NCsoft's 'Aion' Dated for North America, Europe

Environments look extremely overfilled with details and npcs. They might want to make emptier areas.

Is it true that the areas are "on rails" similar to Guild Wars where you can't fully explore the environment? I also heard that the wings aren't really true free movement once you get them.

It looks amazing though.

God damit. The game looks gorgeous and then they have to ruin everything by sticking a troll/elf thing in there.

Just played the close-beta event this past weekend. The graphics and art style are amazing. What's more amazing is that there was virtually no load times (and lag) to be had. It took 1-2 sec from clicking on my character until I was able to run around in game, so the tech and engine are pretty impressive. The game has been out in Korea for a while so it is pretty polished considering that patching and class balancing have already been released.
But, yea, as most have said it doesn't offer a whole lot in the revolutionary department aside from the flying combat and PVP. It looked as if they took the more successful MMO elements from recent games and put them all together with incredible graphics and the flying. Also the sound score seems very well done and adds to the atmosphere.

Another MMO.

How's the combat ? is it fun is it intuitive do you react to your opponent ?

My impressions from earlier betas around the world in reply:

*crickets*