During our recent travels to both the Game Developers Conference and PAX East, we were able to get a sneak peek at the content that's coming to Aion in the upcoming Empyrean Calling update. PowerWiki Content Writer Sean Orlikowski showed us a video and walked us through the new features, which include a graphics overhaul, an expanded Legion system, two new instances and more.

You can see an example of the graphics update in the above image. Head over to our screenshots gallery to get a glimpse at what's coming in the Empyrean Calling patch, and keep reading after the jump for all the details.

Here's a list of the main features you can expect to see in the Empyrean Calling update:

• A graphics engine update. “We've made the graphics much more vibrant,” Orlikowski said.
• Explanded Legion features. “We've raised the level cap so you can have more members and things to unlock. There are also customizable Legion cloaks,” he said.
• More functions have been added to functional pets.
• The new Drana Esoterrace instance is a “huge open area. It's very beautiful. Windstreams take you from zone to zone.”
• The new multi-stage Empyrean Crucible instance is “basically like a gauntlet. The world is dynamically changing around you. The further you get, the more rewards you'll get.”
• New overhead terrain maps will allow you to zoom in and mark points of interest. There will also be a list of features that you can toggle on or off on your map.
• More animations have been added to the game.

Orlikowski said that the Aion team is currently localizing the Empyrean Calling update, and North American players can expect to see it within the next three months.

Darryl Gangloff, Editor-in-Chief