The Weekend Hangover: Guild Wars 2 In 2018

Just one of the many mounts available thanks to the Path of Fire expansion.

The Weekend Hangover is Too Much Gaming's Monday rumination of the games or game we played over the weekend. Sometimes there is alcohol involved in the hangover we’re nursing, but most other times there’s just too much gaming.

Guild Wars 2, ArenaNet’s prized MMORPG, has never left my PC’s hard drive since it was released in 2012. It was the last game from it’s genre that left a great impression, and apparently, has only grown stronger every time I boot it up to update the game client. I logged in last Friday. Before I realized what has happened, I spent most of my weekend in Path of Fire, the latest expansion.. again.

Guild Wars 2 is a niche game in its genre that it’s so difficult to recommend. A game that doesn’t have gear progression, no tradition holy trinity roles, and a quest system that remains unique to this day. So, why am I, a player that has devoted 2 years of his life to his guild in World of Warcraft, loving a game like Guild Wars 2? Because they don’t have the features mentioned above.

I’m simply sick of the old formula. I’ve spent a good amount of time perfecting raid encounters and maximizing your character’s gear potential, that I find the concept stale even years later. I’ve never craved for the process of progressing to the next tier of stronger gear. My friends have tried to get me back but failed every time.

Guild Wars 2’s legendary pistol the Quip, which shoots confetti. This is my first legendary, and I don’t know why I did it.

I keep going back for more

But here I am with Guild Wars 2, naturally returning at my own pace to enjoy the latest changes in Tyria. The fact that Guild Wars 2’s gear isn’t the top priority allows me to focus on other elements in the game. Its combat is reactive and is all about timing your skills just right to survive any battle. Exploration is a treat and was improved with the introduction of mounts to Guild Wars 2 through the Path of Fire expansion. Mounts aren’t just a boost of speed, mind you, they are means to access certain areas in the world. Their World vs World PVP mode is still an organized zerg-fest but a healthy one. And it’s constructed pvp? Still easy to jump into but difficult to master.

There’s a lot going for Guild Wars 2 and ArenaNet is still committed to fully supporting the game with constant content updates. I can go on about the many unique features that make Guild Wars 2 appealing, but the more I think about it, everything that I appreciate about Guild Wars 2 is a complete turn off to avid players of the genre. In a way, ArenaNet’s vision for Guild Wars 2 felt destined to turn off their target market, but that resulted in the creation of their own niche community. A community that remains to be one of the most helpful and welcoming communities in the genre.

All six slots used during my six years with Guild Wars 2.

Toxicity is present, but they are the minority in Guild Wars 2. If you really want to find one, PVP is your best bet, but the majority still feels like their goal is to make sure everybody is enjoying themselves.  

Guild Wars 2 still has players that will flock to a player in need of help if they’ve fallen in battle. And map chat, or general chat, is filled with those seeking groups and tips on how to earn a certain achievement, and each inquiry is met with valid responses from those near the area. I even had a conversation with random players appreciating the animations of the hydra creature found in the Crystal Desert. People are doing their own thing together, and we are all having fun.

I’m reminded of how down to earth the experience can be in Guild Wars 2. The friends I usually play multiplayer games with could never get into the game. I’ve tried and failed countless times. But it’s okay because even though I’m guildless (kicked out because of inactivity), I still have cool people to play with, and is i’m always just a few steps away from completing the next goal i’ve placed for myself. I would definitely recommend it to any MMORPG fan, but you probably won’t like it, and that’s okay.

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