So I had to write about this game. Not since my first days in Ultima Online has a game come out that sparked so much interest in my mind. I mean nothing will ever replace the ability to grief, drain corpses dry, pick up the corpses using them as decoration in your house, and then customizing your house.



HOWEVER, Guild Wars 2 manages to fill that void in my heart with a different feeling. A feeling of unity, yearn to help other players out, and dynamic content that makes exploring the world fun again. I mean in Ultima Online and even WoW I would NOT want to run across a map to RES someone. And after WoW I would NEVER "Run" anywhere.


Take a step back and we can talk about my first days in World of Warcraft and my obvious love for that title. I mean it landed me an amazing job at Blizzard before I decided to move on to pursue other career dreams and aspirations. (I like being poor) But what World of Warcraft did for me was simple, it allowed games to become mainstream, popculture, accepted by so many, that I was guaranteed time to play with my real life friends. No longer was the learning curve so far above everyones head that I looked way geekier than I could ever hope to be. But, World of Warcraft is an older title now, holding on to players who have invested the years of time as I did in Ultima Online. And WoW was the game that finally got me to let go of my 9 year old Ultima Online account. But I still felt like I was missing something...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5mD1n4v2JA

In seconds of playing Guild Wars 2 at a few conventions that void was literally filled within seconds. But it felt strange to me... I was always a PVP server, kill or be killed, the leveling challenges you get with opposite factions trying to fight over the same area make a game, not the content. How wrong I was. Or not wrong, just used to a certain way of thinking those years ago.



Guild Wars 2 has done something amazing, they have innovated the genre. They have made an experience that feels so different than others you have tried that you literally get those childish giddy moments while playing. While innovating they, if you have an open mind(not to mention a way of getting to you through gameplay without you even noticing), have also re-programmed your mind while playing to want to help those around you. You gain nothing from being an asshole but gain much from helping your friends. And you have a common goal, kill the evil shit around you, look at the beautiful shit around you, and defend your realm!



The best movies are the ones you can come out of just liking it. When you don't have something bad to say, it usually means it is being done right. It is much easier for out minds to point out the negative than the positive. So it is quite amazing when you can play a game and just feel right at home. As if this game was the first of its kind and you were exploring it as your first MMO.



Watch these videos from Yogcast:



This is them playing WoW's Mists of Pandarian, mind you this is RIGHT after they got out of Guild Wars 2 Beta. They are not happy while playing, they are shocked at the #'s the stats, the repetitive quests. Now this wouldn't be a problem if they hadn't played the Beta. Because the formula for WoW works and is fun for people. Anyway watch their reactions here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoDDLaXTnKk


This shows the crazy #'s and how the scaling just wasn't meant to go this long in WoW.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBkxjjFfVus
This shows the Quests getting repetitive and wearing on the casters.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soF5yBolsfI
<span>Even the cynical Brit is just blown away by the gameplay. He is literally so excited he repeats himself over and over, trying to get anyone watching/listening to understand his enthusiasm.</span>





In my opinion Guild Wars 2 is going to be what WoW was to Guild Wars 1. A GIANT SHADOW, that slowly creeps up from word of mouth, because when people start playing this game, they will not stop there, they will want all their friends to play with them, and the game made that easy with up-leveling and down-leveling. 




PvP and World v World is a whole other rant at this point, but let's just cap it off with saying, it looks phenomenal. It is like a Fantasy style Planetside. And you can jump in and out, when the very engaging PVE isn't enough anymore. It levels you up and allows you to compete with the best!




To me the idea that weapons and drops are more aesthetically or mixing up your stats a bit, than POWERFUL is the game winner for me. I couldn't play WoW anymore because contrary to popular belief, gamers like to go outside too. I actually have a very active outdoor life haha, and when I knew I couldn't compete in PvE or PvP without playing 24/7 to grind for 1 item that would make me BETTER than another player, I gave up. Some people like this, but I prefer skill being the deciding factor. 




Guild Wars 2 has YET to recieve ONE bad review from ANY media outlet. And for good reason. All I can say is, if you have not already, check out more of the videos, and jump on if you love MMOs, beautiful worlds, armors, characters, gameplay, sound sphere, etc. This game is shaping up to really have it all. Good bye trinity Healer, Tank, DPS, and HELLO "I like this character, therefore I will play it!" Although good luck picking one you like, cause they all seem very very interesting and fun!

I really have trouble giving up on this site. It has so much potential. The users, the achievements, etc etc. So tell me what you hate about it, what you like, and what you would fix, not in one post in that order or at all. Just want to hear from you guys. I am willing to invest in this site if I can figure out what is hindering it.

....Whose there!













This is news right?

I love how IE looks like a punched out chunk

Lions are not pets kids do not try this at home!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvCjyWp3rEk