Alright so here’s my thoughts on living story
So far I’ve enjoyed it very much, it’s been a blast and I like that it had time to build up.
Highlights: The Gathering Storm update. This one has been my favorite so far, because the gradual release of the scavenger hunt, and expansion of the refugee camp made me keep coming back to the zones and participating. The Razing in comparison, brought me to Wayfarer and Diessa for one weekend. I’m detached from the story now, it’s happening, but it’s static and I’m not part of it. It would’ve been good I think to release things slowly over a couple of weeks, giving us time to think about Braham’s initial announcement of lineage before we see Eir confirm it 4 loading screens later, or wonder just what we would find at Cragstead. Which brings me to:
The instances. I love them, they hearken back to the missions of Guild Wars 1. Compared to the personal story, the missions felt like we were there to fight, and the combat drove the story, whereas in the personal story it often feels more like we are there to continue the story, and the combat is merely an obstacle to the next cut scene. They were also a lot of fun to do with friends, I love group play, such as
The Dungeon. From what I’ve heard, the dungeon sounds amazing, with a changing location, and interesting boss mechanics, it sounds like something I would love to do again and again.
Qualms: I understand that many things such as low initial content, and long build up are a result of this being the first go at this. I won’t complain because I like what Anet has promised the direction of the LS. However, I do have once major qualm, which has come up as a result of Halloween, Wintersday, and what I’ve heard will happen in June at the end of Flame and Frost. There’s no permanence. The events are great for creating memories, but what really does wonders and makes a game great is having some reminder of your success. The statue in LA being destroyed at Halloween seemed like a good example of this, but it has since been rebuilt, with no consequences of this. Winterday melted away, and it appears that all the Flame and Frost content will follow suit. I don’t want it all to stay forever, but something like the dungeon could stick around, as a reminder of what we accomplished. Ironically, Lost Shores lacks everything I praised about flame and frost, but has this. My girlfriend, like many others views it as a disaster, but everytime we find ourselves in Southsun, she reminds me how she was there to help build the road and clear the forest. That’s pride, and something that should be encouraged. Our actions so far are all removable. We fixed signs that will be taken away, we closed portals that disappear. Sure we saved Cragstead, but its locked away in an instance, never to be seen again for most. Flame and Frost needs some testament to our efforts, and if you stay true to your lore, that this is the greatest threat to Tyria, then we deserve at least a small monument.