Your thoughts on Guild Wars 2

[Magnalian]

Recently I decided to check up on the GW2 blog, as it had been awhile since the first trailers came out. Lo and behold, NCsoft finally started updating again. They've already talked about a few new aspects of the game, such as the redesign of the skill bar, a persistent world, etc. You can find the official blog here [http://www.guildwars2.com/en/ ].

So, what do you think? Did they do a good job so far? Did they mess up?

 

[Jack Of Herts]

I don't think they've made any major mistakes yet. There has yet to be a descision that has made me worry about the quality of the game (they've surpassed most game companies in this respect). I look forward to Guild Wars 2, but I wouldn't say that I'm definately going to buy it. Though nothing particularly terrible has been announced, I'm not exactly thrilled by the new trait system, I like customisation, but I am dubious as to the aquiusition of traits.

Overall; yeah, they're doing a good job, it seems.

 

[ckriley]

Only thing I know about GW2 is that their fans like to troll the SWTOR forums for some reason. Like they're threatened by it or something. It's really weird.

 

[BoxCutter]

I'm really excited about it. Unfortunately if ToR is released too close to Guild Wars 2 I don't think i'll have much time for GW2. But the game itself looks extremely well done and interesting, a huge improvement over the first.

 

[Leviathan_]

I'll most likely be getting it.

ToR looks awesome and all but.... ArenaNet just has more experience with MMO's, GW1 still hosts tournaments and events these days 6 years after release.
GW will be free to play while ToR will be pay to play and I heard rumors that, just like with WAR, Europeans will have different copies than americans and thus not be able to play on the same servers, while in GW you'll be able to switch to any server you want, any time.
It also seems like Tor will be very PvE focused. Even though I like PvE, I still prefer PvP better which was really good in GW1.
It just seems that GW2 will last longer in the long run then ToR and it'll be cheaper too.


It's still too early to decide, but I've got my eyes set on GW2. Sorry Bioware.

 

[Ye Olde Hobo]

My reaction?

I'LL TAKE 20

 

[Korten12]

I'll most likely be getting it.

ToR looks awesome and all but.... ArenaNet just has more experience with MMO's, GW1 still hosts tournaments and events these days 6 years after release.
GW will be free to play while ToR will be pay to play and I heard rumors that, just like with WAR, Europeans will have different copies than americans and thus not be able to play on the same servers, while in GW you'll be able to switch to any server you want, any time.
It also seems like Tor will be very PvE focused. Even though I like PvE, I still prefer PvP better which was really good in GW1.
It just seems that GW2 will last longer in the long run then ToR and it'll be cheaper too.


It's still too early to decide, but I've got my eyes set on GW2. Sorry Bioware.

yeah ToR doesnt look to good.

 

[Desaari]

I was a little concerned by the lack of customisability of the skill bar, but they've since introduced traits and chain skills which have laid my fears to rest somewhat. Especially since one can weapon switch as the need arises.

To me, GW2 is looking better than TOR since I loved GW1 and its combat mechanics, many of which are being carried over and improved upon, the graphics look gorgeous for an MMO, and best of all it's free to play.

 

[Mr. Grey]

Guild Wars 2 is on my "List of Things to Buy".

While The Old Republic is on my "List of Maybe". I'm probably going to pick it up anyways, though, as it should be a lot of fun being a Bounty Hunter.

However, it certainly isn't shaping up to be what Guild Wars 2 is becoming and Guild Wars 2 will remain free monthly, if ArenaNet can pull all of that off and keep the servers running, The Old Republic really doesn't have an excuse to ask for monthly payments.

 

[Arcane Azmadi]

Very, very worried. I'm trying not to be discouraged by thoughts of "They Changed It Now It Sucks" [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheyChangedItNowItSucks] and I'm trying to keep an open mind, but the one thing I won't accept is if they remove the Skill Build system. I don't mind replacing the instances with open, shared worlds (although I love the instanced gameplay of the original), I'm concerned about the effects on balance that having multiple races will bring but am willing to give it a go, but if they replace the flawless system used in Guild Wars (choose only 8 skills from your primary and secondary class) then the game isn't Guild Wars any more. It was the most defining feature of the original and if they drop it then they can call the game whatever they like, set it in any fantasy realm they like, but it will NOT be Guild Wars any more.

Oh yeah, and from the sound of it, skill chains (on the Warrior page) are a DAFT idea. The listed example combo (Sever Artery, Gash, Final Thrust) worked perfectly well in GW on their own because each skill could be used in different combinations (I, for example, preferred to use Gash after Crippling Slash, not Sever Artery). It looks like a perfect example of the developers trying to fix what was never broken and possibly breaking it in the process.

I'm willing to give the game a go regardless because Guild Wars is my favourite MMO of all time (in fact, I just posted a thread about how it spoiled me for the entire genre [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.205548-Has-a-game-ever-spoiled-you-for-a-genre]) and I have the greatest of respect for ArenaNet as developers. But I remain greatly concerned.

 

[Najos]

I never played GW1. I was overseas when it first released and by the time I made it back there was already an expansion or two...I just didn't even bother at that point. I'm considering trying it out now, though. Is it hard to jump into? Or even worth it at this point?

 

[Desaari]

I never played GW1. I was overseas when it first released and by the time I made it back there was already an expansion or two...I just didn't even bother at that point. I'm considering trying it out now, though. Is it hard to jump into? Or even worth it at this point?

Not easy to jump into in my opinion. In order to have a chance in PvP you'd practically need all 3 games and possibly the expansion too, plus skill unlock packs unless you were really dedicated to it.
In PvE you could play through the game, sure, but that's not especially easy for a new player either since the player base is split between the 3 games, and more people tend to solo missions with their heroes/henchmen now so you'd have trouble getting a decent party together.

It's a pretty fun game but a bit niche, and it's hard to know if you'd like it or not. I'd say "not worth it at this point" and to wait for GW2 instead, which I'm sure won't relate much to GW1 in terms of story at all, especially since theyre entering a new market.

Oh yeah, and from the sound of it, skill chains (on the Warrior page) are a DAFT idea. The listed example combo (Sever Artery, Gash, Final Thrust) worked perfectly well in GW on their own because each skill could be used in different combinations (I, for example, preferred to use Gash after Crippling Slash, not Sever Artery).

I see where you're coming from, and agree with you to an extent; the skill bar is being simplified and I don't especially like it either. However, having Sever Artery, Gash, and Final Thrust all on the same key frees up two slots on your bar allowing you more skills, one of which you could set as a Cripple eg: Hamstring, assuming theoretically that the skill makes it to GW2. Except that it wouldn't cost 10 Energy because there probably wouldn't be an elite version ie. Crippling Slash because, like you say, you couldn't follow Gash on from it.

To boil it down: It won't be the same, it may not be as customisable, but I still trust the developers to make a good game of it.

 

[Najos]

I never played GW1. I was overseas when it first released and by the time I made it back there was already an expansion or two...I just didn't even bother at that point. I'm considering trying it out now, though. Is it hard to jump into? Or even worth it at this point?

Not easy to jump into in my opinion. In order to have a chance in PvP you'd practically need all 3 games and possibly the expansion too, plus skill unlock packs unless you were really dedicated to it.
In PvE you could play through the game, sure, but that's not especially easy for a new player either since the player base is split between the 3 games, and more people tend to solo missions with their heroes/henchmen now so you'd have trouble getting a decent party together.

It's a pretty fun game but a bit niche, and it's hard to know if you'd like it or not. I'd say "not worth it at this point" and to wait for GW2 instead, which I'm sure won't relate much to GW1 in terms of story at all, especially since theyre entering a new market.

That's kind of what I figured. I didn't realize you could even play on different versions of the game...that was kind of short sighted of them.

 

[migo]

I'm very keen on Guild Wars 2. I used to be a huge fan of MUDs back when I was on dialup, so MMORPGs appeal to me, but I don't like paying a monthly fee. I tried DDO Eberron Unlimited, but the instanced quests really suck out the immersion for me, and I really like that GW2 will have more dynamic and real seeming quests.

 

[ckriley]

See what I mean by all the GW fans hating on TOR? It's really odd and bizarre. And I don't even care about TOR all that much. I'm thinking about trying it but I'm not pumped by the game or anything. It's also on my maybe list.

But question, to all the GW fans. Do you see TOR as a direct threat or something? Because I see you guys hating on that game the most but I never see Star Wars fans talk about GW2, or any other game for that matter. They seem to just be excited for their game. If it's competition you're scared of, shouldn't you be more concerned with Cataclysm? I mean, WoW rules the MMO market, not TOR.

Because to be perfectly honest, your fixation with TOR is making me want to play TOR because you are drawing more attention to it.

 

[Najos]

Turns out there's a free trial of GW, guess I'll just give it a go and see how it plays out.

 

[AceAngel]

It's due to release date, so close together, GW2 fans want everyone to know that their game is better, while TOR players know they have the fanbase already.

In other words, pointless was is pointless.

 

[Desaari]

See what I mean by all the GW fans hating on TOR?

I didn't see anyone say they hate TOR. I only saw people give the opinion that they're looking forward to GW2 more than TOR.
Maybe some other GW fans elsewhere feel threatened by TOR because, I believe, they release around the same time and therefore will be in direct competition with each other.

After having seen gameplay footage from TOR though I don't see why anyone should feel threatened by it. It may be old footage, but even so... the game looks about 10 years old, lol.
I'll probably still get it though since a bunch of my friends will, and I'll want to play it with them.

 

[Snowalker]

I'm getting it. all I can say really, I mean I'm excited. But whats there to elaborate on with causing conflict?

 

[Candidus]

After having seen gameplay footage from TOR though I don't see why anyone should feel threatened by it. It may be old footage, but even so... the game looks about 10 years old, lol.
I'll probably still get it though since a bunch of my friends will, and I'll want to play it with them.

I've been turned off ToR by this as well. Their `language` is very next gen, but the mechanics I see behind the skills they've revealed couldn't be more dated. I'll still buy it, irrationally, because I was at one time so excited about it- and because I've got the sub money kicking around with GW2 being free, but I'm markedly unexcited about what I reckon on seeing there.

I'm *dying* to play GW2; so much so that I considered going to Germany, where they'll be having hands-on booths.