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AION 2 has launched globally. The AION 2 Team’s official Steam announcement, “Launch Into AION 2 Now!”, went up on October 5, 2026 and opens with “Daevas, AION 2 is live!” The game is a Windows PC release from NCSOFT, available through Steam and NCSOFT’s PURPLE platform, with servers in four regions and eight in-game languages.
When the global launch happened
The team confirmed the launch for 6:00 AM PDT / 15:00 CEST on October 5, 2026. A maintenance notice just before it said the Advanced Access period had ended and the commercial launch began during the maintenance window on October 4 (PDT) / October 5 (CEST).
This is separate from the game’s first release. NCSOFT’s press release says AION 2 launched in Korea and Taiwan on November 19, 2025. The October 2026 date is the global rollout, not the game’s debut.
In the launch announcement, the team also thanked players for helping the game reach 400,000 active users. That is the publisher’s own milestone claim. It does not say whether the figure counts concurrent players or unique accounts, and nobody independent has audited it.
#1 Best Overall
- The Ultimate 2 Player Game
Where you can play: Steam and PURPLE
The global version is a Windows PC game, and the two official routes are Steam and PURPLE, NCSOFT’s own platform. The official launch FAQ says Steam and PURPLE players share servers. The support FAQ says an existing character can be accessed across the two clients. In practice, picking one store does not cut you off from friends on the other.
The same FAQ limits official support to Steam and PURPLE on Windows PC. Nothing in the official material promises a mobile version, a Linux client or Steam Deck support, so don’t plan around any of those.
Rank #2
Server regions and languages
NCSOFT’s global-service announcement (first made in April 2026) lists the following, and the later launch FAQ confirms the four server locations.
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| Item | Officially listed |
|---|---|
| Server regions | North America, South America, Europe, Japan |
| In-game languages | English, French, German, Spanish (Spain), Portuguese (Brazil), Japanese, Korean, Russian |
Treat language and server region as two separate questions. The announcement does not tie a language to a server location. English is supported in the client, but you still need to choose a server region from the four above.
Rank #3
- The Thrill of Flight: Flying is a strategic and integral part of the game, adding a fresh dynamic to all aspects of the genre, including combat, quests, and exploration.
- Stunning World: Discover a meticulously crafted fantasy world brimming with otherworldly inhabitants, mysterious enemies, and ancient secrets.
- Innovative PvPvE: Aion introduces a new dynamic to MMOs by combining both PvP and PvE gameplay into an exciting new style.
- Intense Visceral Combat: Engage in a spectacular and evolving combat system utilizing combos, skill chains, counterattacks, and spectacular aerial combat.
- Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging
What AION 2 is
NCSOFT describes AION 2 as an MMORPG and the sequel to AION, set 200 years after the original. Its global-service description centers on the collapse of the Tower of Eternity, Daevas who have lost their power, and conflict among the Elyos, Asmodians and Balaur.
NCSOFT’s 2025 press release lists these features:
Rank #4
- INTENSE TWO-PLAYER GAMEPLAY: Enter the world of Splendor in an exciting battle designed exclusively for two players. Outwit and outmaneuver your opponent as you race to gain the most prestige points and become the master gemstone merchant.
- STRATEGIC GEMSTONE ACQUISITION: Plan your moves carefully to collect gemstones and construct powerful combinations. Use your resources wisely to purchase development cards and gain an edge over your adversary.
- IMMERSIVE AND COMPACT DESIGN: Splendor Duel features high-quality components, including gemstone tokens, development cards, and noble tiles. The game's compact size makes it perfect for travel or playing on-the-go without sacrificing the immersive gaming experience.
- QUICK AND ENGAGING GAMEPLAY: Enjoy fast-paced gameplay with average playtimes of just 30 minutes. Splendor Duel offers a perfect balance of simplicity and strategic depth, making it accessible for both casual gamers and experienced board game enthusiasts.
- ENDLESS REPLAYABILITY: With a vast array of development cards and different starting setups, no two games of Splendor Duel are alike. Explore various strategies and adapt your tactics to emerge victorious in this exciting gemstone battle.
- Eight classes
- Unreal Engine 5 graphics
- Manual combat with responsive hit detection
- Extensive PvE exploration
- Detailed character customization
These are the publisher’s descriptions. They are not independent evaluations of how the global client performs.
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Best Value
- CLASSIC TILE PLACEMENT: Draw and place landscape tiles to build cities, roads, fields, and monasteries, then deploy meeples as knights, farmers, and monks to claim features and score points.
- STRATEGY FOR ADULTS AND FAMILIES: Carcassonne pairs intuitive rules with meaningful decisions, making it accessible for ages 7+ while still engaging experienced adult board gamers.
- REPLAYABLE MEDIEVAL ADVENTURE: Randomized tile draws create a different landscape every game, bringing fresh puzzles and competitive fun to family game night and casual group play.
- TWO TO FIVE PLAYERS: Built for 2-5 players with an average 35-minute playtime, Carcassonne fits weeknight sessions at home, family gatherings on vacation, and adult board game evenings.
- INCLUDES MINI-EXPANSIONS: The base game comes with The Abbot and The River mini-expansions in the box, adding variety to the classic Carcassonne board game experience from the start.
What the official sources don’t tell you
- PC system requirements: the official launch pages reviewed here do not list them. Check the game’s Steam store page or PURPLE listing before buying or downloading.
- The RTX 5080 giveaway: the Steam announcement feed includes a giveaway for an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080. It is a prize, not a statement that the game needs or recommends that card.
- Physical editions: AION 2 is presented as a digital download via Steam and PURPLE. No boxed edition is mentioned.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
