Launch Trailers for Free Aion 'Assault on Balauera' Update Arrive

'Assault on Balauera,' a hefty free expansion for NCSoft's MMO Aion has launched, alongside a couple of nifty trailers showing off (and explaining) some of the new features and content. The

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'Assault on Balauera,' a hefty free expansion for NCSoft's MMO Aion has launched, alongside a couple of nifty trailers showing off (and explaining) some of the new features and content. The patch will update Aion from version 1.9.0.3 to v2.0.0.2.

The first trailer is an orchestral mash-up of new locations, combat, and creatures, whereas the second trailer has members of the development team explaining the contents of the expansion in more detail.

You can grab the patch from FileShack, and peruse the fifty pages of patch notes detailing the new features and enhancements. Some of the most notable changes include an increase in the player level-cap from 50 to 55, three new zones for both PvP and PvE gameplay, and a beefed-up experience system that makes it easier for players to level-up. A new "windstream" system has also been added, acting as a sort of expressway that makes flying from place to place less of an ordeal.

A new "Pet System" has also been added to the mix. Some pets craft items, and some provide an extra inventory slot or warn the player of nearby danger. Purebred pets can do a combination of those things.

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    September 7, 2010 3:51 PM

    Is it still boring? Is combat still slow?

    • reply
      September 7, 2010 4:38 PM

      Not sure what you mean by slow.
      Just like any other mmo you are deprived of skills early on
      so the action is a bit slow because you are just swinging away
      waiting on your skills to recharge.

      If you learn to weave though you are never waiting on skills.

    • reply
      September 7, 2010 5:01 PM

      Getting past the starter area (pre-wings) opens up the game a bit combat wise.

    • reply
      September 7, 2010 6:21 PM

      Slow? The combat was never slow, at least for me. My issues with it were the grind later on, the economy and weird pvp. Otherwise, it can be fun at times.

      • reply
        September 8, 2010 12:47 AM

        Did they fix the grind like they said they would? I remember hitting lvl 35 on my assassin late last year. Was in the pre-beta, even bought the SE. The grind became too unbearable even for me. The eye-candy had lost its appeal and I stooped playing. Did it get any better?

        I am really looking forward to Guild Wars 2.

        • reply
          September 8, 2010 2:22 AM

          If you are looking to hit level cap in a week like WoW the grind isn't fixed.

        • reply
          September 8, 2010 8:31 AM

          It's better, but if you're expecting to level 3x as fast or anything you'll be disappointed. Coming from Final Fantasy XI Aion is hardly a grind considering there's actually mid-game content and you get XP while running instances. Dedicated farming is also not necessary as you gain money while leveling/running instances. But different strokes for different folks as they say.

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