I own(ed) both. After nearly two years I still play JP3 premium more than all 20+ other games combined. Bought an AIQ and it barely lasted a week. It's not a bad game, but my expectations were extremely high after Maiden & JP3, and they were not met.

This is hard to verbalize, but AIQ seems too inward-focused to me, like all the rules take place in your mind. You have to memorize all the effects of each gem, how the effects change based on which level, what each hero does when leveled up, etc. None of it feels like it takes place under glass. You see a colored arrow and your brain has to do all the calculus to make it fun. There's a reason some guy made a tutorial, flash cards, and even a printed booklet to understand it.

Whereas with JP3, it's very deep and wide, with lots of overlapping modes & goals, but it feels very grounded, like you're playing your way through that world. The game takes place on the playfield. To me it's a modern, better LOTR. Great modes, multiballs each feel very distinct and with a purpose, handful of super rewarding mini-wizard modes, and a holy grail final wizard mode that could take years to reach, if you ever do. But you can also play the wizard mode as a mini game!

JP3 is my all-time favorite pin and I doubt even KME can top it. I hope Godzilla proves me wrong.

If you say JP2 some people might think you mean LWJP. With JP3 there's no ambiguity.