Guild Wars 2

Echoes of the Past was a glimmering light of hope to the content patches…

But this…I did it in 30 minutes, and even then, it was just drawn out due to the maze at the end…which didn’t even really need to exist in the first place it seems.

I just found this to be multitudes shorter than previous episodes, which usually had 4+ parts to the story, whereas this only has 3…very short 3 as well.

A tiny part of the map opened, and we killed a boss, is there more to this patch that I am missing?

yeah….this was kinda short…story was interesting….but I was just like….no more?

I thought the same thing just now as I finished it. Very very short (dialog was much longer than the actual playable piece). I understand they wanted to leave a cliff hanger, but really?

Oh well, don’t want to complain too much as “Echoes of the Past” was so great. Of course, the teaser image of Rytlock didn’t even come into play at all which I found very surprising.

dont forget weapon skins! for BL tickets ofc – how else!

This is the issue when they release large content patches (in fact I think that this one is about equal to the last one in terms of actual game-play). People will rage every time the patch is not as big or bigger.

A couple of bosses that are basically a big pile of hit points, and too many adds with CC effects. Sort of like Orr in the bad old days when I couldn’t be bothered to go back there, and now I wont be going back to Silverwaste for a couple of weeks.

That isn’t the slightest bit fun.

The patch is much shorter and smaller in design and scope, because it adds onto and inserts more depth and story into the existing map, instead of just tossing in a brand new map with a load of content.

To be honest, this is expected at least while we still continue uncovering the story of the Silverwastes and Glint’s egg.

i agree it was ridiculously short…

Well this was rather short, or better it feels short. Don’t know how, could be the fact that the last update brought us a completely new map.

The episodes have always been short, but this was ridiculously short. I feel bad for anyone who pays gems for this.

Yeah I was a bit disappointed when i realised it was over. I really enjoyed the patch but just wished there was more to get my teeth into.

The only thing that made last patch’s episode (we are talking strictly about the STORY component after all) was that it took loads of time to read all the books in the Priory instance. If you only rushed straight through it and only did what you had to, it was just as short as this episode.

lordkrall.7241:

The only thing that made last patch’s episode (we are talking strictly about the STORY component after all) was that it took loads of time to read all the books in the Priory instance. If you only rushed straight through it and only did what you had to, it was just as short as this episode.

You didn’t actually read the text in those books did you?

Malchior.5042:

adds onto and inserts more depth and story into the existing map, instead of just tossing in a brand new map with a load of content.

Sorry Mal, I would have to disagree. The total amount of story we got was about a single step…it is essentially: we are trying to find the master of peace -> we found the master of peace.

We don’t need a load of content, just a few new things to do. The labyrinth isn’t even open as an area outside the story, and isn’t interesting when doing it in the first place, so the majority of players that play for open world, got nothing new other than a tent and some mechanical siege devourers.

zaw.6741:

dont forget weapon skins! for BL tickets ofc – how else!

looking into what that_shaman was able to datamine:

Gem Store related: (29 items)
Jungle Explorer Outfit
Pact Fleet Weapons (16 weapons)
Enchanted Hourglass
6 Dyes (Glint themed)
Salvager’s Supplies
3 World Tournament Finishers (each region)
Chickenado Finisher

lordkrall.7241:

The only thing that made last patch’s episode (we are talking strictly about the STORY component after all) was that it took loads of time to read all the books in the Priory instance. If you only rushed straight through it and only did what you had to, it was just as short as this episode.

I didn’t read the majority of the books, and it took longer, maybe not that much, but the fights in the Lair were interesting. The first mission (with Belinda’s ghost) was story fluff and about as short of these though :/

I’m actually glad we didn’t get any more playable content in SW. My fear if they’d added more there would be that the current steps just would no longer be played at all and that would be a great shame. It would be cool if they extended the meta event though to make killing the 5 bosses mean more than just how much of a reward you get

Morsus.5106:

You didn’t actually read the text in those books did you?

Yes I did. Otherwise I would have no idea how long it would take now, would I?

Talking from a strictly actual playing point of view the content is about the same.

lordkrall.7241:

Morsus.5106:

You didn’t actually read the text in those books did you?

Yes I did. Otherwise I would have no idea how long it would take now, would I?

Talking from a strictly actual playing point of view the content is about the same.

So…. both episodes were ridiculously short then.

Herr der Friedhoefe.2490:

A couple of bosses that are basically a big pile of hit points, and too many adds with CC effects. Sort of like Orr in the bad old days when I couldn’t be bothered to go back there, and now I wont be going back to Silverwaste for a couple of weeks.

That isn’t the slightest bit fun.

Yes only a pile of HP, not. A Terragriff with different attack patterns and a Troll who also can summon rocks out of the ground, besides the thing with the bees. HP Sponges look very different.

But they feel like they are designed for a dungeon. The Terragriff would fit in a dungeon very well with his Stuka attacks, its not so loud shrieks and ftl charges. The only thing that they should really change are the trollface tendrils with their pulling.

The Troll well, it needs a bit finetuning with the rock spikes. They should appear faster, I would say, double the speed, and a bit more random, because this idea is good, and while the rocks are going faster the more damage the troll ahs received, it isn’t fast enough.

Both bosses didn’t really took long to be killed but well, into a dungeon, a bit fine tuning and you have two very good bosses.

Morsus.5106:

So…. both episodes were ridiculously short then.

They were both rather short yes.

Too short, and a rather bad (and predictable) cliffhanger ending. I saw it coming, and yet I hoped they wouldn’t do that.

With holidays approaching I’m not entirely upset about this patch. I don’t have time to give over to video game right now. For me, this was the perfect length. On the other hand, it seems to speak of the former trend over the last few years: zero or token content.

Thanks for the Jungle Explorer outfit, I guess. We’re in a desert though, so that’s awkward.

In terms of content, however, I’m a little worried again (understatement). Blizzard has finally stopped making terrible, releasing Warlords of Draenor this week. It looks amazing. It is thorough and imaginative. It goes back to the lore and setting Warcraft /was/ and now /is/ about again. This feels like the design from a corporate ledger book: “Hmm, by these numbers I will not be able afford the velvet lining in my new designer slippers. Christmas is coming! I will not have it. Okay, here’s what we will do. Those developers in our Arenanet branch… let’s fire five, drop their pay by 20% and cancel all projects that involve anything more than word processor. That should make ends meet.”

Thanks, Anet. Sorry you’re in such a mess. Really, I’m not be sarcastic. This seems to be what has happened to this game.

It did take like 20 min too long. God i was bored.

There was little story progress in the last episode. Everyone was too infatuated with the books and Glint’s domain to realize it

It was very short, but the achievements look harder. I think there were also some new events added to SW, plus the place where you can a scorp suit like in EoTM, except with (IIRC) one additional skill. I suspect wearing one into the story is needed for one achievement, but not sure… I’m reserving judgement till I have time to check all these new bits.

The episodes 5-6-7-8 is a result of a 6 months work. For the same amount of time, blizzard make 1/4 of their expansion, bioware make a complete SWTOR’s expansion. Anet, a 350 workers company, make a mini-map and a single questline.

Also— the jungle outfit; finally pants and no long coat! Not in love with the outfit, but I’m tempted just because I really want some pants and short top.

I’m really disappointed in WHERE this story stops. Right at where we need to talk to the Pale Tree to ask WTH is up with Caithe. Really?! That was too much for this patch?!

Simzani.4318:

The episodes 5-6-7-8 is a result of a 6 months work. For the same amount of time, blizzard make 1/4 of their expansion, bioware make a complete SWTOR’s expansion. Anet, a 350 workers company, make a mini-map and a single questline.

GW1 had a 6 month timeline for their entire campaigns….something is strange here

Yeah it was really short :/ I’m just disappointed so little was added in terms of actual content. (i.e. not counting gemstore stuff and the story)
New gauntlets, new achievements and the labyrinth for the break in between meta events that’s basically pacman – no combat, just running around and collecting chests until the timer is over.

I’m stuck at work, but after hearing it’s only 15 minute long, I’m not to excited about going home and playing it now.

Zietlogik.6208:

Simzani.4318:

The episodes 5-6-7-8 is a result of a 6 months work. For the same amount of time, blizzard make 1/4 of their expansion, bioware make a complete SWTOR’s expansion. Anet, a 350 workers company, make a mini-map and a single questline.

GW1 had a 6 month timeline for their entire campaigns….something is strange here

They’re entirely different. GW2 is much more involved.

Shen Slayer.3058:

I’m stuck at work, but after hearing it’s only 15 minute long, I’m not to excited about going home and playing it now.

It longer than 15. I’d say around 30 minutes but there’s almost no additions to the game aside from the story.

This patch is just… ugh. Can’t even find words to describe how I’m feeling right now. If I paid for it, I’d be writing a refund ticket.

The story is awful, fights are long and pointless and the twist at the end deservs to become a meme about poor plot.

The one thing I hate the most is the fact that we are given (finally!) a mail from Logan that Destiny’s Edge gathered and wait for me to take action. After this the very first thing my character says to Logan is “no time for you now, going for an egg hunt!”. And right after this I’m groupped again with this canthan puppet without personality, her barbie doll, brainless norn and a charr with an attitude of old auntie Norah.

SERIOUSLY?

Ayrilana.1396:

Zietlogik.6208:

Simzani.4318:

The episodes 5-6-7-8 is a result of a 6 months work. For the same amount of time, blizzard make 1/4 of their expansion, bioware make a complete SWTOR’s expansion. Anet, a 350 workers company, make a mini-map and a single questline.

GW1 had a 6 month timeline for their entire campaigns….something is strange here

They’re entirely different. GW2 is much more involved.

I disagree, GW1 had thousands of skills with 10s of thousands of build combination, and it needed to be balance between pve and pvp…now thats more harder. I don’t know who makes the final decisions at Anet now, but’s they are terrible at it.

Zietlogik.6208:

GW1 had a 6 month timeline for their entire campaigns….something is strange here

And they ever only managed to hold that schedule in ONE release.

I guess the most positive and constructive thing I can say about this one is that I put the blame for my disappointment on myself for being so presumptuous as to expect something that didn’t feature annoying pull me, push me, hey! pull me again! and gas me this time! fights and a story that can only advance if the PC and NPCs are idiots.

Silly me.

Shen Slayer.3058:

Ayrilana.1396:

Zietlogik.6208:

Simzani.4318:

The episodes 5-6-7-8 is a result of a 6 months work. For the same amount of time, blizzard make 1/4 of their expansion, bioware make a complete SWTOR’s expansion. Anet, a 350 workers company, make a mini-map and a single questline.

GW1 had a 6 month timeline for their entire campaigns….something is strange here

They’re entirely different. GW2 is much more involved.

I disagree, GW1 had thousands on skills with 10s of thousands of build combination, and it needed to be balance between pve and pvp…now thats more harder. I don’t know who makes the final decisions at Anet now, but’s they are terrible at it.

Thousands? It had just a little over 1,300. Tens of thousands of build combinations? Exaggerate much? GW2 has traits and this provide a plethora of build combinations.

Many GW1 maps were essentially small rooms connected by hallways. Relatively few were open maps (such as sparkfly). GW2 maps are much larger, have events,

There was a 1 year gap between prophecies and factions. A six month gap between factions and nightfall. A ten month gap between nightfall and EotN.

It’s interesting, given all the “this feels like GW1 all over again!” comments with the last patch… I got a strong GW1 vibe with this one, too, Prophecies in particular: where every map is a big maze that funnels you in certain directions. I don’t see that as bad, it’s kind of refreshing to, be honest.

A little on the low side this patch seems. Story Journal achievements are very easy, not sure if the challenge mode is actually working. Only one achievement added to Silverwastes, and the maze is quite interesting, but won’t be likely to keep many entertained for 2 weeks.

Also, is anyone else having trouble extracting the ‘claw’ from each of the 4 Silverwastes bosses? Doesn’t look like the extraction devices work; they just give the tendon and spleen.

Spoilers

Last update was Guild Wars II living world at its best, this update is Guild Wars II living world at its worst.

Granted the first boss fight was well done, with the flying and all. The second was tedious, but not as tedious as actually having to navigate the `labyrinth´ (It does not deserve the name) to get to it. The story was fairly boring, Caithe taking the egg at the end was not an unexpected twist but rather a moment of exasperation instead.

I was quite shocked at how short the whole thing was.

Aedelric.1287:

Spoilers

Last update was Guild Wars II living world at its best, this update is Guild Wars II living world at its worst.

Ever played Season One of the Living World?

Walhalla.5473:

Aedelric.1287:

Spoilers

Last update was Guild Wars II living world at its best, this update is Guild Wars II living world at its worst.

Ever played Season One of the Living World?

Yes, I did play season one, I wish you did not remind me.

Lessons were supposedly learned from season one, yet we seem to have regressed back to season one type content. Nonsensical story, poor writing and tedious gameplay, seems like the living world is back on form.

I enjoyed it, but yeah…wow way too short. Felt like half an episode and the end was rather abrupt.

Also getting to be rather tiresome having more mystery than explanation. This isn’t Lost – I wish the story would just get on with it rather than leaving cliffhangers every 2 weeks.

lordkrall.7241:

If you only rushed straight through it and only did what you had to, it was just as short as this episode.

I did not rush through the last episode (but did not read all the books) and did not rush through the new episode and the new one felt really short for me. And the end in the labyrinth it feels like it was part 2 of 4 parts of the episode and I was really disappointed when it ended and actual thought “thats it….?” too.

Greetings.

I was wondering this evening where I’ve seen the same plot device of:
- i will explain some story to you
- no time, cya!

And you know what? They did exactly the same after we defeated Scarlet at the Breachmaker.
- Time for some answers!
- Nope!

And another middle finger for those few actually invested in this poor story they try to create with this cartoon. Because it doesn’t feel like game anymore.

It is called a cliffhanger I believe. It is quite often used in episodic media.

lordkrall.7241:

It is called a cliffhanger I believe. It is quite often used in episodic media.

Not always to great effect

lordkrall.7241:

It is called a cliffhanger I believe. It is quite often used in episodic media.

Doesn’t mean it had to be used here. And, in any case, it’s been done better.

This was just inept.

I agree, this was way too short and very predictable.
The boss fights were not fun either (or at least not for my necro), as a necro I have no real access to stability the constant knockbacks and pulls were VERY annoying.

Anet has 300 people working for them. If the content updates are any indication of what they are doing (when not on ANOTHER break) then this game won’t have a long feature.

Doesn’t anet realize that this update needs to keep us busy until at least the next content update? And prevent us from wondering to other games (and staying there)? At the end of this season, they better have an full blown expansion ready (or at least announce if for the very near feature).

But (knowing anet) there will be another break coming. During this break another WvW season will happen and SAB will still not be enabled again because it "doesn’t fit with the living world’ (even though it will be on break and that excuse doesn’t hold any point)

Edit: I realize everyone is human, but anet really needs to step their game up (especially compared to other games/companies). It’s just that 300 people must be working on something big. But they have been working on “something” for 2 years now. But let’s face it… they create a new zone and can’t even be bothered to add it’s currency to the wallet (that we got to easily store all our currency in)…

zaw.6741:

dont forget weapon skins! for BL tickets ofc – how else!

argh… don`t remind me… first they give me hope with a free key and I get junk again…

Come on, I just need one scrap