So, the long-awaited (too long-awaited?) first expansion for Guild Wars 2 has been released: Heart of Thorns [http://heartofthorns.guildwars2.com/]!
GW2 players will probably already know all about it, since the last season of Living Story was building up to this, and it was announced both in-game and out. Outsiders may not. Either way, I want to know what Escapists feel about it so far.
So far, it contains four new maps (several of which are relatively huge, and far more vertical than previous maps), along with two Guild Hall maps (maps you share with your guild, and can develop with upgrades into a small, functional town). Raids are upcoming.
The biggest changes are mechanic in nature, though. The Mastery System [https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Mastery] lets players develop a number of different "mastery tracks", affording them new abilities (like GLIDING!), understanding the languages of the monsters, and the ability to reach special areas. Specialisations [https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Specialization] are new trait tracks for existing professions, letting them use new weapons (shields for Mesmers! Hammers for engies!) and other new specialised stuff, usually letting them diverge significantly from the usual role of the profession.
SO! So far, I'm loving the changes, particularly the Mastery system, which strikes me as having a huge amount of potential (though some have complained that the XP requirements come too close to grinding). The new maps seem extremely well-designed, and due to the multiple vertical levels, revisiting somewhere you've been before on another level can be hugely rewarding. Raids are coming soon, which may salve the biggest gripe people have had thus far with GW2: comparative lack of endgame content.
Now, I've not experienced everything the expansion has to offer; nowhere close. That said, my one worry is that the four new standard maps, as expansive as they are, don't seem to provide as much sheer geography as I would want/expect from the pricetag. There's a lot of content, definitely, but its pure exploration that appeals to me the most. Still, I can't deny I'm having a great amount of fun... liberating our Guild Hall from the Mordrem has been a highlight.
I know other Escapists play. How do you feel about HoT? Is it HoT HoT HoT?
GW2 players will probably already know all about it, since the last season of Living Story was building up to this, and it was announced both in-game and out. Outsiders may not. Either way, I want to know what Escapists feel about it so far.
So far, it contains four new maps (several of which are relatively huge, and far more vertical than previous maps), along with two Guild Hall maps (maps you share with your guild, and can develop with upgrades into a small, functional town). Raids are upcoming.
The biggest changes are mechanic in nature, though. The Mastery System [https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Mastery] lets players develop a number of different "mastery tracks", affording them new abilities (like GLIDING!), understanding the languages of the monsters, and the ability to reach special areas. Specialisations [https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Specialization] are new trait tracks for existing professions, letting them use new weapons (shields for Mesmers! Hammers for engies!) and other new specialised stuff, usually letting them diverge significantly from the usual role of the profession.
SO! So far, I'm loving the changes, particularly the Mastery system, which strikes me as having a huge amount of potential (though some have complained that the XP requirements come too close to grinding). The new maps seem extremely well-designed, and due to the multiple vertical levels, revisiting somewhere you've been before on another level can be hugely rewarding. Raids are coming soon, which may salve the biggest gripe people have had thus far with GW2: comparative lack of endgame content.
Now, I've not experienced everything the expansion has to offer; nowhere close. That said, my one worry is that the four new standard maps, as expansive as they are, don't seem to provide as much sheer geography as I would want/expect from the pricetag. There's a lot of content, definitely, but its pure exploration that appeals to me the most. Still, I can't deny I'm having a great amount of fun... liberating our Guild Hall from the Mordrem has been a highlight.
I know other Escapists play. How do you feel about HoT? Is it HoT HoT HoT?