Info about Guild Wars 2:

Official game description:
  
Guild Wars 2's open world is all about discovery and exploration. Check your content guide for suggestions when you set out on your adventures, consult your compass to find interesting landmarks…or just pick your favorite direction to travel in and let adventure find you. Tyria is full of characters with their own stories and goals, and you'll be rewarded for helping them out—or thwarting their plans—by completing renown hearts and dynamic events. Read our new player guide for more tips!  
When you meet other players in the open world, you don't need to join their party to lend a helping hand, investigate a secret jumping puzzle, or team up against a deadly world boss. Don't grind; play the way you want to play! Whether you're reviving defeated players, rescuing soldiers from a Risen onslaught, or gathering herbs, you'll earn experience points.  
Arm your character with an arsenal of new weapons as you play. Every profession wields them differently, and each type has its own playstyle, which you can refine and customize by unlocking and equipping hundreds of skills and traits. If you want to jump straight into structured PvP, go for it—every player competes at the same level, with access to the max-level gear and build options you need to make your mark.  
If you love fashion, express yourself with the perfect character design! When you equip new weapons and armor, you'll unlock their skins in your wardrobe. Make them truly yours with thousands of possible combinations and a massive selection of collectible dyes.  
Upgrade your free account with a Guild Wars 2 expansion and get access to log-in rewards, additional character and bag slots, expanded chat features, and more. Visit the Black Lion Trading Company in the game and use your Steam Wallet to upgrade.  
Expansions and Living World seasons feature unique rewards and new Masteries to expand your character's abilities. Unlock and upgrade your glider in Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns, befriend a stable of mounts with powerful movement skills in Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire, and learn to fish and pilot a skiff in Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons. Each expansion grants access to nine elite specializations that unlock new weapon choices, skills, and abilities for your profession. You'll also be able to select the revenant profession at character creation and channel legendary heroes and villains from Tyria's history.  
Living World seasons continue the Guild Wars 2 story between expansions and must be purchased separately through your Story Journal or in Gem Store bundles. Play Living World episodes to unlock new explorable zones, rewards, and Masteries.  
**_\*Living World episodes become playable at level 80. Players may need to relaunch the game for the upgrade to take effect._**  
_**\*\*Please note that existing Guild Wars 2 player accounts cannot be accessed via Steam**_

Release date: Aug 23, 2022

Categories: MMO, Open-World Exploration, Character Customization, Dynamic Events, PvP, PvE, World vs. World, Action Combat

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 75; verdict: Aggressive Monetization; summary: The game employs several predatory monetization strategies, including selling solutions to artificially created problems, locking essential content behind DLCs, and using a complex currency system. The cash shop is designed to induce FOMO and pressure players into spending money on convenience items and quality-of-life upgrades. While the game does not have pay-to-win mechanics, the aggressive monetization tactics significantly impact the user experience.
- Wiki: score 75; verdict: High Dependency on External Resources; summary: The user feedback indicates a heavy reliance on the Guild Wars 2 wiki for various aspects of gameplay. The primary issues revolve around the need for instructional data to understand game mechanics, valuation data for managing inventory and crafting, and spatial data for navigating game events. This dependency on external resources suggests that the in-game explanations and tools are insufficient, leading to a fragmented user experience.
- Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works Well; summary: Guild Wars 2 generally runs well on Linux using Proton with minor tweaks required for optimal performance. The majority of users report a stable and enjoyable experience, with only a few isolated incidents of crashes and stability issues. The game is praised for its compatibility with Linux systems and the ease of using existing accounts through specific launch options.
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The Steam Deck experience for this game is marred by several significant friction points. Controller support is a major issue, with users frequently mentioning the need to adjust button layouts and the lack of native controller support. Launcher issues are also prominent, with users needing to use specific launch parameters to run the game on Linux. Stability issues, including crashes and errors, further detract from the experience. Monetization and account transfer issues add to the frustration, making the overall experience less seamless and more cumbersome.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $50.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that the community finds value in the game, especially when expansions are purchased during sales. The frequent mentions of sales and bundles around $50 indicate that this is a price point where players feel they are getting good value for their money. Additionally, the base game being free-to-play and the expansions being frequently on sale contribute to the perception of fair pricing.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 100.0h
  - Story completion: 50.0h
  - Session length: 4.0h
  - Endgame: 200.0h
  - Reasoning: The evidence provided includes several reviews that mention extensive playtime and engagement with various aspects of the game. One reviewer mentions playing through almost all the content in the game, including open world, PvE, PvP, and WvW, indicating a high level of engagement and completion. Another reviewer talks about spending an entire day troubleshooting and playing, suggesting a significant time investment. Additionally, a reviewer clarifies that despite the Steam playtime showing only a few hours, they have actually been playing since the beta in 2012, accumulating around 10,000 hours of playtime. This extensive playtime and engagement across different game modes and content types suggest a high level of investment and enjoyment.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game has a significant initial grind and learning curve, but it becomes more enjoyable once players reach higher levels and understand the game mechanics better.
  - Stance: Fun after initial grind
  - Anchor: Reaching higher levels and understanding game mechanics
  - Time to anchor: 10h 0m
  - Friction: Significant grind; Repetitive tasks; Slow story pacing; Complex learning curve
  - Unlock drivers: Reaching higher levels; Understanding game mechanics; Horizontal progression system
  - Conditions: Playing with friends; Exploring different game modes (PvE, PvP, WvW); Engaging in dynamic events; Participating in Living World events
- Player Archetypes:
  - Completionist Grinder (buy)
    - Motivation: Achievement hunting and content completion
    - Playstyle: Grinding for achievements, exploring all content types, and engaging in both PvE and PvP activities.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: completionist; grinder
    - Reference games: World of Warcraft; Final Fantasy XIV
  - Social Explorer (sale)
    - Motivation: Social interaction and cooperative gameplay
    - Playstyle: Engaging in group content, exploring the world, and participating in community events.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: social player; explorer
    - Reference games: World of Warcraft; Final Fantasy XIV
  - Competitive PvP Enthusiast (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Competitive gameplay and skill-based combat
    - Playstyle: Focusing on PvP content, participating in structured PvP and World vs. World battles, and improving combat skills.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: PvP player; competitive gamer
    - Reference games: World of Warcraft; Final Fantasy XIV


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Engaging and varied gameplay (weight 0.49): The gameplay is described as fun, intuitive, and challenging. It offers a variety of activities including dungeons, PvP, and active combat mechanics.
- Generous free-to-play model (weight 0.41): The game offers a truly free-to-play experience with no subscription fees or pay-to-win mechanics. Players can enjoy substantial content without forced purchases.
- Worthwhile expansions (weight 0.32): The game's expansions are considered affordable and add meaningful new gameplay content. They are seen as worthwhile investments that enhance the overall experience.
- Positive community (weight 0.3): The community is noted for being friendly, helpful, and non-toxic. It is active and welcoming, providing support to players.
- Stunning visuals (weight 0.28): The game features beautiful graphics and a unique art style. The world is visually appealing with stunning scenery and fantastic artistic design.
- Excellent combat system (weight 0.24): The combat system is praised for being action-packed, agile, and dynamic. It is considered one of the best combat systems in the genre.
- Top-tier MMORPG (weight 0.23): The game is regarded as one of the best MMORPGs available, offering a rich and engaging experience that surpasses other popular titles.
- Casual-friendly design (weight 0.19): The game respects casual players by offering a flexible playstyle that allows players to hop in and out easily, focusing on fun and accessibility.
- Dynamic and living world (weight 0.17): The game features a dynamic event system and a living open world with real-time events, making the world feel alive and interactive.
- Extensive customization options (weight 0.15): Players have access to a high level of customization, including character and fashion options, allowing for extensive personalization.
- Compelling storyline (weight 0.15): The game offers a well-crafted and compelling storyline that keeps players engaged and interested in the game's content.

Common complaints:
- Confusing and overwhelming gameplay (weight 0.3): The game can be initially complicated and confusing, with a steep learning curve that may overwhelm new players. The complexity of the story and systems can be difficult to grasp at first.
- Excessive grind (weight 0.3): Players report that the game is overly grindy, with time-gated progression and monotonous gameplay. The grind-heavy nature of the game can make it feel repetitive and unrewarding.
- Lack of PT-BR translation (weight 0.23): There is a notable absence of Portuguese-Brazilian translation, which is a significant issue for players in that region. This lack of localization can make the game less accessible and enjoyable for non-English speakers.
- Heavy pay-to-win elements (weight 0.2): The game is criticized for its pay-to-win aspects, excessive cash shop, and high costs associated with most content. Players feel that the game is heavily monetized, leading to a pay-to-enjoy experience.
- Content locked behind expansions (weight 0.18): Many players are frustrated that significant portions of the game's content are locked behind expensive expansions. This can limit the gameplay experience and require additional purchases to access all features.
- Expensive DLCs (weight 0.16): The game's expansions and DLCs are considered expensive, and there is no refund policy for these purchases. This can be a barrier for players who want to access all the game's content.
- Poor UI design (weight 0.1): The user interface is criticized for being messy, poorly customized, and outdated. Players feel that the UI could benefit from modernization and better organization.
- Repetitive content (weight 0.08): The game's content is often described as repetitive and uninspired, leading to a lack of engagement and enjoyment. Players feel that the content lacks creativity and variety.
- Account issues (weight 0.08): Players have reported various issues related to account management, including blocking and transfer problems. These issues can disrupt the gaming experience and cause frustration.
- Limited free trial for mounts (weight 0.07): The game offers a limited free trial for mounts, after which players need to purchase a DLC to continue using them. This can be seen as a paywall for mounts, limiting player options.
- Weak initial story (weight 0.07): The early chapters of the story are often described as weak and not well-written. Players feel that the initial story could be improved to better draw them into the game.
- Challenging inventory management (weight 0.07): Inventory management in the game can be challenging and overwhelming, leading to frustration for players. The system could benefit from improvements to make it more user-friendly.
- Poorly written characters (weight 0.07): The characters in the game are often criticized for being poorly written, with unbalanced attributes and uninteresting dialogues. This can detract from the overall storytelling experience.
- Steam version limitations (weight 0.07): The Steam version of the game has specific limitations and inconveniences that are not present in other versions. Players feel that these hidden disadvantages can negatively impact their gaming experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Dynamic event system (weight 0.29): The game features a dynamic and living world with real-time events, public events, and big meta events. This system keeps the world feeling alive and engaging.
- Combat mechanics (weight 0.24): The game features fluid and deep combat mechanics with active and satisfying gameplay. The combat system is action-oriented with dodge mechanics.
- Exploration and freedom (weight 0.22): The game emphasizes exploration and offers a free-roaming experience with a huge explorable world. Players have the freedom to play at their own pace and choose their activities.
- World vs. World (WvW) gameplay (weight 0.19): WvW is a large-scale competitive mode where players engage in massive battles. It is a unique and engaging PvP experience.
- Expansions and DLCs (weight 0.19): The game offers expansions and DLCs that introduce new content, mechanics, and gameplay elements. These expansions are considered worthwhile and add significant content to the game.
- Community and social features (weight 0.19): The game has a welcoming and friendly community with various social and community features. Players can engage in community events and activities.
- No-subscription model (weight 0.13): The game operates on a no-subscription model, allowing players to pay once and play without a monthly fee. This model is appreciated by the community.
- Unique mount system (weight 0.11): The game features a unique mount system with various abilities and functions. Mounts have different special functions that enhance gameplay.
- Open world gameplay (weight 0.1): The game offers an open-world experience with vast exploration opportunities and dynamic events. This creates a living and immersive world.
- Variety of in-game activities (weight 0.1): The game offers a variety of in-game activities, events, and festivals. This keeps the gameplay experience fresh and engaging.
- Unique class mechanics (weight 0.1): The game features unique class mechanics with varied weapon choices and specializations. This allows for diverse and interesting gameplay experiences.
- Beautiful visual style (weight 0.09): The game is praised for its beautiful and unique graphical style, featuring a vast and visually stunning world.

Performance notes:
- Performance issues reported (weight 0.18): Players have reported various performance issues, including lag and frame drops, particularly in crowded areas. Some players experience smooth performance during normal gameplay.
- Server connectivity problems (weight 0.13): There are reports of frequent disconnections from the game and server connectivity issues. Some players mention high server uptime and minimal downtime.
- Download and launcher issues (weight 0.08): Several players have encountered problems with downloading the game, including slow download speeds and a bug causing downloads to stall at 0 kb.
- Compatibility with older hardware (weight 0.08): The game runs well on older software and modest hardware, indicating good optimization for a range of systems.
- Graphics settings adjustments (weight 0.08): Players suggest turning off certain graphics settings like shadows, shaders, and reflections to improve performance.
- Black screen issue (weight 0.06): A number of players have experienced a black screen issue, which appears to be a significant problem affecting gameplay.
- Stability and patch efficiency (weight 0.06): The game has been noted for its stability and efficient patching, which helps maintain a smooth gaming experience.
- Graphics settings flexibility (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the flexible graphics settings, which allow them to adjust visuals according to their hardware capabilities.
- Client responsiveness issues (weight 0.03): Some players have reported issues with the client not responding, which can disrupt the gaming experience.
- Character model limits (weight 0.03): There are recommendations to turn down character model limits during world boss events to maintain performance.
- Laggy action bars (weight 0.03): Some players have reported issues with laggy action bars, which can affect gameplay.
- Steam Deck performance (weight 0.03): There are mentions of the game's performance on Steam Deck, indicating interest in its compatibility with this platform.

Recommendations:
- Try the free version first (weight 0.29): Many reviewers recommend trying the free version of the game before considering any purchases. This allows players to experience the game's content, community, and overall feel without any initial investment.
- Recommended for MMO fans (weight 0.28): The game is highly recommended for fans of the MMORPG genre, especially those who enjoy unique universes, exploration, action combat, and co-op battles. It is praised for its diverse gameplay modes and engaging content.
- Wait for sales on expansions (weight 0.18): Reviewers suggest waiting for sales to purchase expansions. This can provide better value and allow players to experience more content at a lower cost.
- Highly recommended overall (weight 0.15): The game is highly recommended for its engaging content, reasonable pricing, unique combat system, and long-term engagement. It is suitable for both new and experienced players.
- Buy directly from Anet (weight 0.15): Buying the game directly from Anet is recommended for better value and to avoid potential issues with Steam purchases. This can also provide better account linking options and regional pricing.
- Join a guild or play with friends (weight 0.14): Joining a guild or playing with friends is recommended for a better experience. This can provide help, enhance enjoyment, and make the game more engaging.
- Buy DLCs during promotions (weight 0.14): Reviewers recommend purchasing DLCs during promotions or sales to get the best value. This can enhance the gaming experience with additional content at a lower cost.
- Recommended for casual players (weight 0.11): The game is recommended for casual players or those who do not want a challenging progression system. It is praised for its casual-friendly nature and lack of mandatory grinding.
- Play core game before expansions (weight 0.1): It is suggested to play through the core game or free content before spending money on expansions. This allows players to fully experience the base game and decide if they enjoy it enough to invest further.
- Recommended for player freedom (weight 0.08): The game is recommended for players who enjoy freedom, exploration, and dynamic gameplay. It respects the player's time and offers a flexible and engaging experience.
- Recommended over other MMOs (weight 0.08): The game is recommended for those who have played other MMOs like WoW or Royal Quest and are looking for a unique experience. It is also suggested for players who enjoy a journey-focused MMO without monthly fees.
- Use official launcher (weight 0.06): Reviewers recommend using the official launcher or specific launch options for Steam users. This can provide a better gaming experience and avoid potential issues.
- Consider specific class recommendations (weight 0.05): The game is recommended for its beginner-friendly classes and specific class suggestions like starting with a Necromancer. This can help new players ease into the game and enjoy their experience.
- Explore different biomes and specializations (weight 0.03): Reviewers suggest exploring different biomes and specializations to fully experience the game's content. This can provide a more engaging and enjoyable experience.
- High value for gameplay hours (weight 0.03): The game is praised for its high value in terms of hours of gameplay. This makes it a worthwhile investment for players looking for long-term engagement.
- Worth playing in the future (weight 0.03): The game is considered worth playing in the future, indicating its lasting appeal and engaging content. This suggests that the game will continue to be enjoyable for years to come.
- Must-play for MMO veterans and newcomers (weight 0.03): The game is highly recommended for both MMO veterans and newcomers. It offers a unique and engaging experience that caters to a wide range of players.

Other player notes:
- Connection issues in Russia (weight 0.04): There are reports of connection problems experienced by players located in Russia.
- Custom launcher usage (weight 0.03): Players have been using a custom launcher for an extended period of time, specifically six years.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.18): Players are frustrated with various technical issues, including server disconnections, performance problems, and account issues. The game's monetization model, such as pay-to-win aspects and the need to purchase expansions for mounts, also contributes to frustration. Additionally, players find the grind, lack of tutorials, and complex mechanics overwhelming and tedious.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.13): Players are satisfied with the game's casual-friendly progression system, respect for player time, and the lack of a monthly fee. The variety of content, engaging combat mechanics, and the friendly community also contribute to their satisfaction. The game's accessibility, balanced leveling system, and the amount of free content are highly appreciated.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.11): Players are enthusiastic about the game's depth, variety of activities, and engaging gameplay mechanics. The dynamic event system, combat mechanics, and the overall quality of the game contribute to their enthusiasm. The positive community interactions and the variety of game modes also enhance their excitement.
- Joy (weight 0.08): Players find joy in the game's relaxing nature, freedom to explore, and the helpful community. The enjoyable combat mechanics, variety of activities, and the positive experiences with the game's content and community contribute to their joy. The game's casual-friendly nature and the lack of constant grinding are also highly appreciated.
- Excitement (weight 0.08): Players are excited about the game's vast amount of content, engaging gameplay mechanics, and the variety of activities. The dynamic world events, exploration rewards, and the game's unique features compared to other MMOs contribute to their excitement. The enjoyable PvP and PvE systems, as well as the game's depth and complexity, also enhance their excitement.
- Disappointment (weight 0.08): Players are disappointed with the game's repetitive content, lack of updates, and the high cost associated with expansions and microtransactions. The lack of translations, particularly for Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese, and the game's outdated visuals and mechanics contribute to their disappointment. Additionally, the game's complexity and lack of new player support, as well as the decline in quality with newer expansions, are significant sources of disappointment.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.05): Players feel nostalgic about their long-term experiences with the game, comparing it to older games and fond memories of early gameplay. The game's longevity, accessibility, and the personal connection to the game over thousands of hours played contribute to their nostalgia. The game's music, overall experience, and the darker lore of previous iterations also evoke nostalgic feelings.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Players appreciate the game's respect for player time, lack of subscription fees, and the fair microtransactions. The helpful community, active guilds, and the game's self-sufficient content are highly valued. The variety and usefulness of expansions, as well as the game's character customization and fair in-game economy, also contribute to their appreciation.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.04): Players enjoy the game's variety of content, engaging activities, and the friendly community. The open world event system, unique story quests, and the fluid and fun gameplay contribute to their enjoyment. The game's soundtrack, world design, and the freedom to explore and play at their own pace are also highly appreciated.
- Positive (weight 0.03): Players have positive experiences with the game's respect for time, achievements, gear, events, story, and community. The game's uniqueness, importance of everything, and the enjoyable PvE content and mechanics contribute to their positive feelings. The game's expansions, developer support, and the overall quality of the game are also highly appreciated.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Players are angry about being kicked from the server, lack of translations, and broken quests. The game's design, pricing, and the developers' focus on monetization without providing sufficient content contribute to their anger. The overall dissatisfaction with the game and the loss of in-game items also fuel their frustration.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Players feel relieved to have found a game that respects their time and progress, and does not pressure them to spend money. The game's less grindy gameplay compared to other MMOs and the ability to find workarounds for technical issues contribute to their relief. The game's suitability for a busy lifestyle is also highly appreciated.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Players are excited about the game's fun and addictive gameplay, fluid combat system, and skill-based PvP. The game's variety of content, dynamic world, and the positive experiences with the world and gameplay mechanics contribute to their excitement. The game's similarity to Dungeons and Dragons and the comparison to other games also enhance their excitement.
- Negative (weight 0.01): Players express dissatisfaction with the gameplay, lack of localization, and various aspects of the game, including the UI, combat, launcher, progression, and paywall. The restriction on addons and the overall negative experiences with the game contribute to their dissatisfaction.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Players find the game initially complicated and confusing, with difficulty in understanding the game mechanics. The game's complexity and lack of clear explanations contribute to their confusion.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players love the game's MMO and PvP aspects, as well as the treatment of continuity between previous iterations and the expectation for future versions. The game's engaging content and the personal connection to the game over a long period contribute to their love for the game.
- Happy (weight 0.01): Players are happy with the game's amount of content, horizontal progression, and the positive comparison to other games like WoW. The positive experiences with the developers and the game's quality contribute to their happiness.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Players feel grateful for the game's respectful and engaging nature, as well as the positive impact it has had on their lives. The rewards received after returning to the game and the developers' efforts in creating a high-quality game contribute to their gratitude.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Players are happy with the game's consumer-friendly nature, content, and the positive experiences with the game and community. The game's respect for player time and the overall enjoyable gameplay contribute to their happiness.}