Guild Wars 2 is a highly-rated multi-player game in the fantasy genre. Users can choose a highly personalized character, job, and even specialized skills as they navigate the mythical world of Tyria in their quest to fight Elder Dragons. Guild Wars 2, the sequel to the original Guild Wars, is a dynamic game where gamers, both experienced and novice, will appreciate the crafting of its story and functionality. The creator, ArenaNet, placed a strong emphasis on the artistic qualities of the game, making the experience more than just slaying dragons. Guild Wars 2 is for someone looking to get lost in a foreign world of diverse races and species, in a dynamic environment that keeps you guessing.
Personalize your character, job and everything
Guild Wars 2 is a truly unique experience, allowing players to personalize their characters, jobs, and specialized skills, while interacting in an ever-evolving dynamic storyline, sure to entertain both the novice and experienced gamer.
The Guild Wars 2 core game is entirely free to download and play all the way through. Many games will offer a demo or shortened version for free, enticing users to purchase the full version as they get hooked. After the game’s wildly successful launch, the author was able to offer the core game for free. There are optional game enhancements available for purchase beyond the initial core game completion. These are “pay once, play forever”, with no subscription required, a wonderful break from the recurring payment world we live in. As previously mentioned, users can team up into groups and play the game together. There are three geographic “mega servers”: European, North American, and Chinese. These mega servers are siloed, meaning you can only team up with players from your own mega server. However, North American and European mega servers have the ability to pay a lofty fee and change servers, should they desire. Users on the China mega server, cannot, which is ironically similar to real life.
The plot and setting of Guild Wars 2 is so intricate, it even feels real at times. When you detach yourself from your laptop and slowly blink into the sunlight you forgot existed, that world (the real world), feels…dull. The intricacy of the architecture and landscape in the high fantasy world of Tyria is impressive to say the least. Humans are the lesser species as you begin the game, battling various species including the Norn (Nordic hunters), the Charr, and Asura.
The story line is so elaborate, it would take a user quite some time to fully understand and remember it all as second nature. However, as any fanatic will tell you, getting lost in an external world can be an escape well worth it from time to time.
Guild Wars 2 is about your journey, the things you do, the people you meet, and the experiences you have every day, not a race to a destination. 'The Best MMO of 2018' Be Who You Want to Be. Whether you're a stern gladiator, a mysterious traveler, or an elegant mystic, express yourself with endless character customization options. Guild Wars 2 (core game, Heart of Thorns, Path of Fire); Operating System: Mac OS®X 10.9.X or later. Processor: Intel® Core™ i5 or better. Video: NVIDIA® GeForce® 320MATI Radeon™ HD 6630M.
One of the most impressive features is Guild Wars 2’s ability to progress the story line based on player’s actions. This gives users the ability to actually form the story based on how they play the game. This isn’t your average Mario game where the beginning, middle, and end are pre-defined and the only outcome is you following a precise set of actions to achieve the desired outcome. This puts the game in the users’ hands on a whole other level.Something I found interesting and mildly disturbing was the fact that users are encouraged to beat and kill animals in various worlds for little or no reason. Running by an endangered black panther minding its own business? Go ahead, slay it for some points. It glorifies “violence for violence’s sake”, which I’m not a fan of. Fighting for safety, victory, or hunting for food is something entirely different, however.
From a security and privacy perspective, the author company AreaNet is reputable and overall I feel comfortable downloading the game, thereby handing over some of my personal data. As with many accounts of this nature, I recommend allowing your personal computer’s browser to create a highly complex password and store it, rather than using the same password as say your bank. ArenaNet’s privacy policy states they do not sell or share personal information for direct marketing purposes.
Where can you run this program?
Guild Wars 2 can be downloaded onto 32 or 64-bit application Windows systems, or onto 64-bit macOS machines. The download on my 64-bit Windows PC was incredibly lengthy. I was also given the option to decline receiving email offers from the author which is always appreciated.
Is there a better alternative?
One of the closest games by comparison is the cult hit, World of Warcraft, affectionately referred to as WoW. Guild Wars 2 has a similar basis as WoW with characters, multi-player teams, quests, and battles. However, Guild Wars 2 has been noted as a better alternative than WoW for “those that have a real life.” WoW users often complain that, while mostly enjoyable, WoW can feel like having a second job. Whereas Guild Wars 2 is appropriate for both avid and casual players, without a nagging urgency to “keep up” as with WoW. The battle agility and encounters between multi-player teams is markedly superior in Guild Wars 2. In favor of living a real life along with a gaming hobby, Guild Wars 2 comes out on top in my opinion.
Our take
As a gaming novice, I find Guild Wars 2 slightly overwhelming. The lengthy installation, large device memory usage, and complicated story line gives me pause. However, for a gaming hobbyist who lives for diving into these worlds, has the appropriate hardware, and is anxious to learn the ins and outs of the world of Tyria, Guild Wars 2 is a fitting choice.
Should you download it?
For gamers looking for their next venture, this is a great download. The functionality, graphics, custom skills, and ability to tailor itself to your particular actions make this game worth it. Even for a gaming novice, the gear curve is shallow, making basic maneuvers and actions easy enough for new users to pick up. If you’re looking for a game that won’t consume your whole life, but will give you the reality escape we all need sometimes, this might just be the game for you.
Join the millions of players worldwide who have become enraptured by Guild Wars, the award-winning online roleplaying game with no subscription fee required.
New Guild Wars Players
In order to play Guild Wars, you will first need to purchase one of the following products from the Guild Wars store to receive an Access Key.
Once you have received your Access Key, follow these directions to download, install, and register your Guild Wars account:
- Download the Guild Wars client.
- Run GwSetup.exe to install the Guild Wars client on your PC.
- At the log-in screen, click the 'Create Account or Add Access Key' link.
- Enter your Access Key and follow the registration directions.
For information, tips, and tricks about Guild Wars, check out our Official Guild Wars Wiki, a place to learn about the game from fellow players.If you require assistance with your account, please visit our Support site.
Existing Guild Wars Players
Guild Wars 2 Download Pc
If you already have a Guild Wars account but don't have access to your disks, you can download and install the Guild Wars client and then log in with your account information to access the game. If you have purchased an in-game item or game upgrade, follow these instructions:
- At the log-in screen, click the 'Create Account or Add Access Key' link.
- Enter your Access Key and follow the registration directions.
Guild Wars 2 Mac Will Not Download Free
Game Manuals
- Guild Wars Prophecies Manual - PDF (7MB)
- Guild Wars Factions Manual - PDF (8MB)
- Guild Wars Nightfall Manual - PDF (7MB)
- Guild Wars Nightfall Quick Reference Card - PDF (1MB)
- Guild Wars: Eye of the North Manual - PDF (5MB)