Guild Wars 2

About

In Guild Wars 2, explore a vibrant open world filled with dynamic events and NPCs with their own stories. Collaborate with other players without the need for party members, and earn experience through various activities. Discover a diverse range of weapons, each with unique playstyles for your character.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+11

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 13,076 reviews

story883 positive mentions

grinding388 negative mentions

story
2,887 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
64%
6%
The story in Guild Wars 2 is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while the core narrative can be disjointed and slow, it significantly improves with expansions and living world updates. The game features a rich lore and character-driven storytelling, with fully voiced dialogues and personal storylines that vary based on character choices. However, some players express frustration over the pacing, the necessity of grinding to progress the story, and the additional costs associated with accessing certain story content, particularly the living world seasons. Overall, while the story has its ups and downs, many find it engaging and worth experiencing, especially as it evolves through the game's expansions.
- “The guild wars 2 story expansions whet the appetite for more and take players on new adventures in the world of Tyria, Cantha, and beyond!”
- “The story is interesting, the graphics are appealing, character advancement is fairly easy.”
- “The story in Guild Wars 2 is equally compelling.”
- “The story is mostly poorly written and predictable, but unskippable when doing it.”
- “The main story is just awful.”
- “The story is a bit lame at times and corny.”
gameplay
1,099 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
63%
3%
The gameplay of Guild Wars 2 is characterized by its dynamic and engaging mechanics, offering a blend of action-oriented combat and cooperative gameplay that encourages exploration and teamwork. While the game features a rich variety of content and classes, some players find the initial learning curve steep due to a lack of tutorials and the complexity of certain mechanics. Overall, the game is praised for its fluid combat, extensive customization options, and a welcoming community, making it a standout in the MMORPG genre despite some criticisms regarding narrative depth and monetization practices.
- “Gameplay is easy to start with and addicting.”
- “After 800 hours of gameplay, I can safely say that this is the best MMORPG I have ever played.”
- “The gameplay is dynamic, the game is rich with content, the landscapes and locations are beautifully done, and there are many ways to go about spending your time.”
- “It's meh, classic MMORPG with a lot of ways to paywall your progress and non-existent gameplay.”
- “The gameplay often revolves around ignoring mechanics, stacking, and outhealing damage, which oversimplifies encounters and reduces the overall challenge.”
- “The gameplay felt boring and clunky.”
graphics
724 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
48%
8%
The graphics of Guild Wars 2 are often described as visually striking and artistically unique, with a watercolor aesthetic that has aged well despite being over a decade old. While some players note that the graphics can feel dated, especially in older content, many appreciate the game's vibrant environments and character designs, which continue to impress even on lower-end hardware. Overall, the visuals are considered a highlight of the game, contributing to an immersive experience, though there are calls for updates to enhance older areas and improve performance.
- “The graphics are beautiful and the story line keeps me interested.”
- “The graphics are top-notch, making the whole world feel like a work of art, and you'll often find yourself stopping just to appreciate the breathtaking landscapes.”
- “The vibrant art style and attention to detail continue to create a visually stunning world that draws players in.”
- “The biggest con: overall it didn't age well when it comes to visuals or performance.”
- “The graphics are starting to age pretty bad.”
- “The graphics are bad, that itself didn't discourage me much, I won't even talk about that from here on.”
grinding
418 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
4%
93%
The grinding aspect of Guild Wars 2 (GW2) is a mixed bag, with many players acknowledging it as a significant part of the experience. While some find the grind rewarding and enjoyable, especially when done with friends, others feel it can be tedious and time-consuming, particularly for endgame content and crafting. Overall, GW2 offers a more casual approach to grinding compared to other MMOs, allowing players to engage with the game at their own pace without the pressure of a traditional gear treadmill.
- “The grind and loot mechanics and crafting are all fun and not very tedious, which is a big reason why I prefer this game over other MMOs.”
- “22 hours in, and almost level 40, the game isn't all that grindy which is great for an MMORPG, and the side quests have decent variation so that you don't feel like you're constantly doing fetch quests.”
- “There's lots of content, beautiful environment, helpful players, quests until you become old and retire, and the end game is basically customizing your character until you have reached fashion wars™ status – virtually no grinding for the ultimate gear as even the cheapest armor and weapons will let you complete 95% of the game without having grinded a single time.”
- “Everything in this game is extremely grindy.”
- “The campaign and endgame have a massive section that requires dozens of hours of mindless low-level enemy grinding in order to reach 3/4 through the story.”
- “The game reduced to just logging in or nonstop farming just to progress, and I just don't have that much time to waste anymore.”
monetization
162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
65%
19%
The monetization strategy of the game is primarily based on a buy-to-play model with optional microtransactions for cosmetics and quality-of-life improvements, which many players find fair and non-intrusive. However, there are concerns about predatory practices, such as the ability to buy in-game currency with real money, which some feel compromises the game's integrity and encourages a cash grab mentality. Overall, while the monetization is generally viewed as less aggressive compared to other MMOs, it still raises issues regarding accessibility and the balance between free content and paid enhancements.
- “The fair monetization and complete lack of subscription fee makes this the absolute best MMO in terms of content, value for money, and honoring your time.”
- “The core game is free to play, but has microtransactions in the form of an in-game shop for cosmetics and quality of life improvements. There is nothing you would need to purchase to enjoy the game, and it is not pay-to-win.”
- “The monetization is very fair, and there is no monthly subscription.”
- “The in-game economy and gear grind often feel like a cash grab, favoring those who swipe over those who play.”
- “The final straw was that my buddy paid for a little DLC and was given a max level character and all the gear for it... so basically you can pay to get a maxed out character and put no effort in... I was convinced that this is nothing but a cash grab, and that just confirmed it... what an atrocity this game is...”
- “The focus on monetization through the gem store has raised concerns that it could compromise the game’s artistic integrity over time.”
music
161 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
41%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised for its exceptional quality, with many reviewers highlighting the work of composer Jeremy Soule as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. Players describe the soundtrack as beautiful, immersive, and emotionally resonant, effectively complementing the game's stunning environments and gameplay. While some players occasionally mute the music to listen to their own playlists, the majority agree that the soundtrack is a significant asset that contributes to the game's nostalgic and captivating atmosphere.
- “The game's stunning environments, combined with its immersive sound design and stirring musical score, create a sense of immersion and wonder that few other MMOs can match.”
- “The music in this game is astounding, still following the rule of maturity aforementioned.”
- “The soundtrack, originally composed by Jeremy Soule, then taken over by Maclaine Diemer and Stan Lepard, is incredible.”
- “The story and music are uninspiring and bland to me, so the only sort of investment I would put into the game is if I were to grind mindlessly.”
- “The small amount of music they added is a bit flawed in my opinion, and can be annoying when it's injected in, especially for 'End of Dragons'.”
- “My only pet peeve is the musical instruments have delay issues.”
optimization
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
69%
13%
The optimization of Guild Wars 2 has received mixed reviews, with players noting that while the game runs smoothly on older hardware and has seen improvements with recent updates like DirectX 11, it still suffers from significant performance issues in crowded areas and during large-scale events. Many users express frustration over the game's reliance on single-threaded performance, leading to subpar experiences on modern systems, and highlight the need for further optimization to address these ongoing challenges. Overall, while some players find the game enjoyable with decent performance, others feel that it has not aged well and requires a comprehensive overhaul to meet current standards.
- “Moreover, the game's performance optimization is commendable, ensuring smooth gameplay even on older hardware.”
- “The optimization ensures a stable and enjoyable experience for players.”
- “But this has now been changed; they updated the engine recently so it now supports new machines, and the game feels a lot more optimized, which was years overdue. The game runs great.”
- “Every time I log into this game, I'm assaulted with notifications about their poorly optimized store, which has been incredibly laggy since its inception and hasn't changed 10+ years later.”
- “During peak times or in crowded areas, Guild Wars 2 may experience performance issues such as lag or frame rate drops.”
- “You can limit the number of players on-screen via settings; however, pretty much all other MMOs can display at least double what GW2 can without any major performance dips.”
humor
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players enjoying witty dialogue, amusing NPC interactions, and unexpected comedic moments throughout the storyline. While some aspects of the community can be off-putting, the overall tone is light-hearted, with creative environments and funny character quirks that keep players engaged and entertained. The blend of humor with immersive storytelling and quirky character development adds a unique charm to the gaming experience.
- “If you're tired of the usual serious-faced fantasy worlds, prepare to have your funny bone tickled and your expectations hilariously shattered.”
- “From the charismatic norn who thinks he's a stand-up comedian to the asura genius who accidentally turned her lab assistant into a quaggan – you'll be laughing so hard you might miss the next quest marker!”
- “The writing is mostly well done, and for me at least the humor has landed well.”
emotional
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
6%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a strong sense of community, with players often describing it as wholesome and supportive, fostering heartwarming interactions. While some players find the story engaging and emotionally impactful, particularly in later expansions, others note a lack of emotional stakes in certain gameplay modes. Overall, the game elicits a mix of nostalgia, emotional attachment to characters and experiences, and a sense of belonging within its player base.
- “The story is cinematic and heart-touching, and there's such a range of playable content I cannot imagine what they would add next.”
- “Living World Season 4's ending made me actually shed a tear, and I just preordered the current expansion, which is the first preorder I ever did in my life.”
- “Heartwarming nostalgia blended with new adventures has solidified its place in my gaming heart, a testament to the franchise's legacy.”
- “Boring story.”
- “Great game when you play it less than 200 hours, a boring storyline slightly better than WoW: Shadowlands.”
- “The core stuff maybe has some boring story parts, but since Season 1 is free as well, you get a glimpse of an epic tale that concludes after many hours of well-crafted storytelling in the newest expansion.”
stability
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
64%
The game's stability is highly inconsistent, with many users reporting significant bugs, freezes, and connectivity issues that can render it unplayable at times. While it runs well on certain platforms like the Steam Deck and Linux, a substantial number of players experience game-breaking glitches and long-standing technical problems that detract from the overall experience. Despite its appealing content and graphics, the persistent instability has left many players frustrated, especially after investing in the game and its DLC.
- “The game runs great on Steam Deck, including the times when I was facing a world boss and there were 50 people on the screen throwing spells.”
- “Well made and pretty much bug free.”
- “But this has now been changed; they updated the engine recently so it now supports new machines. The game feels a lot more optimized, which was years overdue, and it runs great.”
- “Hot garbage buggy mess, almost half of the quests in the game have a game-breaking bug.”
- “I want to love this game and there is a lot to like, but on a technical side, bugs, freezes, and connectivity issues make this game sometimes unplayable.”
- “Too many glitches and programmers only want to create new content and not fix issues that have existed for 10 years.”
atmosphere
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
29%
10%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beauty, friendliness, and immersive qualities, with players highlighting the cooperative spirit fostered by the community and engaging world design. The soundtrack and detailed environments enhance the overall experience, making exploration enjoyable and nostalgic. Many reviews emphasize the game's welcoming atmosphere, encouraging teamwork and interaction among players.
- “The atmosphere and music is what left the biggest impression on me and left me feeling nostalgic for the game.”
- “The lighting, particles, and atmosphere are amazing.”
- “Additionally, the game's soundtrack complements the world, enhancing the sense of immersion and creating a captivating atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere and exploration alone is worth the purchase, especially the new areas you unlock with the expansions, but even if you don't get those, the core areas can blow your mind; there are always new nooks and crannies to discover.”
- “This is a game defined by never-ending idiotic decisions, deafness to feedback, record-breaking content droughts, and an overall atmosphere of clownsmanship.”
- “I advise playing the free demo until you hit 80 and end the base story to check whether or not you like how the game handles and its atmosphere.”
replayability
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
52%
10%
The game boasts significant replayability, with diverse character choices, multiple playstyles, and a variety of engaging content such as dungeons, raids, and open-world events. Players appreciate the lack of a monthly fee and the ability to return to the game without feeling pressured, while the dynamic storylines and flexible gameplay mechanics encourage multiple playthroughs. Overall, it is regarded as one of the most replayable MMOs available, offering countless hours of content.
- “But there are surprisingly a lot of choices that affect the outcome of certain character stories and give replayability similar to games like Mass Effect.”
- “The expanding stories, the side quests, and the ability to add professions to support your characters have all led to a game that's maintained and infinitely replayable.”
- “The open world events have the most replay value of any game I've played yet!”
- “Not a lot of replayability.”
- “Also, everything to make the game more playable is locked behind a DLC (mounts/marketplace).”
- “The majority of the content is going to be replayable after story chapters are completed.”
character development
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
40%
12%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate the rich lore, engaging narratives, and extensive customization options, some find it lacking or minimal compared to other titles. The character designs are often praised for their detail and creativity, contributing to an immersive experience, but there are criticisms regarding the depth of character progression and the overall excitement of the development system. Overall, the game excels in visual appeal and customization, but opinions vary on the effectiveness and engagement of its character development.
- “Engaging story and character development: the game's rich lore and compelling narratives offer a satisfying journey for players of all types.”
- “Great character development and customization.”
- “Character development is great, funny, fleshed out and unfolds as you progress in the game.”
- “The character development is sort of lacking, but the gameplay and the huge beautiful world make up for it.”
- “Character development is minimal.”
- “Character development: to be frank, it is really quite boring.”