Guild Wars 2 First Impression

[Danceofmasks]

I'm really enjoying it. Best MMO to come out in a long, long time. I really don't care for the zerg rushes, but that should die down a bit with time.

I'm level 45 now, and though for the most part the zerging is annoying, there are times when they're useful.
I'd go back to a newbie zone to do events, for instance ('cos they're more frequent - quicker to complete the daily bonus with), just 'cos the zerging causes so many enemies to spawn ... and being an AoE specialist, it gets me a lot of crafting materials.

 

[Baralak]

I'm really enjoying it. Best MMO to come out in a long, long time. I really don't care for the zerg rushes, but that should die down a bit with time.

I'm level 45 now, and though for the most part the zerging is annoying, there are times when they're useful.
I'd go back to a newbie zone to do events, for instance ('cos they're more frequent - quicker to complete the daily bonus with), just 'cos the zerging causes so many enemies to spawn ... and being an AoE specialist, it gets me a lot of crafting materials.

Nice. I'm just a lvl 9 Thief atm, and I can't decide which weapons styles to stick with, lol.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

I'm having a great time. Got into a really friendly UK guild and did wvwvwvgrub all day yesterday.

It was awesome. The server based pvp is good too.

 

[Baralak]

Hey, what servers are everybody on? Me and a friend are on Darkhaven. If there's an Escapist guild there, I'd join!

 

[Weslebear]

Serious Snipping

I've literally ignored PvE so I can't comment on that further than, if you want challenge and actually having to think what you are doing with your skills then try the dungeons. Apparently they take some serious effort according to people I've spoken to.

On the PvP note, have you ever tried the tournaments? With a team of people on mic?

Because the standard 8v8 is absolute shit, but then in all games pub matches are bollocks because of no semblance of team work and just zergs, it becomes just luck.

Tournaments on the other hand, are literally impossible to win with an uncoordinated pickup group, unless the enemy are also a PUG. We made a team and have done nothing but tournaments, and have been winning alot, but ONLY once we really got our tactics down, we have been refining builds, positioning and skill usage constantly to be able to win this many tournaments back to back. If you think walking into a team fight, hitting everything off cool-down will net you a win, have fun with that.

Every heal needs timing, every interrupt has to be perfect to stop someone being finished, important targets need to be called and focused immediately, and people need to know the strengths and weaknesses to their class and build so they can pull out and retreat effectively, along with every map having gimmicks that mean severe tactic changes and game changing choices mid match.

If you think you can do well with just button mashing, you will rarely get past the first match of a tournament, and these are just the free ones. Paid tournaments and eSports are in the works. Then the real skill differences will show up.

 

[Syzygy23]

Damn I was considering getting GW2 too. Oh well looks like I'll pass. If the PvP is bad it is highly likely the rest of the game is bad.

Disappointed really. A good pvp MMO like DFO would be great. Too bad the market doesn't seem to justify making them.

XD GW2 isn't side-scrolling like DFO (assuming you mean dungeon fighter online).

I'm aware, I'm not referring to the side scrolling aspect I'm referring to the depth of the player versus player.

They should really make reading comprehension a requirement in schools again. Geniuses like jbm1986 are all too common these days.

Absolutely NOTHING you said in the quote alludes to the "depth" of PvP. You said it was "bad", but that can mean many things other than depth. And even then, you don't think the number of physical dimensions a game utilizes wouldn't affect depth of it's gameplay? Reading Comprehension seems to be the least of our public education worries if that's how you think.

 

[Kordie]

I'm aware, I'm not referring to the side scrolling aspect I'm referring to the depth of the player versus player.

They should really make reading comprehension a requirement in schools again. Geniuses like jbm1986 are all too common these days.

Absolutely NOTHING you said in the quote alludes to the "depth" of PvP. You said it was "bad", but that can mean many things other than depth. And even then, you don't think the number of physical dimensions a game utilizes wouldn't affect depth of it's gameplay? Reading Comprehension seems to be the least of our public education worries if that's how you think.

Laughing at the irony... side scrollers have height and width but lack depth.

Also...

Hey, what servers are everybody on? Me and a friend are on Darkhaven. If there's an Escapist guild there, I'd join!

See here. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Guild-Wars]

 

[Jdb]

One thing this game does right is a sense of exploration and adventure. There was never a time in a zone where I didn't go "Oh look at that. I have to see what's over there!" at least a few times.

However, I'm quickly losing interest because of the game play. Most fights are just mashing cooldowns until everything dies. Although it's faster and more mobile than other MMOs, its mechanics are very, very similar to them.

Overall, I don't think this will be the MMORPG revolution people are expecting.

 

[Fishyash]

Damn I was considering getting GW2 too. Oh well looks like I'll pass. If the PvP is bad it is highly likely the rest of the game is bad.

Disappointed really. A good pvp MMO like DFO would be great. Too bad the market doesn't seem to justify making them.

You're definitely right about the market. I've already given up on looking for good PvP in MMOs entirely and just look to different genres for good competetive games.

I think it's too much to expect good action combat from an MMO (pvp especially in regards to RPGs), when a AAA title of any other action genre can demolish any MMO in quality. The MMO part pretty much sacrifices any chance of good action combat, but GW2 is a step in the right direction for the AAA market.

At face value though, you cannot really see the strategy and reactions required for this game, or games like World of Warcraft, SWTOR, GW1. I wouldn't recommend judging the pvp from face value. From an unexperienced point of view, you look at these games and wonder "WTF is going on?"

GW1 was a PvP MMO but I think GW2 is definitely more focused on PvE... which WoW proved is what more MMORPG players care about.

 

[Nostalgia]

I have to admit I didn't see the ending coming.

"Shit!"
"Shit!"
"Rubbish!"
"Shit!"
"Rubbish!"
"Garbage!"
"Shit!"

"I'd give it 8/10".

Heh. Pretty much what I was thinking.


I have been enjoying it. I can't say it's worth the $60 yet but it's a really nice change of pace after playing WoW for so, so long. I honestly haven't even got to play it that much because it's a busy week for me, but the fact that it has no monthly subscription is what makes it really attractive. Since it's an MMO, I'm sure I'll get the gametime in to justify what I paid considering I don't outright hate it.

I didn't really get to play much of GW1 but I do like this better in comparison so far.

 

[Tohuvabohu]

One thing this game does right is a sense of exploration and adventure. There was never a time in a zone where I didn't go "Oh look at that. I have to see what's over there!" at least a few times.

However, I'm quickly losing interest because of the game play. Most fights are just mashing cooldowns until everything dies. Although it's faster and more mobile than other MMOs, its mechanics are very, very similar to them.

Overall, I don't think this will be the MMORPG revolution people are expecting.

Yeah? That's too bad. Although it's pretty much exactly the impression I got from it. Mechanics would be the only thing that would draw me into this particular game. And I figured the mechanics wouldn't live up to the hype.

Some might jump down my throat for knocking it without trying it, but I really really never felt a single ounce of appeal for this game. I don't doubt that it's likely a solid game, but it just doesn't do anything for me personally.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

And I figured the mechanics wouldn't live up to the hype.

Some might jump down my throat for knocking it without trying it, but I really really never felt a single ounce of appeal for this game.

I'm not going to "jump down your throat", but I will point out that this is the living definition of a confirmation bias.

 

[Tohuvabohu]

And I figured the mechanics wouldn't live up to the hype.

Some might jump down my throat for knocking it without trying it, but I really really never felt a single ounce of appeal for this game.

I'm not going to "jump down your throat", but I will point out that this is the living definition of a confirmation bias.

But doesn't that ever happen to you? When something just, remains unappealing, when people gush over things that go over your head or just ultimately have no care for at all?

I gotta admit, once I'm at this stage it's really hard for me to give a game a second chance. But it's not like I glossed through every single post in this thread, saw Jdb's post and went "I KNEW IT THIS GAME IS SHIT." I read through every page here, read every positive thing people have to say - and like I said, I don't deny the game itself must be a solid game.

But nothing I read changes my personal problems with the game, namely - it's fantasy setting, and lore. I think I've just had enough of these sort of fantasy themed MMO's. What do I do when Guild Wars 2, a fantasy themed MMO, comes along? I'm pretty much fucked.

So the setting and lore wouldn't do it for me. That's why I said that mechanics would be the only thing that could sell the game for me. And everything I've read about it's mechanics from player impressions, and dev diary videos, seem like things I've already seen before, or would do little to rouse my interest.

MMO's don't typically excel in the 'gameplay' department, so for me, setting and lore HAS to be appealing to keep my attention. And I personally am not endeared by the setting and lore in Guild Wars. I don't feel it, and it drags the whole game down with it for me.

It's too bad because I do enjoy MMO's and like the idea of playing one without a monthly sub. But in this case, I don't think I would be able to do it.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

But doesn't that ever happen to you? When something just, remains unappealing, when people gush over things that go over your head or just ultimately have no care for at all?

Oh, totally. I'm extremely vulnerable to confirmation bias too, as are we all. I do try to recognize when I'm doing it, though, and give myself a stern talking to, as I don't just want to lurch through life constantly getting convinced of my own prejudices.

You don't need to defend your lack of interest in it. It's a fine game, and I really enjoy it, but nothing is for everyone, and I can understand genre/milieu fatigue better than most.

It's not mechanically broken, though, it's just overcrowded. They announced 400K concurrent users during the head start. That's a LOT. TOR only managed 350K, with 2 million box sales and a hugely popular IP. Their servers are GROANING under the load. The most mechanically sophisticated game in the world isn't going to shine under those conditions. Put 50+ people into a dynamic event and of course it's all noise and button smashing. They really do get a lot more interesting once the crowds thin out.

 

[jbm1986]

Damn I was considering getting GW2 too. Oh well looks like I'll pass. If the PvP is bad it is highly likely the rest of the game is bad.

Disappointed really. A good pvp MMO like DFO would be great. Too bad the market doesn't seem to justify making them.

XD GW2 isn't side-scrolling like DFO (assuming you mean dungeon fighter online).

I'm aware, I'm not referring to the side scrolling aspect I'm referring to the depth of the player versus player.

They should really make reading comprehension a requirement in schools again. Geniuses like jbm1986 are all too common these days.

Yes and I'm aware that it isn't either. Unfortunately sarcasm is hard to convey on the internet. What's worse was that my words were not only misinterpreted, but also met with such a cruel and condescending response.

 

[ThriKreen]

They could have made the CE box a bit smaller... [https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/615174_10151185146731210_1565226246_o.jpg].

And yes, that's two SWTOR CEs, the one on top is signed by the dev team.

 

[Blade_125]

You give it an 8/10 after that rant? I must admit I don't understand your scoring system.

I think this simply isn't the game for you. I love the way exploration works, adn that I don't need to treck back and forth to pick up uninteresting quests that I don't even read. The platforming is fun, a nice break from the grind. I like how there is a reason to explore and see the various areas, adn the vistas are a nice touch.

PVP is not as simplistic as you amke it out to be. likely you weren't a high enough level to have different options unlocked. Depending on the situation and your role you will want different abilities put into your 6-10 slots (you have to be level 30 for 5 slots, I have 4 right now). While it is annoying to have to run so far, I still like it because it means something when you die. If enough people are stupid and run forward and then the battle line moves your team is going to pay for it. Personally I love the epic feel to the battles and how battle lines move back and forth and keeps change hands. There are tactics to battles, but someone has to take the lead. I think when more guilds are formed there will be more interesting battles.

It's too bad you don't like the style of game. It sounds like the pve sytle isn't for you, but I think you should give the pvp another try when you are at least lvl 20.

 

[CoL0sS]

I played the beta and liked it well enough. My brother really wanted to buy it so we split the bill. I reckon I'll get enough fun out of it....just as soon as I get to play the damn thing .
Seriously, I'm used to shitty launches of online games, but this is getting ludicrous. Beta worked perfectly for me, so I assumed this launch will be less bumpy than others, especially since players who pre-purchased have been playing it since 25th.
I've been trying for the whole damn day and managed to log in only once, just so I can be immediately kicked out. To my understanding this is a common problem for European players and they're working on fixing it, but it sure made me miss those days when I could just play the game, straight out of the fucking box.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

I've been trying for the whole damn day and managed to log in only once, just so I can be immediately kicked out. To my understanding this is a common problem for European players and they're working on fixing it, but it sure made me miss those days when I could just play the game, straight out of the fucking box.

I feel for you, buddy. You're not alone at the moment, it sounds like the entire EU is getting serious login issues.

Their concurrent player numbers are just ridiculous, so their servers are getting destroyed.

 

[WoW Killer]

Haha, I haven't even tried logging in all day, as I was expecting those pesky server issues (as EU you get used to it). Oh well, it didn't take all that long to stabilise after early access started, so I don't think it should be too long now.

Anyways. I've already given my thoughts on the game through the various beta topics. Overall it's a decent step forward and well worth the cost given the lack of a subscription. However, I was expecting to see a fair amount of disappointment come release. Mostly because there's been so much hype for the game which it could never live up to. It is another MMO, and for those with serious MMO-fatigue-syndrome it won't be the revolution you were expecting. It sits somewhere between familiarity and innovation; it seems to hit the right note for me, but your own experience may vary.