Test: Guild Wars 2 (PC)
There you go. That's it. Testing times for Guild Wars 2. Wow... after watching the game... How long already? Unveiled by ArenaNet and NCsoft, It's crazy. The news provided by ArenaNet has had its ups and downs, really intensifying. The wait has been long, very long. Now it will be necessary to determine if it was worth it.
I'll admit you: I feel a little lonely there, in front of my PC, to write this test. I can do it huh, but it seems a little sad. Good as usual 'we did not have much time to get acquainted with the game: a few beta weekends, not always easy to stall and more, and characters that are erased. Then pre-launch with his technical troubles. In short, difficult, impossible to be completely self-confident about content, quality, etc. Usually, we get there. The estimate is pretty good. In this case too, I do not worry, but it makes me feel bad. I do not want to be alone to do this test: I want to discuss each point, to fight on such advice, admit wrongs or impose an opinion, with the entire community.is a rich, very rich and affordable game in many ways. Fortunately, I do not doubt that it will be done following this test, in the comments. Just that I would have preferred it to happen ... I do not know. Live. In a tavern. With beers. And in the end, we fight. In any case, do not forget that the test certainly does not stop at the note: give your opinion, comment, share, add nuance, everyone will come out better. Other than that, Guild Wars 2 is great, buy it.
From the top of this MMO...
My biggest problem now with Guild Wars 2 is people who call it revolutionary. No. Sorry but no. Guild Wars 2 is a classic MMORPG, with its levels, classes, races, and amusement park gameplay: that is, it provides a whole lot of things to do for distracting the player permanently, both Player vs. Player (PvP) and Player against the Environment (PvE). Like World of Warcraft, what. Just like Blizzard in its day, ArenaNet has collected everything, and even more, that worked well in other games. They improved everything and made it to their sauce. And they have everything included in Guild Wars 2with a higher level of quality. But no revolution. If it had come out of nowhere miraculously, 5 years ago, maybe I would have admitted that ... after the dynamism of Rift, the atmosphere of The Secret World, the solo campaigns of The Old Republic or Tera's fights, one is considerably less amazed.
Ten years of gameplay you contemplate
Guild Wars 2 are characters that progress slowly in level, through perfectly organized areas (the path is all drawn!), A good variety of possible scenarios as a common thread, dungeons on the side of the road, and big dragons for the apotheosis (a high level content PvE which we, unfortunately, do not know much ...) Not to mention the World vs. The world that uses known mechanisms since Dark Age of Camelot. They have boosted their PvE, added mini-games, puzzles, depth. They have expanded, consolidated, perfected, both in PvE and PvP. But revolutionized? No. However, I think we will all agree. So much content, so much work, so much gameplay, available right out with such a level of tweaking, it's ... pfiiouuu ... waw ... OK, ArenaNet has not revolutionized the MMO, they revolutionized the service. Welcome to the era of the luxury MMO.
Band of zonards
And luxury is comfort above all else (when everything works). We start with the heart of the gameplay: the quests. Or rather the absence of a quest, since the regions are divided into small areas (planned for a specific level) in which you will perform various tasks, with or without a fight, to satisfy your popularity rating with a non-Player Character (NPC) important. Kill monsters, of course, but also pick up gadgets, feed cows, clean up graffiti, talk to people, and so on. When the bar of the NPC is at the max, bravo, you gain experience and you unlock his special store: various objects in general interesting, that we pay with Karma, the currency obtained by doing events (no, not the karma of Reddit).
Gone with the wind
The events in question appear here and there dynamically, or are sometimes triggered by the players. These are very varied public quests that reward you according to your level of participation. In fact, it's a little too easy to have a gold medal, but hey, that's not a big deal. In advanced zones, certain events are linked to each other (in addition to a bunch of more punctual stuff) and "tell" the story of the place. There are several branches, and the chain of events can lead to big clashes, even huge area bosses, and at low level. Only regret for these Bosses, especially those of "champion" rank: the booty can sometimes seem derisory as the reward is rather in Karma. Understandable,
Free buffet
Around this: no validation, no endless comings and goings, no decrepit bashing, no text to pass ... Do you want to read? No worries, compile your thank you emails (not to mention the tips attached to them), or chat with the NPCs as much as you want. Nothing is imposed. Speaking to an NPC scout allows you to reveal the different quest areas and now you just have to go around in the order of progression. And with the events, you are constantly distracted and interested in the action, until sometimes you find yourself in the middle of the raid without having really looked for it, with difficult struggles that can last a long time. In the end, you never feel compelled to do anything. The only question to ask oneself: am I
From n00b to dRrag0nsl4y3r
And believe me, if something does not kick you, Guild Wars 2 does not miss activities to report. For example, you can follow the only real "quest" of the game: your personal story. Divided into bows, she will sweep you from mission to mission across the lands of Tyria. A good way to be guided on the right path (but always optional). In order to promote replayability, several elements defined in the character creation will modify the course of your scenario. In the same way you will have several choices to make between two options, in case you want to start again with the same person exactly. The first bow helps you to understand the culture of your race, its place in the world of Guild Wars 2etc. In the second, the word "dragon" comes back more often and it's time to get down to business. This is an unfolding experience that I experienced at Asura, and which I think is identical for each race. Think again if necessary. Then, what will be .... the clash? I could not play until then.
Tyria Sunday
You can also participate in mini-games, explore to unlock all the panorama points, venture into areas that are real platform gameplay challenges, get you into a dungeon (from level 30, for a group complete ... the challenge is correct), or indulge in crafts. Here again the comfort is at the rendezvous: frustrating to be stolen his resource node under his eyes? In Guild Wars 2 : Everyone has their own nodes, and you can harvest everything, provided you have the right tool. Easy. On the other hand, you will be able to choose only two trades, among a rather classical list. The game will provide you with some basic recipes for intermediate objects, but it will be up to you to discover what you can make, experimenting.
The expert is there
Fun, but rather limited in the end: most objects are variations of a base. This does not prevent some surprises and originalities. For example, if the gameplay allows you to quickly make a bag of 8 slots, it will be up to you to discover special variants, like the 8-seater bag which ranks primarily worthless objects (gray to resell), or the invisible bag whose contents do not appear in the sales menu. Gadget so, but fun. The job of jeweler is a little more complex. But the worst is cooking, which is also an incredible money pit. Be poor, be a cook! The number of ingredients and prepared dishes (which can also be ingredients for other recipes) is staggering and will fill your bank. Fortunately, the harvest objects can be stored in the "collection" section. It helps. Note that this is another comfort option, as is the fact that your bank is accessible from any craft shop. Less frustration, more fun.
The commodity exchange
Ditto for the trade via the hotel of sale, which is besides ultra important to progress in craft (repair me that fast!) Finally exchanges which take into account the demand! It's so simple to sell unnecessary resources without waiting for lead (advice: harvest everything, even if it has nothing to do with your trades). It's not going to please those who were getting their feet out of the market, but never mind. You can always invest more and look for a cheaper selling price, if you have the time. And nothing prevents you from refourguer your stocks at a price lower than demand floor, if you are altruistic or completely stupid.
And in the Mists?
PvP side, everything is fine thank you. The World Vs World, four large cards where three servers compete simultaneously, is accessible from the beginning, even if the upgrade of your character is limited: you are level 80, but without having unlocked the max of skills and bonus. Technically it will mean less possibilities and power. Note that you will not be alone in this case. At this moment, as there are few real high levels and nobody has money to buy siege engines, where then the rare ram to smash a castle door a little faster. It will come. Still, the clashes in MvsM are as epic as you can imagine when two big troops meet face to face, with a front line that must be read and anticipate. It is not uncommon for a quick breakthrough ends with a devastating counteroffensive, as those who have the advantage all too often forget to consolidate their lead. There is indeed a bit too much to the method of the "bus", that is to say, a big gathering of players who passes from goal to goal to shave everything. It is effective in attack, but it does not leave many people in defense ... Now, there are many strategic points to capture and conserve in the PvP ofGuild Wars 2 , and the old technique Dark Age of Camelot will have to evolve and organize a little to be effective. In this regard, a sort of hierarchy with a system of orders to manage the people would not be worse.
PvP spearhead
For the most competitive, there is also PvP on the battlefield, as a team. Getting in there is a bit confusing, because of the whole system of equipment and specific rewards. It's all about specializing in a role, and seeing what's on the game is a good way to understand the underlying mechanics. There are even some on-site tutorials on siege engines, how to complete the characters and all that: it is recommended for the uninitiated, even before the World vs. World. This is also where tournaments and eSport will take place for the most assiduous. In any case, once on the field, it is very good PvP in Capture & Hold mode with, as always its small originalities: catapults, destructible terrain element, presence of
Dissection of an avatar
Now that we've done a quick tour of the content and the mechanisms, let's take stock of your character in himself. This is the class you choose that will define which weapons you can use and which skills are unlocked. Equipped weapons bring you five different attack skills (burn, poison, ice, slowdown, weakness, etc.). The rest of your hotbar consists of one location for a Skill Skill (among three different) , three normal skills (among a good pack to unlock) and an elite (available later in the game). Many mechanisms specific to each class brighten up all this: pilfering the thief, engineer kits, the affinities of elementalists, the illusions of elementals.
Real choices
At level 10, you get your first skill point. If until then you did a little what you wanted with your character, it will now pay attention. It is through the skills that you will specify the role of your character: damage, tanks, heal ... Despite their versatility desired by the developers, it is necessary to specialize the fighters, right? Unless you spend your points consistently! But I do not recommend it, especially since the few talents unlocked as you invest in a path can be very powerful. At the first level "expert", by placing 10 points in the category invention (strength and strength of care) of the engineer, I have the choice between six skills (that can be exchanged at leisure), one of which makes me invisible when I do not move. Or that greatly strengthens the turrets. Or swinging a volley of grenades as soon as you suffer a fall damage. Just the idea of jumping from a wall in the middle of enemy attackers to blow them up ... In short, I had a hard time choosing.
Stuff that's itchy
All this is very rich. Apart from a few shady areas and confusions: what is the point of character traits (charm, ferocity, dignity), if not in some dialogues? Where are the complete statistics of the character? Is it really fun to unlock each weapon attack one by one, without messing around (warriors will understand me)? And other trivia that will eventually be flat in the future. Guild Wars 2 is still very easy to handle. Any form of frustration is gone and the gameplay is drowned in comfort. But that's not all. Beyond the gameplay, there is also the universe imagined by ArenaNet.
Hello Tyrien movers?
If you have to walk in another world for hours and hours, as long as it is beautiful. And artistic side, no one will deny that ArenaNet knows how to do it. Between the majestic capital of humans, the logical architecture of the Asura, the amazing design of the Sylvari .. we take full view at every step in Guild Wars 2. Personally, I simply want to move to the city of L'Arche du Lion and live there, definitely. And I can not wait to discover new magical places as we see them in ArenaNet artwork. That said, I still have some reservations. I am quite disappointed by the square design level of the regions, always lined with impassable mountains. I would have preferred a more open world in streaming ... This is not crippling, but I sometimes have a slight feeling of claustrophobia. Ah, and last point, I WANT my view to the first person to enjoy the scenery. It's physical, I need it!
It's spotty!
As for the rest of the realization, it's not bad at all. The images will speak for themselves, with an optimization frankly at the top (some problems of drivers with nVidia, but just install the beta versions of the latest). The VF is quite honest, the soundings fare well and the music of Jeremy Soule are at the height of what can be expected of the master. We will still note some general problems. Already, I would have appreciated a greater distance of sight; I do not like fog. Then the action-oriented gameplay works pretty well (an auto-attack skill, dodges to avoid danger zones, etc.), but in a group it gets tough: the incredible number of effects on the screen makes the confused reading and it becomes very difficult to play technically. Side visual returns in combat, it lacks a little dynamism, what, everything is not always obvious, while WoW and Terayet have been there. Finally, the combo system is not clear, neither in its execution, nor in its effects. And damn, I also want Housing, because I like it.
Gold or gems?
There are many other things I would like, but I can not ask for them from an amusement park MMO like Guild Wars 2. In its field, the title ArenaNet sets the bar very high for a low price. Finally, it depends on what you spend in the virtual store which I thought was quite honest. Not that we feel the need to buy there, except for a boost of experience in crafting from time to time. It happens to loot chests that bring back objects normally found in the shop, but a special key is needed, which must cost about 2 euros. It's tempting too. Nothing forces you to unlock them of course. And as for cosmetics, a complete outfit must correspond to 8/9 euros. Some paid services will be much more useful. So if you are weak, yes, you will spend more than a normal subscription per month (especially once again, the comfort of payment is total). Otherwise, and to the extent that I could try the game: no constraints.
So much for a "start" test of Guild Wars 2 on PC, clearly the best MMO Theme Park of the moment. Relatively little to blame, and a lot of content to address. We can continue in the comments if you want. But in the background, Guild Wars 2does not offer anything really new, nothing revolutionary, just a new quality. Which is already very good! There will always be players who can not hang on to the gameplay, or who will not like the universe imagined by ArenaNet. It does not matter, huh. Myself, I still dream of the messiah. For others, welcome to a time siphon where it is impossible to be bored for a moment and where players help each other spontaneously. I leave you, I have an undead dragon to kill, a guard tower to conquer and a double cheeseburger to cook. I am a really busy guy.
We find ourselves in play, in the guild Gameblog [GB], the Guild of Guilds and hardcore on vacation! Contact Fumble.6891 for the guest. Multiguildage, again a proof of comfort.
If after having followed its development for years, the arrival of Guild Wars 2 provokes like a void, be sure that it is immediately filled, plugged and surmounted by a building of 40 floors by the game in itself and its content. Of unparalleled richness and variety, Guild Wars 2 does not revolutionize the genre, or just the market, because this MMO remains without subscription, with a normal entry price and a simple and not invasive shop. Such luxury and comfort in the game may make you want to buy a virtual pair of glasses just to thank ArenaNet for all this amazing work.
| WE LIKE | WE DO NOT LIKE |
|---|---|
| * PvE very varied and dynamic | * What revolution? |
| * MvM running well | * My subjective view! |
| * Interesting classes | * The world divided into rectangles |
| * Crazy content at launch | * A sometimes confused fight that lacks visual feedback and dynamism |
| * Unparalleled playing comfort | |
| * No subscription | |
Test: Guild Wars 2 (PC) Photo Gallary
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THANKS FOR READING, ALSO CHECK OUT MY PREVIOUS TEST ON TEST. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
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