Aion 2 is a fantasy MMORPG from Korean developer and publisher NCSOFT. It’s a continuation of 2009’s Aion, built on UE5, and features dynamic real-time combat, intricate character customization, a vibrant open world, and a ton of PvE and PvP content.
Aion 2 has been a long time coming, and whether you’re a fan of the original or a newcomer looking to dive into a fresh MMORPG with anime aesthetics, you’re in the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about the game to get you ready.
Table of contents
Aion 2: Story, gameplay, world
Aion 2 takes place in the world of Atreia, about 200 years after the events of the original game. It’s a high fantasy setting brimming with lush environments, bright elven castles, decaying monoliths, and shimmering underwater caves.
Traversal is integral to gameplay, with emphasis on mounts; it’s a smart blend of Forspoken’s and Middle-earth: Shadow of War’s ground and air movements. Mounts include dragons and other mythical creatures, some of whom also serve as pets.
As mentioned above, Aion 2 features both PvE and PvP content, but prioritizes the former. Atreia is brimming with open world activities such as quests, dungeons (solo and co-op), and minigames. Expect to face off against Colossus bosses in both the story and the open world.
Creature taming is also a huge part of the gameplay, especially since many of these creatures can be mounted. Like in traditional MMOs, you can take on several jobs and professions, such as cooking, crafting, and alchemy.
PvP includes classic 1v1 and 4v4 arenas and battlegrounds with activities such as capture the flag. There’s also the Abyss—open world activity where you can farm PvP gear every week.
Unfortunately, there isn’t any large-scale raid or siege-like activity at launch. However, there will be PvP seasons, where factions from different servers can compete for gear and other rewards.
Aion 2’s character creation might be its biggest strength
Character creation is the highlight of Aion 2. There is a staggering amount of customization options available, which you can use to create some of the most authentically unique fantasy characters to ever grace an MMO. You can choose from a wide array of character templates and tweak them to your liking, or you can start from scratch, customizing everything from the shape of their eyes to the mole on their neck.
Aion 2’s characters have anime aesthetics, but they feel more life-like, primarily because of their high-textured character models. You can notice every strand of hair cascading down your player’s shoulders as well as creases on their clothes.
There are more than a dozen options available for each attribute, including facial features and body proportions, so you can take your time creating the most breathtakingly beautiful or the most obnoxious, silly-looking character (whatever sails your boat) in Aion 2.
Interestingly, there is also an option in the game to share your character’s design with other players, similar to how it is in games like Forza Horizon 5. This way, you don’t have to spend hours in the creation menu to build a character to your liking.
Additionally, as a creator, the more players download your design, the more premium currency you gain, which you can use to buy in-game items. This is a great initiative for you to explore Aion 2’s character creation system more diligently.
Although Aion 2 just came out, players are already flaunting their unique-looking characters from the game. These include replicas of popular anime and TV personalities such as Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan), Makima (Chainsaw Man), and Dr.Strange, to name a few.
You can check out TheWhelps’s video for more popular designs, including some stunningly accurate recreations of a few of Korea’s most famous Idols.
All Aion 2 classes explained
At launch, Aion 2 features eight classes.
These are:
- Assassin
- Chanter
- Cleric
- Gladiator
- Ranger
- Sorcerer
- Spiritmaster
- Templar
Assassin
Assassin is a stealth-focused, melee class that specializes in dealing precision and burst damage. It’s deadly, but tough to master, and is best suited for group play.
Chanter
Chanter is a hybrid class that boasts offensive abilities and provides buffs and healing support. It uses a staff to unleash fast-paced attacks on enemies. It’s perfect for solo play.
Cleric
Cleric is a support class that uses spells to provide healing and revive other players. It’s primarily suited for group play.
Gladiator
Gladiator is an offensive, melee-focused class that specializes in dealing heavy attacks from two-handed weapons. It’s relatively tough to master, and we recommend using it for group sessions.
Ranger
Ranger is a DPS class that specializes in dealing long-range damage and placing deadly traps in the environment. It can also inflict several debuffs like bleed, slow, and stun. Thanks to its methodical gameplay style, Ranger is a great class to play solo or in groups, if you’re looking to deal slow or slay enemies from a distance.
Sorcerer
Sorcerer is an offensive class that specializes in dealing elemental damage and applying debuffs to enemies. It’s an excellent option for both solo and group play.
Spiritmaster
Spiritmaster is an all-around hybrid class that summons elemental creatures to fight alongside them. They can also provide healing support. It’s one of the best classes for solo play, but also a great option if you’re running an offense-focused group.
Templar
Templar is a hybrid class that specializes in providing a balanced experience with a sword and shield combo. It’s one of the simplest classes to play, and is suited for both solo and group play.
How to register for Aion 2
You can register for Aion 2 by following the steps written below:
- Head to Aion 2‘s official website.
- Sign up for PlayNC by selecting the Taiwan region and entering your DOB.
- Download Purple game launcher.
- Download Aion 2.
Please note that the pre-registration period for Aion 2 is over, which means you won’t be able to claim any of the free rewards. Additionally, selecting the region as Taiwan or Korea is mandatory, as Aion 2 isn’t available in other parts of the world.
That’s everything you need to know about Aion 2. Even if you don’t end up playing, you’ll be seeing those custom character creations on socials for months to come.
