Despite going free-to-play in days, new MMORPG Aion 2 just became Steam's top seller

It's less than a week until the full launch of Aion 2, the long-awaited sequel to NC's 2008 MMORPG, and yet it's already shot to the top of Steam's top sellers list. What makes that particularly impressive is that Aion 2 is set to be free to play. It's therefore pushed ahead of new releases such as Ace Combat 8 and EA Sports FC 27, along with Valve mainstay Counter-Strike 2, based purely on sales from players choosing to snag the Founder's Pack and get their hands on the current five-day advance access.

NC, which you might know better by its former name NCSoft, is talking a big game with Aion 2. The studio, which also brought us Guild Wars, is promising a world "36 times larger than the original," with everything from exploration to combat built around your ability to fly around its gorgeous fantasy landscapes. Combat blends on-the-ground clashes with sky battles, stepping away from traditional MMO rotations to deliver a more character-action style of gameplay.

It certainly looks the part, and with eight classes to choose from at launch you can decide whether you'd rather fight as a bulky Templar or Gladiator, stay nimble as an Assassin or Ranger, cast offensive spells as Sorcerer or Spiritmaster, or help your team out with the healing capabilities of Cleric or Chanter. In both narrative and gameplay, NC is aiming to cater to Aion veterans and complete newcomers alike, offering an easy on-ramp into its longstanding world.

As mentioned, Aion 2 will be free-to-play when it releases in full on Monday October 5, so those who have already started playing spent at least $24.99 / £18.49 on one of the Founder's Packs, which includes five days of advanced access. The bundles also include additional titles, cosmetic skins, consumable supplies, and 30 days of the game's Special Quai Membership, the game's optional premium subscription.

NC has confirmed that this subscription will be the only one offered to global Aion 2 players, and says its regular price will be $15 per month. It's worth noting that there are some features locked behind this, including access to the player auction house, and the ability to exchange the in-game free currency, Kina, with the premium currency, Quna. There will also be a regular battle pass, which includes both free and paid reward tracks. There's one other caveat, as NC notes on Steam that "some in-game assets were created with the assistance of AI tools."

It's a model that won't suit everyone, but seeing Aion 2 sitting pretty at the top of the Steam charts suggests it's working well for many, at least for now. Players who have bought in early do warn that the Founder's Pack rewards are only available for a single character, so keep that in mind. The good news is that if you're curious to try Aion 2 and see what you think, you've only got a few more days to wait before you can do so for free.