AION Free-to-Play, with its roots as a monumental MMORPG, is nowadays a shadow of its former self. Community reviews on Steam reveal mixed impressions. Many veterans express nostalgia and disappointment, pointing to a dramatic drop in player activity and a sense that new mechanics and constant updates have eroded what originally made the game great. The switch from NCSOFT to Gameforge is a recurring complaint, long-term fans believe Gameforge’s management diminished the game’s quality and reputation, including introducing contentious monetization and a confusing player experience full of unnecessary systems. New players struggle with fragmented tutorials, poorly explained mechanics, and a blend of English and Korean texts, which only adds to the frustration.

Regarding AION 2, early impressions from players show it feels distinctly like a mobile port, especially visible in its menu design and limited object draw distance. While the game is visually appealing, areas feel smaller than promised. For European players, there’s little nostalgia and AION 2 is not a journey back to the golden age. The game claims it's not pay-to-win, but to experience it fully and compete at the highest level, you’re expected to shell out up to €70 a month for subscriptions, battle passes, and premium content. Many reviewers believe the monetization strategy will force western audiences away, and despite efforts to keep the core combat engaging, the presence of strong vertical progression and cash shop pressure is impossible to ignore. Graphics and atmosphere earn praise, but the gameplay package often undermines those upsides.