Well ive been playing through GW:EN, just finished the Northern Allies quest. So far I really enjoy it. One of my favorite environments (or favorite through out all of the games I suppose) is the shiverpeaks. So its a treat to play in an expansion based in that environment! I really enjoy the enemies and the titles and the heros and the games. Here is some of my highlights of the sneak peak so far!
It was pleasing to get my Crown through Spoil Victor 55'ing the whole thing ;D
Kilroy Stoneskin has never been so badass.
The norn look badass, I wonder what their armor looks like ;O
The voice acting has improved it seems ;O (Ekk kinda pisses me off though, almost as bad as Togo IMO)
I like how NPC's say stuff when you talk to them now.
The rewards for the quests you do seem appropriate.
There was one part of the game that just floored me, me and my friend were fighting our way through the mountains when we saw a rabbit. So we followed it.... and omg. I think you should all go find that rabbit and follow it ;D Unless of course you dont like death penalty, that I would advice against. Hard to tab to the enemies you want to cast SS on when there is 20 level 5 rabbits all around.
The graphics seem nice, noticed some wierd cosmetic errors to the landscape here and there, but overall the environments, towns and NPC's look well done.
Overall im finding it to be very enjoyable and hope there is alot of play time in this Expansion. Kind of bummed there isnt any elite skills.
What is everyones thoughts and opinions so far into the sneak peak?
Thoughts and Opinions on GW:EN?
Excabus
cthulhu reborn
Generally so far I really love GW:EN but of course there are a few gripes.
I noticed that when I click on something to walk to like a merchant my character will stop at an obstacle and not automatically walk around it. Apart from being annoying, it also affects heroes and henchies when you flag em to go somewhere causing my team to get split up and basically killed off because of it. So I think that may need some change.
The tournament things are kinda fun just like the quests but I still have no clue how my warrior is going to kill a level 28 Spirit Spammer boss...one on one that is.
It seems also that for that tournament thing where you have to kill various opponents my warrior still gets killed in the last round because I have too many things to take into account that a warrior just doesn't seem to be able to get to work (mind you I can beat anybody else but get killed in the last round each time)
So I fear that the solo builds are going to be required to get that done which I feel is kinda lame cause I always felt solo builds where kinda cheesy and now I will have to resort to it to get certain PvE skills.
Mind you, I think I can do it with my other characters but with low energy and energy regen I just don't know how to do this with a warrior so I will welcome any suggestions.
Besides that, I love it though. It feels much more like an RPG and the area's are beautiful and the new style of questing without the arrows always pointing the way directly is great. Good stuff!!!
Oh and I still want a Kurzick hero!!!
I noticed that when I click on something to walk to like a merchant my character will stop at an obstacle and not automatically walk around it. Apart from being annoying, it also affects heroes and henchies when you flag em to go somewhere causing my team to get split up and basically killed off because of it. So I think that may need some change.
The tournament things are kinda fun just like the quests but I still have no clue how my warrior is going to kill a level 28 Spirit Spammer boss...one on one that is.
It seems also that for that tournament thing where you have to kill various opponents my warrior still gets killed in the last round because I have too many things to take into account that a warrior just doesn't seem to be able to get to work (mind you I can beat anybody else but get killed in the last round each time)
So I fear that the solo builds are going to be required to get that done which I feel is kinda lame cause I always felt solo builds where kinda cheesy and now I will have to resort to it to get certain PvE skills.
Mind you, I think I can do it with my other characters but with low energy and energy regen I just don't know how to do this with a warrior so I will welcome any suggestions.
Besides that, I love it though. It feels much more like an RPG and the area's are beautiful and the new style of questing without the arrows always pointing the way directly is great. Good stuff!!!
Oh and I still want a Kurzick hero!!!
WinterSnowblind
It's great. I've mentioned it in other topics, but the game seems to be of much higher quality than any of the others. It seems they've spent more time on things like the actual story and missions and everything is just very enjoyable and the mini-games are nice diversion.
May be slight spoilers, but there's that one "mission" where you go with Jora and gain the wolf powers. By the end of Nightfall I found most missions to be rather tedious, this was very refreshing. Assuming the game keeps up this kind of quality through-out, I'd seriously consider it for Game of the Year. (Weather or not it can beat out Mario or Halo 3 is a different matter, but still.)
My only real complaint is with the Hall of Monuments, which has been discussed enough times, so I won't bother getting into that again.. And I have faith that ANet will improve things over time.
May be slight spoilers, but there's that one "mission" where you go with Jora and gain the wolf powers. By the end of Nightfall I found most missions to be rather tedious, this was very refreshing. Assuming the game keeps up this kind of quality through-out, I'd seriously consider it for Game of the Year. (Weather or not it can beat out Mario or Halo 3 is a different matter, but still.)
My only real complaint is with the Hall of Monuments, which has been discussed enough times, so I won't bother getting into that again.. And I have faith that ANet will improve things over time.
arcanemacabre
Haven't been able to play much, but I have to say, it is quite fun. Once I do a few more quests and check out a dungeon or two, I'll have a better idea. So far lovin the heroes, too. I hope Vekk plays a bigger role in the final release, cause man I love the idea of playing the part of Pinky! 
Hall of Monuments is a waste, though. Complete fail, if you ask me.
Hall of Monuments is a waste, though. Complete fail, if you ask me.
Jongo River
I hate the character based/narrow focused HoM. Everything else is pure class. The landscapes are gorgeous, the dungeons are fun and the quests I've done seem pretty involved. Oh and er... goodbye Koss! 
I suppose a minor nitpick would be how dull the outpost connected the HoM is (inside), but unless HoM changes in some massive way, I don't see myself hanging out there much anyway (and I suppose there's lots of space for festival decorations).
I suppose a minor nitpick would be how dull the outpost connected the HoM is (inside), but unless HoM changes in some massive way, I don't see myself hanging out there much anyway (and I suppose there's lots of space for festival decorations).
VitisVinifera
it's virtually impossible to be upbeat when the HoM is a royal screw job
otherwise it's basically more of the same with more mini games
otherwise it's basically more of the same with more mini games
Excabus
Im not sure..... What this HoM deal is. I went in, put some of my crap on display, watched some cinematic things, and got some quest info. Big whoop, theres alot more to the game, then the HoM.... I think? Or am I missing something here?
VitisVinifera
for those who have invested a lot of time into obtaining titles, armor sets, mini pets, and all that stuff, ..............yes, you are missing something
Excabus
I have over a thousand hours clocked in ;P Alot of that for armor, pets and whatnot. Who cares ;P Id rather show it off to people by walking around then worrying about some Hall of Beta.
mazey vorstagg
There's a few bugs:
Graphics:
The visuals for the animal aspects are missing, at the moment you just look like yourself. Obviously you're supposed to turn into an animal like the norn do.
HoM:
They need to change the weapons rack so it displays greens and rare skins, at the moment it's broken.
The mini's customisation needs to be altered
The armor rack should show your armor
The Heroes rack doesn't let you show heroes that haven't upgraded armor which is broken obviously
The titles stand only shows pvp titles, which is another mistake.
Other:
Some cutscenes don't play
Some Charr have rank9 emotes
Otherwise I'm really loving it, the graphics are great and the plot is engaging. I also like the solo quests and weapon rewards from quests, that WoW like touch is good.
Good work Anet
Graphics:
The visuals for the animal aspects are missing, at the moment you just look like yourself. Obviously you're supposed to turn into an animal like the norn do.
HoM:
They need to change the weapons rack so it displays greens and rare skins, at the moment it's broken.
The mini's customisation needs to be altered
The armor rack should show your armor
The Heroes rack doesn't let you show heroes that haven't upgraded armor which is broken obviously
The titles stand only shows pvp titles, which is another mistake.
Other:
Some cutscenes don't play
Some Charr have rank9 emotes
Otherwise I'm really loving it, the graphics are great and the plot is engaging. I also like the solo quests and weapon rewards from quests, that WoW like touch is good.
Good work Anet
Takeko Nakano
It's not bad - having fun at the moment. However as noted there appear to be bugs with the Hall of Monuments that need fixing.
One problem I see is that the PvE skills are going to be a grind to get the upper levels. ANet MUST sort this out so one can get faction by doing something other than wandering around killing monsters. If I'm right it will take a very, VERY large amount of grinding to get the Norn armour. But the PvE skills also need high rank.
Please, guys, we need a way to get those ranks by doing something other than kill lots of monsters and go through the solo tournie time after time! Maybe you could increase the tournie faction reward or something as a start.
One problem I see is that the PvE skills are going to be a grind to get the upper levels. ANet MUST sort this out so one can get faction by doing something other than wandering around killing monsters. If I'm right it will take a very, VERY large amount of grinding to get the Norn armour. But the PvE skills also need high rank.
Please, guys, we need a way to get those ranks by doing something other than kill lots of monsters and go through the solo tournie time after time! Maybe you could increase the tournie faction reward or something as a start.
Graphik Desine
the charr having r9 emotes was funny as hell to me. just about cried laughing...i think that should stay. as an HA player, i found that monster ranger spiking then rankspiking our (pretty much obliterated) pve party---was ironic, and very humorous. kinda sums some things up, if you know what i mean XD
but besides the point.
the levels of some of the monsters seem as though i am playing through hardmode when i am really playing in normal mode. that is my only real gripe. abundance of lvl 28s--how about lvl 24? or even 26? there are enough lvl 20s, which is fine, maybe 22 would be more suitable...but in hardmode that stuffs gonna be like lvl 30-32...just take it down a notch possibly. ouch ._.
everything else i have encountered is pretty challenging, fun, sometimes hilarious, and always the beloved point grinding (should be killing all those monsters anyway--the points add up fast if you're killing everything on each map). kinda makes people think instead of just plowing thru stuff and mashing buttons, provided---they're doing all quests and challenges, and lots of killing :P
but besides the point.
the levels of some of the monsters seem as though i am playing through hardmode when i am really playing in normal mode. that is my only real gripe. abundance of lvl 28s--how about lvl 24? or even 26? there are enough lvl 20s, which is fine, maybe 22 would be more suitable...but in hardmode that stuffs gonna be like lvl 30-32...just take it down a notch possibly. ouch ._.
everything else i have encountered is pretty challenging, fun, sometimes hilarious, and always the beloved point grinding (should be killing all those monsters anyway--the points add up fast if you're killing everything on each map). kinda makes people think instead of just plowing thru stuff and mashing buttons, provided---they're doing all quests and challenges, and lots of killing :P
Arkantos
So far, GWEN has been great. Monsters finally have somewhat good bars, and some even have second professions now. The brawling is awesome, the norn tournament is awesome. So far I've completed 3 of the dungeons, and they were all great. Can't forget Vekk, who has to be the best hero ever. I really can't wait until it's released.
Navaros
My thoughts:
HOM is horrible. Hugely broken and disappointing in my view. And contrary to what many posters on this site say, no it doesn't display PVP titles. I'm sure less than 1% of Guild Wars players have R12 or any of the other ridiculous requirments necessary to display their PVP titles in the HOM. PVE only players should stop representing HOM to be better than it is and inaccurately stating that it shows PVP titles. Those with PVP titles are in the same (crappy) boat as you all are too who only have PVE titles.
HOM also needs to be account-based. And show every PVE title as opposed to now which shows zero (other than a short text blurb about KOABD track). And show every PVP title as opposed to now which shows zero for all intents and purposes (other than for the less than 1% of GW players who might happen to have spent several thousand hours for grinding out R12). HOM also needs to show your actual armor, not bad-looking statues of characters/armor that have absolutely nothing to do with what you placed up there, as it does now.
Mini games - Norn fighting is alright for a little while but I don't see how it can sustain the game very much because after you've beating Bison a few times, which you will do in a few hours once you get a proper build for him, then you've already seen and done it all. Haven't played far enough into the other mini games to comment on them definitively but I presume it will be much the same lack of longevity problem with them.
As for the normal gameplay, it's a bit better in my view than the other GW games. Combat seems to flow more and monsters come at you more cohesively.
Glad they finally gave the henchmen and enemy monsters some non-ridiculous bars for once
Story presentation and voice-acting is a tad better than in the previous games (in which it ranged from horrible to mediocre with one or two exceptions in NF), but still not nearly enough to put it on par with games that emphasize story presentation.
Not being able to turn into Bears and Wolves whilst using Bear and Wolf forms is another hugely broken, massively disappointing feature in my view. The NPCs can turn into bears which looks awesome. You, the player, should be able to also. Not being able to sucks all the fun right out of Bear form and all the other animal forms.
The new grind-based reputation titles should be made to be account-based as should all other grind-based titles from previous GW games(which is the vast majority of them).
HOM is horrible. Hugely broken and disappointing in my view. And contrary to what many posters on this site say, no it doesn't display PVP titles. I'm sure less than 1% of Guild Wars players have R12 or any of the other ridiculous requirments necessary to display their PVP titles in the HOM. PVE only players should stop representing HOM to be better than it is and inaccurately stating that it shows PVP titles. Those with PVP titles are in the same (crappy) boat as you all are too who only have PVE titles.
HOM also needs to be account-based. And show every PVE title as opposed to now which shows zero (other than a short text blurb about KOABD track). And show every PVP title as opposed to now which shows zero for all intents and purposes (other than for the less than 1% of GW players who might happen to have spent several thousand hours for grinding out R12). HOM also needs to show your actual armor, not bad-looking statues of characters/armor that have absolutely nothing to do with what you placed up there, as it does now.
Mini games - Norn fighting is alright for a little while but I don't see how it can sustain the game very much because after you've beating Bison a few times, which you will do in a few hours once you get a proper build for him, then you've already seen and done it all. Haven't played far enough into the other mini games to comment on them definitively but I presume it will be much the same lack of longevity problem with them.
As for the normal gameplay, it's a bit better in my view than the other GW games. Combat seems to flow more and monsters come at you more cohesively.
Glad they finally gave the henchmen and enemy monsters some non-ridiculous bars for once
Story presentation and voice-acting is a tad better than in the previous games (in which it ranged from horrible to mediocre with one or two exceptions in NF), but still not nearly enough to put it on par with games that emphasize story presentation.
Not being able to turn into Bears and Wolves whilst using Bear and Wolf forms is another hugely broken, massively disappointing feature in my view. The NPCs can turn into bears which looks awesome. You, the player, should be able to also. Not being able to sucks all the fun right out of Bear form and all the other animal forms.
The new grind-based reputation titles should be made to be account-based as should all other grind-based titles from previous GW games(which is the vast majority of them).
Melon
the charr are awsome, especially the new striped guys. I'm so gonna be a charr in gw2, no doubt.
HoM is like balls as everyone else said.
HoM is like balls as everyone else said.
Oridias Merfom
I see EotN to have great potential if updates are made.
First, having to achieve near max titles to get the armor related to that track is a bit rediculous, especially when the bounty for those titles only gives you 1 point per kill, and the shortness of quests (maybe there will be more quests available later, or a farming option available).
Second, the HoM is rediculous in every way possible especially in the way that you have to customize your minipets. Something has to be done about that.
Third, I believe that HoM should be linked to your whole account, and not to just one character.
Fourth, I think the reputation titles should be also account linked. I certainly do not feel like getting near maxed titles on all of my characters just to get maxed armor.
First, having to achieve near max titles to get the armor related to that track is a bit rediculous, especially when the bounty for those titles only gives you 1 point per kill, and the shortness of quests (maybe there will be more quests available later, or a farming option available).
Second, the HoM is rediculous in every way possible especially in the way that you have to customize your minipets. Something has to be done about that.
Third, I believe that HoM should be linked to your whole account, and not to just one character.
Fourth, I think the reputation titles should be also account linked. I certainly do not feel like getting near maxed titles on all of my characters just to get maxed armor.
Stolen Souls
I like:
-The environment. Can't wait until I can explore the Tarnished Coast and stuff.
-The Dungeons. Brings a bit of a new feel to GW. Fight my way through multiple levels, kill the big baddie and get a "Treasure Chest" as a reward.
-Dwarven Boxing. FTW
-The new Consumables. Erase all DP and then get 10% morale boost? FTW
Not too impressed with:
-HoM. WTH was all the hype about? :/
-Most of the PvE skills
-Some of the mobs. (Jotun and Chromatic Drakes -_- )
Overall pretty impressed. The preview held my interest, and now I wanna take another character through it.
Oh, and I love the ENORMOUS creature that's trapped in the frozen lake. The thing practically gives me goosbumps to see.
-The environment. Can't wait until I can explore the Tarnished Coast and stuff.
-The Dungeons. Brings a bit of a new feel to GW. Fight my way through multiple levels, kill the big baddie and get a "Treasure Chest" as a reward.
-Dwarven Boxing. FTW
-The new Consumables. Erase all DP and then get 10% morale boost? FTW
Not too impressed with:
-HoM. WTH was all the hype about? :/
-Most of the PvE skills
-Some of the mobs. (Jotun and Chromatic Drakes -_- )
Overall pretty impressed. The preview held my interest, and now I wanna take another character through it.
Oh, and I love the ENORMOUS creature that's trapped in the frozen lake. The thing practically gives me goosbumps to see.
mazey vorstagg
Needs a bump, becuase Anet should read this
Keep it on the first page
Keep it on the first page
william1975
mostly i love it
Love the gameplay, and the story so far.
And yes i followed that rabbit and damn that was tough, dont think iwill chase any more bunnies again
I like the new titles based on killing things, reputation
However i have been majorly dissapointed in two aspects so far.
First i am a cartographer nad i realy hate how i am uncovering this map but not getting a title
really dissapointed
Second, and in some ways related i hate the HOM, I have spent that last year and a half getting max titles on my primary character, especially Legendary cartographer, and it isn't displayed in the hall, neither is Legendary skill hunter and most other PvE titles, this make the hall pointless to me with tmy set objectives. Also if pets get locked on one character if you put them in? what kind of sense does that make, I have two main charcters, how am i meant to get them both sets of pets? even worse hwo will anyone be able to trade in pets? if they are customised to a character then you cant sell them or if you buy you may get one, not really willing to spend a small fortune on a mini panda just to find out i cant use it or display it due to its being customised
so for me Gamplay rocks,
HOM and lack of traditional titles sucks
Love the gameplay, and the story so far.
And yes i followed that rabbit and damn that was tough, dont think iwill chase any more bunnies again
I like the new titles based on killing things, reputation
However i have been majorly dissapointed in two aspects so far.
First i am a cartographer nad i realy hate how i am uncovering this map but not getting a title
Second, and in some ways related i hate the HOM, I have spent that last year and a half getting max titles on my primary character, especially Legendary cartographer, and it isn't displayed in the hall, neither is Legendary skill hunter and most other PvE titles, this make the hall pointless to me with tmy set objectives. Also if pets get locked on one character if you put them in? what kind of sense does that make, I have two main charcters, how am i meant to get them both sets of pets? even worse hwo will anyone be able to trade in pets? if they are customised to a character then you cant sell them or if you buy you may get one, not really willing to spend a small fortune on a mini panda just to find out i cant use it or display it due to its being customised
so for me Gamplay rocks,
HOM and lack of traditional titles sucks
Silent Coyote
Have to agree with most people here. Love the new environments, a lot of the quest are great fun. The PvE skills are cool. Haven't really explored the dungeons properly yet, but from what I have seen there pretty neat. The mini games are fun. All in all it has a lot of potential, and I can't wait to explore the rest. Oh, and charr ftw!
However, I do have my gripes, some major some not so big:
1) HoM like everyone else I found this to be a major let down. I'm an ele and have 5 sets of armour on display and not one of them is the ele set. I quote from the preview video that the monument to honour "recognise not only all the titles earned" yet I cant display a single one of my maxed titles in it. Customising mini pets to your char not your account sucks too.
2) Armour being tied to max rank of titles, I hope this is only for preview and in final release it will be at rank 4 at most.
3) No proper missions, I don't know but I miss having the mission outpost with the icon updating when you complete it and the bonus objective.
Other than that though so far overall I quite like EotN, and if they at least fix the HoM it will be great.
However, I do have my gripes, some major some not so big:
1) HoM like everyone else I found this to be a major let down. I'm an ele and have 5 sets of armour on display and not one of them is the ele set.
2) Armour being tied to max rank of titles, I hope this is only for preview and in final release it will be at rank 4 at most.
3) No proper missions, I don't know but I miss having the mission outpost with the icon updating when you complete it and the bonus objective.
Other than that though so far overall I quite like EotN, and if they at least fix the HoM it will be great.
Kuldebar Valiturus
Concerning Hall of Monuments:
I never was that excited about HoM. I do look forward to GW2 but am not really interested in having a static vanity shrine based on a GW character. It's great that ANet is trying to address that particular segment of players that feel displaced by the new game, but it always seemed like a clunky idea to me.
Concerning Music:
The combat music pace based on the in-game action is awesome, it's a simple but effective way of ratcheting up the adrenaline of the moment. The regular music is nice as well, I think there's been some subtle changes to the Shiverpeak theme.
Concerning Missions that play like cool quests:
I really like how ANet packaged the missions into the expansion. They play out really well and are very unobtrusive and really flow well with the storyline. A great thing about EoTN is that you get some glimpses of what GW2 may be like. The flow of the story and how missions are handled. You can't really tell you're on a mission because it plays like a quest, a fun quest.
Concerning the story:
Right from the start of exploring the hole in the mysterious ground I was hooked. This is the stuff that appeals to the imagination. The Norn have a very interesting lore and are really distinct from the races and people of all three chapters. None of that, "never fight alone" stuff from a Norn!
I don't know how the story progresses from the preview content but thus far it really holds up well and the motivations are understandable and easy to follow.
Concerning Norn and Asura:
As mentioned above, the Norns are very distinct and interesting, you get a real feel for why they are the way they are...isolated villages and holds in a very rough and dangerous part of the world.
I had been worried about the Asura, but so far I like what I have seen. The are "cute' but think goodness ANet doesn't make them act "cute". I definitely see some Gremlin like lore backing them up. I am very happy they aren't Gnomes <shudder>.
I never was that excited about HoM. I do look forward to GW2 but am not really interested in having a static vanity shrine based on a GW character. It's great that ANet is trying to address that particular segment of players that feel displaced by the new game, but it always seemed like a clunky idea to me.
Concerning Music:
The combat music pace based on the in-game action is awesome, it's a simple but effective way of ratcheting up the adrenaline of the moment. The regular music is nice as well, I think there's been some subtle changes to the Shiverpeak theme.
Concerning Missions that play like cool quests:
I really like how ANet packaged the missions into the expansion. They play out really well and are very unobtrusive and really flow well with the storyline. A great thing about EoTN is that you get some glimpses of what GW2 may be like. The flow of the story and how missions are handled. You can't really tell you're on a mission because it plays like a quest, a fun quest.
Concerning the story:
Right from the start of exploring the hole in the mysterious ground I was hooked. This is the stuff that appeals to the imagination. The Norn have a very interesting lore and are really distinct from the races and people of all three chapters. None of that, "never fight alone" stuff from a Norn!
I don't know how the story progresses from the preview content but thus far it really holds up well and the motivations are understandable and easy to follow.
Concerning Norn and Asura:
As mentioned above, the Norns are very distinct and interesting, you get a real feel for why they are the way they are...isolated villages and holds in a very rough and dangerous part of the world.
I had been worried about the Asura, but so far I like what I have seen. The are "cute' but think goodness ANet doesn't make them act "cute". I definitely see some Gremlin like lore backing them up. I am very happy they aren't Gnomes <shudder>.