Aion

• Release Date:  2009
• Publisher:  NCsoft
• Developer:  
• Genre:  Fantasy
• Rating Score
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Aion: The Tower of Eternity, known also as The Tower of AION in Japan is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) released by NCsoft, a major Korean game developer. Aion was known as “Aion: The Tower of Eternity” but it was released in North America under the one-word title of Aion. The game combines PvP and PvE (a concept the developers call PvPvE) in a fantasy game environment.

In a stunning world shattered by cataclysm, two races of winged beings are engaged in an epic celestial war. Prepare to take to the skies and experience the wonders of flight as you embark on a legendary adventure in which you must claim your rightful place among the immortals. Will you be the one finally to restore balance to this vast and beautiful world?

Soar through the skies of a sprawling, visually stunning world in Aion. This MMORPG plunges you into a meticulously detailed fantasy world in which you’ll engage in dramatic flight and wield incredible powers. Customize your character and arm yourself with powerful weapons as you prepare to engage in an intense combat system that incorporates combos, skill chains, counterattacks and aerial combat. Wage battle against other player factions and against the AI-controlled Balaur in innovative PvPvE gameplay in which enemies can become allies in the fight for survival. Complete compelling, story-driven quests as you vie for control in the pivotal Abyss in a relentless civil war that has raged for hundreds of years.

Features

* Soar and battle in the wide open skies above Atreia as you experience the excitement of flight

* Explore a vibrant, detailed world brimming with mysterious enemies and ancient secrets, brought to life by the Crytek engine

* Engage in intense, visceral combat in which you’ll use combos, skill chains and counterattacks and participate in spectacular aerial combat

* Battle against other players and against the AI-controlled Balaur in a thrilling new dynamic that combines PvP and PvE gameplay

* Mold hundreds of items, weapons and abilities with a flexible crafting system that lets you create tools of war and defense

* Customize your game experience with an in-depth character creation tool

* Embark on thrilling, story-driven quests across the world of Atreia

Character customization

The character creation system allows customization such as adjusting the height, weight and scale of various body parts. Different hair styles, skin colors, facial textures and voices can also be chosen. Further detailing can be found in the selection of eye shape and color, nose shape, ear size and shape and tattoos for the character’s face and body.

The game will allow a player to dye their equipment to change its color and to change the graphics of one weapon or armor to that of another that they have in their inventory. This allows a player to display equipment graphics of items which they find visually appealing, while benefiting from the actual stats of different weapons or armors. Players can only change the graphics of a piece of equipment to that of another piece of equipment of the same type.

This adds another layer of customization (as it allows players to control the look of their avatar without sacrificing the better stats of an item that they find visually unappealing) and strategy to the game.
Skill chains

Many of the skills acquired as characters progress may only be performed in a certain order, or chain. Generally the skills located farther along in the chain are more powerful than those at the beginning, or those that have no prerequisite.

PvPvE system

The end game of Aion revolves around battles within the Abyss (PvP zone). Within the Abyss are fortresses which can be controlled by individual Legions (Aion equivalent of a guild). Battle for control of these castles involves combat against players of the opposing faction and computer controlled NPCs at the same time, using siege weapons obtained from end game PvE raid content. Legions in control of a castle are entitled to funding from taxes and players within the faction get specials from NPCs and discounts for travel and vendor items.The game currently does not allow factions to fight against those of their own race, except for casual duels or practice in the Arena.

The participation in PvP is rewarded with Abyss Points in the game. The game ranks players as battles are won against fellow players based on their participation in the Abyss. At higher ranks the character’s wings will change in appearance to show the character’s elevated status. Also certain items can be purchased with these points such as high-end armor and weapons. This is referred to as the Abyss Rank system, and there can only be a limited number of high ranking players per server. The highest ranking players compete for the relatively few rank positions available.[7] Abyss points are gained by killing other players in combat, and points are lost by being killed by another player. Higher points are awarded for a kill of a much higher ranked player than for killing an equal or lower ranked player.

Classes

There are four primary classes, and eight specialized classes in the game. Players start the game by choosing one of the four primary classes: Warrior, Mage, Scout, or Priest. After attaining level 9, the player must choose from two specialized classes associated with their chosen class. Warriors may become a Templar or a Gladiator; Mages may become a Sorcerer or Spirit Master; Scouts choose from Assassin or Ranger; and Priests from Cleric or a Chanter.

Grouping

Up to six players may form a group, to assist one another in battle, and share the benefits of victory. Certain areas are designed for group play and a group is required to enter some areas in the game. Up to four groups may form an Alliance for situations that call for greater force of numbers. Being a member of an Alliance restricts you the rewards received when a quest designed for single or group play is completed.[citation needed]

Crafting

The base process involves learning a particular form of crafting, of which there are six in Aion: weaponsmithing, armorsmithing, handicrafting, tailoring, alchemy, and cooking. Players can learn all six crafting professions, but can be an Expert in only two.

Any item that can be crafted is actually composed of several individual components, or materials. The player can either learn which materials are needed for a particular item automatically or via purchase of the design. Generally these materials must be purchased from vendors or from other players, gathered out in the wild (via collection or extraction), crafted already, or morphed. Not everything can be crafted, however.

Flight

There are many different aspects to flight in Aion, which plays a vital role in Travel, Combat, Quests, and Crafting. Flying is only permitted in certain areas, known as flight zones. Flight is limited to 60 seconds but can be increased with various armor, titles, and other items in-game.

Quests

There are three type of quests in Aion: ordinary quests, campaign quests and Work Orders. Ordinary quests require the player to complete a task to receive a reward. Campaign quests are focused on story, and are crucial for player progression. Work Orders are used to increase skill in a chosen profession. Some quests are repeatable. Some quests, especially campaign quests, cannot be shared or abandoned.