I've actually been reading more about the game on the official site, and from the looks and sounds (and scent) of it, I probably won't be getting it, either.
Aion looks a lot like the fantasy MMOs I played before--
WoW,
Lineage II,
LotRO, and
Guild Wars--and absolutely hated.
What I really, really dislike about these fantasy-based MMOs is the
loot/inventory system. Oftentimes the inventory bar is very confusing and disorganized. There's a mishmash of skills, spells, weapons, and loots like articles of clothing, spellbooks, armor, food items, animal parts that you're supposed to either use against your enemies, buff yourself, and trade or sell. As if the grindage part wasn't bad enough (kill 10 wolves, kill 10 goblins, kill 10 prostitutes), half the time you're figuring out what goes where and what's it for.
Leveling up is also different because you don't necessarily acquire new skills/powers when you graduate to the next level; you just gain "35 points of health" or "40 points of mana," whatever the hell that is.
In
City of Heroes/Villains, which is NOT a fantasy-based MMO, there are power sets, primary and secondary, that your character uses for damage, defense, or support (allies or enemies), and they are neatly organized in a "power tray." Healing an ally or debuffing an enemy is as simple as clicking on the appropriate button or icon on the tray. There are also loots that can be converted into invention crafts, but they are sorted and catalogued in a different section of the tray. When your character levels up, it either learns a new power or gains more enhancement slots. It's no brain surgery. Point and shoot. That's why I've been playing the game for five years now.
