Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

40 to 100 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Grows on you"

I jumped in a little after launch but was immediately impressed that my computer didn't crash and everything had a sensical flow and direction. A high level of organization that should be commended. The levels are beautiful and leveling itself is a well oiled machine where every area has missions that track your progress and allow you to progressively finish missions at your own time and pace and concurrently with other missions. I was worried at the onset that the combat system was too simplistic but it started to branch out as i climbed up to midway to char. completion. In this iteration of GW2 your skill sets are locked into the weapon/weapon combos (think longsword or sword/shield) you use. You have five abilities that are predetermined depending on the single or combo weapon loadout you choose. You choose the weapon loadout but the powers you have are predetermined, i.e., you might have five powers for a straight sword loadout but if you combo with a shield those last two sword powers will be shield powers instead. You also have an alternate loadout you can switch to on the fly. I prefered the GW1 model that allowed you to pick and choose your own singular abilities as you leveled. I wish they had expanded on the freedom of the original system and given you more customization. The new system promotes you finding your way in combat quickly and choosing your approach and perfecting it. You'll sort out what works for you and fine tune it with the additional skill slots and traits which will add elite skills such as familiars and various bonuses which will complement your playing style(defense/offense, ranged, etc...). I picked the thief and have actually really gotten into the diverse ways i can approach combat, even though they kind of put you on rails. And I hate rails, but GW2 has its charm and it will grow on you if you explore the diversity of char. building. The concept art in this game is great and just wandering around in and of itself is worth the price of admission. Given that this is without a sub. fee GW2 is a safe bet if your into the mmo continuum and have a few *ahem, hours to kill. I played the original for a bit but it was too linear, with the level design on rails and i got bored quickly and quite. GW2 is more free form and I can almost guarantee you'll enjoy exploring the artistic realms that abound. Check it out!