For those of you who have played GW2: Heart of Thorns.
I haven't played any of the new content, so I don't have any opinion (other than assumptions based on what I've read here and I know why assumptions are not good).
Too many events and hero points are undoable because people aren't around. I haven't played since the final fight in the story bugged out. Level design is interesting but also annoying when points are conflicted and you have to find a way to get there.
Haven't had any issue reaching anything I've needed in the new world. Map design is unlike anything I've experienced. Open world content is just the right difficulty. Challenging but not frustrating. Story quests are far better than before. Already maxed out hero points on several characters. Mastery points take thought in new areas, and take time in old. plenty of loot/mats being thrown at you. Gliding is nicely done. I could go on
better because of al the new specialisations, and the new class rvenant is just alot of fun. plus so many things to do now with the new areas, and really an active game
Imo it makes GW2 a better game but the expansion isn't that amazing imo. A lot of good changes but they could have added them as normal updates as well.
It made it worse for me and pushed me out of playing the game altogether. Mainly due to how frustrating the new maps are and getting anyone to do the hero/mastery points.
The new area is way to grindy and having to need a group for everything come on, I mean you can't even get enough people now to do half the events in the new areas.....
And that's pretty sad considering the expansion hasn't been out that long....
I enjoy it but I notice the maps being less populated already. Outside of the Verdant Brink you aren't going to find any people to do much of anything in a group.
My initial stance was positive but that has changed. There are a lot of bugs and stupid design flaws (needing to fail an event to succeed just being one O.o) but the worst part is that Anet managed to polarize a very nice community. We now have a lot of "disgruntled casuals" and "L2P Elitists".
It may not have been Anets intention but the game has clearly changed from "Have fun playing how you want to" to a regular: "Play this way or stay away!"
We dont need casuals in our games!!! Errm... Well we DO need casuals to fund and populate our games - But the games should be all about "hardcore" because: We dont need casuals in our games!!! (repeat ad infinitum)
New maps - great art, tougher enemies that will require better builds and better play, taking advantage of the great combat and build system. Players are discovering/rediscovering build variety.
The way the meta events work on these maps also guarantee you always have stuff to do (increasing the small pool of maps that behave like this compared to maps where event are semi random).
Masteries are a good progression system. New class and new elite specs are fun and change the way you play old characters,
Achievement system keeps getting better.
Stronghold is fun.
Economy was shaken.
Map reward bonus are a good way to keep older maps populated.
Is it all positive? No.
As it was mentioned before, raids do create some elitism. Anet still trying to force people into communities instead of letting happily play solo/duos (why do you need 3 people to complete stuff like capturing a WvW camp when 1 can solo it?) and take their 5-6 years to get their guild hall. WvW maps are great but some of the mechanic changes need to be reconsidered. Requiring events to fail is idiotic design.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are always verdant bring and auric basin maps going to tier 4. The game has LFG which includes open world for a reason.
Currently playing: GW2 Going cardboard starter kit: Ticket to ride, Pandemic, Carcassonne, Dominion, 7 Wonders
The new area is way to grindy and having to need a group for everything come on, I mean you can't even get enough people now to do half the events in the new areas.....
And that's pretty sad considering the expansion hasn't been out that long....
Yet people keep claiming new mmos should focus 100% on grouping lol.
Too many events and hero points are undoable because people aren't around. [...]
Why is this? I haven't played, so I don't know. Do you need other people to progress your character?
Many Hero challenges in the new content spawn Champions. Elite specs need 250 hero points on top of all the hero points you get to get to level 80. There are like 180+ hero challenges that give 1 hero point in the old content and there are like 40 hero challenges in the new content that give 10 hero points each. You can also unlock hero challenges by leveling up in WvW and getting proof of heroics.
Currently playing: GW2 Going cardboard starter kit: Ticket to ride, Pandemic, Carcassonne, Dominion, 7 Wonders
I just don't like the progression in the new expansion. It's too reliant on people being in the area to do anything, and for some reason the groups are never in my area.
Game has become a soulless cash shop focused game. They're churning more gem shop content out than actual content.
Sadly this is happening everywhere but guess who is to blame.People adhered to this so called FREE which we all know is bs but hey people support it so this is what you get.
I only support two games right now,EQ2 TL which is sub fee and FFXI again sub fee,i cannot stand cash shop gaming.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
The new area is way to grindy and having to need a group for everything come on, I mean you can't even get enough people now to do half the events in the new areas.....
And that's pretty sad considering the expansion hasn't been out that long....
Yet people keep claiming new mmos should focus 100% on grouping lol.
Who is this "people" and where do they claim that "new mmos should focus 100% on grouping"? 100% is way too extreme, no writer writes like that and it's not realistic. "lol."
look it is still same game but story was short and considering one of the most strongest aspect of gw universe is story it was a little disappointment. they added traditional raiding it is pro to some and con to some other, to me if it wont effect the LS part development like delaying it because of raiding i am fine with it despite i am not even doing it. the pvp league which is good but still suffers from balance issue i think in the future it is going to be cool feature. 4 new good looking maps with dynamic events. it is still basically same game not worser not better
Yet people keep claiming new mmos should focus 100% on grouping lol.
Who is this "people" and where do they claim that "new mmos should focus 100% on grouping"? 100% is way too extreme, no writer writes like that and it's not realistic. "lol."
It is hardly 100% group focused though, maybe 75%. There is actually a lot you can do alone including most heroic challenges but it certainly isn't easy.
The problem as I see it is that they need to tweak the mega servers because while you can do some things alone you can't actaully complete certain maps without lots of players around. Beating the mouth of Modremoth takes some people and it is better to have one really full map there than 2 averged populated.
Otherwise I like the group focus, if I wanted to run alone I would play something like the Witcher instead.
Is this pole reflective of the game's overall population and how most of the players feel? This thread, while small, is not overly encouraging.
When you remove those that before the release of GW2 already knew the game wasn't for them from the poll, you have a majority that think the game has improved. Some of the complaints like those from @Halandir are valid and shared by those that think it is a good expansion. The game is also harder, which will frustrate some that enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere. The new areas are definitely end game and I had to change some of my builds. Dodging and skills that grant stability/break stun are much more desirable.
Currently playing: GW2 Going cardboard starter kit: Ticket to ride, Pandemic, Carcassonne, Dominion, 7 Wonders
Comments
And that's pretty sad considering the expansion hasn't been out that long....
It may not have been Anets intention but the game has clearly changed from "Have fun playing how you want to" to a regular: "Play this way or stay away!"
We dont need casuals in our games!!! Errm... Well we DO need casuals to fund and populate our games - But the games should be all about "hardcore" because: We dont need casuals in our games!!!
(repeat ad infinitum)
The way the meta events work on these maps also guarantee you always have stuff to do (increasing the small pool of maps that behave like this compared to maps where event are semi random).
Masteries are a good progression system.
New class and new elite specs are fun and change the way you play old characters,
Achievement system keeps getting better.
Stronghold is fun.
Economy was shaken.
Map reward bonus are a good way to keep older maps populated.
Is it all positive?
No.
As it was mentioned before, raids do create some elitism.
Anet still trying to force people into communities instead of letting happily play solo/duos (why do you need 3 people to complete stuff like capturing a WvW camp when 1 can solo it?) and take their 5-6 years to get their guild hall.
WvW maps are great but some of the mechanic changes need to be reconsidered.
Requiring events to fail is idiotic design.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are always verdant bring and auric basin maps going to tier 4.
The game has LFG which includes open world for a reason.
Currently playing: GW2
Going cardboard starter kit: Ticket to ride, Pandemic, Carcassonne, Dominion, 7 Wonders
Elite specs need 250 hero points on top of all the hero points you get to get to level 80. There are like 180+ hero challenges that give 1 hero point in the old content and there are like 40 hero challenges in the new content that give 10 hero points each.
You can also unlock hero challenges by leveling up in WvW and getting proof of heroics.
Currently playing: GW2
Going cardboard starter kit: Ticket to ride, Pandemic, Carcassonne, Dominion, 7 Wonders
I am too lazy to list all the things I liked about the expansion.
Mission in life: Vanquish all MMORPG.com trolls - especially TESO, WOW and GW2 trolls.
-Azure Prower
http://www.youtube.com/AzurePrower
I only support two games right now,EQ2 TL which is sub fee and FFXI again sub fee,i cannot stand cash shop gaming.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
A negative thing is that the megaserver doesn't seem to work properly in the last zone, only possible to beat it on weekends.
Also, WvW seriously need that new update.
But I have been doing the same things over and over a long time and for me this made the game a lot better. And ley line gliding rules.
they added traditional raiding it is pro to some and con to some other, to me if it wont effect the LS part development like delaying it because of raiding i am fine with it despite i am not even doing it.
the pvp league which is good but still suffers from balance issue i think in the future it is going to be cool feature.
4 new good looking maps with dynamic events.
it is still basically same game not worser not better
The problem as I see it is that they need to tweak the mega servers because while you can do some things alone you can't actaully complete certain maps without lots of players around. Beating the mouth of Modremoth takes some people and it is better to have one really full map there than 2 averged populated.
Otherwise I like the group focus, if I wanted to run alone I would play something like the Witcher instead.
Some of the complaints like those from @Halandir are valid and shared by those that think it is a good expansion.
The game is also harder, which will frustrate some that enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere. The new areas are definitely end game and I had to change some of my builds. Dodging and skills that grant stability/break stun are much more desirable.
Currently playing: GW2
Going cardboard starter kit: Ticket to ride, Pandemic, Carcassonne, Dominion, 7 Wonders