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Solid game - encourages teaming & PVP, not powerleveling

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 450 / 468
Date: April 29, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Guild Wars is a very solid MMORPG that strongly encourages team play. The graphics are top-notch (if not up to the cartoon levels of World of Warcraft), the play addicting, and it's well-balanced. With no monthly fee, it's one of the best bargains in the MMORPG world. I take off a star and a half for the forced team aspect as well as the focus on pure fighting versus creating a world, but add 1 back for the value proposition so give this 4 and half stars, or a 4/5 fun/overall split.

This is a tough game to master with no outright 'uber' classes. Players choose 2 of 6 fairly standard basic professions (1 tank, 1 mezzer, 1 healer/defender, 2 nukers, 1 mezzer/nuker) with the second profession lacking one of the strongest attributes of the primary (including which armor you can wear and runes you can use). As you level, besides gaining hit points you do two things - specialize in the various basic class attributes and gain access to the real key: skills. You're limited to a certain number of active skills while in combat, so strategy and careful character building take precedence over getting to level 20. Experience to buy skills can be gained through basic PvE, missions, or PvP. Using a small set of skills wisely along with picking and choosing your attribute development is far more important than getting all the 75 skills available to each profession. This is definitely not a game that is easy to blindly powerlevel.

Cleverly designed, this sidesteps a lot of the problems surrounding the genre. Rather than deal with constant kill stealing, maps and missions are instanced, and you don't have to spend a whole slug of time traveling between regions. (Once you've been to a locale, boom, it's yours.) Recovery time is minimal as is non-combat time. You don't need to spend time harvesting mats and begging a friend to make your next weapon. Instead, kill things, complete missions, and you can bring mats straight to the NPC crafter to make a custom weapon (that can only be equipped by you, likely eliminating much of the secondary market for gear in this game.)

My reservations are four fold but minor. First, the way to truly advance in this game is through missions - and the only way to accomplish many missions is in a balanced team. Thus, you're basically forced to group despite the nominal ability to solo. This really means you have to figure out proper character development early - rather tough with your first few characters until you find a good guild, and frankly, sometimes many of us feel like playing solo. Second, the lack of any real crafting system here means you fight...and fight...and fight. CoH has done well with a similar model (without the PvP aspect) and it's worked well - not to mention the biggest headaches in most MMORPGs are the messes created with a bad item creation system - but if you enjoy socializing more than fighting (the typical harvester/crafter) this isn't the game for you. Third, the game really revolves around PvP much more than PvE for the above reasons - so if you're looking for a game without conflict, this isn't it. Finally, while the focus on instanced events does prevent many of the problems found in most other MMORPGs, it also reduces the multiplayer aspect except in non-instanced locales like towns. The net effect of all of these is to slightly dilute the 'world' aspect, and for those looking for total immersion this may not be a perfect match.

Still, this is a great game and deserves 4 1/2 stars, and if you're looking for an alternative to the hordes of WoW that strongly encourages teaming this should be at the top of your list. One final note: this actually runs quite well even on my soon-to-be discarded Athlon 1100 and is geared towards doing well on slightly older systems - and even 56k modems! - unlike most new games. Big plus.

Well Worth The Pennies

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 14 / 14
Date: November 03, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I've been reading everyone else's reviews, and they have hit the nail on the head. So I wont waste your time typing up the same thing. I agree with what everyone else has said but would like to add on a couple more things.

The game will remain entirely balanced, regardless of how long you play for. If you have played games like EQ where you can get incredible "epic" items by slaving for days on end, you would understand that there is a line between the casual players and hardcore players. Guild Wars has no such items that would imbalance the game for people who can't afford sacrificing 6+ hours a day on it. Don't get me wrong, if you play for hours a day, you will find alot of things and gain wealth, but even the rare items you find, have pro's and cons. They may have + to a few attributes or whatever that you can use but they may also cut back on other skills.

The game revolves around building a character stratagy that focuses on using skills that complement eachother for given missions or PvP.

I just wanted to say that and I love that aspect to the game.

WARNING: You WILL become addicted!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 13 / 16
Date: July 05, 2005
Author: Amazon User

First off, before I start, I am not a huge online gamer, in fact this is the only one I have ever played. This game is incredible!! I just have to warn you however, if you have a life: kids, job, school, etc. DO NOT start playing this game, it is easily the most addicting game I have ever played.

What is great about this game is that if you are not big into fighting with other gamers, you don't have to. You can get very far on your own, you just need to use the henchmen. There are a few times in which you are required to use other gamers and some things you just won't be able to do on your own but they are few and far between.

I highly recommend this game.....it is the most fun I have had with a PC game in a VERY long time.

WTF?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 30
Date: June 30, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Some of you people are f***ing morons. The one that really got me, said that he didn't like the game because The name was inaccurate. One review said it wasn't as good a other mmorpg's because you could only play as a human.(no, he wasn't a 12yo social retard) I mean really, one of my big problems with other online rpg's was the fact that they were to fantasy based, and just plain kid game based. No true gamer will play mmorpg's because they're filled with moron kids without jobs, or lives for that matter. One big reason I love Guildwars is because it has normal people with normal lives, so what if they can only play an hour a day or once a week, these are my people. These people are the people who go from playing guild wars to Counter Strike. Not to mention the game being well built fun and interactive for people with said lives.

Nice change from the norm.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: September 04, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I was thinking of getting into MMORPGs and couldn't decide between WoW or Guild Wars. I decided on Guild Wars for two reasons: 1) It dosen't have a monthly fee, which is good cause I'm broke and 2) the website said it worked well on dial-up (i live in the middle of nowhere so i can't get DSL). I am very happy I bought this game. My graphics card is VERY bad ( I have an Intel 82845 preloaded card) but I can still run Guild Wars on maximum specs without lag (i only lag in towns).

I was very surprised and relieved by the fact that my dial-up modem works great with Guild Wars (I get about 49k). I would definatly buy this game if your new to MMOs or may not have great computer specs. This game is very nOOb freindly and is a good stepping stone to the big MMO's (like WoW or Everquest) that will steal your soul and dispell any thoughts of love or companionship. This game is very easy to get into (and out of) and is highly recommended for the casual gamer who wants to keep control of their life but still be in the MMO scene.

There is not much left unsaid!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 11
Date: May 04, 2005
Author: Amazon User

The game is quite involved, and fun to play. If you are used to the "go anywhere" style of movement that you found in City of Heroes, it will take you time to adjust to running around in maze-like conditions. Leveling is not quick, and there is no mechanism for Power-Levelling.

If you are not very social, you can either solo, or create a team of NPCs to help you. If you are social, there are vast opportunities to meet people. If you prefer, you can even run your own black market.

Very cool. Highly recommended.

Awesome

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: June 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game is worth your time and money. It has numerous quests for you to complete, with or without other players, plus it has an amazing pvp (player versus player) mode to go along with them. This game is great for short, quick plays, and it's also great for long play-sessions that last into hours of the morning that you didn't even think were real. (Like 4 A.M., since when is that an actual time??) There are a few shortcomings, such as the little amount of customization and crafting. However, the fact that this is a one-time buy, that's right, there are no monthly fees, evens this out. All in all, this is a game for mmorpg lovers and single-player-rpg lovers to spend time on. Also, as stated by another, DO NOT buy this game used, because the game is fully installed, and you can play without the disk. So, somebody could sell you their used copy, and then keep playing, while at the same time, you would be at a $40 loss. Buy it new, and have fun!

Why aren't I playing guild wars now

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 14
Date: November 05, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game must be experenced, not read about. These reviews won't give you a solid feel of the game at all, even the guildwars website won't help. Let me try to explain it the best i can.
You have a world map. On this map are towns. Towns are the multiplayer aspects of the game. There are many people in these towns and you can sell things/buy things in towns. Also in these towns you can join up with a limited number of people to go out into the world to explore and do mishions ect. When you leave a town you get your own privite copy of the game along with your part alone. (that is how they keep the price low. This solves a lot of other problomes too because now you can't have an infidently large party going questing together. Outside the town there is a ,mazelike world that is very linear, but some variety is to be had.
I suck at writing reviews, don't I? I've never read a helpful review, but buy the game and you will see how awsome it is.

MMORPG without all the fat

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 18 / 21
Date: May 02, 2005
Author: Amazon User

First off...I am amazed at this game....

I was close to swearing off MMORPGs because when you figure that you pay upwards to 50 bucks per game (and stuck with it if you don't like it) and then pay a monthly fee (that is like another bill if u already are paying them) You almost have to play them a lot and I don't have that kind of time. I also didn't like the camping, loot stealing etc found on a lot of those games...worse yet ...level grinding....grrrr.

That is where Guild wars is different.

For the one person that complained earlier about this game...info about what this game was about has been around since October...those who knew that, knew what this game was about....

That is what I like about Guild wars...when you go on a mish, you have the whole map to explore w/o worrying about others ruining the fun and taking key items, not to mention you have plenty to do because SOMEONE will always have a mish in store for you. Also you mish actions really do shape yorur playing world.

Also, if you like soloing and dislike waiting forever for parties to form, you can do it with very competent NPCs

Best of all, most quests are relatively short taking anywhere from 5 mins to 30 mins to complete and are done at your level meaning you won't go on a mish and be expected to take on a horde of monsters 3x your level.

Check this out, I have a level 8 Warrior/necro char. that I had since day one. I decided to make a new character because I know I missed a whole bunch of early mishes on the game so I created a Ranger/monk....I would say in about 5 hrs yesterday, I managed to give him a decent amount of skills and built up to level 6. Most other MMORPGs I probably would have spent that same amount of time getting to level 3.

And as said many times before, It's all about your skills that you get and not about leveling. Keep that in mind. And attaining new skills is something you can do as soon as you get on the game. No having to slave away just get to level 10 or 15 before u get a secondary profession.

Another great thing is that you will be fighting a variety of enemies from the start...no fighting wild rats and rabbits for 5 or 6 levels.

This game is fun, intense whether you fight alone with NPCs at ur side or with friends.The graphics are great even on low settings. And the storyline is tight to keep you drawn in...

My only complaint however is with the party system.
The plus is, no matter where your friends are you all can meet up on any server and play (no having to all have to join and stay on one server just to play) but if the party decides to break up and head for the main city, everyone gets dispersed between servers before they can form up.

But that is my only complaint in an otherwise great game.

A solid, but ever-changing game; refreshing to the RPG'er afraid to move onto pay-per-month MMORPGs

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: January 10, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I have to say, I only heard about the Guild Wars cult following a few weeks before the actual release. I heard about the game intermittently though various gaming sites, as a possible widely-accepted contender in the MMORPG world. Though not being a fan of the pay-per-month fees since my anticipated let down with FFXI, I did find that these non-existant fees were tempting.

I picked up a copy of Guild Wars on day-one and I have not been able to put it down since. It is a game that yes, if you are more used to the need of one godly class/combination that the other, you will be greatly disappointed with the game as many of the classes are fine-tuned to balance with the others. The lack of one profound character-creation over the other may be discouraging to some people, as each 8 skill customizable skill-set can have its shining moments and then be rendered powerless in terms of PvP and/or different areas of the world of Tyria.

The part that makes Guild Wars unique is the system that depends on teamplay during storyline missions and/or PvP combat--though I personally had problems with trusting people I didn't know, and utilized the in-game henchmen or my real friends to play. Superb cooperation and communication between team members, I found, was vital in tackling the most difficult of foes. Not even the best PvP guilds in the game can stay the best if another guild had better teamwork and commnication.

On the downside, Guild Wars can be a very entertaining game, but it also can be quite slow. The instanced areas makes the world seem desolate and fairly lonely (though that is the general feel in the post-searing aspects of the game). If you don't have a group or at least a friend or so already established playing the game with you, then it will be semi-difficult for you to enjoy the game first off. Also, there is a need for more engrossing storyline, but you can only expect so much out of the ex-Blizzard employees that brought you partially-intricate storylines most of their professional gaming careers.

Though others may enjoy the story, it is not one of its greatest features.

So all in all, the game is great in gameplay and execution. The overly balanced nature of the game can be its best feature and its own worst enemy. Solid and addicting, yet you can walk away from it at any time. Just beware of the lonely, long runs to other places and, of course, the men playing female characters pretending to be female to get free stuff.

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