing for such a young game, also very easy to pick up and learn. However a lot needs to be worked on in respect to contents user interface and bot problems(customer reps usually will give you a copy and pasted response that had nothing to do with your inquiry, and yes that bot you reported last week will still be around, only richer and 10 lvls higher). I may come back and revisit the game in the future, once more contents are available along with some pvp issues, but until then this game will remain as an eye candy, but nothing more.
