Aion 2 Review: Flashy Combat Meets a Brutal Free to Play Grind

NCSoft is back with Aion 2, a follow up to the hit 2008 MMO. The new game brings back iconic features like flying combat and exploration, mixed with modern graphics. However, the story during the ten hour leveling campaign is mostly forgettable, featuring annoying characters and a confusing opening chapter. The plot simply serves as a setup to reach the maximum level and start the core gameplay loop.

The real highlight of the experience is the combat system. Players can set up complex action bars and macros to chain together fast attacks without global cooldowns. Experimenting with different class abilities, such as building frost stacks on enemies as a sorcerer, feels rewarding. Side quests and solo dungeons hand out plenty of upgrade points, making exploration fun while leveling up.

Once players hit the maximum level, the true free to play nature of the game takes over. Reaching higher item levels requires a massive grind for materials and crafting items that carry a chance to fail. Essential features like the auction house sit behind paid monthly subscriptions, leaving free players facing steep paywalls and a tiring endgame.

Fans looking for nostalgic flying action might find some fun in the early hours. Yet, the heavy reliance on cash shop mechanics and endless grinding makes the endgame tough to enjoy without spending real money.