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Close this windowGuild Wars: Factions Review - Page Two
Posted October 23rd, 2007 by Cody Bye
However, I found that the story isn’t as pedantic as some of
the other critics of the game have explained, and I actually enjoyed
the cut scenes and missions available to me. The voice acting
wasn’t of incredible quality, but I did find that the NPCs I
recruited all had interesting comments to make concerning the situation
in their homeland and it was fun to see quest-giving NPCs return as
recruitable henchmen in later levels of the game.
In fact, the questing and mission system took a huge step forward from the original formula in Guild Wars. Instead of making “optional” side quests that players can embark upon, almost every quest is essential in unlocking the storyline – and thus the further content – within Factions. The distance between outposts has also been shortened in the beginning of the game, so you’ll feel that your time spent in the game has less to do with running and more to do with the actual questing.
Cooperative missions have also received a major face lift by becoming
completely mandatory and intrinsically including a
“bonus” mission that is a timed component of the
cooperative mission. By being a speedy group and clearing out a dungeon
quickly, players will receive better rewards and more experience for
their efficiency. Mission “bosses” have also been
added to give the players an added sense of drama to their missions.
Players of the original game will be relieved to learn that grabbing a copy of Factions won’t be like stepping into a completely different world. All of the play control styles and communication techniques are the same, with merely an added touch of common sense support added here and there to help things along. Characters still only have eight skill slots to dole out to hundreds of skills and players looking to find the best min/max combination will be working for hours to develop a cutting edge strategy.
On the other hand, nothing major has changed within the gameplay of Guild Wars with this pseudo-expansion. The move-via-click function still works the same way (and is bothersome to some new players) and chatting within the game is fraught with the same sort of problems that has plagued the game since its inception. Unlike some of its multiplayer cousins, Guild Wars isn’t made to be a socially active game and even when gathering a party it still does not match up to the caliber of World of Warcraft or its lot.
Putting the Factions in Factions
Having thoroughly explained both the new classes and the upgraded mission system, you may still be wondering where Guild Wars: Factions derives its name. Simply put, factions are one of the major additions that ArenaNet added to Guild Wars. Players can earn faction points with one of two factions – the Kurzick or the Luxon – by completing PvE quests and missions, or by competing in PvP Alliance battles. Players who do not want to be relegated to one faction may spend their built up faction points on armor or weaponry, but players that stock pile faction point in either the Kurzick or the Luxon faction become known as supporters of that faction.
Surprisingly, finding a guild in Guild Wars wasn’t any trouble at all. If you spend any time in the major city hubs as a higher level character, you’ll meet up with a number of players that are looking for new meat to bring into their guild. Play a few PvP battles, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming the next PvP guild winners!
On the Technical Side
Since I originally installed Guild
Wars way back in May 2005, I really
haven’t been discouraged with the graphics that are available
in the game. Just like its competitors of the same time period,
something about the graphics simply does not seem to become lackluster
with age.
On that same note, Guild Wars: Factions is full of beautiful vistas and amazing architecture. The developers that worked on the graphics in Factions should be commended; I have rarely seen a landscape that can seem so lush and so dangerous all in the same horizon. Jutting landscapes and ruined Asian architecture cover the hillsides, and awe-inspiring waterfalls little the lands. While Prophecies bounced between being vivacious and utter desolation, Factions has a moodier quality in its lands; the cities are darker and the land is more passionate.
Along similar lines, the music between Prophecies and Factions has lost none of its luster. ArenaNet has provided a quality sound experience that is a pleasure to listen to even 40+ hours into the game.
Final Comments
Despite a few niggling complaints I still have with the original Guild Wars system, I found the Factions really stood up as a quality stand-alone product. Though not as thorough or intriguing as Guild Wars: Prophecies, Factions still can be looked at as a quality addition to the Guild Wars line and a very fun product overall. With its rich PvP system and updated PvE experience, Factions brings a more efficient experience to the Guild Wars journey, which also detracts from the overall experience of the storyline. All in all, Guild Wars: Factions remains a power-house stand-alone product and can be explored by new and veteran players alike.
In fact, the questing and mission system took a huge step forward from the original formula in Guild Wars. Instead of making “optional” side quests that players can embark upon, almost every quest is essential in unlocking the storyline – and thus the further content – within Factions. The distance between outposts has also been shortened in the beginning of the game, so you’ll feel that your time spent in the game has less to do with running and more to do with the actual questing.
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Master Togo acts as your initial guide through Guild Wars: Factions. |
Players of the original game will be relieved to learn that grabbing a copy of Factions won’t be like stepping into a completely different world. All of the play control styles and communication techniques are the same, with merely an added touch of common sense support added here and there to help things along. Characters still only have eight skill slots to dole out to hundreds of skills and players looking to find the best min/max combination will be working for hours to develop a cutting edge strategy.
On the other hand, nothing major has changed within the gameplay of Guild Wars with this pseudo-expansion. The move-via-click function still works the same way (and is bothersome to some new players) and chatting within the game is fraught with the same sort of problems that has plagued the game since its inception. Unlike some of its multiplayer cousins, Guild Wars isn’t made to be a socially active game and even when gathering a party it still does not match up to the caliber of World of Warcraft or its lot.
Putting the Factions in Factions
Having thoroughly explained both the new classes and the upgraded mission system, you may still be wondering where Guild Wars: Factions derives its name. Simply put, factions are one of the major additions that ArenaNet added to Guild Wars. Players can earn faction points with one of two factions – the Kurzick or the Luxon – by completing PvE quests and missions, or by competing in PvP Alliance battles. Players who do not want to be relegated to one faction may spend their built up faction points on armor or weaponry, but players that stock pile faction point in either the Kurzick or the Luxon faction become known as supporters of that faction.
Surprisingly, finding a guild in Guild Wars wasn’t any trouble at all. If you spend any time in the major city hubs as a higher level character, you’ll meet up with a number of players that are looking for new meat to bring into their guild. Play a few PvP battles, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming the next PvP guild winners!
On the Technical Side
|
Every NPC has different flavor text, including some thoughts on epics and poets. |
On that same note, Guild Wars: Factions is full of beautiful vistas and amazing architecture. The developers that worked on the graphics in Factions should be commended; I have rarely seen a landscape that can seem so lush and so dangerous all in the same horizon. Jutting landscapes and ruined Asian architecture cover the hillsides, and awe-inspiring waterfalls little the lands. While Prophecies bounced between being vivacious and utter desolation, Factions has a moodier quality in its lands; the cities are darker and the land is more passionate.
Along similar lines, the music between Prophecies and Factions has lost none of its luster. ArenaNet has provided a quality sound experience that is a pleasure to listen to even 40+ hours into the game.
Final Comments
Despite a few niggling complaints I still have with the original Guild Wars system, I found the Factions really stood up as a quality stand-alone product. Though not as thorough or intriguing as Guild Wars: Prophecies, Factions still can be looked at as a quality addition to the Guild Wars line and a very fun product overall. With its rich PvP system and updated PvE experience, Factions brings a more efficient experience to the Guild Wars journey, which also detracts from the overall experience of the storyline. All in all, Guild Wars: Factions remains a power-house stand-alone product and can be explored by new and veteran players alike.
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(4 / 5 Hammers) |
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Ten Ton
Recommendation: |
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Guild Wars: Factions
is certainly an excellent addition for any Guild Wars player.
If you haven't purchased any Guild
Wars product, don't be afraid to try out Factions with the
others.
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Genre: Fantasy
Status: Published
Release Date: April 28, 2005
Fee: None
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