Aika, more commonly referred to as Aika Online, is a 3D fantasy MMORPG with exceptionally gorgeous, colorful graphics with an extremely strong emphasis on realm vs. realm PvP combat. The game’s incredibly popular in Korea — as with most MMORPG’s — and has some of the most fast-paced, visceral combat and addictive gameplay out of any game on the market today. Depending on which nation you choose for your character to pledge loyalty to, the game contains some truly epic realm vs. realm PvP battles that really cause you to feel a connection and sense of loyalty with whichever aforementioned nation you ultimately pledge fealty to.
Before we get more in-depth regarding the gameplay, graphics and character customization options, let’s first take a quick look at the basics breakdown of Aika Online.
Publisher: Gpotato
Number of players: High
Type of MMO: Massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG)
EXP Rate: Moderate
PvP: Realm vs. realm (with arena and guild battles present)
Filesize: 1,050 MB when installed
Worth Your Time: Absolutely and without a doubt
Pros: Excellent, intuitive interface; epic, impressive and awe-inspiring PvP system (1,000 vs. 1,000 realm vs. realm); exceptional variety of various quests; truly great and colorful skill animations and effects; interesting, unique “Pran” pet system; extremely well-done voice overs; very well-written quest dialogue.
Cons: Gender locked classes; somewhat limited character customization options; confusing, minor direction offered early on.
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>> GAMEPLAY
As already stated, Aika is a primarily PvP heavy free fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game that most closely resembles the PvP elements in many pay-to-play MMORPGs such as Warhammer Online and Dark Age of Camelot. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of all is the game’s realm vs. realm battles and that the game can also handle up to 1,000 vs. 1,000 epic-scale combat. This is definitely quite a feat as the game has extremely beautiful graphics and large-scale area effects — and with all things considered — the developers over at Gpotato have done an exceptional job taking full-advantage of the 1GB+ install-size of the game, ultimately making it well-worth a full disk install.
Unlike many other current MMORPG’s on the market today which are quite limited in terms of their character customization features, Aika Online offers many different playable classes as well as an extremely unique “Pran” pet system amongst many other very interesting features. Speaking of the many character classes, however, let’s go ahead and take a look at them, shall we?
The Fighter (M):
Like most other MMORPG’s, the fighter in Aika is an extremely powerful, melee-oriented, metal-armor wearing class. They have an extremely high amount of hitpoints and defense and, ultimately, make exceptional tanks.
The Dual-Gunner (F):
Dual Gunners specialize in mid-range DPS and Damage Over Time skills, wearing leather armor and — unsurprisingly — focusing on primarily ranged-focused combat.
The Warlock (M):
Warlocks are — also unsurprisingly — the primary offensive spellcasters in Aika. They can deal an exceptional amount of damage with their spells but this is well-balanced out via their low hitpoints and overall defense. They wear cloth armor, primarily.
Paladin (F):
The Paladins are a mix between warriors and clerics and are extremely capable fighters, making a great supporting character class that almost everyone is a fan of being in their party as an ally.
Rifleman (M):
Specializing in dealing damage from range, Rifleman are obviously ideal for long-range DPS classes. They wear leather armor and can take moderate levels of damage — at least when compared with other classes.
Cleric (F):
Clerics are the primary supporting class in Aika and are incredibly helpful to any parties regardless of the makeup due to their exceptional healing and supportive abilities. They also wear cloth armor and are able to take moderate levels of damage.
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>> GRAPHICS
As already stated, the graphics in Aika Online are, arguably, the best out of any client-based game on the market today. The character classes are exceptionally customized and beautiful, the scenery and overall setting of the world lush, vibrant and beautiful, not to mention varied amongst the variously different and unique locales located throughout the in-game world.
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>> THE BOTTOM LINE
If you’re looking to play not only one of the best fantasy 3D massively multiplayer online role-playing games in the game (no pun intended) today, but also one of the best looking graphics-wise, then you’d do well to give Aika Online a shot. You certainly won’t be sorry — we certainly weren’t, nor were the many millions of other players worldwide as well.
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FINAL SCORE: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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