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Why play Aion?
I wanted to enjoy that game, but I simply cannot.
Quests are bland and even more boring than games released several years ago (WoW, LOTRO). Combat is the most generic and boring point and click system possible. Classes are basically completely unoriginal, generic, and have virtually zero customization options in terms of builds and skills. Levels and gear (time played) far outweigh player skill.
Aion has simply gone the lazy route and repeated all of the things that people HATE about mmorpgs. Its just more of the same old crap we have been seeing for years.
AoC had better graphics, and I would say better combat yet people hate on it. WAR did more innovative things such as tiered pvp, scenarios, and public quests and people hate it. Both had better classes and character customization/builds.
Making a game that is even more generic than those two isn't going to keep people around I'm afraid. People who like LOTRO and FFXI may like this because its basically the same game. Then again they may not like it for that same reason, or because its a step back from both of those in various ways.
Myself and I suspect many other on this site can appreciate games that try to do something even slightly different in order to maintain a player's interest and keep the genre fresh.
Can an Aion fan please explain how making the most generic and carbon copy game possible that offers absolutely nothing new of interest, solves none of the problems with the genre, and in fact is less innovative than at least 2 failures before it is supposed to excite me even a little?
Comments
go read the 10 page EQ post in the pub forum. Maybe then, you can seek the answers to the questions you ask.
If you feel Aion is like you mentioned, why even bother making a topic about it? An Aion fan will never be able to answer you because he feels nothing (or at least not negatively) of generic or carbon copy, he is simply having fun playing the game.
What you probably seek isn't a Fantasy non-sandbox MMORPG, if it is, then you are simply not feeling the same way you did about Aion and someone will be able to make the exact same topic you're making here about the game you are a fan of.
Answering off your title.
Why play Aion? Because players are tired of the same old themepark. We have what 20-30 themeparks on the market that are all copied off one game.
People will try Aion to see if it offers something different.
I can't even play Themepark mmos anymore I stick to Sandbox games atleast making my own skill builds and hunting with friends is better than being lead around a linear map like some type of domestic animal.
To players that still have hope and are trying Aion I wish you all the luck. I gave up after WAR.
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
You shouldn't make the decision on what others tell you, or may tell you. Ultimately it is your decision, and if you don't enjoy the game, then why play it? I'm playing it because I enjoy the game, I got buddies of mine to play with, and I got a great Legion. Things will be different at the "end game", since the focus is entirely different (PVP with some PVE encounters, instead of just questing), and that might be what you're looking for. If that's the case, you might have to just play the game and make your decision once you hit the Abyss, when the PVP really starts to happen. But if you know you're not interested in any of that, no sense in lying to yourself and playing it just because you want to like it
.
WAR was the least polished game I have ever played, to start off. It was also a scenario grinding machine. The classes were imbalanced, and there was no point to Open World PvP at release. I tried so hard to like the game but I couldn't, even after making two characters.
AoC has no polish, and it didn't live up to expectations. People won't go back to it if they didn't like it in the first place. The graphics were too good for its time, now that i7 is somewhat affordable that changes things, but it's a bit late for AoC.
Here is Aion. A game with similar yet different mechanics to every other game available. It follows the MMO template, and it is unique in that World PvP has a point. It has more class balance than WAR because it has had 6 months in other countries. It has good graphics because most people now have machines that can run it on high settings. It has flight and aerial combat, which is a breath of fresh air for these games.
It has the basics nailed down, such as an in-game crafting system, auction houses, and even personal shops. The questing is similar to WoW's, but what game's isn't these days? Questing is now split into categories, indicating importance to the story. There is class personalization in the form of skills called Stigma and weapon procs, I forget their name. It has more polish than the average terrible games that come out from EA or Funcom. Plus, it offers a new beginning to those who are sick of WoW already. There are many who are but have no alternative to it.
And it is your opinion that there are problems with the genre, not the opinion of everyone. Would I enjoy some things in MMO's to be different? Yes. Do I still think Aion will be amazing, even if it is similar to these other games? Yes, because I am a big fan of PvP.
Hmm, I actually found Aion's quest alot more fun than WoW or LOTRO. I mean, maybe that is because I actually read quest logs and readable quest items, I am just kind of old school when it comes to questing and interacting with NPC.
I thought Aion's build was solely in how they customize mana/god stones, stigmas, equipments, and how they time and use skills and chains in combat. i remember people already said this game is based on player skills and customizations, and not over powered characters based on builds and skill trees.
Well please don't say people, when it is YOU who hate it. I personally like most of the systems designed in mmorpg even though they did lack something to bring it together as a game. However, Aion did a pretty good job at making the system balanced.
Another person that never got into the more complex part of the system it seems. I think maybe Aion should have just gave players everything at level 1. Of course, then I would be the one that does not play it if that happens, I am the type that like my game to get better as I play and not the other way around.
Because it's beautiful, fun, and original.
"Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought."
People keep saying endgame pvp is the reason, but why is Aion's pvp any better than AoC or WAR?
Maybe more balanced, but otherwise its the same gear / level / pots > skill and whoever has the bigger zerg wins. Again I ask, why should this entice me to spend hundreds if not thousands of hours getting to 'endgame' ?
I just looovvve this game...the unique capability of each character and the details and the quest lines are just stunning. I dont get why many people are flaming this game...this game has exceeded my expectations and beyond and Im so grateful for the people who made this game. Looking forward to the launch ^^
http://hushwolf.mybrute.com
Wtf?
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
Well, for one thing, Warhammer was ridiculously AOE heavy. There was not much of a need to focus down players (other than healers, who also were AOE healing), most of the time you could get away with running in, doing some AOE and running out before you die from their AOE.
This isn't present in Aion. Yes there are AOE abilities, but not everything is based on splash damage. If you want people to die, you have to focus people down, and not just spam a AOE ability hoping it takes out the important people.
Oh and the keep system isn't, well, terrible.
That is true, think about it. What would the WoW fans want to do with portals that suddenly opened up for pvp in a freaking questing area? Or pvpers interupting Raiders endgame? WoW had a ladder system and most people hated it.
You would have a bunch of highly annoyed players on your hands.
Forced features are very, very bad.
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
Indeed.
When you want a good PVP based MMO, without having to swing the nerfbat into eternity, because of endless PVP whiners and then with every nerf swing pissing off the PVE crowd along the way...
...then you will have to do some sacrifices when it comes to how far you can let players customize their characters, without the risk of Overpowered and Gimped builds.
World of Warcraft is a PERFECT example of that. When it comes to PVP.... the diehard PVP'ers all run around in the exact same gear and exact same skill builds.
And as Aion is a heavily PVP focussed game. Why getting yourself as developer into a coding and class balancing nightmare of offering players lots of customization, while you know that in the end... players go for the one and only most effective cookie cutter build anyway??
Then it's better it limit customization and so create highly balanced classes and let people customize their builds through other means (like the mana stones for example).
Cheers
I am inclined to agree.
People don't play theme parks because they want challenge. People criticize WoW all day long because its easy, yet it blows away every clone, including Aion by a long shot, because it gives these types of players exactly what they are looking for - An easy world with no challenge and no skill required that you can dominate provided you put in enough playtime.
You can't really compare the game to how well other games did on their release. WAR and AoC were both hyped up pre-launch, and both met a pretty dismal demise after the first month, if not, in the first month. Aion has been out for, oh I don't know, 2 years maybe? It's not being released (as in newly released) to NA/EU, it's being localized for us (still a huge deal, not many realize how much work even localizing actually takes). So all those woes and dismay of after launch balancing and tweaking has pretty much long passed.
In short, the game we are getting is significantly more polished than any other recent games (for reference, look at massive changes WAR/AOC have been going through).
Indeed.
When you want a good PVP based MMO, without having to swing the nerfbat into eternity, because of endless PVP whiners and then with every nerf swing pissing off the PVE crowd along the way...
...then you will have to do some sacrifices when it comes to how far you can let players customize their characters, without the risk of Overpowered and Gimped builds.
World of Warcraft is a PERFECT example of that. When it comes to PVP.... the diehard PVP'ers all run around in the exact same gear and exact same skill builds.
And as Aion is a heavily PVP focussed game. Why getting yourself as developer into a coding and class balancing nightmare of offering players lots of customization, while you know that in the end... players go for the one and only most effective cookie cutter build anyway??
Then it's better it limit customization and so create highly balanced classes and let people customize their builds through other means (like the mana stones for example).
Cheers
Did you really just say that limiting customization options of the player keepers things balanced and is better for pvp?
Wtf is wrong with you? character customization is the reason you play MMos!!!!!
Jesus Christ!!!!! Go play TF2 if you want everyone to be the same for a balanced match.
I swear you guys will say anything in favor of a game you like, I honestly can't believe any mmo player would think like that.
Hey why have any options at all just give everyone like 5 spells and no level we could just run around and pvp. Ever try Savage 2? go play that and tell me it doesnt become lame after about 2 hours.
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
I meant the setting, a planet torn in two, people living on the inside, etc.
"Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought."
Indeed.
When you want a good PVP based MMO, without having to swing the nerfbat into eternity, because of endless PVP whiners and then with every nerf swing pissing off the PVE crowd along the way...
...then you will have to do some sacrifices when it comes to how far you can let players customize their characters, without the risk of Overpowered and Gimped builds.
World of Warcraft is a PERFECT example of that. When it comes to PVP.... the diehard PVP'ers all run around in the exact same gear and exact same skill builds.
And as Aion is a heavily PVP focussed game. Why getting yourself as developer into a coding and class balancing nightmare of offering players lots of customization, while you know that in the end... players go for the one and only most effective cookie cutter build anyway??
Then it's better it limit customization and so create highly balanced classes and let people customize their builds through other means (like the mana stones for example).
Cheers
You are right, it is tough to build a game where classes have all kinds of different skill builds and thus variety.
But I'm afraid this isn't coding class. These are professional programmers with millions of dollars on the line. God forbid they at least make an effort to put together something that people actually enjoy.
Man, dig up some of the beta forums for AOC/WAR. Same thing. 'It's the most innovative...blah,blah, blah...etc."
Month after release...'This game sux! I won;t pay to play beta!! blah, blah, etc."
Lemmings that feel they HAVE to like the game because others say they do for the same reason.
"Aion has simply gone the lazy route and repeated all of the things that people HATE about mmorpgs."
Well, some people HATE. Clearly you are one of those.
"AoC had better graphics, and I would say better combat yet people hate on it. WAR did more innovative things such as tiered pvp, scenarios, and public quests and people hate it. Both had better classes and character customization/builds."
Yes, and with all of that hate are you surprised that a company wishing to make money would not follow in those footsteps? Most "innovations" fail which is why most companies avoid them.
"Making a game that is even more generic than those two isn't going to keep people around I'm afraid."
I'll bet cold, hard cash you are wrong. Will it be a "WoW-killer"? I doubt it. But I suspect it will have a good and profitable run for the company. I do believe, however, that it will not keep you around.
"Myself and I suspect many other on this site can appreciate games that try to do something even slightly different in order to maintain a player's interest and keep the genre fresh."
Sure... but this may not be the game for you. Oddly enough those that do try things different tend to fail. So I suspect change for change sake and people that hold with what you are saying are in the minority.
"Can an Aion fan please explain how making the most generic and carbon copy game possible that offers absolutely nothing new of interest, solves none of the problems with the genre, and in fact is less innovative than at least 2 failures before it is supposed to excite me even a little?"
It's not.
However, for those of us that enjoy a proven style of story driven game play with solo and group PvE plus a PvP slant that isn't 100% gank, we find it compelling. Some of us don't mind that it is not innovative but instead enjoy the fact that it is another game in the genre that gives us more of the same, but new.
Kind of like if you enjoy crime novels you read yet another one... even though you could say it's just another murder with clues and you know in the end the detective gets their man... yet, we enjoy it.
What I don't understand is why is that such an affront to some people when it is basically how life works.
"People don't play theme parks because they want challenge. People criticize WoW all day long because its easy, yet it blows away every clone, including Aion by a long shot, because it gives these types of players exactly what they are looking for - An easy world with no challenge and no skill required that you can dominate provided you put in enough playtime."
Or... maybe they prefer the story line and having the challenge not be over the top. Where the key is that you play 40 hours a week.
One thing I'll hand to the majority of "theme park"ers... they aren't insulting about the sandbox crowd.
But I have found most sandbox people (not all) are PvP people and those are the ones that like to talk smack and look down on everone... so, no surprises.
Sandbox gamers are pissed off thats why.
Play these games for 12 years when dying means possibly losing months if not years of hard work, where you can't trust anyone and see if your happy go lucky hippie boy.
play a sub genre that has nothing but indy titles to play that always are really buggy and missing features but we need to support the games anyway because we know in 6-12 months the game will be golden.
We don't like people telling us some asian copycat game is the best pvp game ever only to find out its the same rez and run back no risk shit.
Can you really blame us for being the way we are?
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
Did you really just say that limiting customization options of the player keepers things balanced and is better for pvp?
Wtf is wrong with you? character customization is the reason you play MMos!!!!!
Jesus Christ!!!!! Go play TF2 if you want everyone to be the same for a balanced match.
I swear you guys will say anything in favor of a game you like, I honestly can't believe any mmo player would think like that.
Hey why have any options at all just give everyone like 5 spells and no level we could just run around and pvp. Ever try Savage 2? go play that and tell me it doesnt become lame after about 2 hours.
Maybe if you actually read my whole post more carefully you could understand what I was trying to say.
I don't say there shouldn't be any customization at all.
There is plenty of customization in Aion. Just not through the traditional means like WoW or EQ2.
And don't tell me that World of Warcraft has high customization when it comes to PVP! Because that is utter bull.
Everyone runs around in the same skill tree build setup and with the same gear in the end!
So much for having different skill trees, while in the end everyone goes for the same cookie cutter setup found on the internet.
And EQ2 with it's 24 classes and AA trees is a balancing nightmare. That's why I never bothered rolling onto one of the PVP servers. Hence the reason they gonna merge the last 2 PVP servers again.
EQ2 is great fun when it comes to PVE. For PVE it doesn't matter that 24 classes are highly unbalanced, as long as you have fun. That's why I still have a blast playing that game. On a PVE server!
But when it comes to PVP... nothing is more frustrating than playing the class you love being stomped to death by heavily OverPowered classes!
I have yet to find one MMO with heavy customization options with endless possibilites and able to offer balanced PVP!
Even EVE Online doesn't offer that. It has a pleatora of balancing issues!!
It's nice to have so many possiblities and skills. But having played EVE Online for several years, even in this Sandbox game... in the end people fly around in pretty much the same cookie cutter ship setups.
That is just unavoidable! Doesn't matter how much customization you offer! In the end one person finds the best and ultimate setup... it leaks out... ends up on the internet... and soon after everyone is flying around in that exact same setup!
Cheers
Did you really just say that limiting customization options of the player keepers things balanced and is better for pvp?
Wtf is wrong with you? character customization is the reason you play MMos!!!!!
Jesus Christ!!!!! Go play TF2 if you want everyone to be the same for a balanced match.
I swear you guys will say anything in favor of a game you like, I honestly can't believe any mmo player would think like that.
Hey why have any options at all just give everyone like 5 spells and no level we could just run around and pvp. Ever try Savage 2? go play that and tell me it doesnt become lame after about 2 hours.
Maybe if you actually read my whole post more carefully you could understand what I was trying to say.
I don't say there shouldn't be any customization at all.
There is plenty of customization in Aion. Just not through the traditional means like WoW or EQ2.
And don't tell me that World of Warcraft has high customization when it comes to PVP! Because that is utter bull.
Everyone runs around in the same skill tree build setup and with the same gear in the end!
So much for having different skill trees, while in the end everyone goes for the same cookie cutter setup found on the internet.
And EQ2 with it's 24 classes and AA trees is a balancing nightmare. That's why I never bothered rolling onto one of the PVP servers. Hence the reason they gonna merge the last 2 PVP servers again.
EQ2 is great fun when it comes to PVE. For PVE it doesn't matter that 24 classes are highly unbalanced, as long as you have fun. That's why I still have a blast playing that game. On a PVE server!
But when it comes to PVP... nothing is more frustrating than playing the class you love being stomped to death by heavily OverPowered classes!
EQ2 was a pve game. WoW has atleast two specs for every class that could atleast hold their own in pvp.
Also WoW is in no way traditional, its talent tree system is totally watered down and to any real pvpers quite lame and limited. To say Aion has less makes the game even more unappealing.
IN a class based game there should be no reason for one class to rule them all. Even with a few combinations for each class it's not hard. Look at guildwars that game had a dual class system, thousands of spells/abilities and a stat allocation system under the hood and it was near perfectly balanced.
I don't know. I personally find WoWs talent system so restricting it kills me. Fucking WAR was worse and if Aion is even more limiting that WAR I don't know what to say.
What happend to the good old themeparks that gave people a good amount of choice in character builds Like AO and DAoC.
It gets frustrating reading about limited customization being a good thing when it's one of the problems with the genre.
Edit: as for Eve it's a sandbox game in a sandbox you have thousands of particular skill builds someone can take and no everyone doesn't use the same build for every ship. I just finished having a conversation about balancing sandbox games in another thread and personally I feel you can never have a truly balanced sandbox. too many variables to work with but those games are different you have a way around balance issues, you bring more people!
with Aions push for world pvp im surprised its customization is limited, you would think a massive pvp game would give more options since individual class balance means less when you have that many people, similar to sandbox games. Odd.
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
Who cares if you play AION or not, why should I tell why or how you should enjoy it. If you don't enjoy it and can't comprehend enjoying it then it's prolly not for you guy... Grow a pair and learn to make your own decisions.
About Sand Box games
Sandbox games offer the idea of customization! and Uniqueness! but thats not how it works.
UO: Deadly Poison for all Melee fighters Corp Por and Flame Strike for all Mage classes
Darkfall: Archery for everyone, Fire Magic for everyone, Earth Magic for everyone ... nothing else really matters
so even in Sand Boxes where the players are anal retnetive little e-peen freaks trying to prove something to themselves about their masculanity that isn't presant in reality they all play the same class anyways by leveling the same skills.
Remember launch in Darkfall? Pole arms were considered OP 99% of the server traded their newbie weapon for a newbie pole arm... fire magic was the first break though advanced magic feat so everyone started getting fire magic... archery is OP as hell everyone, mage, crafter, melee w/e... everyone had archery and tried to have it maxed by afk macroing shooting in thin air for 2 days.
I had fun in Darkfall, dont get me wrong but it's all the same ATLEAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in Aion I wont be hit by super spells, then arrows in the back by everyone on the server so there will be some diviersity in PvP.
Honestly though UO had far more diversity then Darkfall did and more than Mortal Online will as mortal is a graphical clone of Darkfall with less features implemented at the moment and more generic animations.
"Sometimes people say stuff they don''t mean, but more often then that they don''t say things they do mean"
