Guild Wars 2 – As long as I can still level up, everything is fine!
The Initial Situation
Guild Wars 2 I had played up to 80 in 2014 but didn’t know what to do with my Charr Warrior. Before “Heart of Thorns”, I took another look at the game, wanting to dive deeper. I realized that I enjoy leveling a Twink much more than jumping around the new “jump’n run” areas with my level 80.
When “Heart of Thorns” was released, I went into the new area with my level 80, but had much less fun than in the leveling area. I was constantly being asked to slide down somewhere or hop around, so I created a Revenant (the new class) and leveled it to mid-30s but then just kind of got lost.
I hadn’t played Guild Wars 2 for about 2 months.
The Technical Re-entry
The launcher itself took a while to update. But then I was quickly into the game.
How does it feel?
I find myself with my mid-level Revenant in a still virgin snowy area. The interface immediately shows me where I need to go and what I can do there.
I’m quickly back in the groove, earning a hero point there, jumping up a mountain to find a vista, or completing a heart quest. It’s as if I never left. A round thing.
My playstyle involves always trying to get an area to 100%. With the merchants that get unlocked, I grab the “skins” that I still need and upgrade my equipment.
In the 2 hours I play, I manage to complete 20% of the area and log out feeling like I’ve accomplished something.
How’s the inventory?
The crafting in Guild Wars 2 has captivated me. Therefore, upon logging in, my inventory is cluttered with various “intermediate” items, cakes, spears, and whatever else. But since you can sell directly from the inventory to the marketplace, it’s no big deal, and I sort the inventory somewhat while questing.
For fresh items that I receive or can buy, I see immediately if they are better than my current ones. The interface and character screens in Guild Wars 2 are clear and organized.
What about skill points and leveling up?
Upon logging in, I immediately receive 3 level-ups as a “daily reward”, and I have a general idea of where I want to put the skill points. I unlock a talent that I won’t be using.
My Revenant actually plays quite similarly. It’s not confusing, but in GW2’s skill system, not much happens for a long time once you have the starting skills.
Motivating: With level-ups you now always get some kind of bonus or gift. Good thing! Leveling in Guild Wars 2 is really great – just a shame it eventually stops.
Conclusion: How is Guild Wars 2 for a returning player?
Guild Wars 2 is ideally designed for returning players as a Buy2Play title. Well, I wasn’t away for that long, but even during the re-entry to Heart of Thorns, there were absolutely no complaints.
Guild Wars 2 is a top title for returning players.
Is the next game just as beginner-friendly?
