It’s only fitting that today’s Friday Fave is the newly released MMORPG Guild Wars 2, since I didn’t do much else than reveling in its world all week.
I’m playing as a Norn guardian, a giant badass with platinum hair braided in a mohawk and tattoos all over who drinks to the point of oblivion (no, really, it’s in the storyline…) and is always saying stuff like “I am awesome!” and “Just another step on my way to greatness!” I’m waiting for her to shout out “LEGENDARY!” in combat anytime soon…
While I’m a long time RPG player, this is my first MMO. I always steered away from these games because I was afraid it would be my downfall, but after so much disappointment with Diablo III, I finally caved to all the promises made by Guild Wars 2. Yes, it is addictive and I can see a lot of potential writing time being wasted in the game, but on all other accounts it’s much less frightening than I was expected (I’m talking about the social aspect, here).
I do my stuff (my character would say “I’m making legend”) in solo without any problems. The great thing is that even if you play alone, you still get the thrill of playing a massively multiplayer online game, because every players can rally to accomplish a task. It’s fun, pushing against enemies with a mob of fearless strangers, or being resurrected by someone you never met and will probably never see again. All that without having to speak to weird people locked up in their apartment playing some game (wait a minute… that’s me too!?) or feeling self-conscious about your skills.
If there’s one thing I don’t like about the game, it’s the silly – did I say silly? I meant slutty – costumes the female characters are stuck with. There should be an option to de-sexify your character if you wish. I play that sort of game to feel like a badass, not a J-pop diva. I understand the need for sex appeal, I like playing a handsome character and it sure would be dull if all the armors were practical, but this? This is over the top.
Mesmer are masters of illusion using phantasmal magic to confuse and distract their foes, just like… strippers? And nothing says warrior like fishnet stocking.
Here’s a more detailed articles on the subject. For my part, I can’t help but wonder what Tim Gunn would say to the designers responsible for this mess.
Apart from the costumes, the game is a blast and I warmly recommend you give it a try. Did I tell you there’s no subscription fee? You pay once for the game and you have access to the wonderful world of Tyria till the end of time.
