Guild Wars 2 Beta Preview

[targren]

From the betas, about the only thing new that I could see from this over the other established MMO traditions is the business model. You pay for the game, then they have the RM store that I'm still not sure how I feel about, but it doesn't tilt toward "good."

The vaunted "event" system that's supposed to "change the world"... doesn't. Most of them just fall into the same old MMO quest types: Kill X mobs, Kill boss, gather X parcels, escort stupid AI. At least the localized event system keeps stupid "FedEx quests" at minimum, though.

Have to disagree that it feels any different from any other MMO, though, other than in the wallet. Unless that other MMO is "Guild Wars," at least.

 

[the doom cannon]

I'm just gonna snip this

Ok first point on grinding. Of course crafting is going to be a grind. It's a niche mechanic that requires people to invest time and currency to max out, and that won't ever change. Ok now to the other grinding stuff. By your reasoning, you want to be max level out the gate with everything unlocked and have no rpg aspect to the game at all. I know that sounds harsh, but it's really true. If you get rid of leveling, skill unlocking, and materials collection, then what do you have left? It's definitely not an rpg.

I will agree wholeheartedly that the skill tier system is complete bs and needs to go away. To compensate, they should add an achievement or achievements for unlocking all the skills.

Trait tiers on the other hand need to be there because it allows them to balance a handful of extremely powerful traits so they can't be abused. Traits are meant to tailor your play style, not create a play style.

Now for weapon skill unlocking. you're right. It is a grind, by your definition. But if you just take the time to play the game and enjoy it, you will unlock all 5 skills without even thinking about it. I think you, and others, see the 5 skills as something to get. While this is true, this also follows the checklist mentality, which is what Anet is trying to discourage. You can unlock all the skills for each weapon before you finish the early game if you actively switch your weapon set when you complete all 5 for a set. I don't see this as grinding because it just occurs through basic gameplay.

Addressing your point of farming the same DE over and over: you CAN, if you want. GW2 allows you to play however you want. If you want to farm a DE, then by all means go ahead. That doesn't mean it's a grind just because of how YOU want to play it. And you're seriously going to put exploring into the grind category? It's fucking exploring! Ok sorry that was mean but seriously.

I have nothing against you and I agree with some of your points. I just happen to disagree with a lot of them. You and a lot of other people have the "checklist mentality." As long as you retain this, then you will see everything in GW2 as a grind and won't have nearly as much fun as you could.