Rakion began with "closed" beta testing, which ran from August 11 to 25, 2005, in a limited group of c ountries (which included the United States, the UAE and, at a later date, Europe). It switched from development to open beta testing o n October 13, 2005; running to and releasing on December 1, 2005. At this point, the game began to follow a similar model to Softnyx`s other MMOG, GunBound, where users could purchase "Softnyx Cash" with real-world currency and spend it on "Power Use r" status (which offers various benefits and unlocks further in-game purchases) or powerful, cash-only i tems, called ex-items.

The gameplay of Rakion is similar to that of most third or first-person shooter games. Pla yers use the WASD keys to move their characte r around the map, and the camera controls are third-person shooter style. The mouse is use d for controlling the camera and attacking. Significant features include the Chaos mode, in which a character can become much more powerful after a number of kills, and Cells, summonable creatures that aid the summoner in combat.

Rakion operates an in-game store, throug h which players can purchase various ite ms using Gold and Cash. Gold can be earn ed by playing stages and multiplayer game s. Items available for purchase include e quipment, cells, potions, and item-upgrading material. Most equipment and cells have level restrictions. Players mus t achieve the correct level to be able to use them. Potions, which do not have level requirements, have various effects, s uch as: restore health, restore armor, knock enemies back, gi ve chaos points, or restore Cell Points. One of Rakion`s main features include "cells." Cells a re creatures that can be summoned in games. They also appe ar as enemies in stages. Cells are capable of leveling up, just like a player. To summon a cell, a player must a ttain Cell Points by killing other cells, players, golems, or using potions. Each cell requires a certain amount of Ce ll Points to summon. Players may summon a maximum of th ree cells in a game.

Excluding Stage mode, which puts all players on the same team, all of the game modes are PvP-ba sed. Both the number of rounds and round-time-li mits can be set. The game will automatically bal ance the teams after a round. There are four typ es of PvP games in Rakion. In both team and solo deathmatches, dead players respawn after 5 seco nds. The Deathmatch modes have healing capsules and books that provide cell points; the other modes do not.

Saying profanities in-game causes the chat system to automatically replace them with the word "LOVE."