Guild Wars 2 – Worth the Wait?

Guild Wars 2 was officially launched on August 28, 2012. I was part of the three day head start since I pre-purchased it, so I’ve been playing since August 25. I haven’t been posting much mostly due to this highly fun and addictive game.

After waiting for five years for this video game to be available to play, was it really worth the wait?

YES!

This game is so much fun. Sure, the original Guild Wars game was tons of fun, too. However, this one takes it to the top tier of the next level of gaming. The graphics are stunning, the storyline is customizable and so creative (the writers at ArenaNet are amazing), the audio is fabulous, and it is fully explorable with large groups throughout the world.

As always, I started my first character out as an Elementalist. I’m almost level 60 after a little over a week of dedicated playing. The max is level 80, but the game doesn’t stop once you reach that level. There are tons of areas to explore, dungeons to conquer, and dragons to slay. The crafting system is also something I’m taking some time to work on as well.

The armor in the game is designed beautifully, and as a female gamer, that is a huge bonus for me. I love finding cool new things to wear on my characters. The dye system is also different in this game. You have to find or craft an “Unidentified Dye” to unlock a random dye for your character. Once it is unlocked on that character, you can use it on any items of clothing your character wears. I was lucky enough to get one of the black shades titled “Abyss” as one of my first dyes.

Unlike every other MMO I’ve ever played, Guild Wars 2 doesn’t make us fight over monsters to slay out in the world. We can help one another kill something (even if not in the same party) and everyone who helped out gets credit (and drops) for the kill. People are also rewarded with experience points for helping raise people who were killed in battle. Mining, logging, and harvesting spots are also available to everyone and only disappear for you after you’ve gotten them. They eventually respawn for you, but this way of gathering items is so much better than other games I’ve played such as Final Fantasy XI.

All new games have some issues, and this one is no exception. There have been some bugs, account issues, and other things that have happened since the release. I’ve even been affected by some of these. However, it is not enough for me to not want to play the game.

Guild Wars 2 is the best new MMO of the year, and quite possibly for many years to come. If you consider yourself a “gamer” this is one video game you must play right away. It is too fun to miss out on!  

Guild Wars 2 Launch Date Revealed

After five long years of waiting for the release date to be announced for Guild Wars 2, the launch date is set for August 28, 2012. I’m one of those hardcore gamers that pre-purchased the game so I would be included in the beta weekend events, stress tests, get the extra in-game items, and a three day head start access to the game before launch.

I played in two of the beta weekends and two of the stress tests so far. Since they are releasing the game in August, there will be only one more beta weekend event, which I will (of course) be taking part in as well.

So far I’ve only played on the human race as an Elementalist and a Necromancer. Both were my mains in the original Guild Wars game. However, after I’m in the game for real, I plan on making at least one of each race offered: Human, Sylvari, Asura, Norn, and Charr. I’ll also be making at least one of each profession. I’ll likely have to buy a few extra character slots, but that is okay. I just hope they give us more than five character slots once Guild Wars 2 is live (in the beta, we only have five slots).


I’m really excited about the game being released finally and can’t wait to start playing! It is one of the best (if not THE best) MMO I’ve played, and it has no monthly subscription fee! If you don’t want to be stuck in the grind of games that make you play for weeks or days to gain a level, or years to obtain a piece of gear, seriously check out this game – it will have you stopping that paid subscription game quickly!

Christmas, Life, Games and More!

Sorry for the lack of updates this month. Looking at my posting from this year (which went up drastically), I noticed I really haven’t posted much this month and I am sorry for that. Life, health, work, etc really drained me this month.

I’ll use this post to do a little catch-up on what is going on with me and my thoughts on some recent events.

Christmas
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope that you are all having a great holiday season. Mine has been okay so far. We had a family gathering here last weekend with my brothers, sister and their kids (well most of them and notice I don’t say “half” brothers or “half” sister – wtf is a half person anyways?). It was nice. I don’t want to post pictures of my family because of privacy reasons, so here is a picture of our tiny tree this year.



We just didn’t feel like getting the huge tree out this year. Plus, with the small one it allows for more room in the living room for people to talk and sit down while visiting.

Tomorrow for Christmas we’re going over to my aunt and uncle’s house for their traditional Christmas breakfast/brunch and present opening.


Wintersday
Guild Wars Wintersday is in full swing. When not busy, working or ill, I’ve been on here doing their quests and trying to get some of their holiday items. What is really cool about this Wintersday though is the “costume” feature they came out with. I gave in and bought it since I love the Dwayna costume and for only $3 more I got the package that has Grenth’s as well. I probably won’t wear it though, but who knows?



The festival hats don’t come out until January 1st, so I’ll make a more in-depth post after those come out. I hope they are good this year.


Wii Fun
I never played on a Wii until earlier this week. My nephews have one that they got for Christmas last year and they have basically everything you can want for it. Well, I went over to their house this week and spent some time with them and played some games on the Wii with them. The first game I played was the basketball point one on the Wii Sports Resort and I scored 23 points – highest out of any of them and my brother. That score is probably beaten by now, but still it made me feel awesome. I gradually got worse as the day went on though. How does that happen? Wii is awesome though and it sadly made me want one even more.


Twilight: New Moon
I did go and see New Moon – and I loved it! Taylor Lautner even made me hate Jacob a little less. I’m still Team Edward all the way though so don’t worry. I can’t wait for this movie to be out on DVD.


Health
I’m getting used to my new glasses, but I think I need to get them adjusted because they slide down my nose a lot.

I have one more dentist appointment this year, so after that my teeth should be good. Next year I *hope* I will get invisalign.

Still unsure if I have celiac disease or not, but I am going to go with most likely. I have a doctor’s appointment in January and hopefully they’ll test me for it soon.


Nursing?
I’m seriously considering going back to school at a 2 yr place to become a RN. I have some classes that I won’t need to take, so it shouldn’t take me 2 yrs. I know it’ll be really hard, but I think I can do it – and they make a lot of money so that is a pretty good driving force.


Facebook
I stayed off Facebook for a long time. I knew it would be addicting… Yet somehow I fell into the trap. It all started with an invite from my nephews on Farmville. Now I have Farmville, Café World, Sorority Life, Mafia Wars, Fairyland, Fishville, etc. Help!

I opened all my 100+ presents on Farmville last night and my farm looks like Santa threw up on it. My farm is just not big enough for all the animals, trees, farm stuff and now Christmas themed items. It’ll take forever just to make it look decent again. All in all though, I do like the presents I received from it.



Sorority Life didn’t spend much effort on their Christmas items though. Not sure about Mafia Wars yet since I can’t open those up yet.

Addicted to Facebook too? Add me! Just do a search for Sheri Newton and you shall find me.

Guild Wars 2 Trailer: The Races of Tyria

Check out the new trailer to Guild Wars 2. In this one you can see more of the game and the races that you can play in it. In the original Guild Wars game you can only play as a human. So, I'm looking forward to playing as a Sylvari. If you play (or want to), which do you want to try out?



Amazing that they still won't be making you pay to play each month huh?

Guild Wars: Halloween 2009

Guild Wars is one of the games I play semi-regularly. I’ve played it off and on since a few weeks after it was released in 2005. I like that it is FREE to play each month (no pesky charges is a major plus for me). Plus, they have fun holiday content.

This year I also had some fun in the Costume Brawl which I never participated in before. I didn’t get enough party points and candy to get the maxed title on that yet, but I’ll get it one day.

Here are some fun pictures from Halloween on Guild Wars this year…



Here is one I took in-game today when the Mad King was giving us treats and killing his disobedient servants (and those who were AFK).



Here is one of my character after I got the Skeleton Mask given out this year.



Happy Halloween!

Guild Wars 2 Trailer

I’m so excited for Guild Wars 2 to come out. I’m not sure exactly when it will be released and neither are they to be quite honest. However, they have finally released their trailer! That means it must be getting closer… I hope.

Anyways here it is…



Do any of you guys play Guild Wars? Would you want to play Guild Wars 2? Keep in mind – this is a MMORPG that is free per month!

Guild Wars: Wintersday 2008

I’ve played Guild Wars off and on since 2005 (a month or so after it was released). I have grown quite bored with it again lately and have been trying out new games. However, I always come back for the holiday events. Why? Well, because I love holiday events in games. Call me a dork, whatever. I love them!

Guild Wars Halloween event was not so cool this year. Their special headgear really disappointed me and I didn’t even want to participate in Mad King Thorn’s visits. It was sad. I really hope their Wintersday event doesn’t disappoint too. It does offer much more than the Halloween event, so it should be okay, I hope.

The event starts Friday, December 19th, 2008 at Noon (PDT). I’ll post more during the event, or after it is over as a recap. Until then, you can go to their official Wintersday 2008 page to see more pictures and read more about the new additions this year! I’m personally excited about new quests and something new from Gwen’s Garden!

Do any of you play Guild Wars or other online MMOs? Do you also enjoy their holiday events? Let me know!

Guild Wars – Standing Still

Over the past 3 years, I have played Guild Wars for about 3,150 hours. This equals about 3 hours a day. Granted, some days I never played, and some days I played many hours. Over these past 3 years, ArenaNet released Guild Wars, Guild Wars Factions, Guild Wars Nightfall and Guild Wars: Eye Of The North - Expansion Pack.

My main character, an Elementalist has almost earned 26 maxed titles, done everything in the game (many times), acquired quite a few “elite” armor sets and had a fun time doing so. Aside from my main character, I also have every other character profession at the max level, beaten almost every campaign and at least one elite armor set on them as well.

Lately though, the lack of people continuing to play is something I have really noticed. I too have felt this lack of wanting to play Guild Wars. While I still love the game, I am tired of doing the same things over and over again.

The developers have stated that there will be no new campaigns or expansions. They are now working on Guild Wars 2, and devoting their time and energy into that. I agree that they should be devoting much of their time into GW2. However, their player-base is getting bored of their current playing content. Over the past few months, I have just been focusing on adding in new things to my “Hall of Monuments” which is what will link to my Guild Wars 2 account when that is released. However, the lack of information on what it will unlock and how has me a bit discouraged.

I haven’t quit playing GW, but my play time has gone down drastically. I hope that the developers release new content and come out with better weekend events soon. If they don’t, I feel that many more players will feel as I do and quit playing. Depending on where these players go for new games, they may also never come back to play GW or GW2.