So i just finished the story line and i would like to say a few things on what i liked and didnt like. This thread will have spoilers if you havent done the story so stop now.
Pros-
1) Not nearly as grindy as the scarlett story line. The scarlett story line was amazing but the missions in PvE areas were so grindy and took so much time to get the AP points. This has some replay value with different classes so thats a good thing.
2) In world commentary instead of the cut scenes. This was great because in some instances the people i needed to talk to were dead so i had to do the event and rez them. It gave a real sense of the struggle and how many people are dying to this dragon.
3) Its looks amazing and the boss fight. My goodness the boss fight was amazing and all the new PvE areas you run around to are great. Its simply awesome, by far the best part for me.
OK now the negative
1) Where did the other half of the story line go? GW2 base story line had so much more. As a commander you brought together the pact to make Trinity, you got to see the process in which Destinys Edge came together and there struggles threw the dungeon story lines. All the character and members of this team literally died the second eir died. If you were going for shock value, you got me but everyone simply turned into robots afterwards. So the next thing is the old asuran area. If someone can explain to me how we get there and there is no “real” information on the dragons and yet i come to the conclusion to fight this dragon in a dream? How is it trahearne can open it up? Why is trahearne used as a seed when we are right next to him? Omg none of this makes sense at all to me, where did it come from? Seriously me and 2 other people are going into straight combat with a Elder Dragon? Wow did no one else think to do this? You know the most powerful beings in the know universe but nope me, robin and alfred will just walk in and kill him. Really?
2) Why was i such a jerk? I played as a ranger asuran had i had multiple moments where i was like did i even do that stuff from GW2? The way i talked to and about the sylvari, if i remember correctly it was the pale tree who gave me the keys to kill zhaitan. It was also trahearne who who was kind of my side kick the whole way threw to killing a elder dragon. Seriously it was like i had no experience as being a leader. Another point im talking to a crazy norn who pets a vinetooth and his partner got killed. I said he was a fool and this and that and i was like sitting here looking at my 3 foot character and her pet TIGER and DRAGON. Really , really really?
3) 2 and 3 kind of go together but why are we pushing this group to being so much better? I counted 3 times where braham, myself and rytlock saying how much stronger this dragon is and how much stronger this group is over Destiny Edge. What? How? Destiny Edge and trahearne killed a elder dragon and to this point in the story, this group has killed a crazy sylvari? Does rytlock have any back bone at all? When your part of a team you would never just talk smack about your own team mates. Seriously the characters in here are so kitteny for no reason at all and take shots at the older characters. After defeating the dragon braham and rytlock are like which dragon next. What? Seriously we have been at war with this dragon for 2 years where braham lost mother, we all lost a friend (trahearne) and countless others have died.
4) Lastly, what the deal with Destiny Edge? Caithe steals the egg because it was her vision, ok why do i hate her so much and why was it her dream when it wasnt for her? Why is rytlock not explaining anything about his new abilities and why he almost couldnt care less about his old team? Why is anet trying so hard to say this group is better then DE? Why do i give the egg away after the exalted say they are the protectors of the egg? I have to be the dumbest commander ever if i just take things at there word. If they said they pooped ice cream i probably would of eaten it.
Its funny because GW2 core story line has so much rich story with the dungeons and just the feeling of it all. After defeating zhatian going to the base and seeing people celebrate with fireworks and people just being happy and thinking of a brighter future. Problem was the cheesy cut scenes and terrible end fight.
In HOT i ran into a ton of problems. Having to get mastery points just to do the story line, the story feeling rushed and incomplete, the characters not feeling real to the moments after eir death, the constant shots being taken at DE and zhaitan.
I gave the Core story of GW2 a 8/10 and simply said it wasnt as good as GW1 or WOWs.
GW2 HOT i have to give the story 5/10.