Info about Guild Wars® Reforged:

Official game description:
Experience the game that started a 20-year legacy! Guild Wars Reforged invites both returning heroes and brand-new adventurers to step into Tyriaʼs storied past—where every outpost leads to adventure, every mission tells a tale, and every sidekick has a name.
Welcome to Tyria
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Stand with mighty heroes as you face Charr warbands sweeping across Ascalon, battle rival gangs in the streets of Kaineng City, and cross the sulfurous wastelands of the Desolation astride a Junundu wurm. Set events in motion that will shape the centuries to come.
Relive the groundbreaking magic of this legendary, narrative-driven fantasy adventure, or delve into its world for the very first time. From your first skill capture to your final piece of elite armor, every step of Guild Wars Reforged is an unforgettable journey.
An MMO classic, reforged for a new era
--------------------------------------
Join a community as enduring as the Mists themselves—full of veteran heroes eager to guide fresh recruits through missions, dungeons, and hard-mode challenges. Around every turn, thereʼs a new story to uncover, a new title to earn, and a new friend to share the road.
**Choose your adventure:** Incredible stories await across 3 massive parallel campaigns. Explore hundreds of quests, challenging missions, holiday event surprises, and more!
**Choose your build**: Craft unique builds from ten professions and personalize your gameplay by combining armor sets, weapons, and thousands of skills. As you adventure, explore new lands, and conquer new foes, your arsenal of abilities will grow.
**Choose your allies**: Party up with other players, create a team of reliable NPC henchmen, or recruit customizable heroes to join you in fun, tactical battles.
**Choose your challenge**: Test your team's mettle against other players in PVP—or complete a PvE campaign to challenge yourself with hard-mode versions of maps and missions.
_Requires no monthly fee to play._
**Includes:**
*   Access to all three full campaigns: Prophecies™, Factions™, and Nightfall™
*    8 character slots: Each character slot may be used to create either a PvP-only character or a PvE roleplaying character

Release date: Dec 3, 2025

Categories: MMO, RPG, Character Progression, Character Customization, Multiplayer, Cooperative Multiplayer, PvP, PvE

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 60; verdict: Aggressive Monetization; summary: The user reviews for this game highlight several concerns related to its monetization strategy. Many users perceive the game and its DLCs as a cash grab, with some expressing frustration over the addition of a cash shop to an old game. Significant issues with purchasing and accessing DLCs have also been reported, which negatively impacts customer satisfaction. Additionally, there are mixed feelings about the pricing of the game and its DLCs, with some users finding the cost reasonable while others feel it is too high. Despite these concerns, some users appreciate the lack of pay-to-win mechanics and the absence of a subscription model.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: High Dependency on External Documentation; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals a strong dependency on the Guild Wars wiki for various aspects of gameplay. Players frequently need to refer to external documentation to understand quests, build guides, and complex mechanics. This reliance on the wiki is a common theme, indicating that the in-game resources may be insufficient for a comprehensive understanding and enjoyment of the game.
- Proton/Linux: score 15; verdict: Works Well; summary: The game generally has positive feedback regarding its compatibility and performance on Linux and Steam Deck. Users report that it runs well and can be easily installed and launched. However, there are some reports of graphical glitches and occasional crashes, particularly when using dxvk.
- Steam Deck: score 40; verdict: Playable with Minor Issues; summary: The overall user feedback for the Steam Deck experience of the game is mixed but leans towards positive. Many users appreciate the controller support and the modernized UI, which make the game more accessible and enjoyable on the Steam Deck. However, there are notable issues with login and account verification, as well as limitations in controller customization. Some users also feel that the Steam Deck Verified badge might be misleading, indicating that there are still areas for improvement.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: The game performs well on hardware with less than 8GB VRAM, but higher VRAM configurations show mixed results.
  - Sample size: 24 (1% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (positive, 8 reports): The game runs well on this hardware configuration.
  - Caveats: 24 of 1981 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $15.00 - $25.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence indicates that users find the game to provide excellent value for money, with many highlighting its replayability and the substantial amount of gameplay hours it offers. Several reviews mention that the game is worth its price, especially when on sale, with specific mentions of $20 and 20€ as fair price points. The overall sentiment suggests that the community considers the game to be a good deal at around $20, with additional value when purchased on sale.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 200.0h
  - Story completion: 100.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: 100.0h
  - Reasoning: The evidence provided includes multiple references to playtime in the context of the target game, Guild Wars® Reforged. The quotes mention 'hundreds of hours' in various contexts, indicating significant playtime for game completion, story completion, and endgame content. However, specific metrics like session length are not explicitly mentioned in the provided reviews.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game offers a varied onboarding experience depending on the campaign chosen, with some players finding fun early in the tutorial area, while others might experience a slower start. The enjoyment generally increases as players progress and gain more skills and resources.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Gaining skills and money to play with gear
  - Time to anchor: 5h 0m
  - Friction: slow start in Prophecies campaign; challenging early fights in Factions campaign; lack of basic QoL features
  - Unlock drivers: modern tutorial in Nightfall; progression and variety in skills
  - Conditions: playing with friends; experimenting with builds; engaging in co-op missions
- Player Archetypes:
  - Tactical Strategist (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoys the strategic and tactical depth of the game.
    - Playstyle: Focuses on builds, movement, positioning, and strategic decision-making.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: veteran; strategist
    - Reference games: Guild Wars 2; FFXIV
  - Cooperative Explorer (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoys the cooperative and exploratory aspects of the game.
    - Playstyle: Mix of multiplayer and singleplayer, focusing on cooperative PvE content.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: newcomer; veteran; explorer
    - Reference games: Guild Wars 2; WoW
  - Nostalgic Relaxer (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoys the relaxed and nostalgic aspects of the game.
    - Playstyle: Prefers slower-paced, simpler gameplay with a focus on relaxation and nostalgia.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: old-school gamer; relaxed player
    - Reference games: WoW Classic; Fable


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:
- Highly praised game experience (weight 0.22): Players consistently describe the game as amazing, with countless hours of fun, a fantastic story, and great combat system. The unique gameplay experience, excellent graphics, and awesome soundtrack are frequently highlighted.
- Solo-friendly with NPCs (weight 0.18): The game is noted for its solo playability, with NPC customization and the ability to play solo with NPC allies. Players appreciate the flexibility to play solo or with others.
- Beautiful art and music (weight 0.16): The game's art style, graphics, and soundtrack are highly praised for being beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. The music, in particular, is often highlighted as memorable and evocative.
- Fun with friends (weight 0.12): The game is noted for being fun to play with friends, offering a shared adventure and long-term enjoyment.
- Variety in builds (weight 0.12): The game offers a wide variety of classes and builds, allowing players to customize their characters and gameplay experience extensively.
- Great value for money (weight 0.11): Players feel that the game offers great value for its price, with a massive amount of content and endless fun, making it worth every penny.
- Extensive skill system (weight 0.11): The game features an incredible skill system with hundreds of skills to choose from, offering countless combination possibilities and synergetic builds.
- Hundreds of hours of content (weight 0.11): The game offers a massive amount of content, keeping players busy for hundreds of hours and providing great value for the price.
- Steam Deck compatibility (weight 0.1): The game is noted for its compatibility with the Steam Deck, running well and playing smoothly on the device. This makes it a great choice for players using Steam Deck.
- Strategic and enjoyable combat (weight 0.1): The combat system is praised for being active, strategic, and enjoyable. It requires tactical thinking and is dynamically paced.
- Enduring quality over time (weight 0.1): The game is considered one of the best from its era and remains great even after many years. Its fantastic gameplay stands the test of time.
- Nostalgic value (weight 0.09): Many players experience a strong sense of nostalgia while playing the game, bringing back memories and emotional connections from the past.
- Highly regarded MMORPG (weight 0.08): The game is praised as a good MMORPG with nostalgic and old-school elements. It is often cited as one of the best MMOs available.
- Supportive community (weight 0.08): The game's community is frequently described as helpful, responsive, and kind, providing a supportive environment for players.
- No subscription fee (weight 0.08): Players appreciate that the game does not require a monthly subscription or any ongoing fees, making it more accessible and cost-effective.
- Excellent core gameplay (weight 0.08): The core gameplay is praised for being genuinely fun, solid, and engaging. The combination of story and gameplay is highly regarded.
- Well-written storylines (weight 0.06): The game features good and well-written storylines that are memorable and engaging, adding depth to the gameplay experience.

Common complaints:
- Dated graphics and mechanics (weight 0.19): The game's graphics and some mechanics are considered outdated compared to modern standards. This includes animations and textures that have not been updated.
- Account management issues (weight 0.16): There are significant issues with account management, particularly with linking ArenaNet and Steam accounts. Players also report problems with logging in and accessing old accounts.
- Lack of optimization and player base (weight 0.11): The game suffers from a lack of optimization, leading to issues like lag and disconnects. Additionally, there is a lack of fresh servers and a low online player count.
- Clunky and awkward gameplay (weight 0.11): The gameplay is described as clunky and awkward in parts, with difficult sections and unintuitive controls. Movement and overall gameplay mechanics feel outdated.
- Poor customer support (weight 0.1): Customer support is often unresponsive and not helpful. Players report issues with support not providing solutions or being slow to respond.
- No jump mechanic (weight 0.06): The game lacks a jump mechanic, which is a notable absence for many players and affects gameplay experience.
- Comparison to Guild Wars 2 (weight 0.05): Many players compare the game unfavorably to Guild Wars 2, expressing disappointment with the older game in comparison.
- Lack of quality-of-life features (weight 0.05): The game is criticized for not having enough quality-of-life features, which affects the overall player experience.
- Other MMOs are better (weight 0.05): Players feel that other MMORPGs offer a better experience and that the game cannot be compared favorably with newer MMOs.
- Lack of remappable gamepad controls (weight 0.05): Players are frustrated by the lack of options to remap gamepad controls, which affects the gameplay experience on controllers.
- In-game store purchase issues (weight 0.04): There are issues with purchasing items from the in-game store, particularly when using a Steam account.
- UI issues on Steam Deck (weight 0.04): The game has UI issues when played on the Steam Deck, making navigation and gameplay more difficult.
- Limited movement and character options (weight 0.04): The game offers limited movement options and character customization, which can be restrictive for players.
- Difficulty in forming parties (weight 0.04): Players find it difficult to form parties, especially without English proficiency, which can hinder the multiplayer experience.
- Harsh death penalties (weight 0.04): The game's death penalties are considered too severe, which can be frustrating for players.
- Invisible walls (weight 0.03): Players encounter invisible walls throughout the game, which can be frustrating and immersion-breaking.
- Difficulty in getting refunds (weight 0.03): Players report difficulties in obtaining refunds, which can be a significant issue for those dissatisfied with the game.
- Eye of the North not included (weight 0.03): The expansion 'Eye of the North' is not included with the base game and is sold separately, which is a point of contention for some players.

Gameplay feedback:
- Deep skill and build system (weight 0.26): Players appreciate the unique skill system that allows for extensive experimentation with skill combinations and character builds, providing a high level of customization.
- MMO and RPG gameplay blend (weight 0.13): The game combines elements of MMORPG and classic MMO gameplay, offering a familiar experience for fans of the genre with a mix of single-player and multiplayer features.
- Instanced missions and exploration (weight 0.13): The game features instanced mission zones and exploration areas, blending persistent world elements with instanced gameplay for a varied experience.
- Solo and cooperative play (weight 0.13): Players can enjoy the game solo with AI teammates or in cooperative modes, making it accessible for both solo and multiplayer experiences.
- NPC customization and interaction (weight 0.11): Players can customize and recruit NPCs, allowing for solo play with AI teammates and enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
- Engaging combat system (weight 0.1): The combat system is praised for being skill-based and requiring strategy, offering a tactical and engaging experience.
- PvP and PvE modes (weight 0.08): The game offers a variety of PvP and PvE modes, including faction-based PvP and unique PvP formats, catering to different player preferences.
- Character and story progression (weight 0.06): The game features character progression and story progression, with a focus on horizontal progression and multiple character slots.
- Variety of quests (weight 0.05): The game offers thousands of quests, including main and side quests, providing a vast amount of content for players to explore.
- Fair in-game economy (weight 0.05): The game is noted for its lack of pay-to-win mechanics and a fair in-game economy.
- Reforged mode and updates (weight 0.05): The game includes a Reforged mode, offering updated and enhanced gameplay experiences.

Performance notes:
- Excellent Steam Deck performance (weight 0.18): The game runs exceptionally well on Steam Deck, with multiple reviews highlighting its smooth performance and compatibility.
- High-quality graphics (weight 0.14): The game features improved and high-quality graphics, optimized for modern widescreen formats and higher resolutions.
- Compatibility with various devices (weight 0.09): The game runs well on different devices, including ROG Ally X and phones with virtual gamepads.
- Cross-platform compatibility (weight 0.08): The game is noted for running well on various hardware and operating systems, including PC, Linux, and different devices.
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.08): Several reviews mention that the game crashes frequently, including during fights and after resurrection.
- Performance issues (weight 0.06): Some reviews highlight performance issues, including mediocre performance, low hardware utilization, and lag.
- Server and connectivity problems (weight 0.06): Players have experienced issues with server connectivity, including lost contact with the server, lag, and disconnects.
- Gameplay and movement issues (weight 0.06): Some reviews mention clunky movement, rubberbanding, and janky pathfinding, affecting the overall gameplay experience.
- Launcher and rendering issues (weight 0.05): There are reports of launcher issues and rendering problems, including crashes with dxvk.
- UI and controller issues (weight 0.04): There are reported issues with the user interface and controller functionality on Steam Deck.
- Hardware requirements (weight 0.04): The game does not require high-end hardware and can run on older systems, making it accessible to a wider audience.
- Battery life concerns (weight 0.03): The game consumes a significant amount of battery life, especially on max settings.

Recommendations:
- DLC purchase options (weight 0.06): Players are advised on where to buy DLCs, either through Steam or directly from Arenanet for full access.
- Guild Wars Reforged praised (weight 0.05): Guild Wars Reforged is highlighted as a significant update and is highly recommended by players.
- Old school MMO charm (weight 0.05): Players who enjoy old school MMOs and are looking for a change from current MMOs are encouraged to try this game.
- Long-term support desired (weight 0.05): Players express a desire for continued long-term support and development of the game.
- Nostalgic and new player appeal (weight 0.05): The game is recommended for both nostalgic players and new players looking for a unique experience.
- Highly recommended game (weight 0.04): Many reviews strongly recommend the game without specifying particular aspects, indicating a general high satisfaction.
- Eye of the North expansion recommended (weight 0.04): The Eye of the North expansion is frequently recommended, particularly for its dungeons and overall content.
- Suitable for solo or multiplayer (weight 0.04): The game is noted for being enjoyable whether playing solo or with others, catering to different player preferences.
- Strategic and experimental gameplay (weight 0.04): The game is recommended for those who enjoy strategic thinking and experimenting with different builds.
- Encouraging community engagement (weight 0.04): Reviews encourage others to join and play the game, indicating a positive community experience.
- Unique MMO experience (weight 0.04): The game is praised for offering a very unique feeling and experience within the MMO genre.
- Use game resources (weight 0.03): Players are encouraged to use the game's wiki reference page and calendar of events to enhance their experience.
- Nightfall campaign for beginners (weight 0.02): The Nightfall campaign is suggested for beginners due to its modern tutorial and questing systems.
- Not for team play (weight 0.02): The game is not recommended for those seeking party or team play experiences.
- Pre-searing tutorial area (weight 0.02): The pre-searing tutorial area is recommended for a more relaxed and introductory experience.
- Guild Wars 2 recommendation (weight 0.02): Some reviews recommend trying Guild Wars 2, possibly indicating a connection or preference between the games.
- Cozy RPG experience (weight 0.02): The game is recommended for those in the mood for a cozy RPG experience.
- Steam achievements requested (weight 0.02): There is a suggestion to add Steam achievements to enhance the gaming experience.
- Realistic expectations and humor (weight 0.02): Players are advised to enter the game with realistic expectations and a sense of humor.
- Early Access suggestion (weight 0.02): There is a suggestion to set the game as an Alpha Early Access title, possibly indicating ongoing development needs.
- Negative sentiment towards company (weight 0.02): Some reviews express a negative sentiment towards the company, advising against financial support.
- Server switch suggestion (weight 0.02): There is a suggestion to switch servers to the USA for a better gaming experience.

Other player notes:
- Character skill acquisition required (weight 0.02): Players need to acquire skills individually for each character they use.
- Skills shared among heroes (weight 0.02): Heroes have the ability to share and use skills that are unlocked by other professions.
- Skip early stages with purchases (weight 0.02): Players can purchase skill packs or hero slots to bypass early stages and utilize high-level heroes sooner.
- Desire for more updates (weight 0.02): Users express a hope for additional updates or content to be added to the game.

Emotions:
- Nostalgia (weight 0.27): Players are experiencing nostalgia due to returning to the game after many years, often revisiting childhood memories and appreciating the game's timeless nature. The old-school charm, early 2000s graphics, and the ability to relive past experiences with friends and family contribute significantly to this emotion.
- Frustration (weight 0.15): Players are frustrated primarily due to technical issues such as game crashes, compatibility problems, and account access issues. Additionally, gameplay mechanics like limited movement options, confusing maps, and the presence of bots contribute to this frustration.
- Excitement (weight 0.11): The excitement stems from the enjoyment of the game's unique features, such as the PvP mode, the Reforged updates, and the influx of new players. Players are also excited about discovering new character builds, skill combos, and the convenience of purchasing items with Steam funds.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.08): Players express satisfaction with the game's core gameplay, build diversity, and the smooth performance across various platforms, including Steam Deck and Linux. The lack of subscription fees and the value for money also contribute to their satisfaction.
- Disappointment (weight 0.06): Disappointment arises from the lack of significant updates, graphical improvements, and the game feeling outdated. Players also express dissatisfaction with the Reforged version for not meeting expectations and the presence of old bugs.
- Joy (weight 0.06): Joy is derived from playing with family and friends, sharing the experience with kids, and the game's solo-player-friendly nature. The positive experiences with the game's story, gameplay, and community also contribute to this emotion.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Players appreciate the game's depth, tactical combat, and the variety of build possibilities. The game's longevity, continued support, and the active community helping new players are also highly valued.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.04): Enjoyment comes from the game's story-driven content, customization options, and fun PvP. The variety of builds, challenging fights, and the beautiful graphics and soundtrack also enhance the enjoyment.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.03): Enthusiasm is driven by the game's high-quality content, strategic depth in PvP, and the unique class-building system. Players are also enthusiastic about the game's atmospheric world and strong multiplayer focus.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players love the game due to its deep connection to the game world and community. The game's qualities, nostalgia, and the variety of build designs contribute to this deep affection.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Hope is centered around the future of the game, potential updates, and improvements. Players also hope for a revival of the game and recognition of its potential.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is primarily due to poor customer support, account suspension issues, and the presence of gold sellers. Players are also angry about the lack of graphical updates and unhelpful support.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is expressed towards the developers for keeping the game alive and the enduring community. Players are thankful for the game's impact on their lives and friendships.
- Nostalgic (weight 0.01): Players feel nostalgic as they return to a favorite game from their childhood, often finding the game as enjoyable as they did many years ago.
- Nostalgie (weight 0.01): Players experience nostalgia as they recall memories of their first MMORPG and classic MMO experiences, often dreaming about living in the game world.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise comes from the game's ability to captivate despite its age and the unexpected enjoyment of Guild Wars 1. The Italian dubbing and the unique formula of the game also contribute to this emotion.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Happiness is derived from the game's revival, the ability to rediscover the game, and the positive community and gameplay experience.
- Happy (weight 0.01): Players are happy about the Reforged release, including Steam Deck support, and the joy of playing with family.}