I'm not really an MMORPG type of gamer (though I've played a few) and GW is a MMO for non-MMO players. Just like HalfLife 2, the level of polish on this game is very high. IMO, its continually fun, and just when it starts to get boring, it presents new opportunities for different strategies. I've never done PvP play, but I played some last night. It was really fun (and a bit confusing at first). The depth there is high. I can see playing PvP alot more.

As for solo'ing, the first 7-8 levels you can pretty much solo entirely. After that there are some missions, as said, that pretty much require it, but the option to use henchmen is great.

GW, IMO, is a game that if it sounds interesting to you I really don't think you will be disappointed. I agree its not an MMORPG, despite some similar elements. Bottom line, it's just fun, especially if you like to explore and find phat lewt.

I thought Max Payne was clever =/

Anyway this game is ALL bout PvP. IMO this game has the best PvP of any game ever. I've played UO, EQ, DAoC, WoW... it beats them all if you want pure group vs group combat. The PvP is very balanced and while you do have to grind a bit to get all your skills unlocked, it is minimal compared to other games.

Guild wars is still flawed

Basically, everything that was wrong with the game in Beta is still in place. I have yet to identify a single improvement from 8 months ago outside of the menu bar graphics.

This includes what that the Developers/Producers identified as things that would be resolved/changed before launch.

Some select hilarity...

-Boss mobs that heal themselves for 45% of their total HP every 10 seconds.

-Inane multi-money/time-sink crafting system to obtain any and all worthwhile items.

-Complete lack of an AH yet the crafting system described above requires continuous trading to create decent items without hours of farming for random drops.

Worst of all, the gimmicky stalemate inducing PVP system of overpowered abilities and counters (which I actually find fun) requires putting up with the horrendous PVE game to "unlock" the best abilities.

Eh? Apart from the intro (and maybe cutscenes) when is there voice acting to worry about? That's hardly a hugr part of the game.

m19

It's competent but, no, it's not the best. The voice acting is good, but most of the time you won't even bother reading the text...quest, level up, quest, level up etc. It's still that type of game, albiet a good one, but you won't find yourself moved to tears by the writing in it.

I recall reading a review stating that Guild Wars has some of the most impressive writing ever to grace a game world... is that true?

Who in the gaming press would know what impressive writing is? They thought Max Payne was clever!

I recall reading a review stating that Guild Wars has some of the most impressive writing ever to grace a game world... is that true? I mean I never expected that, so it'd be a nice surprise.


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“The closer you get to being a pro, the closer you can get to the client. The knife, for example, is the last thing you learn. Ok?"

Boy I am so kicking myself in the nuts for not trying the game during beta. It sounds really nice, and I'd love to try it but then again I usually prefer spending my money on whiskey and prostitutes securing my education and just talk about games.

Guild Wars IS: Multiplayer Diablo. Period. Nothing more. Nothing less.

I wish people would stop misrepresenting the game as such.

I know that's the cutesy bandwagon cubby-hole people would like to be able to slot GW into, but the two games bear only a passing resemblance to one another and any similarities that exist are completely unremarkable given the genre.

The only thing "massively multiplayer" about GW are the integrated Graphical Lobbies disguised as "towns" where you can pick up a couple other players, or not, before going into the 100% Instanced gameworld. Meaning if you play solo, there's no reason for the game to be "online" at all since everyone always gets their own private local version of the game exclusive from other players anyway.

That's one of my favourite things about it, actually. The towns feel much more like living, breathing places with all those 'real' people running around. They're glorified chatrooms to be sure, but that's cool -- you do some trading, you goof around a bit, you upgrade your loot.. whatever

Then, when it's time to have some fun playing the game, you round up a small group of buddies and head out into your own little questing area that feels as foreign and remote as it should. No asshats to deal with unless you brought them with you! The only people you need concern yourself with at the time of having the fun are the people you've chosen to have the fun with! Perfect!

If it's just a game-matching lobby, then great -- it's way more pleasant putting it in a context and handling the connections this way than staring at a list of servers and players-in-waiting, IMO.


But all this fussing about what GW is and what GW isn't is just loopy. Parts of the game are massively online, and parts are discreet instances for a select group of players -- what's the big problem?

What makes a MMORPG so vauntingly special that we can't have a game that sometimes makes people split off into groups of 4 or 6 or 8 or more?


Edit:

How is it soloing in Guild Wars. I didn't RTFA yet, but i want another player opinion of soloing. Does it start out fairly easy and get progressively harder (to impossible) as you gain more levels?

It's pretty friggin' great as a single-player experience, actually, although there are times when it's obvious they've designed a mission for a more fully-rounded party than can be formed by a single player and a handfull of henchmen (and at least a couple of missions I've encountered so far where you actually need a human to help you).

I started a character specifically for times when none of my buddies are around, and so far that has been every bit as fun as wandering around in a party. Sometime more so, as the henchies don't whine if you get distracted by the awesome scenery and accidentally aggro a whole pack of FBDs
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I actually get paid for this..
This comment was edited on May 5, 16:30.

lotta crappy games out..

Yes I dont believe GW devs every called the game itself an MMORPG. They do sorta hint at it and often times compare themselves to one which is probably where the mmorpg misconception came from.

"And I wish NCsoft would stop misrepresenting it as such. "

I don't see mention of it being claimed as an Massively multiplayer game. Where have you read otherwise on the official sites? The only ones I see claiming it as such are the press and other gamers.

How is it soloing in Guild Wars. I didn't RTFA yet, but i want another player opinion of soloing. Does it start out fairly easy and get progressively harder (to impossible) as you gain more levels?

Guild Wars is fine as long as you know what it Is, and is Not, before you buy.

Guild Wars IS: Multiplayer Diablo. Period. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Guild Wars is NOT: A mmorpg. In any sense of the word.
And I wish NCsoft would stop misrepresenting it as such.

The only thing "massively multiplayer" about GW are the integrated Graphical Lobbies disguised as "towns" where you can pick up a couple other players, or not, before going into the 100% Instanced gameworld. Meaning if you play solo, there's no reason for the game to be "online" at all since everyone always gets their own private local version of the game exclusive from other players anyway.

Such a design is fine as long as it's advertised for what it is and what it's not.

Guild Wars is very slick. I can't recommend it enough if you are even remotely interested in Diablo-esque or action RPGs. If you like exploring, finding cool(er) stuff, and building out your character, you will simply LOVE this game.

Guild Wars is looking more and more like a worthy purchase... Now I just gotta get around to repairing my fried PC.

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“The closer you get to being a pro, the closer you can get to the client. The knife, for example, is the last thing you learn. Ok?"