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Aion

(2009, Computer Software - Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOG), Rated T, Play it on: Windows)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Fantasy MMO set in war between two races has bloody combat.

In this game kids can:   battle others, create an avatar, kill humans (with blood), kill non-humans (with blood), play in a virtual world, play with others, strategize

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

The good stuff

  • Ease of play:

    Controls are intuitive and the tutorial runs the player through the various features in the game.  Players who have played any other major MMORPG will have no trouble picking this game up.

  • Educational value:

    MMORPGs will always train young players on teamwork as that is the only way that major objectives can be accomplished. Strategy is also a large part of this game, especially with the limited Flight ability.
 

What to watch out for

  • Online interaction:

    With a T rating, this game is really designed for older teens and adults. But the open chat and open forums -- albeit with moderation -- allow full online interaction which can be unpredictable. To offset this, Aion offers "friends" as well as "ignore" lists that players can use.

  • Messages:

    Aion is a game about choosing to fight on one side or another in a war between two races -- either Elyos or Asmodian. The Elyos are fair skinned and get white wings, while the Asmodians are blue to dark skinned and get black wings. Because the game chooses to present these races as different colors, some could interpret the game as having racial overtones. And while either race is very supportive of you as you play, the ultimate message is about fighting a war, not about tolerance.

  • Role models:

    Because you fight against people who look different than you, this game could be interpreted as creating negative role models in that characters that make judgments based solely on appearance. The non-player characters or computer-controlled characters do a good job of supporting you by encouraging you to excel in your class, but they also urge you to defeat your enemies.

  • Violence:

    Avatars are human and to progress in this game, players will have to kill fantasy creatures and other players using either magical attacks or weapons. Players can use swords, lances, and hand-to-hand combat to kill, and some blood may be shown. The blood spray can be turned off.

  • Sex:

    As with many MMORPGs, characters are hyper-sexualized with revealing clothing and poses.

  • Language:

    The word "damn" appears occasionally in the in-game quest dialoge text. Chat is open with bad-word  filters, but even so, players may find ways to get around those filters.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    No drugs or smoking evident in the game, but as it is a fantasy game, there are Inns and various alcoholic beverages available in game and in a tavern scene, one character stumbles around as he drinks from a mug.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Aion was written by Carolyn Koh

Parents need to know that Aion is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game that takes place in the middle of war between two races. Players choose to join one of two factions: one is light-skinned and the other is dark-skinned which may lead some to think of racial stereotyping. The game has player versus player combat where the aim is to kill and defeat other players using weapons and magical attacks. Blood can be seen, but that graphical effect can be turned off. Unique to this game is the ability to gain wings and fly. As a "Teen"-rated MMO game, there are no parental controls. This means that the game has open chat (with language filters in place) which can lead to unpredictable conversations. Parents should remind kids to not give out personal information. There are references to alcohol in the game. The game must be purchased and thereafter it has an ongoing monthly subscription fee.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about online Social Behavior and boundaries. Do you think what you do in game reflects upon you as a person? Does a character's behavior impact the way you think about the person controlling that character? Why should you not give out personal information online?
  • Families can also discuss the  warfare in this game. Games often have color stereotypes, do you think that this game does?  Do you think that the darker race in the game is evil as compared to the lighter race?
  • Families can talk about playing against other players and sportsmanship. Would you like it if you lost in a contest and the winning team made fun of you?
  • Since this is a game that can take a lot of time, families might want to talk about strategies for setting time limits.
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More on Aion

What’s the Story?

AION is a fantasy MMORPG which has the unique feature of letting you earn the ability to fly. Players choose to play as a member of one of two factions who are at war -- either the Elyos, who live where the sun always shines, or the Asmodians, who live in the part of the world in constant shadow. Long ago, this world was literally torn apart leaving an abyss-like region where a Dragon-like creature, the Baluar, lives. The Elyos and Asmodians engage in combat against each other in this abyss, while the computer artificial intelligence-controlled Baluar either assist or interfere. The Baluar is the balancing factor in these battles, assisting the weaker side. Players go through a quest known as the Ascension and gain their wings at an early stage, then strive towards improving their skills and armor to particpate in war. Flight is a strategic component in both combat and in questing; and it is limited in time and to specific areas of the world.

Close

Is It Any Good?

Aion is a feature-rich game and has all the hallmarks of a full-featured MMOG. The game offers beautiful scenery, fun quests, and a huge world to explore. The game builds up an incredible expectation of earning your wings for flight, and luckily, the cutscene where players attain their wings is breath-taking. Surrounded by constantly changing landscapes and the cities that showcase grandoise architecture, players can spend hours exploring and finding new items, including items to harvest, magical things, and items to create through craft. Players can trade, buy, and sell, as well as fight new enemies and learn new skills. In the latter part of the game, the challenge of Player-vs-Player combat can keep a teen attached to his or her computer for hours at a time. If managed well, the experience can be fun, rewarding, and educational in terms of teaching the value of playing as a team. Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 9/22/2009, price $49.99 + $14.99 monthly, online enabled
ESRB rating: T (for Blood, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence)

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Cathy223
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    12+ Amazing Game and Graphics

    This game is rated 12+ by PEGI and there are many safety features, like most MMOG this game you can turn off the chat completely (recommended). The violence is stylized and you will never any human hitting another human. While with creatures there is occasional blood spray (can be turned off). The puzzles in it are quite interesting because you have a limited amount of flight time. Overall: great game great graphics tweens and up!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  2. Adult Reviewer
    treasoner
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    fresh start

    love the game so far but the combat can get a bit hard at some points

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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