A Happy Thread, by Cesmode.
If anyone looks at my post history, they can see that I started off vehemently defended and posted positive things about GW2. After the Nov. 15 patch, that changed and gradually my thoughts on the game and the development direction continued to be more negative and filled with scrutiny until I took a break from the game in early March with the raids, ahem Guild Missions were introduced.
In the last few days, I have returned to complete the living story, which while short and might have lacked a bit of substance, but this is what most games should strive toward to make their world full of people.
I still disagree with the choice/decision/“peer pressure” induced decision to go along with item/stat progression via ascended gear. I do think the game has way too many currencies for its own good. I do think that without a relaxed mindset, one simply completes the daily for the Laurel and signs out. I do think that guild missions create a “raid like” atmosphere(albeit dummed down) and the need to schedule your life around the guild mission events so you don’t miss out. I do think that something needs to be done about the legendary precursors. I do think that the development of GW2 has strayed from the “play however you want to” mindset, just a tad. And I still don’t think GW2 is a completely unique snowflake anymore(only unique in some aspects).
But I do think that GW2 gets many more things correct than it doesnt. I commend Arenanet’s art team for a gorgeous landscape and environment. I commend arenanet on the most MMO experience you can get, and for free via dynamic events, etc(after box price). I commend arenanet on challenging content via fractals. I commend arenanet on some of the best stories I’ve seen in an MMO. I commend Arenanet on a reactive and deep combat system that is second only to Tera(gone are the days of stand-still combat). I commend Arenanet for doing the Cash-Shop correctly!! I commend Arenanet for continuously adding to this game, and not just the level-cap zones. I commend Arenanet for a dye and armor system that encourages completely different looks and styles amongst characters/classes. I commend Arenanet on an ENJOYABLE leveling experience. I commend arenanet on providing me a game where I can fulfill my exploration needs(those portals to the mini-dungeons are stud). I commend arenanet for adding mini-games and activities such as keg brawls and Jumping Puzzles. I commend arenanet on their festive holiday events that really liven up the game. I commend arenanet on a talent system where I can really make it my own, and succeed in this type of game without a cookie cutter spec. I commend arenent on providing some PVP laced with PVE in the form of WvW. I commend Arenanet on fantastic character models, not only of the player but of mobs as well. I commend arenanet on fantastic audio in the environmental sounds and of the sounds in combat. I commend arenanet on a crafting system that is actually useful (in terms of XP gain) while leveling. I commend arenanet for all of the tiny interlaced stories hidden throughout the world, in the form of dynamic events(just listen to some NPCs bicker back and forth sometimes).
For all of my negative posts and rants, here is one for you Arenanet. A positive tone. Keep up the good work. Do not lose sight of your original design objectives. Keep adding to the game and keep adding polish. I DO think that this game is the best MMO on the market, even if I became irate about its direction a few months ago(and still am to an extent). And I pledge to try to look at this game with a more positive outlook, a more casual outlook and no take things so seriously, and to simply enjoy the game.
/cheers
