Guild Wars 2

Developer: ArenaNet®
Release: Aug 23rd 2022
Platforms:
Adventure
Massively Multiplayer
RPG
Free To Play
Expansive
Addictive
Buggy
Tedious
Community
Guild Wars 2 Poster

" Engaging MMO RPG with vast content and skill-based combat but buggy boss mechanics "

Guild Wars 2 Review

Guild Wars 2 receives mixed feedback from its player base, with a strong majority expressing positive sentiments but a notable minority highlighting significant flaws. The game was praised for its initial version, yet many players report that the quality declined with expansions, citing issues such as buggy mechanics and tedious boss fights. Players appreciate the game's vast world and initial engaging gameplay, but frustrations arise due to unpolished design choices and repetitive scripted encounters.

Critics emphasize the lack of thorough playtesting, leading to unbalanced boss mechanics and special quest features that hinder smooth progression. Despite these setbacks, the game maintains a loyal following due to its core strengths and expansive content, though improvements in polish and design would greatly enhance the overall experience.

Highlights

Gameplay mechanics are generally engaging, especially in the base game, with a vast open world and dynamic events.

The graphics, while not explicitly detailed in reviews, are implied to be serviceable given the game's continued popularity.

The storyline has special game mechanics that some find unique, though opinions vary on their execution.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on buggy mechanics and tedious boss fights that detract from the experience.

Players report unskippable and lengthy scripted battle sequences that become frustrating over time.

There is a perceived lack of proper playtesting, leading to unbalanced and sometimes broken gameplay elements, especially in expansions.

Pros

  • Engaging open world with dynamic events that keep gameplay interesting and varied.
  • Strong core gameplay mechanics in the original game version.
  • Large amount of content providing extended playtime for dedicated players.
  • Unlimited respawns reduce frustration during difficult encounters.
  • Unique special game mechanics integrated into story quests.
  • Expansions add new content and areas to explore.
  • Community remains active and supportive despite some flaws.

Cons

  • Buggy boss mechanics reduce challenge and immersion during fights.
  • Tedious and repetitive scripted battle sequences slow down progression.
  • Unskippable story quests frustrate players wanting faster gameplay.
  • Quality declined noticeably after the base game with expansions.
  • Lack of thorough playtesting leads to unbalanced game design.
  • Special mechanics sometimes feel poorly implemented or annoying.
  • Some quests and bosses feel unnecessarily long and tedious.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Guild Wars 2 is an award-winning online roleplaying game with fast-paced action combat, deep character customization, and no subscription fee required. Choose from an arsenal of professions and weapons, explore a vast open world, compete in PVP modes and more. Join over 16 million players now!

Release Date Aug 23rd 2022
Publisher ArenaNet®
Developer ArenaNet®
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (233)
93% Positive 7% Negative

Online Reviews

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Metacritic
90