Video Review - Guild Wars 2

Review Scores

Platform	GameSpot	Metacritic / User Score
PC Review this game	9.0	90 8.9

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Sep 11, 2012

Kevin VanOrd becomes a hero of Tyria in this video review for Guild Wars 2.

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818 comments

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exo521

Leveling one character is fun until you hit max level, the world is immense and beautifully done. However the big draw back is there is nothing to do once you hit max level, and no loot engine to give you something to work for. EVERYONE has the same gear. Its extremely vinilla. With nothing to do and no gear to strive for this leaves a very sour taste after what is otherwise a great game.

Shivatin

@exo521 You obviously haven't played Guild Wars 2 then. When you hit max level there are plenty of things you can do. Between Fractals, WvW, Getting gear that suits your look, completing the map, Eternal Battlegrounds, jumping puzzles, dungeons, random events that ArenaNet come up with every month; I don't see where you run out of things to do. I only recently started playing again and don't even have a maxed level character and already know the many things you can do at max level. I've experienced a true WvW with my guild only a few nights ago and had a blast. Seems you need to do some exploring...

exo521

@Shivatin @exo521 I preordered the game, played in multiple beta test for it. Maxed a Character, Completed the map, and was a leader of a PvP/WvW Guild. Im well aware of everything the game offers and it does not change my thoughts. The game is enjoyable one time through, but it does not have the lasting replayability i was hoping it would. Everything you listed is great and fun...once. You exerienced WvW for the first time a few days ago.. thats great. In a few months, tell me how you feel about it then. Everything becomes very meaningless in the game once you hit max level and have finished the story. There is nothing to work toward, no meaningful goal to complete, only trival ones like jump maps and 100% map completetion of all the random quest. Its not a bad game, but it had the potential to be something amazing and it just didnt quite get there. Maybe GW3.

abu_eljod

This game,is the best game i have ever played and i've been playing games since 1995,i almost stay all my free time playing it,wonderful PvE,PvP,Quests,Scenery,Story mode,Explorable Mode,Loot,Crafting System,Guilds,Boss Fights,Dungoens,Jumping Puzzles, and most of all,Wonderful Community of players,i could go on and on,i have 3 other games i haven't even touched since buying this game,i highly recommend it for people who loves to play excellent games,and loves a good social experience.

slapstik89

Just devastated I grew up and ran out of time to play MMORPGs - after clocking up a worrying 2000 hours in Guild Wars, I would have loved to immerse myself in the new Tyria. I've taken a quick spin, but not really enough to truly experience it. Beautiful world though...

CatAtomic999

I didn't care for this game the first time I played it for some reason. I came into it expecting the usual, "go to person with punctuation mark over his head and collect X", and just sort of felt overwhelmed by what I found in it's place. Anyway, after hearing online friends talk about it for months since, I decided to give it another shot-- this time with a vague idea of what to expect. I've been having a blast.

WarSpartian

2 Like

I love Kevin VanOrd's reviews. Even if I hate the game I love hearing his reviews haha. I'm fanboying VanOrd not Guild Wars xD Although I just bought the game for MAC. It'd still downloading. I'm pissing my pants with excitement waiting. waaahhh

Tidomat

@WarSpartian so true!

Onein

So at max lvl what do ppl do !? I mean I herd that there aren't any raids.. So just 5 man's and some world events?!

aakashrao

it not a like game its a kids game

Kats_RK

1 Like

oh yeah i want this ;)

luert

some people may like it as some may not it depends on what are you looking from a game or an mmo, my opinion is I don't like it but it's not a bad game

radcrab123

i think this should've gotten a 9.5 because the only major flaw is that the queces for world vs world take 3-5 hours. but take that out The game is amazing this game right now is the king of all MMO's and until anyone knocks it out of its throne, i will play this game on christmas

townie789

I am dying to play this game,but i not sure about mac.

DarkneoXX

@townie789 Works fine!

Infinite_Access

"Gets rid of roles" everyone just pew pew. and heal themselves...

"SO MANY SKILLS (((cough 5 at a time)) BUT ITS OK!!!"

cough*fan*cough*boy

Kevin-V moderator moderatorstaff

10 Like

@Infinite_Access I discuss at length the combat system in the written review, and that evaluation does not break down to "SO MANY SKILLS BUT IT'S OK!" Furthermore, you have more skills available than five at a time. And as you note in the written review, I mention how many battles break down to a whole lot of dudes pummeling away without a whole lot of tactical considerations involved--an issue that updates are beginning to address, thankfully.

I am enjoying this idea that someone who likes a game is labeled a "fanboy," as if I should be ashamed of liking a game and expressing that appreciation. How rude that I should enjoy something! I should apologize immediately!

wizardboyus

@Kevin-V @Infinite_Access i haven't played an mmo since the beta of WoW, and i only got to about lvl 15 or so before i got bored. i think i'm gonna give this a try though, watching your review for the second time has convinced me too XD

zneno

1 Like

@Kevin-V @Infinite_Access wow props that your still monitoring this thread so long after your review! Not to mention i think you're they only editor who actually retorts back to trolls hahaha....

been trying to hold of buying this game ever since your review first came out (my life black holed last i played WOW)--- but now that GW2 has been getting all these accolades, and after re watching this review; i might finally give in :s

Leeric420

@Infinite_Access I love when people fail at sarcasm, or whatever this dude wrote.

Anyways I like guild wars 2. The graphics arent cartoony, and combat is way more like...well combat. Not to mention the business model and jump straight to pvp is very nice.

kismettle

1 Like

I can't wait till this comes out on Mac! I played the 1st Guild Wars along with all of its expansions, and it was honestly the best MMORPG I've ever played. Why? Because there was no monthly fee, the graphics & music were pleasant and immersive, and the gameplay was challenging and fun. I don't think the 2nd will disappoint.

The video review sucks though--Kevin sounds too much like a giddy fanboy and he didn't touch on character customization, instances, the HUD, and more of the game's flaws, amongst other things.

First Dishonored, now Guild Wars 2...are nonobjective, fanboy/girl reviews the norm now? Good thing I rely more on actual players' game reviews and comments than the so called journalists'.

Kevin-V moderator moderatorstaff

5 Like

@kismettle I am not going to give a game a 9.0 and praise most of its aspects, and then read my script without enthusiasm. Why would I not want to sound enthusiastic about a game I am enthusiastic about?

Furthermore, if you rely on "actual players' reviews" (as though I am not an actual player), then you would see that the GameSpot reader average is--a 9.0, the same score I assigned to the game. You admit right in your post that you haven't played it, so I am not sure what flaws you were hoping I would cover. As it is, there is plenty of evaluation in the written review, which is close to 3,000 words long. A video review is meant to supplement, not replace. If we covered every aspect of this game in a video review, it would be 30 minutes long, or longer.

Fun fact: very few people that start a video review finish it. This video review could be longer and cover more information, but we would be expending a good deal of video editing time for a minority of viewers. It would be a poor use of our time to extend the length of video reviews. Instead, we presume that people interested in a deeper evaluation will actually read the text. Video reviews beyond a certain length simply make no sense.

You seem unwilling to accept the fact that people can have different opinions, and assume that anyone that enjoys a game and then expresses that enjoyment is a fanboy. (I am not sure you even understand what "fanboy" means; do you believe that anyone that likes a game is automatically a fanboy? What criteria do you use to determine what a "fanboy" is?) I make no apologies for expressing my appreciation of Guild Wars 2, or for allowing that appreciation to be reflected in my tone of voice. I am confused, ultimately: you say you don't think the game will disappoint you, and sound excited to play it--but then accuse me of the terrible crime of really liking it. How terrible of me!

Lokey7

1 Like

If you are hardcore gamer, this game is not for you. The game is too easy, there is no real challenge. Also the combat system is laggy. Others may not agree with me, but i'm honest.

This game is only good for casual players.

nameaprice

@Lokey7 i agree but i will say i hate MMO's and yet i really like this game :-/

linkanbinkan

@nameaprice @Lokey7 The game no longer have any lags in the combat and the dungeons are more challenging than any other mmorpg

swordbreaker100

having a tun of fun so far, the halloween update was definitely impressive and all the bugs ive found have been resolved looking forward to the future of this game

Snaptrap

1 Like

I've played through most of the game and though the concept is fresh, the programming itself is pretty weak. Sloppy code. I found several regions in the game where a character can simply fall off the map. Bugs galore. Events glitch which are quickly fixed with half ass patches. Many of these problems are still unresolved. Can't even install the game from the disc. 13GB DVD client which is completely useless. I tossed my DVD's in the trash and simply back up the installation folder. The game was rushed to say the least, with few beta periods. I'm sure they'll clean everything up eventually, but my once positive opinion of ArenaNet has been tarnished. Guess I'll go back to GW until they do more work on this debacle.

emperiox

@Snaptrap in Frostsound gorge there is TWO skillpoints bugged. Seriously, ANet needs to fire their shitty coders. Hell even Bethesdas' Skyrim PS3 coders are better than those guys and that's just sad...

Kevin-V moderator moderatorstaff

@emperiox @Snaptrap Two bugged skillpoints in a game of this size, ambition, and scope is "shitty coding?" I think you underestimate the talents of this developer. Guild Wars 2 is not bug free, but it is hardly an example of "shitty coding."

GingerNinja312

@Snaptrap updates are sure to come, this is a huge game and its free to play. So even if there are bugs most of the game is polished enough to play

4-Player

@Snaptrap To each their own, right? The concept is indeed fresh and new. There have been glitched events among some miniscule errors here or there. Many of those problems seem to have been resolved before you posted this comment in fact (any errors of obvious, game interrupting nature). But complaining about the disc copy is irrelevant considering you could have easily just purchased a digital copy, since that's basically what you seem to have made yourself anyway. I do believe the game wasn't actually rushed, seeing as how development began in 2007 and the release date was pushed back quite some time.

ceribro

9 Like

peeps check also this review :) http://youtu.be/Ax-_06Acj8Y

azetav

2 Like

"Guild Wars 2 is one of the best online RPGs in YEARS"

- Kevin Vanord, Senior Editor, Gamespot...

Please, listen to him (and all the metacritic, gamesranking reviewers) , not some random hater like the one below me...

TimeFrame

1 Like

@azetav I wish I could see the fun in GW2. I really do.. But I don't. It is utterly boring. And I actually love the MMO-genre. ;/

Lokey7

3 Like

I have lvl 80 elementalist, and I got bored after second week. The problem is the game is too easy, no real excitement and competition to keep me addicted to this game. WvW is a mess, no strategy at all, I kind miss the holy trinity of healer, dps and a tank, at least there was some strategy and role play.

lutarian

2 Like

@Lokey7 Uh? Ok. First of all the different classes play totally different. Do you have every class to level 80? Do you have a character for every race and done their personal stories? Have you tried every possible build with your 80 elem? To easy? So you have no problem getting through the dungeons after story mode? They are hard as hell. PVP...no excitement? No strategy because there is not a dedicated healer, dps and tank? That gives it MORE strategy due to how you can tweak any class. You can easily tweak a guardian and warrior to be a tank. You can tweak a guardian to be a healer instead if you wish. you can tweak any class to be dps. There is so many ways to tweak the classes.

Wensea10

I will remember this review forever

TBear7130

2 Like

Maybe it is just me, but I was very bored of GW2 by the second week. Explored the world, participated in events and by the time I was max level there was nothing new to do and I tired of the few attack skills each character had.

Five attack skills based on weapons, plus some various skills based on class, by the time I got to 80, I was thoroughly tired of the skills used for combat. The combinations to take down enemies was limited.

I tried new character classes, but the thought of the same weapon skills all the way to 80 just did not seem worth the time, since every fight is the same button clicks and skill combinations.

Don't get me wrong, I like what the game has done and the innovation that came with it, but I do miss features with other mmos, for example, the ability to select from a large variety from attack skills not the at most 5 with each type of weapon. Big bosses just take the same series of 5 actions for 5 minutes.

At least it is free2play so I can go back to find some moments of entertainment in the future, since you do not need to invest hours to have fun and progress.

lutarian

1 Like

@TBear7130 You want tons of abilities to choose from? Try the first GW.

TimeFrame

2 Like

@TBear7130 If you actually went max level then I believe you enjoyed yourself even if don't ever play it again. I only lasted 15 hours playtime in GW2... I haven't logged in ever since. And I uninstalled it. ;/

DeanoFantasy

1 Like

Would love to play this game! unfortunately I don't have the time and money for a decent PC/Laptop, maybe in the future I will hope to play this title.

clqtte

3 Like

No monthly fee is a key.....

Xxthesorrow90xX

7 Like

After he said no monthly fee, i was sold

xavierterro

4 Like

Nice online game. Wide open world. tons of terrains to explore

arjanofski

Pc gaming is still alive!

GamerAse

The reviewer failed to point out that everything in the "real-money store" can be acquired with in-game money as well. And is it just me or did he also make no mention to the combo system? That is one MAJOR part of the game...All in all I think this review does a poor job of actually REVIEWING the game. As the reviewer himself said "that is much more to talk about"... yeah, there is. There are major components of the game and some flaws that you failed to mention. It's kinda sad when professional game reviewers aren't able to achieve the quality of some people who actually do reviews in their free time.

yoohoo94

1 Like

@GamerAse He didn't mention a lot of things. If he had mentioned everything that this game offers, the video would have been much, much longer.

AvatarCloud

@GamerAse It's a PC game, they only give due exposure to console titles... dunno why, just the way it is with GS lately.

samigarnett

4 Like

They just released the mac beta. Downloading it now. Can't wait!

godzillavskong

Can u use a controller with this game? If so I'm buying it. I just struggle with the k/m setup.

TimeFrame

@godzillavskong I recommend getting TERA, the combat is more fun, the world is still beautiful and most importantly it has native support for a controller!

lutarian

@godzillavskong You can use a controller with any pc game. Simply get xpadder and map the buttons. Some say that there are not enough buttons but there are. You can use all the buttons on the controller and then when you hold right trigger you get use the same buttons for different things and when you hold the right trigger you can use the same buttons for even more things. It's all about learning how to use the program and map properly.

snaketus

1 Like

@godzillavskong Really? A Controller for this type of game? Yeah try to manage in pvp with that!

Controllers are for racing (if you cannot afford a wheel or it isn't a car racing), sports games and platformers only. In everything else you will excel with keyboard and mouse.

This comment has been deleted

samigarnett

@godzillavskong Make sure to include ':Mighty' For some reason GS's hyperlink didn't include it on the quick link. =/

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