Aion 2 Is Coming This Year — But Does Anyone Still Want Another MMORPG?

It’s been a long road for Aion 2. NCSoft first teased the sequel in 2018, and now, seven years later, they’re finally ready to show it off. A major reveal is coming May 29, but what we know already points to a 2025 global launch, with some major updates under the hood, including Unreal Engine 5 visuals and a more action-based combat system.

So yes, Aion is back. But here’s the real question: do we actually need another MMORPG in 2025?

Aion 2 is going full modern — built in Unreal Engine 5, ditching old-school tab-targeting in favor of faster, action-heavy combat, and leaning into both PvE and PvP content, just like its predecessor. Reports suggest it’ll follow a monetization strategy similar to Throne and Liberty, which basically means free-to-play with some kind of premium layering. Think cosmetics, gear, and probably some "convenience" boosts.

The original Aion launched in 2008 (2009 globally), and while it was never a WoW-killer, it had its moment. Its faction-based war system, vertical design, and flight mechanics were innovative for the time, and the game stuck around longer than many expected.

The Microtransaction Crisis

But Aion 2 isn’t launching into the same market. It’s launching into a market that’s absolutely overflowing.

There’s no gentle way to say this: The RPG space is bloated. Especially on the MMO and mobile sides.

We've got:

• Live service games competing for daily log-ins.
• MMORPGs are dropping every other quarter from Korea or China.
• Cross-platform games like Tarisland, Blue Protocol, and Throne and Liberty are all trying to be the "next big thing."

And it’s not just about quantity — it's about how these games are built now.

Modern MMOs aren't just trying to sell you a box copy. They want your time, your attention, and your wallet — every day, forever. Most titles launch free-to-play with monetization models that quickly spiral out of control. Premium currencies. Battle passes. Seasonal loot boxes. "Limited time offers."

The problem? We’ve hit fatigue.

We’ve got too many games doing the same monetization tricks. Too many grinds. Too many dailies. Too many currencies. It’s exhausting. Players are starting to push back, but the market is still built on the assumption that whales will keep spending and everyone else will just tolerate it.

If Aion 2 goes down the same path — and all signs point to that — then why should anyone care?

MMORPGs used to be about adventure and immersion. Now they’re about reward loops and spending incentives. Unless you're coming in with a strong brand (Final Fantasy XIV), a clear anti-microtransaction model (Guild Wars 2), or a game-changing mechanic (Lost Ark's raids, for example), you're just another shiny launcher on someone’s desktop.

Aion 2 might look great. It might play well. But unless it brings something actually new to the genre, it's going to have a very short honeymoon phase.

Games Like Aion 2 — And How They Stack Up

To put things in context, here’s a look at similar high-profile RPGs that Aion 2 will be competing with, both mechanically and visually:

Notice the trend? Big studios, high visuals, decent scores — but few long-term success stories outside of the established giants.

If Aion 2 has a chance, it’s going to come down to execution and tone. Can it avoid the monetization pitfalls? Will it actually deliver on combat that feels modern? Will it work across PC and mobile without feeling like a watered-down port?

Because right now, what most players want is less — fewer currencies, fewer grinds, fewer half-baked online experiences.

And unless NCSoft is ready to surprise us, Aion 2 might already be dead on arrival.

Aion 2 is launching in 2025 with Unreal Engine 5, cross-platform support, and action-based combat. But in a market flooded with monetized MMOs and lookalike RPGs, it’s facing a tough crowd.