Guild Wars (PC)

Models

Every model in Guild Wars has been designed to perfection; they really have outdone themselves with the creation of some of the most memorable character designs and monsters in a game world. I tell you now if I had a game world I wanted to be brought to life as a MMORPG these people would be the ones I’d ask to do it (I have several but that’s a subject for another time).

Every character is individual and each class has a distinct look, and you can really tell that a great deal of time and effort has gone into forming the models, the clothes and the various salient features – so much more realistic than many other games out there. This design paradigm extends not only to the characters/monsters and NPCs but also to the buildings/landscapes and weapons/items, everything in the game looks as though it belongs in an epic fantasy.

Animation

To compliment the models Guild Wars doesn’t flinch away from packing in some impressive animations, combat moves and general idle stances. The emotes for dancing are based upon each profession for example, the warrior’s ‘grease’ style movements are timed to perfection, you could spend all day dancing with your fellow players if you didn’t have to worry about the Charr. Did I mention them again?

There are no mistimed animations and everything kicks off exactly as it should, with the scythe and whirl of blades striking into your foes, while the spellcasters in your group send waves of death hurling towards the enemy. Monster attacks and special abilities all have their own animations and the very world comes alive around you will swaying foliage and falling leaves, which look particularly restful especially when you come to a beautifully animated waterfall crashing into a lake.

World Design

I cannot begin to explain in the short time I have to do this review, exactly what it is about Guild Wars that fascinates me. It could be that every rolling hill, field and dale is truly well crafted and the whole place feels real, when you first step into Ascalon and see the mighty towers and walls – it feels as if you have been transported to another place and plane of existence altogether.

The rolling skies and landscapes are all individual and it’s a true explorer’s delight, as I have said previously. I could spend hours and hours just wandering the map looking at the various locations and immersing myself in the world that’s been created – such a magnificent vision brought to life with a master-craftsman’s eye for detail.

Sound

As everyone knows there is something depressing about a world devoid of sounds, Guild Wars is crammed with ambient and spot effects from rushing waterfalls to the clash of steel, to the zing of spells and the screams of injured or dying companions. The roar of certain monsters shakes your confidence as you wonder if it really was that wise to take on a group of 5-6 Charr at 7th level as their spells sear your flesh and grind your bone to dust.

Guild Wars comes to life aurally in a way that brings you into the battles or the dark unexplored regions of the Catacombs, as you slosh through the grimy water wishing you could see better in the dark. Danger seems to lurk around every corner and death could be a heart-beat away.

Voice

The voice acting in Guild Wars only appears in the cut-scenes and it doesn’t detract at all from the game, you can read the NPC text and move on without having to wait for reams of spoken dialogue, worrying you’ve missed an audio cue because your SO has asked you to let the dog out, what the dog was doing locked in the cupboard in the first place, we shall never know.

Music

Ace composer Jeremy Soule provides his musical magic to Guild Wars and has crafted some atmospheric, beautiful pieces of orchestral-style accompaniment to go along with exploration, or some dramatic paced battle pieces. There’s nothing that I can fault with the Guild Wars music and it’s worth getting the Collector’s Edition just for the extra joy of playing it on a CD player.

The Final swing of the sword

Well. I have trudged my way through Ascalon with a good companion at my side, made my way to 7th level and watched a world I never thought I would see let alone play, unfold before my eyes in a visually appealing, fun and dramatic manner. Guild Wars redefines the grind of the other MMORPGS out there and adds it’s own unique style and symmetry to create a truly enthralling experience.

The story is the deepest one I have encountered in a RPG to date and is told with a professional level of skill, it’s obvious that they have a good writing team and an excellent eye for what makes a fantasy world come to life. It’s not elves and dwaves, or wizards offering golden rings to small folk – it’s the chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with a friend in the swampy water and know you just killed that lvl 9 creature, together and not by chance.

It’s being able to communicate with people that know and understand the needs of a good roleplayer not just hack and slash – all of this, for free? With yearly content (expansion) packs, it’s still a better buy than the competition, yes I know I will get hammered for saying this but I’d rather be a Guild Wars fanboy (recently converted) than play the rest of the generic worlds out there.

One last word as well, Guild Wars retail comes with such a good level of packaging that it’s worth getting the boxed version to read the Lore Book and Book II: The Challenge. The art in both books is truly stunning and the Collector’s Edition comes with even more goodness.

At the prices, with no fee, this has to be the best online multiplayer game to date or I’ll trade in my katana for a banana. A new genre of CORPG has been defined just for it, so as to keep the line firmly drawn between this game and the MMORPGS like WoW and EQ2.

Note: Some folk also may not agree with the perfect score, 10 out of 10 I hear you say? Why? Read the bottom of the page and you’ll see. Games Xtreme reviewers have their own personal opinion and I believe the score’s justified, that’s enough for me. With excellent customer support and a robust, stable service Guild Wars is a real contender and will keep me up many late nights sadly when I should be working.

See you in the game!