File 03 · MMORPG review
Guild Wars 2
A fantasy MMO built on a radical promise: your progress will still matter when you come back.
Save Point
score
Most online role-playing games ask you to keep up. Guild Wars 2 asks you to turn up. The level cap has sat at 80 since launch and top-tier equipment from years ago is still top-tier today, so a six-month break costs you nothing. That single design decision changes the mood of the whole game: people log in because they want to, not because a timer told them to.
Out in the world, quests are replaced by dynamic events — a caravan needs escorting, a centaur camp needs clearing, a dragon lands — and everyone nearby shares credit. There is no competition for resources or kills, which makes strangers useful rather than annoying. Combat is active: you dodge, combine skill fields with allies and swap weapons mid-fight. Later expansions add mounts that are widely considered the best in the genre, from a raptor with a long leap to a griffon that dives and soars.
The free core game is enormous, with some sensible restrictions on chat and trading for free accounts. Expansions are a one-off purchase and regularly discounted. The in-game store sells outfits, convenience items and storage; it is present, but it never sells power.
The early hours can overwhelm: the map is dense with hearts, vistas and points of interest, and build options arrive faster than explanations. The game runs only on Windows and large boss events can drag the frame rate down. Accept a gentle pace, follow the story, and it becomes one of the most welcoming worlds online.
Score breakdown
A personal story and generous levelling, though the map fills with icons quickly.
Action combat with dodge rolls, weapon-swapping and events that pull strangers together.
The level cap has never moved, so a character from 2012 is still ready for new content.
No subscription. Expansions are fairly priced and the store leans on convenience and looks.
Windows only, and busy world events can still strain the engine.
Scores are our editorial opinion. How the weighting works.
What stands out, what to weigh up
Stands out
- Progress never expires
- Co-operative open world with shared credit
- Superb mounts and exploration
- No subscription
Weigh up
- Windows only
- Build system is under-explained
- Big events can dip the frame rate
In-game screenshots
Official images © ArenaNet / NCSOFT, shown for the purpose of review.
Your first session: four tips
- Choose a forgiving profession
Ranger, Necromancer and Warrior are sturdy and straightforward while you learn to dodge.
- Follow the green star
Your personal story points you at each new zone in a sensible order and hands out useful gear.
- Join every orange circle
Dynamic events are the fastest, friendliest way to level. Nobody minds a newcomer joining in.
- Hold off on the store
Bag space is the only early pinch. Play to level 80 before deciding what, if anything, is worth buying.
Our verdict · 8.8 / 10
The best MMO for people with a life outside it. Start free, and buy an expansion only once the world has its hooks in you.
Best for: Explorers who come and go
