GW:EN IGN Review

Zinger314

Zinger314

Debbie Downer

Join Date: May 2006

N/Me

http://pc.ign.com/articles/819/819606p1.html

7.9, much lower than the other 3 Guild Wars games. (9, 8.5, and 8.4 for Prophecies/Factions/Nightfall respectively)

I wish IGN would get someone with a clue to do these reviews. Look at the skillbar of the reviewer...no elite?!

He says the Presentation sucks (contrary to many people who have posted that the story rocks...hmm.) and doesn't critize the fact that the Armor is reskinned...

But, the conclusion was well said, as it brings up an important point:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Review
Guild Wars is one of the most flexible games out there. It's an online RPG that can be played as a single-player game. It's a dungeon crawler and a vicious PvP contest. Yet its PvE content that's designed to be played for hours on end doesn't provide as many rewards for dedicated play compared to other games of this type. The core gameplay, which remains unchanged for Eye of the North, is still a lot of fun. A monstrous number of skills to choose from for each player's set of eight allow for a dizzying amount of character customization. With the all-new dungeons, armor sets, and more interesting quest mechanics, longtime players are sure to enjoy what Eye of the North has to offer. At the same time, the Guild Wars formula is clearly getting a little tired at this point, making us even more curious to know what new ideas are being built into the sequel. The bolded part is the #1 reason why I won't buy GW:EN.

Bryant Again

Bryant Again

Hall Hero

Join Date: Feb 2006

One word: Ouch.

Ravi

Ravi

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2006

Average Joes [none]

Mo/W

*sigh* i hate this but..... i agree with u zinger, its true theres no real point for old players really, reskins, no real progression, and pve skills that frankly suck, i mean there more balanced than some pvp skills... seriously.

Zeek Aran

Zeek Aran

Forge Runner

Join Date: Aug 2006

Earth, sadly

BORK

A/

That screenshot! Ahaha! "I'm dead! I'm dead!" "---... Now what?"

This is how most things go. Someone 'interviews a game' without playing it beforehand and knowing little about it.

Ravi: Pain Inverter is the most amazing skill in existence, how can you say they all suck?

dargon

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: May 2005

The Seraphim Knights [TSK]

R/

and here I thought Zinger wouldn't buy EotN because he quit GW and is now a WoW addict

AnnaCloud9

AnnaCloud9

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Aug 2005

Minnesota

Well if you're bored, then you're boring!

R/

I'm actually going to agree with this statement, which is actually hard to say!
I'm enjoying GWEN alot, but having started in April of '05 and picking up each sequel upon release date, the 'captures my attention span' has decreased with each new release.

Guild Wars, as it is now, rewards you simply with new armor (GWEN). Not exactly a reward considering the armor I still have on my necro from Droknar's Forge (which I still say looks better than any other sets) is statistically identical.

The new headgear and gloves is a step in the right direction. I thought this was the best aspect of our new gears. Now they need to add neat cosmetic rewards such as unique dye colors, hair stylists, miscellaneous pieces of equipment to add to our existing armors (such as accessories - like a quiver for archers, the sword assembly that Anton has for assassins, and fanny packs for all you runners out there! ), and maybe even devote a green item that has our character's own name on it!

Onarik Amrak

Onarik Amrak

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2007

Astral Revenants

P/W

Quote:
Considering this game is from ArenaNet, it's no surprise the armor sets look good. There's some extraordinary talent working in their art department, and it shows with the marvelous creature designs and animations, often stunning environmental vistas, and weapon and armor designs. ...Someone has a lack of taste. Or hasn't played much of the previous games.

darktyco

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2006

Yeah this reviewer is clueless. That pretty much sums it up.

I can accept negative reviews, as long as they have some legitimate conclusions.

Vinraith

Vinraith

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2006

He describes the interface as clunky, which I can't help but find odd. I think the interface in GW is excellent, actually. It's much better than any other online game I've tried. I mean, how the hell has no one ever commented on that abortion of a control system in WoW anyway? Auto attack without auto-movement? Now that's clunky.

Bryant Again

Bryant Again

Hall Hero

Join Date: Feb 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinraith
Auto attack without auto-movement? Now that's clunky. Nah, it's just not lazy.

some guy

some guy

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2006

SPAWN CAMPING YOUR HOUSE

We Speed Clear H O H [ HsC]

Gw=dead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Apok Omen

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2006

Commence Aggro [BaMf]

Mo/E

The reviewer made his call based on the popular statement that "the originals are always the best".

Obviously, he felt he didnt need to actually play the other games before and assumed that GW:EN had the same content as the others, which is completely wrong.

Also, the armors were uncreative(he said amazing), the interface is great compared to other games(he said bad), and GW:EN added new features to the series(failed to mention that, and failed at the review altogether).





Besides, Chaar ranking PuGs after killing them is an automatic 10.0

sindex

sindex

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2006

California

Swords of Night & Day [SWRD]

I read both IGN, Gamespot, and a few others review on EotN. I really thought Gamespot (EotN score 8.0/10) would be hard hitting with the negativity, but boy was I wrong.

I find most of these reviews ironic in some senses. All these seem to complain about a common principal, which is the fact that EotN is not for casual players. It also seems that they state that most of the veterans would absolutely adore this game. Well that’s interesting the fact that these press outlets, are suppose to be hardcore gamers themselves. Furthermore the veterans GW players kind of dislike some of EotN features, that the press actually does praises. One word: odd!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by IGN
“.....Examples such as this help to break the monotony of grinding and create the illusion you're doing something a little more involved and interesting, something to incite the adventuring spirit.”

“......Then there's the general reputation grind, where you hunt mobs for hours on end in the zones outside towns. A little variation is thrown into the mix by giving you reputation bonuses every 25 kills, but overall it's still a grind.”

“.......Then you get the mini-games, which are an entertaining break from reputation grinding.”

“........It's not the most complicated game in the world, but it's certainly an appreciated break from repeatedly clearing entire zones of mobs.”

“And here's the differentiation between hardcore and casual players. Unlike the hardcore, casuals who managed to get a level 20 character, which is rather easy to do in any of the previous campaigns, will not be sticking around to max out their reputation levels. It's still possible to access one faction's armor, which only requires level five reputation and, after the main quest, zone-specific side-quests, and mini-game play, can be achieved for a single faction with minimal grinding. You'll need loads of money too, though, which may take a while longer.”
In IGN’s review of EotN they state the fact that the title grind is not worth the reward.; which I kind of agree with in some cases. Since there is really still a big lack in the reward system overall; in getting to that superior high end stuff practically takes you a lifetime.

I also found it interesting what this reviewer said about the storyline, which was filled with those certain cliché’s. I actually found it a bit more bearable then the previous endeavors. Minus the end of EotN, which just seemed to explode in your face for everything you accomplished. Jeff Grubb I hope your taking note; that not everything has to be filled cliché ideas, that don’t amount to jack didly squat in the end. This is the fourth outing, so please for heaven sakes make a storyline for GW 2 that makes people go “Whoa;” like that of KoTOR.

Finally everyone seems to agree on one positive side is the fact that Guild Wars art direction still kick’s some serious butt.


Gamespot Review

P.S. These review seem to spawn the most oddest of comments; including that of Gamestop which is a bit better at being hardcore then the others.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gamestop
"The Bad: No new professions” Come on Gamespot; A-net has talked about this for the billionth time already. Since it’s an expansion, there are no new professions.

Nebuchadnezzer

Nebuchadnezzer

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2006

bish

The Carebear Club [care]

N/

And since everytime they've added a new profession its added so many problems that I've lost count! Oh snap.

BlackSephir

BlackSephir

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2006

A/N

Quote:
Yet its PvE content that's designed to be played for hours on end doesn't provide as many rewards for dedicated play compared to other games of this type Gaming journalism at it's best... I mean, reminds me why it's s**t

Longasc

Longasc

Forge Runner

Join Date: May 2005

@IGN: I think he is RIGHT that GW is no longer as great as it was initially.

I also think he is right about the silly storyline of Eye of the North, it is rather lame.


But he also could not really express why GW has become worse over time and how he comes to his conclusions is interesting.

He simply wants to make GW a generic MMO and compares it to them.


Quote:
As much as Eye of the North functions to extend Guild Wars' lifetime by adding in tons of new areas to explore, it also highlights some of the design limitations, mostly with regards to the reward system. To play any kind of game like this, it just seems as though you need more ways to congratulate the player. After the story campaign is finished, the possible rewards take a significant amount of time to grab, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. This is more or less an MMO, and requiring such extended play hours is part of the design. However, there really aren't many rewards to be obtained on the path to achieve that end goal armor set or title, at least compared to other games of this type. You get crafting reagents and the like, but ultimately your character and equipment will stay the same for what seems to be an overly long period of time. Of course anyone still playing the game at this point likely won't care, since you know this already. 1. There are not "TONS of many new areas, reality check, please. Just because the reviewer did not go "too far" into the game.

2. He thinks to believe GW is the usual ITEM GRIND/REWARD MMO.

It is going to become something like this, it seems - but it never was intended to be like this.

I hope some of the OLD players remember that we started it because it was NOT about constantly getting a better weapon, better armor, better necklace of power or levelling up.



The Gamespot Review is better, but I think they all give Eye of the North by far too good ratings. But games journalism always seems to evolve around giving every good game 11 out of 10 points, and maybe this means 8.0 is a really underwhelming game.

Yet again: Original campaign is extended with tons of new quests and content OH please where did he copy & paste this utter LIE.

Gattocheese

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2007

New Mexico

GWEN

You should see the screeshots they took during thier review. The chat windows are rather funny. The reviewer of course didnt take enough time to see that the armors and most of the monsters are reskins.

http://media.pc.ign.com/media/896/89...g_4874703.html

Bryant Again

Bryant Again

Hall Hero

Join Date: Feb 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gattocheese
You should see the screeshots they took during thier review. The chat windows are rather funny. The reviewer of course didnt take enough time to see that the armors and most of the monsters are reskins.

http://media.pc.ign.com/media/896/89...g_4874703.html lol, I'm glad they kept the dialog boxes, pretty fun indeed!

But yeah, I agree a lot with what's in the interview.

Rivix

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2007

D/Mo

There is actually a good side; with all the bad feedback will no doubt make ArenaNet work harder for GW2.

Onarik Amrak

Onarik Amrak

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2007

Astral Revenants

P/W

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rivix
There is actually a good side; with all the bad feedback will no doubt make ArenaNet work harder for GW2. I hope so. But reviewers claiming the armor, weapon and monster reskins are amazing won't help.

mafia cyborg

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2006

the reviews are totally clueless.....but somehow they got the final mark right.
they must have asked around to players how much they rated it.....8/10 is fair.

Kakumei

Kakumei

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jul 2005

Grind is subjective

learn this please

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryant Again
Nah, it's just not lazy. (reference to WoW's control scheme) Heavily disagree. I played WoW for several months as a timesink during the summer, and my absolute primary gripe (and one of the reasons I no longer play) is the abortion of an interface/control scheme. You can get mods to help/fix everything except how clunky targeting and movement is--after playing Guild Wars for so long, I can't fathom needing to actually walk up to and face my enemies manually.

I honestly can't think of a valid reason for it to be like that. Say what you will about GW--it has the best interface out of any game of this type I've experienced.

Hyper Cutter

Hyper Cutter

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2006

Knights of the White Eye [HINA]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Onarik Amrak
I hope so. But reviewers claiming the armor, weapon and monster reskins are amazing won't help. Why do people keep saying "weapon reskins"? I haven't seen any except for greens (most of which have always been reskins). Old weapons dropping, yeah, but that's not the same thing...

Bryant Again

Bryant Again

Hall Hero

Join Date: Feb 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kakumei
after playing Guild Wars for so long, I can't fathom needing to actually walk up to and face my enemies manually.
In terms of positioning movement during raids and instances, I find the movement pretty flowing. The fact that mobs and monsters don't collide make it much more easier to better position yourself when you're tanking.

Aside from that, the only reason for it being like that is to be more "immersing", I guess. I will add that it makes PvP much more interesting and hilarious, though.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kakumei
Say what you will about GW--it has the best interface out of any game of this type I've experienced. I have no clue why they'd want to abandon that with GW2.

cthulhu reborn

cthulhu reborn

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2007

the Netherlands

W/Mo

For the OP..the bold print you talk about seems to refer to GW as a whole and not GWEN specifically. They do have a point mind you but there you are.

I personally figure GW2 will be more like "other games" in that respect but that will have to be proven in the future.

I do have it btw and I do like it but there are some issues, that I admit freely. Still I certainly don't feel like I wasted my money on it.

Clord

Clord

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2006

Finland

Victory Via Valour

http://media.pc.ign.com/media/896/89...g_4874692.html

Review guy was doing "final mission". Obviously he know something about GW and not just reviewed it.

lord dragon

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2007

R/

IGN was way to kind to GWEN.

Please remember...

I must not GRIND. GRIND is the mind-killer. GRIND is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my GRIND... I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

Onarik Amrak

Onarik Amrak

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2007

Astral Revenants

P/W

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hyper Cutter
Why do people keep saying "weapon reskins"? I haven't seen any except for greens (most of which have always been reskins). Old weapons dropping, yeah, but that's not the same thing... I should have specified the end game greens.

I mean, talk about disappointing.

Blue/Green Starter Spear = End-Game Green?
Blue/Green Starter Scythe = End-Game Green?
Blue/Green Long Sword = End-Game Green?
Blue/Green Stone Summit Shield = End-Game Green?

freekedoutfish

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2006

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zinger314
The bolded part is the #1 reason why I won't buy GW:EN. Are you basing your decision to buy GWEN on the IGN review?

I wouldnt.... GWEN offers alot of reward for high end players, including pve only skills, new armors and weapons and mini games. Its not perfect by any means, but its enough to keep you going for a while.

Im enjoying it and as alot of people guru will tell you, ive been very critical of GWEN recently! (sorry everyone)

The dungeons alone are fun, if not frustrating!

The prestige armor is... cool... but not astounding, but still worth it to mix armor!

freekedoutfish

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2006

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by lord dragon
IGN was way to kind to GWEN.

Please remember...

I must not GRIND. GRIND is the mind-killer. GRIND is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my GRIND... I will permit it to pass over me and through me. Are you still playing GWEN if its so awfull?

Warskull

Site Contributor

Join Date: Jul 2005

[out]

Usually, IGN are a bunch of idiots who exist solely to hype up games. However, lately they have actually been doing some real reviews. He's right on most counts (except the armor looking amazing.) The rewards in GW do suck, the story wasn't compelling, and really all you have to do is grind.

Faer

Faer

La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo

Join Date: Feb 2006

The guy speaks a lot of truth. Not really in the right manner, but hey, fact is fact.

I'm impressed with the level of decent content IGN has been popping out with lately. The world is probably going to end now, or something.

lord dragon

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2007

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by freekedoutfish
Are you still playing GWEN if its so awfull? Oh no, would not play that disaster of an expansion.

Took one character through in a few hours and that was more then enough for me.

How do you like your new wand?

Please remember...

I must not GRIND. GRIND is the mind-killer. GRIND is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my GRIND... I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

Stolen Souls

Stolen Souls

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Feb 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hyper Cutter
Why do people keep saying "weapon reskins"? I haven't seen any except for greens (most of which have always been reskins). Old weapons dropping, yeah, but that's not the same thing...
The end-game weapons, are all reskins. Very disappointing.