NCsoft -- the MMORPG studio behind hits such as “Lineage II,” “City of Heroes,” and “Guild Wars” -- is hard at work on their next blockbuster MMORPG: “Aion: The Tower of Eternity.” With beta testing underway and pre-orders moving large numbers, “Aion” has finally showed up on the radar of the more casual MMORPG players. The first thing they ask? "Why are people looking forward to this generic looking MMORPG so much?"

There are a few reasons why this game is getting the attention it is, and I would like to break those features down for you in a simple list. So sit back, and find out what “Aion” has to offer when it’s released on September 22 in the US, and September 25 in Europe. Who knows, maybe by the time you get to the end of this article you'll decide to give the MMORPG a shot, too!

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Backstory

“Aion’s” lore is that of wonderment and grandeur. When the planet of Atreia splits in two due to a cataclysm with the Tower of Eternity that kept the planet together, our two main races split, each occupying a particular side of the planet. The Elyos, fair and pure looking beings that harness angelic like wings, live in Elysea, the bottom half of the world where there is an abundance of sunlight, vegetation and beautiful landscapes. On the opposite end known as Asmodae, the Asmodians, a dark demonic looking race resides. They live in a harsher yet still beautiful landscape, and even though they look evil, that might not necessarily be the case.

Atmosphere/Environment

Creating a unique and beautiful environment in an MMORPG can be a daunting task. First you need to decide what theme will be prevalent in most of the world, then how each area will look different. In “Aion” NCSoft is trying their hardest to blend Eastern culture with Western culture. At first glance it's obvious that there's a strong central theme of Eastern fantasy, but in no way does it overwhelm the rest of the game. Since “Aion” is slated to be the next big MMORPG for NCSoft, they want to get everything right, and injecting a large dose of Western culture will attract more of you stateside and European players. Those who initially found the game’s style “too Asian” should be pleasantly surprised, as NCSoft has hired a large team of localizers that has been making the MMORPG's story and setting more appealing to Western players, with familiar cultural references and a more diverse cast of important NPCs.

The MMORPG's atmosphere can best be described as living concept art. Every corner you turn, there seems to be an eye-catching landmark. Every new area you enter seems fresh and sprouting with the appropriate exotic life. The music adds a whole other level of awe to this already rich and well-planned world.

Story Driven Missions

I bet you can’t name too many MMORPGs that take the player through its story in an immersible way. One that comes to mind is "Final Fantasy XI," an MMORPG created by Square Enix. Through wonderfully created cutscenes, your character was engaged in an engrossing story that spanned through years of expansions. "Aion" takes a very similar approach in which it uses cutscenes to tell the story of your character and the world that surrounds you. No longer do you have to resort to long text boxes to experience the story of the MMORPG. With all of the major cutscenes being supported with full voice acting, it will be a one of a kind experience that will no doubt be well-received by the players.

Character Customization

"Aion" offers a very deep character customization system. Unlike many recent MMORPGs, "Aion’s" character customization features more than just 5 different face templates and hair colors. With 15 different face templates which can then be customized with over 15 different hair styles and over 25 different facial sliders, you can be guaranteed you’ll look unique in your raid group. Want to be a 7 foot giant, or a 4 foot fairy? Perhaps you are going with an elvish theme, or a pirate theme, or even a dwarf theme? Just because the characters are human doesn’t mean you are stuck looking like one. The MMORPG gives you plenty of ways to make your character as unique and special as you want it to be.

Wings and Aerial Combat

One of the key features that "Aion" is proud to incorporate in the game is the ability to gain wings and use them in aerial combat. Essentially you become a god-like human who is rewarded with the freedom of flight. With this new feature a whole new dimension is added: the z-dimension. However, with a time limit attached to your ability to fly, yet another new strategy is introduced to the MMORPG's combat.

PvPvE

NCSoft is stating that "Aion" is a one of kind MMORPG in which it features a robust and fun "PvPvE system." For those of you who aren’t savvy with acronyms, this stands for Player versus Player versus Environment. A major part of "Aion" is their combat system against other players in the “Abyss,” the center of the broken planet, to control important territories and eventually the final Fortress. Expect hectic PvP action on the ground and in the air in order to control certain points to progress further in battle.

However, on top of the Elyos and Asmodians, a new faction threatens players in the Abyss: the Balaur, an NPC-controlled dragon race. Are you in their favor? If so, then you might have a few Balaur friends help you eliminate your enemies. If you aren’t on their good side, though, expect a much bigger challenge as you try to repel both players and NPCs. On top of an extra faction to worry about, players will get points for killing enemy players and gain ranks which unlock spectacular rewards.

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Will you take to the sky?

If "Aion" is a game that strikes your interest, make sure to get in on the hot summer beta action. If you pre-order the game, you are guaranteed a spot in all of the beta events happening this summer along with a bunch of other great perks. As mentioned in the beginning, the game is slated to come out on September 22 in the U.S. and September 25 in Europe. If you plan on playing the game let me know, and maybe we'll see each other online!

Posted by D. Kouvalis
July 2, 2009

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