It’s been a long wait for its Western import, but Aion 2.0: Assault on Balaurea is finally within our download reach.

The client installer has already been released, and it’s one big download after which you won’t have to patch up. You can download it from the NCSoft Torrent (you’ll need torrent programs like uTorrent for this) or via direct download from GamerHell (Full install or just the 1.9.0.3-2.0.0.2 patch)

If you’re still itching for info on what to expect from this big update that takes us to the very heart of the Balaurean homeland, fan site AionSource scored an interview with Producer Chris Hager during PAX 2010.

The more juicy tidbits he shared are the differences between the Korean and Western versions of Aion 2.0. It seems the Western version will have different fort siege timers and “a couple of drop rate differences,” which will be a lot more generous because we have less tolerance for grind than those grind-happy Koreans. Awarded experience will be bumped up too.

Because of these easier XP gains and loot, the always welcome Double XP Weekends is poised to become a holiday or special event thing, according to Mr. Hager.

The Producer also confirmed that the Western launch trailer, which has loads of Asmodians featured, has been intended to help with the faction balance, which now favors the Elyos. Every bit of help counts, I guess, at least compared to the Korean launch trailer which made it look like Aion is just a pretty land filled with fair-skinned angels.

Asmodians also get shown more prominently in the log-in screen for Aion 2.0 which should grab the attention of new players to the game. Let’s see if this strategy, coupled with the limited server transfers, will bulk up the Asmodian force and make PvP fights a tad more competitive on all servers.

If not, you can always buy Aion Kinah for evening out the playing field and owning opponents through sheer gear dominance. See you Daevas in Aion 2.0!

I blame cable. I had a more angsty title, but this high school chick flick came on and it taught me that cheesiness is perfectly acceptable when things are going right. And when you read the Aion Update 2.0 patch notes, you’ll agree with me that brownie points are in order for NCSoft and its game.

I didn’t expect to feel so warm and fuzzy reading the patch notes, which took NCSoft a week to translate after Update 2.0 went live in the Korean public test server. But when I checked the long “Yay” column in my content patch scoreboard–I review patch updates like an adolescent kid complete with Yay and Boo columns–I felt my wait rage over Update 1.9 come to pass.

So here I am giddy again about Aion like when it first launched last year. Why, you say? Well here’s the best ten features in what’s shaping up to be a pants-jizzing update:

1. Balaur homeland revealed. Balaurea opens up with two new regions: Inggison (Elyos) and Gelkmaros (Asmodians). Level 51 monsters roam both regions and contain two fortresses as well as four artifacts per faction. I’ve always liked to just fly around in Aion, taking snapshots of my toon while he’s pretending to be a wild hawk ready to swoop in on a helpless ground prey. These new areas give me new air space to do just that.

2. AFK with windstreams. Now I have more chances to tab-alt for five minutes, whether it’s to pick up my microwaved dinner or to take a tinkle break. The new windstreams which allow hands-off flight travel in the new Balaur regions are a godsend for any Aion gamer with real-life tasks to attend to. Plus these windstreams remind me of those invisible vehicle conveyor belts found in the Star Wars planet Coruscant.

3. Hear Aion while AFK. Update 2.0 gives an option to hear Aion game sounds even when it’s behind other windows, such as when browsing Firefox while the windstreams take you to your destination. It can be set up through Options -> Sound Options-> Hear Sound in Background.

4. Geyser rides. Aside from windstreams, Aion will be rolling out geysers that shoot a player upwards. I imagine these will add some vertical dimension to no-flight zones or dungeons. Plus the screenies of being thrown in the air by a spurt of water will be priceless.

5. Solo Instances. Update 2.0 brings six new dungeons and new loot. But these aren’t restricted to parties or to level 50+ Daevas. There will be three solo instances to test how well you can survive alone–from Taloc’s Hollow to Haramel for levels 18-22 to Nightmare for levels 37-41 (seen below).

6. Level cap increased to 55. All classes get brand-new skills per level increase from level 50 to 55–for a total of five per class plus additional stigma skills. These can be purchased in the Protectors Hall and Cloister of Kaisinel (Elyos); or the Capital Building in Pandaemoniumand Convent of Marchutan (Asmodian).

7. Clerics learn Immortal Shroud I. I own a paladin in World of Warcraft, so it’s nice that she and my cleric share something in common. My paladin has her all-deflecting bubble while my cleric has a 8-second physical barrier in the form of Immortal Shroud I. The latter is still inferior since I can still get creamed by magic spells, but having an emergency “you can’t get me” button is fantastic.

8. Fortress fiasco offers Eternal item prize. Each side will be scheming to invade fortresses to unlock the regional governors. When Asmodians occupy both fortresses in Inggison, Marchutan’s agent Mastarius appears; but when Elyos occupy both fotresses in Gelkmaros, Kaisinel’s agent Vielle appears.

I’ll be at the front lines trying to down them since they drop a sweet Eternal class item, and ranked players may get a random drop plus other mail rewards.

9. Gotta try ‘em all! Pet mania hits Atreia with the introduction of functional pets. There are five types of pets to choose from:

I’m most excited about the cutie panda, and want him to be a warehouse pet who hides extra items in his very thick fur. LOL.

10. Quest Helper. When playing an MMO, I like to get things done fast. Nothing’s more exhilarating than going from one quest objective to another, racking up loot and seeing that xp bar inch closer to a magical ding. The new quest feature shows all quests available at your toon’s level up to seven levels below.

Coverage only extends to the current region, but the system marks those hard-to-find NPCs necessary for your quests. Now I’ll shave off hours googling quest instructions and map out the most efficient quest completion path while leveling up.

I’m sure you’ll argue about my choices, but there’s honestly so many good things about Update 2.0 that I could have made it a Top 20 list. Head to the official translated Update 2.0 patch notes for a more extensive read. Ok, NCSoft, I’m happy–but don’t think I’ve forgotten Update 1.9!

Pop culture has painted quite an accurate stereotype of online gamers (bespectacled, introvert and sci-fi fan), but it’s often bothered me  how we’re clumped together with regards to play style. Not all of us are after mere hacking and slashing, because frankly, that’s just one aspect of MMOs.

One can often find item fanatics collecting rare weapons and armor, Aion Kinah or WoW Gold expenses be damned. There are also the war freaks who charge into massive arenas for exciting PvP action, arguably to channel their real world aggression.

But another bloc of gamers cares more for the “softer” aspects of MMOs. Enter the roleplayers.

Wear that? Say what?

Roleplayers (who I’m proud to belong to) are obsessed with donning the most (in)appropriate garb during Pirates’ Day, or rolling an elvish name that impresses the ladies. Don’t get me wrong, we also care about in-game currency and expensive gear, but only insofar as how these items can enhance our immersion to an MMO game.

We care so much about legend and lore that developers have often found themselves turning red in embarrassment when event timelines—as pointed out by one of our kind—do not stack up to a believable flow.

But as much as we can be sticklers for story accuracy and authenticity, we are also loved by developers because we participate most during in-game events.

First Christmas in Atreia, Sort of

Browsing through the initial preview of Aion’s Solarius Festival, I’m not sure if the in-game event will cut it out for us Aion roleplayers.

The website feature shows both capital cities of Sanctum and Pandaemonium smothered with ornaments and other Christmas trinkets. I can get over the massive wreaths and bows, but Shugos filling in as Santas? Merchants hate giving away free stuff, right?

The back story is interesting, though, as both Elyos and Asmodians will be celebrating the Solarius Festival in honor of ascended Daevas. There are also plans for an in-game musical orchestra activity, which what I’m most excited about. Band geeks and Glee fans rejoice!

Now, if NCSoft just adds more of these interactive elements to the Solarius Festival,

I’m sure roleplayers (or casual players like me) could find ourselves splitting time between online and offline Yuletide celebrations.

The Legend of Snow

WoW also continues its Feast of Winter Veil tradition. For the unitiated, the races of Azeroth believed that a certain Greatfather Winter would cover the land in snow. A great feast is thrown to honor the land’s rebirth after the harsh winter.

Aion’s Solarius Festival could learn a lesson or two from the Feast of Winter Veil. It has tons of content for us roleplayers to chew on, even when these are tied to standard quest formats.

There is a mission to save Metzen the Reindeer from captivity and Christmas Eve gift-giving (or more accurately gift-receiving). Jinglepocket Goblins’ Fare Shops will also be selling festive costumes and accessories.

Of course, some of these Christmas-inspired activities will cost a pretty in-game coin or two. But I personally wouldn’t mind a couple of money sinks aimed at my hard-earned Aion Kinah and WoW Gold, just as long as I get to throw a snowball at King Bronzebeard’s face and get away with it!

Aion Kinah is finally here and the numbers are in. With almost 400,000 preorders, Aion trumps all other MMO newcomers as it proves to be the heavyweight among game releases this 2009.

As with WoW’s Alliance and Horde, Aion also has its Elyos and Asmodian. The characters all look kickass and some are wildly beautiful. For starters, the colors used are all sorts of eye candy. Aion definitely ups the pretty factor as far as MMOs are concerned. Personally, I find that it’s a significant factor in my choosing a game.

While navigating through the site, I came across the character creation pages. My first thought: OMGOMGOMG! It was more than I ever expected. It really is customization at its finest. And I haven’t even started playing!

While amusing myself with the gamut of options, I seemed to be noticing familiar faces. And by that I mean, he/she totally looks like someone famous. Allow me to present you Aion’s celebrity lookalike characters.

EXHIBIT A

This one’s a no-brainer. And if it isn’t, you need to get your eyes checked. I mean, c’mon! From the seriously sexy stare down to the faux hawk, this male Elyos oozes of David Beckham. Hmm wonder if soccer and modelling is also in his skill set?

EXHIBIT B

And I thought Robert Pattinson was already everywhere. Now his sorta likeness is invading Aion, too. This male Asmodian’s hair is a definite upgrade from the rat’s nest the dude’s been sporting. But the ever present half drunk, half I-want-to-take-your-soul “seductive” look? Typical R-Pattz.

EXHIBIT C

Doesn’t this female Asmodian remind you of Taylor Swift? She isn’t exactly doppelganger material, I know, but look closely. The features are very similar, especially the shape of the eyes. Have them wear identical hairstyles and they can pass off as twins.

What do you guys think? Let us know if you’ve seen any look alikes in Aion! Maybe they even have 6-figure Aion Kinah salaries, eh?