Guild Wars 2

I started playing on December 7th 2013 and have been thoroughly hooked since. I’ve kept a log of what I love about GW2 compared to my experiences with other MMOs; I played Anarchy Online a LOT and WoW a bit, plus a LOT of a lesser-known game called Eternal Lands.

So, without further ado:

• No-subscription model – it’s what made me buy this game in the first place; had it been subscription oriented I wouldn’t have purchased

• Resetting characters – you can reset and try new things so easily and quickly which is really pleasing and keeps you motivated to play – you haven’t the burden of “if I choose this path with my traits will I permanently ruin my chances of an effective char/build”

• Access to armor – decent lvl 80 armor is relatively accessible and not out of reach for all but the hardcores; though Ascended is there for those who want it!

• Alternative currencies (laurels, dungeon coins etc) enable you access to great items

• Lovely maps – from Avatar to Steampunk

• Graphics are good

• Plenty to do – every area has dynamic local and world events that one can participate in – daily/monthly tasks gives plenty of goals to work on and an easy stream of exp and rewards

• Very easy to travel around

• Very safe to travel around

• Skill points are not just a matter of leveling, you can obtain these through events on every map

• Interface is very easy to use and not confusing, though I wish there was an achievements shortcut especially for dailies/monthlies

• Norn starter area was well populated, not so much for Charr – probably the fact I’m in the EU playing on a US server :P

• Weapon skills are fun – another thing to unlock

• Weapon choices per class are great – lots of options e.g. Warrior ranged/Close Combat

• Server setup is excellent: home server is purely for PvP and WvW

• No traits until 11 makes sense – you don’t worry about the build of your char ’til you can use the environment!

• Dodge! A massive part of battles and very fun & satisfying; unique to GW2 as far as I’m aware

Welcome! And glad you like the game – these are all points that I still love about the game and have done since the start, so that’s a good sign! Hope you keep having fun.

Quick note about the Charr starting area – for some reason it’s often very empty or appears to be on my server too (though time difference for you will make a difference), but the areas are also massive compared to other starting areas, so sometimes people are around, but spread out. If you call out an event in map chat, you find people come running.

Thanks! Yes, it’s true it’s a larger map. I hadn’t considered that. The Norn area is somewhat smaller as you say so you do tend to run in to other players there.

Glad the game’s consistent

Welcome to GW2! While there’s much to complain about (which we so diligently do in these forums, as is the custom in every gaming forum), there’s much more to love, in my opinion.

I’ve been playing since BWE2 and, despite many candid complaints (mainly about “throwaway content” you’ll probably never get to see anyway), I still consider GW2 the best game I’ve ever played.

Alas, it has ruined every other MMO for me (five years of playing and two lifetime subs to LOTRO died when GW2 launched, and nothing else current or in the MMO pipeline appeals to me at all), so I’m stuck here, as many of us are.

Your list is long, but there are many things I love about the game that aren’t included. I won’t post a list of my own here, but I’m hoping your list will grow (like mine has) as your adventure continues.

Good luck, and good hunting!

I’ve been playing since the very first beta and this is still my favorite MMO of all time. The shine does wear off at some point and you start to see the flaws (there are plenty) but it doesn’t change the fact that there’s nowhere to go from here. There’s no better MMO for my play style. This game suits me perfectly…or nearly perfectly anyway.

Hope you get as much pleasure out of playing this game as I have in the many thousands of hours I’ve put into it.

Vayne.8563:

I’ve been playing since the very first beta and this is still my favorite MMO of all time. The shine does wear off at some point and you start to see the flaws (there are plenty) but it doesn’t change the fact that there’s nowhere to go from here. There’s no better MMO for my play style. This game suits me perfectly…or nearly perfectly anyway.

Hope you get as much pleasure out of playing this game as I have in the many thousands of hours I’ve put into it.

You know, I’d not considered “favourite MMO” but in fact I might find myself reaching the same conclusion. There were always gripes that I had with other MMOs that in my opinion GW2 has “solved” for me. We’ll see where this goes when I unearth the less lovable aspects of the game. I’ve already hit level 80 on one character, so I’m now working on another

GW2 encouraged me to try other MMOs (despite the differences). I had always spurned them in favour of other game types and considered them boring, time-consuming and generally for people with no lives. How wrong and very snobbish I was!

But, I’ve always come back to GW2 – yes, you nurse a soft spot for the first game that ever switches you onto a particular game type, but also it’s just got something that the others never do for me. Plus, you can dodge and jump! It’s true that if you don’t like other MMOs you will love GW2.

ATC.8714:

Vayne.8563:

I’ve been playing since the very first beta and this is still my favorite MMO of all time. The shine does wear off at some point and you start to see the flaws (there are plenty) but it doesn’t change the fact that there’s nowhere to go from here. There’s no better MMO for my play style. This game suits me perfectly…or nearly perfectly anyway.

Hope you get as much pleasure out of playing this game as I have in the many thousands of hours I’ve put into it.

You know, I’d not considered “favourite MMO” but in fact I might find myself reaching the same conclusion. There were always gripes that I had with other MMOs that in my opinion GW2 has “solved” for me. We’ll see where this goes when I unearth the less lovable aspects of the game. I’ve already hit level 80 on one character, so I’m now working on another

I’ve tried lots of MMOs…WoW, Rift, Aion, Perfect World, Lotro, DDO, Eve, TSW and a bunch of others… this is the only one I could stomach for more than three or four months. lol

CrossedHorse.4261:

Plus, you can dodge and jump! It’s true that if you don’t like other MMOs you will love GW2.

How could I have missed that one?! I’ve added it to the list. Dodging becomes a major part of battle and makes it fun and satisfying to pull off.

there is no denying that ANet did an awesome job with this game, not only best MMO but best game ever to me.

Vayne.8563:

I’ve tried lots of MMOs…WoW, Rift, Aion, Perfect World, Lotro, DDO, Eve, TSW and a bunch of others… this is the only one I could stomach for more than three or four months. lol

Totally agree, similar experience for me. I played WoW the longest and after 6 years quit, since then I haven’t maxed a char in anything other than DCUO (at release, but that was easy). They just couldn’t hold my attention for long enough. So, thanks ANet, it feels good to enjoy an MMO again.

And welcome to GW2 ATC, I agree with your list (dodge isn’t unique, tera and probably others have it too, fun though!). It’s a great game and I wish you many happy hours of enjoyment in Tyria!