I’ve been testing the new MMO on Taiwanese servers for a few weeks, and while there’s a lot to like, there are several design and business choices that can strongly affect how you play and progress. Below I’ve collected my observations, practical tips, and some warnings from the early grind — written like a fellow player telling you what actually matters instead of rehashing the trailer.
What works: combat, flying, and character freedom
Combat surprised me in a good way. It feels like a hybrid between action and tab-targeting: you can auto-target and play more traditionally, or go for click-and-dodge action. There’s no global cooldown — everything is cooldown-based — and classes feel distinct. I played the gladiator and enjoyed the weight behind the heavy-hitting abilities.
Two systems stand out as genuinely fun: flying and mounts/pets. Flying isn’t just cosmetic — you can fight while airborne — and the pet/mount system is neat: defeat a mob enough times and it becomes a mount/pet that follows you and grants buffs. Character customization is deep; the creation sliders let you craft very specific looks, so get it right when you first make a character (you’ll pay to re-customize later).
What hurts progression: servers, ping, and energy gating
Server stability has been a headache. One server (the busiest Western-populated one) crashed a lot, causing long down-times and progress halts. If you play on non-local servers, plan for higher ping and use a reputable VPN/ping reducer for a better experience — I found that the game becomes much more playable that way.
The game also uses an energy system for claiming dungeon loot. That’s unusual for an MMO and feels like a mobile design choice that slows progression if you don’t want to spend. Expect to manage your energy like you would in a gacha game: plan your runs and save energy for the sessions that matter.
Monetization and the subscription trap
Monetization is the biggest issue. There are multiple subscriptions with overlapping benefits (convenience, gameplay boosts), and a “big” combined subscription that brings both. Subscriptions are sold in 28-day periods (not 30), which means you effectively pay for 13 cycles a year — a detail that racks up. Battle passes and premium currency are also structured to nudge you toward the larger bundles with awkward denominations.
Because the game ties certain conveniences (like personal trading, market listing, and a currency exchange) to subscription status, progression is noticeably easier if you pay. That creates a strong incentive to subscribe — and to keep subscribing per character. If you plan to play multiple mains, expect to buy perks on each character unless that changes.
When discussing currency and conversion systems, remember the in-game gold is a core part of progression and cosmetic purchases. Players already talk about how important in-game money is for dyeing skins, recustomizing characters, and buying outfits, so handling currency efficiently is a big part of the meta. I’ve seen players mention the term Aion 2 Kinah when referring to primary in-game currency needs and conversions, so keep an eye on how the store packages currency vs. what you actually need for cosmetics or passes.
UI, inventory and quality-of-life annoyances
The UI feels very mobile-first. Inventory treats currencies and materials as items that take slots — that’s clunky for an MMO. Storage has restrictions (some items are character-bound and can’t be banked), which forces you to carry inventory bloat. There’s little ability to remap or fully customize the UI layout, and the overall presentation can feel messy during long play sessions. Heads-up: manage your carry space frequently and use storage smartly.
Skins, cosmetics, and how the cash shop nudges you
The skin/dismantle system is interesting: many low-tier skins are guaranteed upon dismantle, but rarer skins have low dismantle rates (down to about 25% in my tests). You can use leveling gear as cosmetic skin layers, which is player-friendly, but many premium dyes and recustomization actions cost the premium currency. The shop’s currency packaging is deliberately structured to encourage larger purchases, so don’t buy on impulse.
If you’re tempted to buy currency from third-party sites because in-game packs are awkwardly sized or expensive, be careful. There are offers for “Aion 2 Kinah for sale cheap” floating around, and some well-known sellers such as U4GM get mentioned in player chat. Buying from third parties carries account and security risks — you can get scammed or even banned — so weigh that risk heavily before you decide.
Practical tips for early players
- Spend time on character creation — recustomization is not cheap.
- Use a ping reducer if you’re on faraway servers; gameplay becomes smoother.
- Don’t assume you need every subscription — decide which QoL features actually matter to you.
- Manage energy like a resource: prioritize dungeons that give the best returns.
- Treat inventory as a limited resource — stash crafting items often and dismantle redundant gear.
FAQ
Q: How can I get the premium currency?
A: Buy in-game packs or earn some through battle pass rewards and events. Watch bundle values; sometimes buying the larger package is cheaper per unit.
Q: Is it safe to buy third-party Kinah?
A: Not recommended. Third-party sellers may violate terms of service and risk account bans or scams.
Q: Are subscriptions account-wide?
A: Early reports say subscriptions/battle passes appear to be character-bound, meaning you’d need to buy them per character. That’s a big factor if you plan multiple mains.
Q: Does the energy system block content?
A: Energy limits how much loot you can claim from dungeons; it slows progression if you don’t plan runs or pay to refresh.
Q: Are skins obtainable without spending real money?
A: Yes — many skins can be obtained through drops, dismantling, and in-game rewards, though rarer skins have low rates and dyes often cost premium currency.
Q: Will flying and mounts be useful in endgame?
A: Yes. Flying enables combat and mobility options; mounts/pets also provide buffs and are a pleasant way to personalize your character.
Q: How often are battle passes offered?
A: Current passes run roughly every three months, but special events and limited-time passes could appear between those cycles.
Q: Any tips to avoid spending too much?
A: Prioritize what improves playability vs cosmetics. If convenience subscription is tempting, compare its monthly cost to how much time it saves you.
Short
There’s a lot of charm here: strong combat, deep character customization, and neat mount systems. However, server stability, mobile-minded UI choices, an energy gating system, and aggressive monetization make the early experience feel uneven. If you care about fairness and long-term value, test the waters for free first, focus on one main character, and be cautious about paying third parties — there are real account risks. With some adjustments from the developers (simpler subscription options, less predatory packaging), this could be a much stronger launch.
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