The MMORPG Guild Wars 2 is getting a new feature called “Visions of the Past.” This is meant to tell the backstory of current events in the Icebrood Saga. However, it also includes missions that were part of the game years ago. This excites many players.
What are the “Visions of the Past”? With the latest episode of the Icebrood Saga, we reached the Eye of the North. There, we encountered the Seer’s Pool, which should be familiar to players from Guild Wars 1.
Through this pool, we as players should be able to experience missions from the past. We primarily take on the role of Ryland Steelcatcher, the Charr we met in the prologue mission. Additionally, new rewards await you:
- The Eye of the North can be upgraded, probably similar to the Sun’s Refuge
- Various Steel Squad rewards
- 5 new skins each for greatswords, swords, pistols, rifles, and staves
- A Stone Summit armor set
- A rune armor set
But alongside the new missions involving Ryland, the Seer’s Pool also brings back old content. Players should finally be able to experience the content of Living World Season 1 again, which was removed from the game due to its concept.
When do the “Visions of the Past” come out? The new update for Guild Wars 2 will be released on Tuesday, March 17. It is the third major update that the MMORPG is receiving in 2020.
In January, the second episode of the Icebrood Saga was already released, and in February, balance changes and new PvP content were the focus. Additionally, the first obtainable mount skin was introduced.
The Living World Season 1 is a long-held wish
What was the Living World 1 like? The concept of the first season was indeed very dynamic. New content was introduced every two weeks, which would be removed again 2 to 4 weeks later. However, they left traces in the open world.
For example, there were missions where a huge “Nightmare Tower” was built in the Kessex Hills. We destroyed this tower, and the debris is still there today.
What happens now? Through the Visions of the Past, four missions from Living World Season 1 should become playable again. It likely involves getting to know the characters:
- Rox
- Braham
- Canach
- Scarlet
This is the first time that newcomers and returnees can experience GW2 content from early 2013 to mid-2014. A return of this content, especially the fight against the Marionette, has been repeatedly demanded by the players.
Players are excited about the announcement
How are players reacting? The initial announcement of the “Visions of the Past” thrilled only a few. After all, players take on the role of another character and cannot play their own build. The pure focus on lore scared off many players.
But with the announcement of Living World Season 1, suddenly the joy is great:
- ProMarshmallo: “Yes, this is a great thing. Season 1 will hopefully be made completely accessible over time.”
- ErikHumphrey: “They could have told us this sooner! But good move.”
- Bluecheeseplate: “As someone who never played Season 1: Damn yes, give me the lore. No more uninformative flashbacks in cutscenes!”
- Covinus: “This is really a big step in the right direction. Finally, it sounds like ArenaNet is learning and growing from this!”
The new rewards are also well received:
- AstralAelys: “The new rewards! Oh my God, yes. Well done Anet!”
- Covinus: “I didn’t expect to be hyped for this content, but damn, this could be really good.”
After a tough 2019, is there now a turnaround? 2019 was not a good year for Guild Wars 2 and ArenaNet. Layoffs and content problems led to many issues and discussions. Many players even left for other MMORPGs.
But 2020 seems to be a turning point for the company. Old events are being positively revamped, new content is coming out monthly, and currently impressing players. What is still missing for many are instanced content like raids and fractals.
But there is good news here too: A fractal with a challenge mode is already in the works. This has already fulfilled several wishes from our author Alexander Leitsch for 2020:
