Guild Wars 2

A little over a year ago some of my friends started playing GW2. They tried explaining the good things about the game and why my husband and I should start playing with them. “Open world dynamic events,” they said. “Living Story,” they said. While it sounded intriguing I wasn’t convinced enough to put down $50 to try another MMO.

Fast forward to the end of September of this year. Husband and I hear about the free trial week and 50% off price. “Why not?” we say and begin downloading.

Within two days I was hooked and we each bought the game. But not because of any of the things my friends had tried to use to convince us to play (though they are pretty good too) – No, I am hooked because of the cosmetics.

Why, oh why, hadn’t my friends ever mentioned the extensive collection of dyes? Or the amazingly detailed and option-rich character creation? Or the wide variety of weapon and armor skins?

Nearly two months later and I am still hooked on this game. My main character is a Sylvari mesmer, all decked out in the Orchid armor set dyed a beautiful deep purple to match her skin, hair, and glow color.

I definitely still have heaps to learn. But I think I am going to be here awhile

If there is one thing that this game has done better than any other, it’s style. From its gorgeous painterly artstyle to its wide selection of gear and unmatched dye system, Guild Wars 2 beats all competitors in terms of “looks.”

Quite frankly, if the substance of Guild Wars 2 was as good as its flair, it would be the best game ever made.

Yup that is one reason I can not simply go to other games, the character customization in them always feels weak compared to the rich variety of options here

Btw just if you are not aware there are more face- and hairstyles, eye- and hair-colours exclusively available in total makeover-kits, which are available in the gem store (sounds like I’m working for Anet haha)

GW2 does do a good job with it’s cosmetics, however, I still feel limited when I compare it to DC Universe Online. Although GW2’s armors, character models, etc. look much, much better than DCUO’s, DCUO also had far, far more options to customize. I dislike that I need transmutation charges to change my looks for instance, or make-over kits to change my face, or that I can’t simply choose from a dye wheel to pick the colours I want for my equipment. They have a lot of things locked down so that we can only customize so much. I’m not saying it’s bad and I still very much enjoy what we can do in GW2. I just feel like we’re being limited to a very small area of creativity for really no reason at all. I feel like I could do so much more with my characters if we weren’t forced to use/do certain things. Still, I agree… GW2 is a beautiful game from it’s character models to it’s hand painted loading screens. I just… Dream of more sometimes.

Vikkela and Gaile – Yes, I know about the Makeover kits and love them! When I hit level 60 I decided to try out the Total Makeover Kit because I wasn’t pleased with my original face/color/hair options I had chosen and figured at level 60 it was a little too late to re-roll. It took me over half an hour to eventually choose a new color scheme and hairstyle. Definitely much happier now though!

SpellOfIniquity – I definitely know what you mean. I’ve spent the past 7 years playing LOTRO, which also has a pretty extensive outfitting/cosmetic system. I miss being able to have different saved ‘outfits’ (made of different armors and cosmetics pieces) I’ve put together and switch between them with just a button click. I think every game has room for improvement in any given system.

This is why my advice for anyone introducing a new player to the game is to let them take the lead and just give them advice.

Some people would love being showed they can go straight from the intro to WvW or PvP, other people might get the impression it means PvE is virtually non-existent or not worth playing and lose interest. In your case I assume your friends are more interested in the mechanics than the cosmetic options and didn’t consider them worth mentioning, not realising that you would love it.

Admittedly that’s harder to do when you’re telling someone about the game rather than letting them play it, but the same is true: unless you know the person’s preferences extremely well you run the risk of pushing them in the wrong direction and missing things they’d like or (even worse) making it seem like the game is all about things they don’t like and putting them off.

Can’t wait until there are more options away from butt-capes and trench coats!

What others have said, this game is visually stunning. Unfortunately, I do find the customization slightly limiting in comparison to my last MMO but it is still far better than most.

SpellOfIniquity.1780:

GW2 does do a good job with it’s cosmetics, however, I still feel limited when I compare it to DC Universe Online. Although GW2’s armors, character models, etc. look much, much better than DCUO’s, DCUO also had far, far more options to customize. I dislike that I need transmutation charges to change my looks for instance, or make-over kits to change my face, or that I can’t simply choose from a dye wheel to pick the colours I want for my equipment. They have a lot of things locked down so that we can only customize so much. I’m not saying it’s bad and I still very much enjoy what we can do in GW2. I just feel like we’re being limited to a very small area of creativity for really no reason at all. I feel like I could do so much more with my characters if we weren’t forced to use/do certain things. Still, I agree… GW2 is a beautiful game from it’s character models to it’s hand painted loading screens. I just… Dream of more sometimes.

Like you and many others, I find it frustrating to have to buy transmutation stones and other items with gems to customize my characters, but I am totally okay with this. After all, GW2 has to make money somehow to keep itself going. My last MMO was free-to-play but pay-to-win. People literally had to spent thousands of dollars to be competitive at end-game but with GW2 I feel absolutely NO pressure to spend real life money to be competitive. There is nothing in the gem store that one HAS to buy to play the game, its all basically cosmetic (or offers some small convenience like extra bag space or permanent harvesting tools). For this, I have a LOT of respect for GW2’s financial model. It allows everyone to be competitive without having to spend real money beyond purchasing the game.

Cithryth.6741:

A little over a year ago some of my friends started playing GW2. They tried explaining the good things about the game and why my husband and I should start playing with them. “Open world dynamic events,” they said. “Living Story,” they said. While it sounded intriguing I wasn’t convinced enough to put down $50 to try another MMO.

Fast forward to the end of September of this year. Husband and I hear about the free trial week and 50% off price. “Why not?” we say and begin downloading.

Within two days I was hooked and we each bought the game. But not because of any of the things my friends had tried to use to convince us to play (though they are pretty good too) – No, I am hooked because of the cosmetics.

Why, oh why, hadn’t my friends ever mentioned the extensive collection of dyes? Or the amazingly detailed and option-rich character creation? Or the wide variety of weapon and armor skins?

Nearly two months later and I am still hooked on this game. My main character is a Sylvari mesmer, all decked out in the Orchid armor set dyed a beautiful deep purple to match her skin, hair, and glow color.

I definitely still have heaps to learn. But I think I am going to be here awhile

Maybe they did not mention it becouse the way to get those is very boring in many cases and you will likely often run into a skin you like only to find out getting it is almost impossible.

That is, if you are not willing to spend a lot of money on the cash-shop to buy all of it.
I personally also care more about cosmetics then stats and it is what I loved to collect in most games. In GW2 however while there is much more of these things collecting them usually ends up in a boring gold grind and so is the least fun way compared to those other games.

That might be a reason they didn’t mention it.

It’s one of only a handful of games where when a large group of players are in an area, you can simply admire some of the combinations spawned from people’s imaginations playing around with the vast array of dyes and armour and weapon skins.

Devata.6589:

Cithryth.6741:

A little over a year ago some of my friends started playing GW2. They tried explaining the good things about the game and why my husband and I should start playing with them. “Open world dynamic events,” they said. “Living Story,” they said. While it sounded intriguing I wasn’t convinced enough to put down $50 to try another MMO.

Fast forward to the end of September of this year. Husband and I hear about the free trial week and 50% off price. “Why not?” we say and begin downloading.

Within two days I was hooked and we each bought the game. But not because of any of the things my friends had tried to use to convince us to play (though they are pretty good too) – No, I am hooked because of the cosmetics.

Why, oh why, hadn’t my friends ever mentioned the extensive collection of dyes? Or the amazingly detailed and option-rich character creation? Or the wide variety of weapon and armor skins?

Nearly two months later and I am still hooked on this game. My main character is a Sylvari mesmer, all decked out in the Orchid armor set dyed a beautiful deep purple to match her skin, hair, and glow color.

I definitely still have heaps to learn. But I think I am going to be here awhile

Maybe they did not mention it becouse the way to get those is very boring in many cases and you will likely often run into a skin you like only to find out getting it is almost impossible.

That is, if you are not willing to spend a lot of money on the cash-shop to buy all of it.
I personally also care more about cosmetics then stats and it is what I loved to collect in most games. In GW2 however while there is much more of these things collecting them usually ends up in a boring gold grind and so is the least fun way compared to those other games.

That might be a reason they didn’t mention it.

Oh, come on. I’m disgruntled enough right now that I’m getting infractions left and right, and even I can see that there are PLENTY of gorgeous skins that are easy to acquire in-game. You do not have to pay outrageous sums to have fun with the wardrobe/creation tools.

I love the amount of customization in this game, however once you hit end game you realize its not quite what you thought it was.

It really feels like they lost some talented people as far as armor designs go after the released the game. Not to mention Anet totally neglecting Charr.

Yeah, and cosmetics does really work great as “endgame progression”.
Only game i’ve seen it work this great though. I can’t think of any other game with this much cosmetic options. You can create really unique characters. Now we just need the ability to dye weapons

There are still some work to be done cosmetics wise….especially for armor effects/particles/etc. for example, I love the look of some armors such as the heavy Forgeman Breastplate (CoE chest piece) but I soooooo wish i could dye the fire to another color. Every part of my asura is white/blue/black, but that one bit is red/yellow, and I wish I could change it so bad

Guhracie.3419:

Devata.6589:

Cithryth.6741:

A little over a year ago some of my friends started playing GW2. They tried explaining the good things about the game and why my husband and I should start playing with them. “Open world dynamic events,” they said. “Living Story,” they said. While it sounded intriguing I wasn’t convinced enough to put down $50 to try another MMO.

Fast forward to the end of September of this year. Husband and I hear about the free trial week and 50% off price. “Why not?” we say and begin downloading.

Within two days I was hooked and we each bought the game. But not because of any of the things my friends had tried to use to convince us to play (though they are pretty good too) – No, I am hooked because of the cosmetics.

Why, oh why, hadn’t my friends ever mentioned the extensive collection of dyes? Or the amazingly detailed and option-rich character creation? Or the wide variety of weapon and armor skins?

Nearly two months later and I am still hooked on this game. My main character is a Sylvari mesmer, all decked out in the Orchid armor set dyed a beautiful deep purple to match her skin, hair, and glow color.

I definitely still have heaps to learn. But I think I am going to be here awhile

Maybe they did not mention it becouse the way to get those is very boring in many cases and you will likely often run into a skin you like only to find out getting it is almost impossible.

That is, if you are not willing to spend a lot of money on the cash-shop to buy all of it.
I personally also care more about cosmetics then stats and it is what I loved to collect in most games. In GW2 however while there is much more of these things collecting them usually ends up in a boring gold grind and so is the least fun way compared to those other games.

That might be a reason they didn’t mention it.

Oh, come on. I’m disgruntled enough right now that I’m getting infractions left and right, and even I can see that there are PLENTY of gorgeous skins that are easy to acquire in-game. You do not have to pay outrageous sums to have fun with the wardrobe/creation tools.

There are skins easy available but many of the best looking aren’t (like any of the black lion ticket skins).
Sure you can do a lot when you take those out of the equation but if you just look at what people have and then decide you want one of those then you are very likely to walk into this problem. And thats how many people who like cosmetic work. They see something what they like and then go to get that yourself. Also all near hearstyles are lock behind a lot of gold.
And mini’s (I see them also as cosmetics) collecting them is also mainly grinding gold because 90% from them you can only buy with gold.

Yeah you can for sure play around with the wardrobe system but if you really want to go for skins you see and like you will very often run into this problem.

The fact that there are also nice skins you can get in other ways does not change that.

Except of course if you like to grind grind grind (gold). Then this is an option and basically the end-game in GW2 (PvE).

One thing that i do miss when it comes to cosmetics is that there havnt been more options for racial features added over these 2 years. The horns for the charr is a very visible feature and I’d die for some more variety there. Its like oh, “that one have those horns”… It would be nice with;

• some more horn designs (Deer inspired, Ram inspired, Gazelle inspired – twisted)
• Ability to choose color of u’r horns (out of a few choosable shades), today one design is only avaliable in ONE color – that doesnt always work with u’r fur color.

I have never Heard a Word whether this will ever be added either. would be nice to hear something about it. It could be added the same way as hairs and faces are today.

Also, the ammount of clipping (chestpiece and helms)armour for charr…… Plz Think of that Before u create new pieces.

That’s pretty much the main reason I hopped on GW2, the only reason I’m replaying GW1 (as much as people love the old game, there’s a lot about its combat and camera system that drove me away the first time, but I’m willing to suffer through it for the HoM rewards), and what keeps me grinding those achievement points (although I am tempted to just give up on a full set of Radiant/Hellfire skins).

Devata.6589:

Guhracie.3419:

Devata.6589:

Cithryth.6741:

A little over a year ago some of my friends started playing GW2. They tried explaining the good things about the game and why my husband and I should start playing with them. “Open world dynamic events,” they said. “Living Story,” they said. While it sounded intriguing I wasn’t convinced enough to put down $50 to try another MMO.

Fast forward to the end of September of this year. Husband and I hear about the free trial week and 50% off price. “Why not?” we say and begin downloading.

Within two days I was hooked and we each bought the game. But not because of any of the things my friends had tried to use to convince us to play (though they are pretty good too) – No, I am hooked because of the cosmetics.

Why, oh why, hadn’t my friends ever mentioned the extensive collection of dyes? Or the amazingly detailed and option-rich character creation? Or the wide variety of weapon and armor skins?

Nearly two months later and I am still hooked on this game. My main character is a Sylvari mesmer, all decked out in the Orchid armor set dyed a beautiful deep purple to match her skin, hair, and glow color.

I definitely still have heaps to learn. But I think I am going to be here awhile

Maybe they did not mention it becouse the way to get those is very boring in many cases and you will likely often run into a skin you like only to find out getting it is almost impossible.

That is, if you are not willing to spend a lot of money on the cash-shop to buy all of it.
I personally also care more about cosmetics then stats and it is what I loved to collect in most games. In GW2 however while there is much more of these things collecting them usually ends up in a boring gold grind and so is the least fun way compared to those other games.

That might be a reason they didn’t mention it.

Oh, come on. I’m disgruntled enough right now that I’m getting infractions left and right, and even I can see that there are PLENTY of gorgeous skins that are easy to acquire in-game. You do not have to pay outrageous sums to have fun with the wardrobe/creation tools.

There are skins easy available but many of the best looking aren’t (like any of the black lion ticket skins).
Sure you can do a lot when you take those out of the equation but if you just look at what people have and then decide you want one of those then you are very likely to walk into this problem. And thats how many people who like cosmetic work. They see something what they like and then go to get that yourself. Also all near hearstyles are lock behind a lot of gold.
And mini’s (I see them also as cosmetics) collecting them is also mainly grinding gold because 90% from them you can only buy with gold.

Yeah you can for sure play around with the wardrobe system but if you really want to go for skins you see and like you will very often run into this problem.

The fact that there are also nice skins you can get in other ways does not change that.

Except of course if you like to grind grind grind (gold). Then this is an option and basically the end-game in GW2 (PvE).

I like skins. Skins is my game. However, shiny bright skins aren’t a big deal to me, because that’s not how I wear or look at skins.

Each character has a theme. Something that makes them them. They have clothing or items that “fit” them.

It’s not only one thing. It’s a range of things. There are plenty of items in game for me to get a look I like without going to the cash shop. Not that I haven’t gone to the cash shop occasionally if I like something, but most of the cash shop outfits, as an example, I don’t really like at all.

You can be completely into skins and not even think about the cash shop…except for transmutation stones…which if you PvP isn’t really a problem….or if you world complete on multiple characters.

You’re lucky, charr armor sets feel so limited with most armor just overly-stretched without much thought for the charr body

Vayne.8563:

You can be completely into skins and not even think about the cash shop…except for transmutation stones…which if you PvP isn’t really a problem….or if you world complete on multiple characters.

Or have an extra character slot to create a new character for the express purpose of mapping out Rata Sum and the Grove. Two transmutation crystals for about half an hour of running around.

Gaile Gray.6029:

Cithryth — I agree with you, there’s so much “under the surface” that we can do to customize our characters and our experiences. I love the dye system, and some of the names just make me smile. The skinning is wonderful! Back in the day, I was known to keep a bow or piece of armor in GW, even if it was inferior to other items, simply because I loved the look. Now, best of both worlds.

Vikkela is right, there are even more options through the makeover kits. I forget that fact myself, at times: that amongst all the face choices, there are even more in the kits. (No, this is not a “brief commercial message” for the Black Lion Trading Company, just a note that, again, the choices are so plentiful!

I hope you and your husband have many years of pleasure in Tyria!

And now we have the wonderful feature allowing us to transmute our favorite skins through the wardrobe. No longer a need to carry around extra weapons & armor for the sake of appearance.

Totally agree there are some really nice armors especially for humans.
However female charrs and asura need they’re own identity instead of giving the lazy male models.

Vayne.8563:

Devata.6589:

Guhracie.3419:

Devata.6589:

Cithryth.6741:

~

Maybe they did not mention it becouse the way to get those is very boring in many cases and you will likely often run into a skin you like only to find out getting it is almost impossible.

That is, if you are not willing to spend a lot of money on the cash-shop to buy all of it.
I personally also care more about cosmetics then stats and it is what I loved to collect in most games. In GW2 however while there is much more of these things collecting them usually ends up in a boring gold grind and so is the least fun way compared to those other games.

That might be a reason they didn’t mention it.

Oh, come on. I’m disgruntled enough right now that I’m getting infractions left and right, and even I can see that there are PLENTY of gorgeous skins that are easy to acquire in-game. You do not have to pay outrageous sums to have fun with the wardrobe/creation tools.

There are skins easy available but many of the best looking aren’t (like any of the black lion ticket skins).
Sure you can do a lot when you take those out of the equation but if you just look at what people have and then decide you want one of those then you are very likely to walk into this problem. And thats how many people who like cosmetic work. They see something what they like and then go to get that yourself. Also all near hearstyles are lock behind a lot of gold.
And mini’s (I see them also as cosmetics) collecting them is also mainly grinding gold because 90% from them you can only buy with gold.

Yeah you can for sure play around with the wardrobe system but if you really want to go for skins you see and like you will very often run into this problem.

The fact that there are also nice skins you can get in other ways does not change that.

Except of course if you like to grind grind grind (gold). Then this is an option and basically the end-game in GW2 (PvE).

I like skins. Skins is my game. However, shiny bright skins aren’t a big deal to me, because that’s not how I wear or look at skins.

Each character has a theme. Something that makes them them. They have clothing or items that “fit” them.

It’s not only one thing. It’s a range of things. There are plenty of items in game for me to get a look I like without going to the cash shop. Not that I haven’t gone to the cash shop occasionally if I like something, but most of the cash shop outfits, as an example, I don’t really like at all.

You can be completely into skins and not even think about the cash shop…except for transmutation stones…which if you PvP isn’t really a problem….or if you world complete on multiple characters.

Depends on how you play it. But like I said before, if you look at other placers, then see something nice and decide you want that… and thats the way you find most of the skins you like then you are very likely to run into this problem.

Besides you even say you buy things that you like. Well then of course there is no problem is there. That’s the hole point and of how it works. Problem at least for me is that usually in mmo’s that is my game-play. I will not only not buy from the cash-shop because I don’t want to support the cash-shop (because it takes away that game-play) but also because fun ways to get those items is how I play mmo’s. What is taken away now.

So yes if you are just buying the items you like from the cash-shop you have no problem, and if you just work with whatever you have unlocked in the wardrobe you also have no problem.

But if you look at what people use, then decide you want to go for that and that is you preferred way of playing then you will run into the grind grind grind problem a lot. So if OP’s friends experience that the same way that might be a reason for not mentioning cosmetics because for them it has the link with the endless grind.

I do like cosmetics but if I was to talk with anybody about GW2 I would not talk about all the cosmetics because obtaining much of it simply is not fun. So when you do focus on those cosmetics the game can become extremely frustrating. It’s that part that GW2 does not to add as game-play but as monetization. So if you like cosmetics you will get pushed to buy all the time, and if you don’t there is grind grind grind.

If we are on the topic of cosmetics and shininess, aside from weapons and armor skins, dyes, boss encounters, etc. could all use some touchups.

The parts during the Claw of Jormag fight are prime examples of good flare (the crash landing)

Other fights are just the boss standing there, doing nothing, that isn’t very stylish if you ask me.

And on the topic of flash and style…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV0wWzDAwJU

That is one insanely flashy and stylish looking upcoming title.

Zietlogik.6208:

And on the topic of flash and style…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV0wWzDAwJU

That is one insanely flashy and stylish looking upcoming title.

It is, but it’s also unfortunately an ARPG (Diablo-style game). That’s a pretty shallow genre despite its popularity. I mean, it looks to be of a higher quality caliber than current ARPG titles, but when I saw that gorgeous scenery (before it finally transitioned into actual gameplay), I was thinking “wow, wouldn’t that be an amazing MMO world.” Dream crushed in seconds.

Now if we could just get some of the other cosmetic things common to MMORPGs – more emotes, and environmental items you can interact with – like campfires to light, chairs to sit in, drinks you can actually drink from rather than wave around.