Aion 2 Hits 400K Players on Steam Despite Mixed Reviews

Did you hear about the new MMO that just took Steam by storm? Aion 2, the sequel to the classic 2008 Korean MMO, launched with a whopping 397,905 concurrent players on its first official day. That's according to SteamDB, and it's no small feat.

The game was available pre-release to those who paid, so there was already a dedicated fanbase ready to jump in. On Steam's Most Played charts, Aion 2 sits at number four, ahead of heavyweights like Apex Legends and Wardogs. It's also the third most downloaded title on Valve's platform right now. Clearly, lots of you are curious.

But here's the catch: player reviews are a mixed bag. The game currently has a 'Mixed' rating on Steam, with many complaints focusing on pay-to-win features. One reviewer called it 'extremely predatory monetization' and said it's 'the complete opposite of what a good MMO means.' Others mentioned 'slop' vibes, possibly pointing to the use of generative AI.

Indeed, there's a disclaimer on the store page: 'Some in-game assets were created with the assistance of AI tools. Arcana card designs and some icons use AI-generated assets.' So NC, the developer and publisher, is being upfront about it. But that's not the main gripe—pay-to-win is the big concern, and Aion has a history with that.

Still, it's not all doom and gloom. Many players are praising the stunning character creator and gorgeous visuals. Our own take: the character creation is wonderful, and the world is beautiful. Plus, with so many players online, you'll never run out of people to group with.

So, what's the verdict? Aion 2 is clearly popular, but its monetization and AI usage are causing friction. If you're looking for a new MMO to dive into, it might be worth checking out—just be prepared for the pay-to-win elements. Will you be giving Aion 2 a shot? Let us know in the comments!