INTRODUCTION
Welcome to your comprehensive beginner’s guide to Guild Wars 2, a game that is much more than meets the eye. If you love role-playing games (RPGs), Guild Wars 2 offers a standout experience with loads of epic battles, diverse landscapes, and player-driven storylines. And, if you’re a little rusty or new to this world, you’re in luck. This guide will help you understand the game’s unique elements, lore, mechanics, getting started tips, and more. All in a fun, exciting, non-technical language. Ready to join in on the fun? Let’s get started!
WHAT IS GUILD WARS 2?
Guild Wars 2 is a popular online role-playing game developed and published by ArenaNet. It’s a game where your decisions matter and your interactions shape the world around you. Unlike many MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games), where players follow a fixed narrative, Guild Wars 2 offers a player-driven world where choices and actions significantly impact the story.
Set in the fantasy world of Tyria, the game is filled with a vibrant mix of races, like Charr, Asuran, Norn, Sylvari, and Humans, each with a unique cultural background and gameplay advantages. The essence of our massive online adventure revolves around combating the awakening Elder Dragons, ancient creatures wreaking havoc in the world of Tyria.
HOW IT WORKS / HOW TO GET STARTED
Guild Wars 2 aims to break conventions, and this includes the character creation and leveling process. Unlike other RPGs, it doesn’t lock you into a specific role, giving you the freedom to experiment with your character abilities.
To get started, you’ll first need to create your avatar. Pick a race, select a profession (which determines your abilities and gameplay style), and then customize your character to your heart’s content.
The leveling in Guild Wars 2 is also a deviation from traditional MMORPGs. It’s designed to be more like an adventure rather than a grind. You earn experience points (XP) by exploring new areas, resolving dynamic events, crafting, and PvP (Player versus Player) combat, to name a few. There’s plenty to do and see, so make sure you enjoy the journey!
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
First off, you’ll require a good internet connection and a computer with the minimum system requirements to run the game smoothly. You can download the client directly from the official Guild Wars 2 website after creating your account. As an MMO game, Guild Wars 2 is free-to-play with an option to purchase expansions for access to more content.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
1. Explore as much as you can: Exploration is rewarded with XP. The more you see, the more you gain.
2. Participate in Dynamic Events: This can be a great source of XP and can happen anywhere, anytime.
3. Try all professions: Before settling on one, try them all to find out which suits your style.
4. Join a guild: It enhances the social aspect of the game and offers many perks.
5. Have fun and take it easy: Enjoy the journey and don’t rush to level up.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
For tips, tricks, reviews and walk-throughs, the official Guild Wars 2 website and forums are fantastic resources. You’ll also find a wealth of information on platforms like Reddit’s r/GuildWars2 community or the GW2 section on Twitch. ‘WoodenPotatoes’ is a popular YouTuber with a load of GW2 content you might find interesting.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. PvE: Player vs Environment — game content like quests and dynamic events that pit you against the game’s AI.
2. PvP: Player vs Player — modes where you can engage other players in combat.
3. WvW: World vs World — large scale PvP battles that involve hundreds of players.
4. XP: Experience points — Points gained from various activities that contribute to your level progression.
5. Dynamic Events: Random world events that happen in different areas in real-time.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
Now that you have a basic understanding of Guild Wars 2, the best way to get started is to simply dive in. You can download the game for free and start your journey into the immersive world of Tyria. Remember, the game is all about exploring and adventuring, and each player’s journey is unique. So, take the reins of your destiny and craft your story in this imaginative universe. Happy adventuring!
