Guild Wars 2

Please do not let this turn into the same back and forth arguing that caused the closure of the original thread. Stay classy. I’ve gone through and modified the post where language could be misinterpreted as antagonistic to help everyone stay friendly. The conversation that resulted outside of the sniping was worthwhile and relevant, and felt it worth reposting to rekindle it. If it devolves again, I’ll delete the thread myself

It took several weeks for this to sink in. I’m happier with the game now than I ever have been (still working out some of the kinks, but it’ll come with time) as a result. If you want to see one path to adjusting those expectations, it only takes two steps.

First step to adjusting expectations – Let go of GW1. It’s a dead-end road heading in a direction that will not be taken any further by ArenaNet. You may have loved it, may have seen it as a sign that there is some hope for AAA online RPG games, but they are trying something different for GW2. They drove back to home, started off in a new direction, and GW2 is somewhere down that road instead. No matter how you feel about the difference, if you focus on all that GW2 isn’t that GW1 was, and all that GW1 wasn’t that GW2 is, you’ll never be satisfied here.

Second step – Realize that GW2 does not take itself seriously. This is not where you come for deep lore or a sense of doom you’re struggling to overcome. This isn’t where you play to get a sense of being in a typical fantasy novel/movie. GW2 is lighthearted. It’s 90’s Disney, not Game of Thrones (the book). The Dreamer will not feel out of place if you look at it this way. GW2 is intentionally goofy. It’s not a mistake. It is too pervasive in all aspects of the game from the writing to the content releases to some of the skins for weapons and armor to be happenstance. They’ve done an incredible job creating a very easy to digest setting where you can goof off with friends and strangers in various ways in a beautifully rendered fantasy world. Though less extreme, it’s like watching an episode of Jake and the Netherland Pirates with your child. It is excellent for what it is. If you approach one of those episodes and expect Pirates of the Caribbean, you’ll be sorely disappointed at no fault of the producers or incredible talent behind the show.

GW2 is a birthday cake, not an Italian cassata, by design. By being lighthearted and accessible, it makes it easier to work with the gem shop without affecting immersion because they have found a way to provide an experience that offers a different type of immersion unaffected by those transactions. They can provide rewards that appeal to a broader audience. Not everyone wants Twilight or Frostfang. Some people want Dreamer. They want Kudzu and Moot. You don’t have Dreamer in Westeros.

If you can approach GW2 like the theme park it is and just enjoy taking part in it, you’ll be far happier. I am, and while I realize I’ll have to look elsewhere to get the experience I was originally expecting, I’m glad to spend a little time in their new vision of Tyria while I wait. The game is fun, the graphics are great and it’s still one of the better MMO experiences you can find.

I definitely agree.

Other MMOs are like a huge roller coaster. Starts off at a steady climb, bringing you higher and higher, so that you see the sights and feel the anxiousness (word? lol), leading into a huge, climactic, gut-wrenching drop, a couple twists, twirls, and loops, and ending in an overall satisfactory feeling.

Guild Wars 2 completely turned the tables and created a lighthearted, easy, simple, responsibility-free MMO in the same light as the “It’s A Small World” boat ride in Fantasyland, Disneyland.

Great post highlighting the flaws of the game, thanks for reposting.

superbeast.9873:

Great post highlighting the flaws of the game, thanks for reposting.

It’s not a post highlighting flaws.

superbeast.9873:

Other MMOs are like a huge roller coaster. Starts off at a steady climb, bringing you higher and higher, so that you see the sights and feel the anxiousness (word? lol), leading into a huge, climactic, gut-wrenching drop, a couple twists, twirls, and loops, and ending in an overall satisfactory .

I’ve played most of the MMOs that have been released over the last decade and a half and I’m really having a hard time thinking of which “other MMOs” might fit your simile.

I agree OP. I think you worded it perfectly this time. +1

I definitely agree!! Gw2 is meant to be like a big 3D chatroom, i have said this time and time again. Hardcore players who need to be ‘challenged’ go back to WoW / Star Wars please! As long as I can run around looking pretty and chat with friends in town, I am happy also look at all the content there is, so many zones to farm and jumping puzzles, achievements… people are just used to massive content additions and expansions from other more successful/popular MMOs (WoW, SWTOR) that they don’t get what GW2 is all about! Hanging out with friends!!

I have put large sums of time into many other MMO’s, and I’ve gotta say after recently coming back to this game i have a new found respect.

I’m enjoying the game, for the gameplay and not the grind. This is the first time in years i’m excited to play a game every time i login!

Superfast.5901:

I definitely agree!! Gw2 is meant to be like a big 3D chatroom, i have said this time and time again. Hardcore players who need to be ‘challenged’ go back to WoW / Star Wars please! As long as I can run around looking pretty and chat with friends in town, I am happy also look at all the content there is, so many zones to farm and jumping puzzles, achievements… people are just used to massive content additions and expansions from other more successful/popular MMOs (WoW, SWTOR) that they don’t get what GW2 is all about! Hanging out with friends!!

It was funny the first time you posted it….this time…not so much.

First thing you need to do — stop telling others how to play their game and what expectations to have. The assumption everyone will be happier if they play the game like you and lower their expectations to yours is quite pompous.

Second thing you need to do — stop pointing out what others have subjectively noted as flaws, playing apologist for them and trying to convince those people to accept them as objectively well-designed features.

Lastly, your original post must have been extremely antagonizing because this one isn’t much better; you’re still talking down to people who aren’t like-minded.

Bonus: Do you even PvP?

The only thing I will say to this is that is your interpretation of what the game is meant to be. You are welcome to it of course, but I wouldn’t be so surprised that not everyone shares the same vision you do. People will perceive things in their own way, while I do not agree with your interpretation, I would not go so far as to try and argue that you are wrong or I am right because both arguments are entirely subjective. Having said all this, if I may offer a small opinionated suggestion about the tone of your post. You may want to avoid using phrases like “first thing you need to do” it strikes me as giving a decree and speaks from a tone of absolutes as if what you are trying to present is fact. This may not be your intention, but it is certainly how I read it. Anyhow, I am glad that you enjoy the game and have found your happiness! As for me while I do enjoy many aspects of GW2, the current design trends leave me scratching my head and doubting my longevity with the game that in my opinion is failing to deliver on so much untapped potential in favor of mass appeasement.

Xelios.9145:

First thing you need to do — stop telling others how to play their game and what expectations to have. The assumption everyone will be happier if they play the game like you and lower their expectations to yours is quite pompous.

I didn’t say anything about how to play the game. I mentioned in the previous thread, when in a river moving downstream, the options are swim or go to shore. No amount of irritation will turn the river around.

Xelios.9145:

Second thing you need to do — stop pointing out what others have subjectively noted as flaws, playing apologist for them and trying to convince those people to accept them as objectively well-designed features.

That a strawberry does not taste like an orange is not a flaw, no matter if you love oranges or hate them. “This does not suit my taste” is not the same as “this is not very good”.

Xelios.9145:

Lastly, your original post must have been extremely antagonizing because this one isn’t much better; you’re still talking down to people who aren’t like-minded.

It’s easily found, I mostly adjusted sentences people were reading as belittling the game to be more clear as to my intent. I’m not talking down to anyone. I’m explaining a point of view. I try to be clear and direct. I admit I’ll rise when provoked and take a jab or two, and I apologize for that, but the OP isn’t condescending or offensive to those that disagree. Just offering a vantage point.

Xelios.9145:

Bonus: Do you even PvP?

You mean, do I even lift bro? Not much in GW2. I find the WvW to be, as large scale PvP has always been, mostly about mashing large groups together. sPvP seems decent, but my competitive PvP days are behind me. I’m more interested in narrative, setting and quality of “do it on your owntime” cooperative gameplay these days.

ShadowPuppet.3746:

The only thing I will say to this is that is your interpretation of what the game is meant to be. You are welcome to it of course, but I wouldn’t be so surprised that not everyone shares the same vision you do.

I would be astonished if everyone agreed with me. I try to do my best to assume I’m part of the minority, especially when it comes to games. I’m old. I have a child. I enjoy books more than movies. I spend a good sum on free-to-play games like this one that pique my interest, but not on the honey traps they put in them. Those actually make a little bile rise in my throat because I can see them for what they are. I know what they mean the developer thinks of their playerbase. I recognize the change in relationship between the developer and myself as a result. If a game goes too far into that territory, I don’t mind cutting my losses and running.

Those things combined probably put me into a niche category when looking at the overall player base. I’m good with that.

ShadowPuppet.3746:

Having said all this, if I may offer a small opinionated suggestion about the tone of your post. You may want to avoid using phrases like “first thing you need to do” it strikes me as giving a decree and speaks from a tone of absolutes as if what you are trying to present is fact. This may not be your intention, but it is certainly how I read it.

Great point, it’s not how I meant it. In my mind, I was thinking more like an old Julia Child cooking show where she walks through the steps to achieve the final result of a recipe. “The next thing you need to do, is stir!”

I’ll edit it, I can see how it would be read that way.

ShadowPuppet.3746:

Anyhow, I am glad that you enjoy the game and have found your happiness! As for me while I do enjoy many aspects of GW2, the current design trends leave me scratching my head and doubting my longevity with the game that in my opinion is failing to deliver on so much untapped potential in favor of mass appeasement.

I wouldn’t read my happiness with the game as a sign I’m here for the long term. I sat through Transformers the movie. It was a beacon of my childhood and though it was abysmal, I flipped off the part of my mind that cares about things like plot and reality, the same part that sees the ending scene and was waiting for “4.9% APR” to appear on the screen. I just enjoyed the VFX and moved on. It was a spectacle, a VFX wonder. For that, I was happy with it.

I’m happy with GW2 for what it is, but it’s not the type of game I hope to see common in five years. I hope this free-to-play infestation, the wal-marting of content and complete disregard for setting and tone go the way of the dinosaur. I hope GW3 is part of that trend of respecting itself enough to build something you can feel is as meaningful as a good book when you’re done. Until such time, I will enjoy this game for what it is for as long as I’m able while I wait.

As I said in the original post, there is a lot that OP said that I do not agree with. However, the key point is that a change of mindset is necessary. This I agree with. A great many complaints I have seen revolve around how GW2 does not have a lot of the things that most main stream MMO’s have. This is true, and it’s because GW2 is trying to do a lot of things different. They’re experimenting, changing, evolving, moving. In order to appreciate this I believe people need to approach the game with a clean slate, free of preconceptions and expectations. I’m not saying people should lower their standards, but rather to change the compass of those standards. Instead of following the typical MMO needle north, go east, south, or west.

Berelious.3290:

As I said in the original post, there is a lot that OP said that I do not agree with. However, the key point is that a change of mindset is necessary. This I agree with. A great many complaints I have seen revolve around how GW2 does not have a lot of the things that most main stream MMO’s have. This is true, and it’s because GW2 is trying to do a lot of things different. They’re experimenting, changing, evolving, moving. In order to appreciate this I believe people need to approach the game with a clean slate, free of preconceptions and expectations. I’m not saying people should lower their standards, but rather to change the compass of those standards. Instead of following the typical MMO needle north, go east, south, or west.

I agree with this, my only real complaint with this game is lack of compelling new content in favor of “easily” digested bits and pieces. The reliance on zerg style of gameplay just feels like it is doing the same thing that many many mmorpg’s do in that it is simply kill x mob y times over and over again. It is apparent that many people seem to enjoy this type of content and I don’t fault them for it. It just makes me sad because for all of the innovation that GW2 spoke of it’s really just all of a superficial nature at this point because it is falling back on the old tried and true methods to keep people simply playing. Maybe there is no gear treadmill per se but there still is plenty of carrot on a stick in the form of rng, time gating etc etc. Sure they give players lots of chances to get “loot” which they then overly inflate the amount of any said item needed to create certain things. I am probably in the minority that I would much rather see less “loot” but have it be of a more substantial nature when you do get something. I just feel like they are taking the path of least resistance, and while I realize it’s good from a business standpoint (and they are a business afterall) it’s actually bad from a innovation stand point. Sadly it seems the community itself is often times perfectly fine with status quo so long as on the surface it appears to be different.

In a lot of ways this is like real life.

Some people are so focussed on things that annoy them, that they forget looking at bright side of things. Quite a few MMO players are exactly like that.

And since MMOs are games with very diverse mechanics and content, there is literally always something to whine about.

Thing is, people who tend to do that dont change. Its their personality, so they cant help it really.

Locuz.2651:

And since MMOs are games with very diverse mechanics and content, there is literally always something to whine about.

Almost always something to praise as well. I’ve never had characters look as great and unique in a game as they do in GW2, nor has it ever been easier for me to get in and play end game content.

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Almost always something to praise as well. I’ve never had characters look as great and unique in a game as they do in GW2, nor has it ever been easier for me to get in and play end game content.
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This is exactly my problem with GW2.
I’m 37 years old and I don’t want to play dress Barbie game or follow a zerg where my actions does not matter because even if the worse thing happen and I die someone will rez me or I’ll pay 1.5 silver for the nearest point.

MY point is I don’t use my brain to play GW2 (not needed).

What the heck is this? There’s no such thing as common sense on these forums!

Yes, give up expecting this game to live up to GW1 standards, it obviously never will. Be happy when Anet servers you a pile of kitten, at least they didn’t shut down the servers right!?