Guild Wars 2

Quasar · Jan 31, 2011

Is anybody else psyched about Guild Wars 2? I've been a longtime fan of the original Guild Wars and its campaigns: I played a Mesmer for about three and a half years before setting sail for other MMO pastures. I've also been on the internal beta testing team for Guild Wars Live content.

Now, ArenaNet is putting out more and more information about the sequel. I sincerely hope it manages to release (or at least hit beta) this year.

So far, we have five professions: Warrior, Ranger, Elementalist, Necromancer, Guardian. And they all look pretty sweet, but I've never been a huge fan of melee classes in just about any game. The only exception is WoW's Paladin, which I enjoy.

Just about everything else the devs have said about Guild Wars 2 has me excited to play, but it sounds just about too good to be true. I dunno - what do you think?

efkelley · Feb 1, 2011

Always enjoyed the first one, though I didn't play long. I'll have to give 2 a look.

Bicyclefish · Feb 2, 2011

I'm a fan of the first for the ability to customize your character -- after every update it was neat to see how players adapted -- to the situation and ability to PvE or PvP on your own terms. I do wish we could jump though.

I played GW2 (necro human and elementalist char) at PAX Prime 2010 for 20 minutes and enjoyed it, and the previews of the classes look nice, though I do hope they handle the non instanced world well and the problems that usually come with it: campers, KSer, etc.

Guardian intrigues me as it appears something like a mix of paragon, ritualist, and dervish with perhaps a touch of what might be a paladin in other games. I'm pretty sure mesmer will return in GW2 -- I'd be shocked if they dropped it -- but I don't know what the last class will be. Assassin? A fighting monk?

Quasar · Feb 2, 2011

I was made to understand that the Guardian is sort of the replacement for the Monk. My guesses on the final classes are Mesmer and Assassin or some Assassin-Rogue blend.

If they don't include Mesmer, I just might cry.

I haven't been able to make it out to any event where GW2 was being demo'd, so I'm pulling for a Summer/Fall beta and a Winter release. Barring that, I just wish they'd tell us a little more!

Eudoxia · Feb 2, 2011

As long as they still have Necromancer around, I am all good. Necro/Ranger was always the combination I went for. Although, it is a bit disappointing that I don't spot a mesmer in their, but guardian looks promising.
The races look pretty badass, especially Sylvari. I have very big hopes for this game and can't wait to have it in my hands and on the computer.

Konah · Feb 2, 2011

I've been psyched about this game for a long while now, but actually forgot about it until I saw your post! I loved the initial game and it's expansions, especially the third (I think, the one with the Egyptian theme?). I played a Monk primarily until the Dervish came along, then I fell in love with that class.

I will surely be getting my hands on this game when it's released. I'm happy the devs are taking their time with it, that is always a good sign - look at Blizzard's work. At the moment though, my gaming rig's mobo's SATA ports are busted... but I've been putting off dismantelling everything to send it back to MSI

efkelley · Feb 3, 2011

Did some reading in the About section. This looks pretty good, in truth. And I really like that they'll release it 'when it's done'. All these preemie games are starting to get on my nerves. I don't want a new MMO to hop out of beta and immediately go on life support just because the publisher got antsy.

Quasar · Feb 3, 2011

efkelley said:
Did some reading in the About section. This looks pretty good, in truth. And I really like that they'll release it 'when it's done'. All these preemie games are starting to get on my nerves. I don't want a new MMO to hop out of beta and immediately go on life support just because the publisher got antsy.

I played both AoC and WAR when they released, and what you describe is exactly what happened. Which is really a bummer, because they both had potential. But thank goodness ArenaNet is smarter than that - and NCSoft is willing to let them take all the time they need.

efkelley · Feb 7, 2011

Part of that is the lack of a subscription. Or any microtransactions. There's nothing to get antsy about, so they want the best product possible. Also a lot of the Guild Wars guys used to work for Blizzard way back when. They probably know the Publisher Nerve Pinch or something.

Bicyclefish · Feb 8, 2011

I usually dislike the extras some games sell you later, but I liked GW's shop. The things you could buy were helpful (extra inventory tabs or unlocking skills for heroes) or fun (costumes) but never gave a huge advantage to anyone. I never felt like I had to buy something just to keep up with everyone else.

LOG · Feb 12, 2011

Public Beta

efkelley · Feb 13, 2011

Excellent.

This one definitely has my attention.

This was the article that caught my eye: http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/combat/healing-death/

Essentially, all characters will be able to fill the three primary roles: damage, control, support. It's based on your weapons and skill selection, and is quite easily changed based on your group's needs. If they pull it off, this will be a superior selling point.

LOG · Feb 13, 2011

Reminds me of Rift, although it does sound like their professions are more inherently differentiated where the Rift builds can be exactly like a trinity class, or something new and interesting as well.

efkelley · Feb 13, 2011

Yeah, I've got an eye on Rifts as well. I think GW2 might hit it better, but we'll see. GW2 isn't until like November this year. Maybe.

CarrieAnn · May 12, 2011

Quasar said:
If they don't include Mesmer, I just might cry.

Same here!

Irysangel · May 13, 2011

Has anything further been announced on GW2? I really loved the first one and the expansions, but it's been so long that I'm not even sure I care anymore.

efkelley · May 13, 2011

Last big thing I saw was the Thief. http://www.guildwars2.com/en/

Her Dark Star · May 15, 2011

Quite excited but keeping my expectations to a minimum. I thoroughly enjoyed guild wars but I have to say I never thought much of the single player game, for an rpg the level progression,story, npcs and equipment were all pretty bland. The multiplayer however I thought was awesome, it was the first game where having such limited skill sets really improved a game, offering huge range of builds while maintaining great balance between the professions. And the proper guild battles were genuinely epic.
The new game does look good, the professions look intriguing though with a wider range of skills balancing it may be harder.
Oh and they don't have mesmers :-( I loved mesmers.

efkelley · May 15, 2011

Well, have a look at the professions page:

http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/

As you can see, it looks like 2 silhouettes aren't filled in yet. So, it's quite possible the mesmer could still be in.

Her Dark Star · May 16, 2011

you're quite right, I just dived straight into the profiles and didn't notice that. Yay there's still hope!

LOG · Jun 24, 2011

Behold, Underwater gameplay.

LOG · Feb 22, 2012

I tried out Guild Wars beta, but I lacked the time to really play seriously with it, so it was kind of a waste.

Should I even bother with GW1? Is there any story there that would be nice to know when GW2 comes out? Will GW1 even still exist after 2's release?

efkelley · Feb 22, 2012

Ooo Mesmer class. Looks interesting!

GW1 is still entertaining. It's set in the same world, so I assume there's some crossover, but I don't know how much.

GW1 will still exist. Heck, Ultima Online still exists. I don't think it'll get more than cursory support though. And zero new development.

Her Dark Star · Feb 23, 2012

Storywise I don't think you need to worry about GW1, story was probably it's weakest point after the first chapter and I'm sure that 2 will tell you what you need to know. I am biased though, I found the multiplayer outstanding but the single player somewhat lacklustre.

Anjasa · Feb 24, 2012

There's two novels between Guild Wars 1 and Guild Wars 2 that kinda fills in the blanks.

I'm so psyched for this game, you have no idea. We've had a guild ready since, like, November 2010 or something. Earlier probably.

Guild Wars 2

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Pedaling Pescado

The Undead Bookworm

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Pedaling Pescado

Lagrangian

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Lagrangian

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She of Many Names

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Lagrangian

Lagrangian

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Fantasy Smut? Yes please!