Aion is one of the most beautiful MMOs on the market

The game undoubtedly has one of the most beautiful graphics in any MMORPG I've ever played. The landscapes are simply gorgeous and weather effects are so nicely done you can almost feel the shimmering heat of the desert sun. This has the potential for making exploration one of the best aspects of the game, if only there were more to explore. Unfortunately, the world of Atreia has been sundered and what remains are two small continents separated and held together by a vast aether field. Each continent has only five zones and one capital city and because the two playable races are at war with each other, players can't really explore the other continent. Although the zones do have enough quest content to get you through level 50, progression is rather linear and replayability is limited.

But perhaps it is precisely this compactness that has enabled the developers to create an MMO with trappings that are so well-designed that it almost feels like nit-picking when one finds something to complain about. Crafting, for example, feels like an integral part of the game rather than an afterthought thrown in for those who like doing it. You actually get game experience for crafting and gathering materials and your end products are comparable to rare loot drops so you don't feel like it's a waste of time. The game also allows you to level up your crafting by doing work orders, which is a good alternative to wasting precious materials while learning your craft.