AION 2 is an upcoming MMORPG that has been in development since 2018, and for a long time, it wasn't a game that inspired much confidence. When it was first announced, many players—including myself—assumed it would follow the familiar NCSoft trend: a mobile-first MMO with a PC version bolted on, similar to what happened with Blade & Soul 2.
Thankfully, recent gameplay reveals suggest that Aion 2 Items is not quite that kind of project.
While AION 2 will be playable on both PC and mobile, the developers have clarified that mobile players are not expected to participate in difficult content. Instead, mobile access is intended for casual activities such as crafting, gathering, and mini-games. Core PvE, PvP, and endgame content are clearly designed with PC gameplay in mind, which immediately puts AION 2 in a better position than many recent cross-platform MMOs.
This approach—designing a full PC MMO first and allowing mobile access only for lighter activities—is becoming more common in Eastern MMORPGs, and if monetization remains reasonable, it's a compromise that can work.
Combat and Gameplay: Flashy, Fast, and Slightly Janky
The most recent gameplay footage showcased four classes: Ranger, Sorcerer, Cleric, and Templar, pulled from both Korean and Taiwanese developer livestreams.
The first thing that stands out is the sheer intensity of the combat visuals. Damage numbers are enormous, ability effects are loud and flashy, and the screen can easily turn into a visual overload. While this can feel chaotic, it's so over-the-top that it ends up being entertaining rather than off-putting—at least in short bursts.
Among the classes shown, the Ranger looked the most polished, while the Templar appeared the clunkiest, possibly due to unfinished animations or bugs in the footage.
One positive takeaway is that not every ability roots the player in place. Many skills can be used while moving, and each class showcased mobility tools that, while not perfectly smooth, looked responsive enough to support active combat. This alone puts AION 2 ahead of many recent MMOs that rely heavily on stationary casting.
From what can be seen so far, AION 2's combat appears faster and more mobile than Throne and Liberty, though still somewhat janky in places, with noticeable desync and animation stiffness. That said, it looks fun—and that matters.
Abilities and Skill Complexity
AION 2 does not appear to overly compromise its combat system for mobile users. The visible hotbar shows access to 12 core abilities, including mouse buttons, hotkeys, and Q/E bindings.
Developers have confirmed that when combo skills, passives, and stigma abilities are included, each class has around 40 total abilities. This should provide enough depth, assuming cooldowns are reasonable and players aren't left waiting between inputs.
As long as combat avoids excessive auto-attacking and maintains a steady flow of decision-making, the system looks promising.
User Interface: Functional but Soulless
While AION 2 thankfully uses a traditional PC MMO hotbar layout, much of the UI still carries strong mobile DNA. Menus, inventory screens, and loot windows are filled with oversized buttons and simplified layouts.
The UI works, but it lacks personality. It feels functional rather than immersive—something that was also true of the original AION. The uniform color scheme for ability icons is another issue, making it harder to visually distinguish skills at a glance. This may be placeholder design, but it's currently a weak point.
Character Creation and World Features
AION 2's character creator lives up to expectations for a modern Korean MMO. Players have access to extensive sliders, facial customization, makeup options, hairstyles, and body adjustments. Importantly, characters appear to look consistent in-game, avoiding the disconnect seen in some recent MMO tests.
One of AION's most iconic features—angelic wings and flight—returns in full force. Developers have stated that players will be able to fly anywhere, not just in limited zones. Aerial combat is confirmed, though it wasn't shown during the showcase. Even so, flight animations and dungeon teleport sequences already look polished and stylish.
PvE and PvP Content Overview
AION 2 offers a wide range of content across PvE and PvP:
PvP Content
1v1 and 4v4 Arenas
8v8 Payload Battlegrounds
Rift of Time
Abyss Open-World PvP
PvP in enemy territory
Combined ground and aerial battlefield combat
The developers appear to be focusing more on small-scale PvP rather than massive zerg warfare.
PvE Content
Solo PvE
Nightmare boss dungeons with rankings
Sealed dungeons (60 per faction) combining PvE and PvP
Garrisons and fort liberation
Time-attack awakening boss battles
Group PvE
Expeditions (1–4 player dungeons)
Transcendence dungeons with performance-based rewards
Subjugation boss battles with random modifiers
Sanctuary raids (8-player endgame content)
This structure suggests a healthy mix of skill-based solo challenges and cooperative endgame content.
Concerns: Auto-Combat, Monetization, and RNG
Auto-combat is reportedly in development but was not shown. The idea of partial automation—especially for mobile players—is concerning. Ideally, it should be restricted to low-level open-world activities or removed entirely from meaningful content.
Gear stats will include RNG, which is expected, but monetization remains unclear. Developers have stated that wings will be cosmetic only, but given NCSoft's track record, many players expect pay-to-win elements or a real-money auction house to eventually appear.
Final Verdict: Cautiously Interested
Based on what's been shown so far,Aion 2 Kinah is better than expected, though still far from revolutionary. It currently looks like a solid 5/10 MMO—not terrible, not amazing, but potentially enjoyable for a few weeks or longer depending on balance and monetization.
The biggest downside is timing. AION 2 launches in Korea in late 2025, with a Western release planned for mid-2026. By then, the game will be thoroughly solved, optimized, and documented, which often hurts long-term discovery and excitement.
Still, AION 2 has moved from being completely ignored to being worth a proper first impressions playthrough. In today's MMO landscape, that alone is a small win.
Comments (0)