Guild Wars 2 (official review on pp 21)

[Huw the Poo]

Read, my good man!  Read, read!

[CeeKay]

GW 2 is featured on the cover of PC Gamer.  I just picked it up but haven't had a chance to see if there's any significant new info in it.

What if there was a release date in there and you now know without knowing?

[skystride]

They announced it's coming out on the same day as Diablo 3 

[CeeKay]

They announced it's coming out on the same day as Diablo 3 

I could live with that.

[rittchard]

All classes revealed!
Release date revealed!  11/11/11!!!!!
Closed beta codes revealed!
Handwritten love note to Rittchard revealed!!!

Just kiddin, it was a decent article but mostly just stuff I'd already read about.  Some specifics about specific dungeons which was kinda cool.

[CeeKay]

A more appropriate release date would be 2/2/22.

[Blackadar]

I'm moderately interested in GW2.  I tried out GW1 and didn't much like it - it felt like a dull single-player RPG with the option to occasionally group with other players.  For me, it didn't get the mix right and it felt lonely, which is a bad thing for a MMO.  The instanced content didn't help much and made the world feel artificial.

But we'll see on #2 - no doubt that some of it looks and sounds pretty awesome.

[PR_GMR]

All classes revealed!
Release date revealed!  11/11/11!!!!!
Closed beta codes revealed!
Handwritten love note to Rittchard revealed!!!

Just kiddin, it was a decent article but mostly just stuff I'd already read about.  Some specifics about specific dungeons which was kinda cool.

You had me going with that release date! 

[skystride]

I'm moderately interested in GW2.  I tried out GW1 and didn't much like it - it felt like a dull single-player RPG with the option to occasionally group with other players.  For me, it didn't get the mix right and it felt lonely, which is a bad thing for a MMO.  The instanced content didn't help much and made the world feel artificial.

But we'll see on #2 - no doubt that some of it looks and sounds pretty awesome.

GW1 was completely instanced so there wasn't really a mix.  The persistent areas only served as a chat room.  GW2 actually has persistent fighting areas.

But I disagree about dull single player.  I recently started playing Eye of the North campaign and the dungeons are really fun.  The artwork is incredible too.  This expansion pack added some cool stuff that was really missing in the original campaign.  I also love that I can solo with a full party of healer, tank and dps characters.  How many other MMOs can you do that in?

[PR_GMR]

When will 'Guild Wars 2' ship: When it's ready.. of course.. 

[CeeKay]

a new novel is coming to help ease the pain until the 2012 release.





 

[rittchard]

Some in-game footage from some German site, game looks absolutely fantastic once they get past the early portion and into the main game.  And seriously it looks like the game is already done and well-polished, what the heck are they sitting on it for?  At least it should be in beta by now. 

http://vid.buffed.de/v/mvzjEXAUHA7/Guild-Wars-2/Wartower-Spotlight-GC-2010-Folge-7/

[CeeKay]

And seriously it looks like the game is already done and well-polished, what the heck are they sitting on it for? 

I bet Huw is paying them not to release it 

[Lockdown]

That sure is a lot of gameplay footage.  Thanks for linking that, ritt.

[Huw the Poo]

I bet Huw is paying them not to release it 

Ha!  I've barely anticipated a game as much as this.  Not only do I firmly believe it will be the best MMO ever, but also the fact that it's free to play neatly circumvents at least some of the problems I have playing MMOs in general.  I'd eat spiders if I thought it'd hasten the development.

[rittchard]

I bet Huw is paying them not to release it 

Ha!  I've barely anticipated a game as much as this.  Not only do I firmly believe it will be the best MMO ever, but also the fact that it's free to play neatly circumvents at least some of the problems I have playing MMOs in general.  I'd eat spiders if I thought it'd hasten the development.

Agreed!  Well, maybe not the spiders part lol.

Most of you know I'm frothing at the mouth for GW2, and Diablo 3 as well.  Both of these games are starting to frustrate me, though, between the footage that's being shown and what's already been announced, both look like sure things to at bare minimum be deep into beta and set for a 2011 release, yet neither will throw us a solid bone to say it will be out this year.  D3 in particular, all 5 classes announced, and they are testing PvP Arenas which they claim are not an important part of the design?  Come on!  Give us a release announcement and beta news NOW.

[Huw the Poo]

Ritt, would you beta test GW2 if they invited you?  I mean proper beta test, not just a glorified demo as the phrase is being used these days.  Personally, I wouldn't.  Don't want too much spoiled; I've even been avoiding most of the gameplay footage being released.

[KePoW]

Ritt, would you beta test GW2 if they invited you?  I mean proper beta test, not just a glorified demo as the phrase is being used these days.  Personally, I wouldn't.  Don't want too much spoiled; I've even been avoiding most of the gameplay footage being released.

I honestly wouldn't beta test GW2 either, I want to play it new on release since I know it's a purchase anyway.

The games you should beta are the ones where there's a good chance of it sucking.

[rittchard]

Ritt, would you beta test GW2 if they invited you?  I mean proper beta test, not just a glorified demo as the phrase is being used these days.  Personally, I wouldn't.  Don't want too much spoiled; I've even been avoiding most of the gameplay footage being released.

Good question!  For GW2 (and Diablo 3), I would definitely be happy to do "real" beta testing.  I'm confident enough in the games' longterm viability that it wouldn't concern me about getting burnt out.  I don't see either of these as story games (like Dragon Age), so really I'm more excited about the gameplay and gameplay options and just really playing the hell out of them.  If my testing/feedback was somehow able to make the game more fun for everyone in the long term, I would be thrilled.

[CeeKay]

RELEASE DATE!





naw, just kidding, it's only the Guardian class.


umm.. why does Rittchard have that crazed look in his eyes?

[Huw the Poo]

 

[rittchard]

RELEASE DATE!





naw, just kidding, it's only the Guardian class.


umm.. why does Rittchard have that crazed look in his eyes?

Luckily I'd already read about this last night so I knew about it.  Otherwise I might have gone  


Guardian looks prett sweet, maybe not as flashy as some of the other guys though.  I did like that last Hammer spell though, that looked very cool.

[PR_GMR]

So there are Monks--I'm sorry--Guardians! .. in Guild Wars 2. Awesomeness! 

[skystride]

So there are Monks--I'm sorry--Guardians! .. in Guild Wars 2. Awesomeness! 

A Monk in heavy armour...  D&D just rolled over in his grave.

[CeeKay]

there's going to be a playable demo at PAX East.

[PR_GMR]

A look at the Human lands. This game truly looks like a work of art. 

[The Grue]

A look at the Human lands. This game truly looks like a work of art. 

No kidding.  That video was beautiful.

[Gratch]

A look at the Human lands. This game truly looks like a work of art. 

Wow, that looks quite remarkable.

I'm not a big MMO guy, but am really looking forward to GW2.  The original GW was the only MMO that has ever really kept my attention for more than a week or two, mostly because it was possible to actually solo through most of it (I'm a fairly anti-social gamer).  While I can't see myself playing it long-term, I certainly will be giving it a shot with the rest of the GT/OO crew.

[CeeKay]

assuring quality.  I bet the QA people just want to keep the game for themselves.

[CeeKay]

A look at the Human lands. This game truly looks like a work of art. 

now only if they'd let us climb over everything in that city shown a la Assassin's Creed.

[morlac]

I'm not a big MMO guy, but am really looking forward to GW2.  The original GW was the only MMO that has ever really kept my attention for more than a week or two, mostly because it was possible to actually solo through most of it (I'm a fairly anti-social gamer).  While I can't see myself playing it long-term, I certainly will be giving it a shot with the rest of the GT/OO crew.

Does not compute. 

[CeeKay]

this could possible show up on consoles too.  don't worry though, they've said before that they're focusing on PC development first.

[CeeKay]

Norn Week Begins

Legend and Legacy – The Norn in Guild Wars 2

Norn Week – Go Big or Go Home

Norn Week – Designing and Redesigning Events

[rittchard]

Sigh, I opened this thread to see what news CK had for us, and I saw "RELEASE DATE" (from a few posts up) - for just a microsecond I thought it was the official date, and then I realized it was the thing from before.   

[CeeKay]

Ah, the joke that keeps on giving 

[Huw the Poo]

Ritt - you hold him down, I'll beat him.

[CeeKay]

thief gameplay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eWm8dTrEyWM

[Blackjack]

4-part Beginnings Walkthrough from GDC: (including the Thief from above, Part 3)
http://www.gametrailers.com/game/guild-wars-2/11916?show=Features#Content

The voiceovers are great, though the character model mouths animate like, well, mannequins. Clearly I pay too much attention to character model's speaking animations, or lack thereof.  

The cross-profession combos in Part 4 (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/gdc-11-guild-wars-2/711231) sound pretty fun.  

Downed State reminds me a bit of Left 4 Dead when you're down but not out, but at least here you can eventually get your back up without help.

[Blackjack]

TenTonHammer has some GDC interview/footage concerning ...

The Thrill of the Hunt - An Exclusive Look at the Norn Guardian in Guild Wars 2
http://www.tentonhammer.com/gw2/media/videos/norn-guardian

The Q&A towards creating your biography, and the related personality system (which impacts how NPCs react to you later, and how other characters respond to you), sounds neat.

[CeeKay]

crafting: http://www.arena.net/blog/andrew-mcleod-talks-crafting-in-gw2