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"The best MMORPG that nobody talks about" I PROMISE I'VE TRIED Great work on this video, both in information and editing. It's clear you knew what you were talking about and I think you hit all the major selling points of this wonderful game.
The great thing about GW2 is that, even if it isn't as popular as WoW or FFXIV, you have far more players to interact with due to how the server system works. And since the game is horizontal in nature, all content is always relevant, which means that the game has vastly more to offer you at "end game." It really is the game that the MMO crowd is craving, but man, they really don't want to advertise the game. lol
I love GW2. But getting my other friends who play MMO to play it is hard. Our brains have been wired to have linear progression. When they're told they can literally do whatever they want, its a bit daunting. Because they have no idea what GW2 has to offer. This leads them to just start solo'ing the main quest in the first expansion (which isn't bad at all), but getting deeply confused because they have no idea what they're building towards. For me, GW2 didn't click for me until I started setting personal goals and realizing everything I was doing had awesome rewards. When I abandoned the need to rush, and to just play, it really hit home for me. My favorite MMO.
GW2 does open world content the best out of any MMO i've ever played, but most other types of content other MMOs do much better I think. I've got over 5000 hours in GW2, and half of that was spent on a single character. The problem I personally have with it is their continued lack of support for raiding, fractals, dungeons, etc. They put so little effort into that type of content that I've just not gone back after quitting a few years ago, and the things I continually hear with every major update and patch from friends who still play continue to reaffirm that choice. Of course, if you enjoy it, that's fine, not trying to shit on your fun. I just wish they'd do more raiding and fractal type content, which they don't. (And I'm not referring to strike missions because they're not really the same, imo)
exploration is the #1 thing that interests me in video games in general. i love finding things, solving some puzzle and get to weird places that are out of the way. i should check this out.
You def should. Legendary items lives up to it's name here. Crafting aside, just searching for its crafting components is like going on a massive scavenger hunt for very well hidden treasures. The maps especially in the expansions are massive and are much more vertical in design than most AAA games these days. Very easy to get lost in. Massive plus for hardcore explorers.
The exploration really is top teir in this game. It's also viable to do because you actually get experience points doing it. It's not just a good idea because there are cool things to see, you get rewarded for it.
I never played it, but it is not some random game. I remember it was one of the very first games, ANGRY JOE gave 10 out of 10, and that guy is not even MMOs like at all.
@@TheRealUcanUwill okay yeah but i’m not claiming it’s just some random game. i’m acknowledging, like austin does in the video, that gw2 often flies under the radar in discussions about mmos and asserting that it should have a greater presence in those discussions
@@wenoay Yes, I just mean that BOTH of you guys arent just shills of some random game. GW2 is one of the GOATS in the genre. Its funny, because in my circles, it never really got any hype, so thats what made me write that comment.
The fact, that this video does not have "AUSTIN REVIEWS" in the title tells a lot. It's so refreshing to see someone who's working behind the scenes being really appreciated. Cudos my friends!
Core game is free to play and a lot of players have played the first GW they also scattered a lot of stuff from the first game throughout the game, give it a go 😃.
Best thing about GW2, for me, is the ability to hop in and out whenever you want and never have to worry about becoming irrelevant due to power creep. The rewards you acquire are always brought forward with each update and are always useful.
I think that is a great way to design an MMO. But I keep losing interest because I have no real reason to keep playing my maxed out character from 6 years ago other than collections :( Its a double edged sword
@@lblampsgaming well, for me the possibility of hop in and out of a game is not a problem, it's and advantage, because there are many games out there, but i can always come back and play some pvp or doing some dungeos with old pals.
It amuses me to no end how much Austin sounds exactly like SkillUp in cadence, like someone doing an excellent SkillUp impression. But I love these reviews. You're doing an awesome job. Really builds a consistent voice across the channel.
I couldn’t tell if it was because they both have the Aussie accent or if they really did sound the exact same lmao. I mean the cadence couldn’t be any more similar.
Very nice of ShillUp to finally give you back your Guild Wars 2 channel after doing that weird weekly video game show on it for the last couple years or so.
@@yobro6053 I don't know actually, I've always assumed some internet degenerate claimed, earnestly, he was a shill based off a difference of opinion, and Skillup has worn the name with ironic pride since. Which is a based thing to do.
@@sarigan6365tbf, he DOES shill up for Destiny. Dude likes it more than it the game is good, and it's a shame because other than Destiny, this channel has very consistent suggestions.
My most played game ever. I absolutely recommend it to people who love mmorpgs but feel like they have not enough time for the genre. GW2 is absolutely playable in short sessions and you will still feel like you made some sort of progress. It has been my favorite method of relaxing on college. So glad to see this video on this channel, GW2 absolutely deserves more attention.
Same. My favorite thing in MMOs (and GW2) is finding exploits in the market place to makes lots of gold. I would buy up all of a certain type of pistol below a certain price, break them all, and hope for a rare item that was used to craft legendaries. I made thousands of gold doing this over and over again. But overall, this was my favorite MMO I ever played and it looks like its only gotten better ever since!
I remember playing WvW and not knowing the enemy army arrived besides the fact that my PC started to melt because I could only see like 10-20 characters at a time.
Congrats on getting to do this video Austin! I was a major player of vanilla GW2, did Teq and Wurm countless times and had a blast. Never got the expansions, but maybe one day!
Jesus teq and wurm are okay but PALE in comparison the scale, reward and sense of accomplishment and teamwork you get for the metas even going back to HoT😊
That sense of adventure, adrenaline filled combat, and customization through the class system really hits all the points I look for in an MMO. In recent time, with SOTO, the story has risen to be a great interest. Cheers to this amazing review! Great structure and presentation.
This video singlehandedly made me want to re-download GW2 for the first time since launch and finally play through everything I've missed chasing the high of the original GW through other MMOs.
Never have I played a game which feels made with such passion and love. Guild Wars 2 is absolutely incredible, and it costs so little. Lately the game is just improvement and reworks every patch. Feels good to play a decent MMORPG.
So hyped to see a channel this big covering GW2! I've played since launch and absolutely love it, so the more new players the game gets, the happier I am!
@@Exel3nceonce you get past the base game the maps are insanely detailed and intricate. Full of secrets and jumping puzzles and layers to explore. But the main reason is the meta events and normal events. Having maps where everyone works together to assault a keep or defend camps from monsters overnight is just fun and makes each one feel like it's own unique game.
Great review! My friends have been playing this game for years and praise it all the time. I decided to try it with the new expac dropping, and I'm loving the game so far! I should have tried yet years ago. Definitely more of what I've wanted from an MMO that others like WoW never quite gave me. I like that there's much more content and focus on the open world aspect of the game rather than only having the good/relevant content in instances like raids. There's a lot more exploration and lore it feels like as well. It gives me more of that single player open world RPG feel that I prefer, kind of like ESO.
Completing the original skyscale and Griffon collections is something that unites us all in the GW2 community. Most interesting mount system of any game by far.
This video is so well done. I started playing about 3 years ago on and off. The game is so fun and always keeps me coming back and when I do I don't feel like I've fallen behind. It suits a life with responsibilities very well.
Guild Wars 2 is truly my forever MMO, and it's a shame that it's still so criminally underrated. It has been getting a lot more attention recently but it still doesn't get the recognition (or revenue) that it deserves. It's probably the only MMO out there that truly feels like an MMO in that it highly encourages people to play together and help one another, along with rewarding you for exploring the world and going off the beaten path. The combat is also a great mashup of action and tab-target combat so it just feels fun to play. GW2 as a whole has made it very difficult for me to enjoy other MMOs. Even when I try, I always end up coming back. It also helps a lot that it is the only MMO that respects your time so you can come and go as you please and not feel left behind.
Ngl, I've never taken GW2 seriously just cause I was playing Warframe, FFXIV, WOW, etc and I always thought that the game was like 1-2 years before shutdown so I didn't want to get invested. That intro was hard enough for me to download the game, so props to y'all on that
I freaking love this game, as an MMO Veteran that sunked thousands of hours in a shit ton of MMOs i now rest in GW2 since i have a time consuming career and can't play hardcore every single day anymore, i love just how chill or hard i can play in a day depending on how much time i have, i love the freedom and the goals i set for my self, i used to not stick to a MMO too long but now i just can't start other MMOs because GW2 gives me that freedom that not a lot of them does... Ty so much for this video
Leveling in Guild Wars 2 is an experience unlike anything I've had before. It's incredibly self-driven, allowing you to explore every nook and cranny of this beautifully crafted world. From Vistas, to side quests to dynamic world events, everything captures your attention and is equally rewarding. Hell, even the jumping puzzles are incredibly fun if you are into it. I got to 100% world exploration shortly after leveling and gearing my main character, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Having both of you fabulous reviewers putting out stellar review after stellar review is just so awesome! Props to your editor for keeping up with it all!!!
I'm already a GW2 player, but I've been convinced yet again to play. I was so excited to hear Austin was getting to review SotO, I hope we get to here him gush about GW2 even more
The thing with GW2 is that it's gone through some pretty rough years in the past, even coming to a point where it was very close to shutting down. However, with new management and a clearly defined vision and roadmap, the game has never been stronger. It's no exaggeration that GW2 has a bright future ahead of itself and that now is the best time to start playing.
As someone who didnt think much on GW2, you really sold me with not only with the game premice as a new player an the overall review, but from the footage as well! You should be their marketing guy XD
I'm pleasantly surprised that now skillup chamnel has 2 reviewers Hoping for you and ralph expand and basically try to grow together because both of your styles are really close which is nice with of course different tastes.
I played hundreds upon hundreds of hours of the first GuildWars and it's expansions (especially Nightfall). When this one came out i was burned out with mmos and only played it for a few tens of hours and never got back to it. Now this review makes me want to dig it out and give it another try. Keep up the good work Austin!!!
Austin did a great job but there are two things I personally would like to add as a long time player of this pretty damn awesome MMO: 1) The soundtrack is honestly Hollywood movie-scale epic. Maclaine Diemer and the entire team at ANET work magic each and every release and SotO is no exception, especially the main theme. 2) The community is, on the whole, super wholesome. Have a question? Shout in map chat and it'll get answered. Ask for help and people will start swarming. Streamers of the game regularly run end game training sessions (shout out to Snebzor and his guild for getting me into Raiding despite being timid as hell at the start). There's helpful guides all over the place and honestly the game fosters an inclusive and diverse community with player run events such as our Pride Parade and music festivals.
Conocí GW2 por éste canal y principal por la constante recomendación de Austin el cuál era imposible no probar el juego y bueno 😮 la experiencia a sido INCREÍBLE , el juego no pide tanto internet, no hay season pass , entro y mis builds siguen haciendo daño , el mundo es grandísimo , simplemente asombroso , muchas gracias Austin
Never played but am maxed on OSRS and must say that you shouldnt feel any shame in showing off GW2 if you truly believe its being slept on, Will definetly be giving it a go now
The fact that I played GW2 for years on and off since launch, and am just now learning that there is a fourth expansion, goes to show that something is broken in the marketing.
Whats funny is I played GW2 about 5 years ago for maybe a year and had an absolute blast playing it while barely ever touching the content that Austin talks about here. I played in a PVP guild who were focused on World vs World fighting and leveled 3 characters in my time doing basically nothing but PVP. The part of the game at that the time that most shocked and impressed me was the events. It seems like every 2 weeks there was some brand new event going on which new things to collect and almost always some kind of event area with unique mechanics inside it. Every 2 weeks for the while time I played a fully fleshed new stuff to do. I'm sure once you've played the game for a couple years it gets kind of old hat but this game has an amazing amount of things to do for new players.
Easily one of the best MMOs I’ve ever played. Some really clever ideas and great art direction. If I hadn’t completely burnt out on the MMO genre, I’d still be playing. Glad to see it getting some press! Well done Austin!!
Glad to hear the expansion story is popping off. I failed to get any of my friends into the game and the Guild I joined stopped playing so I've been a solo player for 99% of my time in this MMO, so the story's easily become the part I enjoy the most. But a darker tone, solid writing and a Mursaat? Hell yes.
Thanks for putting this on the SkillUp channel. I adore Guild Wars 2, and it's undoubtedly one of my favorite games of all time. Up until this latest expansion and the rework of its content cadence I've always felt like it was a ferrari caught in a parking lot, destined to never get the recognition it deserves.
This video made me try Guild Wars after I stumbled upon it this week. I played about 25 hours over the weekend and had so much fun. Looking forward to hitting Lvl 80 and playing the expansions!
That's probably the most comprehensive high level overview of the game and the new expansion. I think it's fair to say that most of us were concerned about the new cadence and the quality of the expansion. It's so far exceeded my expectations by a large margin. I find myself enjoying the overall theme and aesthetics of the new map. I agree with you about the story being more interesting too.
Well tbh, with how much passion Austin talks about Guild Wars 2, i would really really love a full review, talking about every aspect of his beloved game!
Never really played the game that much, but the one thing that always stood out to me was the mount system. The animations, the movement and the integration into combat is soo satisfying. By far the best mounts in any mmo out there.
I got into this game round 5 months ago, it completely consumed every bit of free time i had, now it looks like i’ll be jumping back on it, so freaken good!
One of the only games I keep coming back. Started playing on beta. Gave it 3k hours of my life in the two first years before a tiny burnout, but always come back after a short break! WvW was my thing, we had core group from our guild who I ran there with. It was the best! Nowadays I play mostly solo and just explore things and do events etc. Still need to finish all the expansions 😅 One day I will! Just a great wholesome game! And very good review!! You are even bigger shillup than the original one! 😂😂❤
This makes me so happy that you reviewed this game. GW2 is my favorite game that keeps delivering. Just need to find a good guild and I'm set Thank you for your review!!!
I'm a new-ish player, played years ago and stopped a few times, never felt right for whatever reason .... But the new expansion and my own timing in life have me sucked into GW2... and I'm so happy for it 😊 been searching for an MMO home for so long and GW2 really just does so much right from pvp, to pve to story to exploration and combat. It really is as he said, the end game mmo. Wish I gave it a fair shot sooner
My first playthrough of this game when it came out was one of the most magical gaming experiences. Glad to see it's still doing well. This was the first MMO I reached a max lvl in. Maybe time to head back in.
Getting back into it since release. Diablo 4 fell off after end game and this game picked me back up. The community is awesome very friendly and kind. Not toxic cause even though there is group play it’s still a skill check. Live and learn. Die and learn. Play what you want and everyone is pretty much welcome to join. There’s no standard you need to do this or be this. Do you and have fun is key.
It's crazy what a long life cycle the truely great MMOs have. I remember picking this up at launch day 11 years ago! I played it for several months and had a wonderful time.
I quit WoW around 2013 because of the endless grind and the "vertical progression" model is just too demanding, I prefer a progression of skill and content than get the gear so you can preform ABC. I found GW2 in 2016 and I got hooked, yes the content release is slow because they cannot compete with empires like Blizzard but this is the superior game none the less.
my problem with the game is having played GW2 in the past, I log in with a full inventory, full hotbars, and no clue what I was doing or where to begin.
I think i clocked like a thousand hours from last year until june this year. I had always had a feigned interest in GW2 but i think Austin's little guild wars 2 segment on the EoD expansion is what made me give it a proper try. Haven't tried out SOTO yet but I'll save it for winter.
I played a tonne of GW1, and was amazed with GW2 when it first came out. Very different play styles, but all good fun. I’ve not played any of the expansions though. Maybe that changes after BG3. Thanks for bring this out. Great work!
I think the way you deliver lines of dialogue from the script this time around is so so much better, your inflection and tone changes to show how enthused you are as your speaking about something. Keep it up!
yeah i was just doing my dailies in amnytas and didnt really want to jump into a big boss fight but i saw the big bad monster almost from across the map so i just went in anyway. really got my adrenaline going. even if you dont really know what you are doing rn, its stil fun and rewarding to take part. so good.
I love Guild Wars 2, and pre-ordered the expansion. That said, between Zelda, Diablo, Destiny, Baldur’s Gate, and Starfield, it’s been a bit hard to find the time for it this year :( Can’t wait to jump back in though!
an that's the beautiful thing. u do not have to start right now :) u can start after you finish all those games and you will not be any more behind then than you are now :D
@@xyr3s Amen! The lack of fomo and needless grind in GW2 is what made me stay with the game for a decade without ever burning out. Well maybe once, back in the day when I decided to go for my first legendary :)
If you’re looking for an mmo with tons of actual skill based combat, that you never feel pressure get the best gear right now, and that you can always put down and come back to, this is the game for you.
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What game settings you running cause it looks smooth as pie. What's the secret?
$100+ wallet what a joke. Not even a premium brand. Just shit lmao.
This whole time, this has been what the channel has been building upto, the channel has achieved its final form
Knowing Ralph… the channel actually achieved its Final Shape
Hahahha amazing reply!!!
You mean the channel turned suddenly blond?
Time for them to close up shop, delete every video, and never be heard from again.
Best comment all month
Love having 2 reviewers on this channel now. Big wins all around!
I wish I could like but… 69 ya know?
I totally love having double the content on this channel now!
"The best MMORPG that nobody talks about"
I PROMISE I'VE TRIED
Great work on this video, both in information and editing. It's clear you knew what you were talking about and I think you hit all the major selling points of this wonderful game.
If anyone needs guides or wants to learn from the game follow this dude, has amazing guides that are to the point
This video is Muk approved, Let's goooo!
Sub to Mukluk was in my original Guild Wars 2 manual.
hi muk
Let’s go
The great thing about GW2 is that, even if it isn't as popular as WoW or FFXIV, you have far more players to interact with due to how the server system works. And since the game is horizontal in nature, all content is always relevant, which means that the game has vastly more to offer you at "end game." It really is the game that the MMO crowd is craving, but man, they really don't want to advertise the game. lol
The social experience before the dungeon finder in WoW came out was what I loved about MMOs. GW2 just is more of that! But I can't play it on my PS5!
@@zenguroyeah... I really want it on consoles, but that's not gonna happen....
I love GW2. But getting my other friends who play MMO to play it is hard. Our brains have been wired to have linear progression. When they're told they can literally do whatever they want, its a bit daunting. Because they have no idea what GW2 has to offer. This leads them to just start solo'ing the main quest in the first expansion (which isn't bad at all), but getting deeply confused because they have no idea what they're building towards.
For me, GW2 didn't click for me until I started setting personal goals and realizing everything I was doing had awesome rewards. When I abandoned the need to rush, and to just play, it really hit home for me. My favorite MMO.
GW2 does open world content the best out of any MMO i've ever played, but most other types of content other MMOs do much better I think. I've got over 5000 hours in GW2, and half of that was spent on a single character. The problem I personally have with it is their continued lack of support for raiding, fractals, dungeons, etc. They put so little effort into that type of content that I've just not gone back after quitting a few years ago, and the things I continually hear with every major update and patch from friends who still play continue to reaffirm that choice. Of course, if you enjoy it, that's fine, not trying to shit on your fun. I just wish they'd do more raiding and fractal type content, which they don't. (And I'm not referring to strike missions because they're not really the same, imo)
I play on steam deck
exploration is the #1 thing that interests me in video games in general. i love finding things, solving some puzzle and get to weird places that are out of the way. i should check this out.
You def should. Legendary items lives up to it's name here. Crafting aside, just searching for its crafting components is like going on a massive scavenger hunt for very well hidden treasures. The maps especially in the expansions are massive and are much more vertical in design than most AAA games these days. Very easy to get lost in. Massive plus for hardcore explorers.
I've played this game as much as austin and I was finding new things in the starting areas well beyond the 3k hours mark
The exploration really is top teir in this game. It's also viable to do because you actually get experience points doing it. It's not just a good idea because there are cool things to see, you get rewarded for it.
Yeah !!! U need! Its amazing!!!
glad this video is getting put on the skill up channel. gw2 is one of the best mmo experiences i’ve ever had and it deserves more recognition
I never played it, but it is not some random game. I remember it was one of the very first games, ANGRY JOE gave 10 out of 10, and that guy is not even MMOs like at all.
@@TheRealUcanUwill okay yeah but i’m not claiming it’s just some random game. i’m acknowledging, like austin does in the video, that gw2 often flies under the radar in discussions about mmos and asserting that it should have a greater presence in those discussions
@@wenoay Yes, I just mean that BOTH of you guys arent just shills of some random game. GW2 is one of the GOATS in the genre. Its funny, because in my circles, it never really got any hype, so thats what made me write that comment.
@@TheRealUcanUwill ohhhhh okay. i misinterpreted your comment. my b
Yes gw2 is one of the best shooters I’ve every played
this is the only game I have played for 11 years straight, other games come and go but the world of tyria is breath taking and feels alive
Same
Same, I always come back haha
zame
The fact, that this video does not have "AUSTIN REVIEWS" in the title tells a lot. It's so refreshing to see someone who's working behind the scenes being really appreciated. Cudos my friends!
I have great memories of playing Guild Wars way back when. glad to see the franchise is still thriving - this game looks awesome.
RHYSTIC STUDIES?!?!
Core game is free to play and a lot of players have played the first GW they also scattered a lot of stuff from the first game throughout the game, give it a go 😃.
Did not expect a wild Rhystic Studies to appear on a video about Guild Wars 2 - you have good taste sir ;)
Play it again
As a high level player of the game and big fan of both it and your content, we'd love to have you back in tyria Sam :)
Best thing about GW2, for me, is the ability to hop in and out whenever you want and never have to worry about becoming irrelevant due to power creep. The rewards you acquire are always brought forward with each update and are always useful.
I think that is a great way to design an MMO. But I keep losing interest because I have no real reason to keep playing my maxed out character from 6 years ago other than collections :( Its a double edged sword
@@lblampsgaming well, for me the possibility of hop in and out of a game is not a problem, it's and advantage, because there are many games out there, but i can always come back and play some pvp or doing some dungeos with old pals.
@@lblampsgamingi just started the game and what the fuck the amount of stuff to do im lost as fuck.
It amuses me to no end how much Austin sounds exactly like SkillUp in cadence, like someone doing an excellent SkillUp impression. But I love these reviews. You're doing an awesome job. Really builds a consistent voice across the channel.
for real. took me a good 5 minutes to really be sure that it's not ralph serenading me with nerdy tales 😆
I couldn’t tell if it was because they both have the Aussie accent or if they really did sound the exact same lmao. I mean the cadence couldn’t be any more similar.
I thought SkillUp was nursing a bit of a cold.
Bro I didn’t realize it was bloom 💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀
Aussies rise up this man is your enemy
Very nice of ShillUp to finally give you back your Guild Wars 2 channel after doing that weird weekly video game show on it for the last couple years or so.
Why do people call him shillup? Feel me in on the lore please
@yobro6053 it's a nickname because he shills destiny a lot
Ralph is never living this down is he?
Good.
@@yobro6053 I don't know actually, I've always assumed some internet degenerate claimed, earnestly, he was a shill based off a difference of opinion, and Skillup has worn the name with ironic pride since.
Which is a based thing to do.
@@sarigan6365tbf, he DOES shill up for Destiny. Dude likes it more than it the game is good, and it's a shame because other than Destiny, this channel has very consistent suggestions.
My most played game ever. I absolutely recommend it to people who love mmorpgs but feel like they have not enough time for the genre. GW2 is absolutely playable in short sessions and you will still feel like you made some sort of progress. It has been my favorite method of relaxing on college. So glad to see this video on this channel, GW2 absolutely deserves more attention.
I played GW2 for years after launch and loved it. The fact that theyre still adding to the game makes me want to start again.
Same. My favorite thing in MMOs (and GW2) is finding exploits in the market place to makes lots of gold. I would buy up all of a certain type of pistol below a certain price, break them all, and hope for a rare item that was used to craft legendaries. I made thousands of gold doing this over and over again. But overall, this was my favorite MMO I ever played and it looks like its only gotten better ever since!
I remember playing WvW and not knowing the enemy army arrived besides the fact that my PC started to melt because I could only see like 10-20 characters at a time.
DEW IT!
Do it
do it - there is a massive playerbase of returning and new players
Congrats on getting to do this video Austin! I was a major player of vanilla GW2, did Teq and Wurm countless times and had a blast. Never got the expansions, but maybe one day!
If you liked Teq and Wurm they released/got updated, you'll have your mind blown away in the expansion metas haha
hope you come back! gw2 is in its best form rn
Jesus teq and wurm are okay but PALE in comparison the scale, reward and sense of accomplishment and teamwork you get for the metas even going back to HoT😊
That sense of adventure, adrenaline filled combat, and customization through the class system really hits all the points I look for in an MMO. In recent time, with SOTO, the story has risen to be a great interest.
Cheers to this amazing review! Great structure and presentation.
This video singlehandedly made me want to re-download GW2 for the first time since launch and finally play through everything I've missed chasing the high of the original GW through other MMOs.
For years I've been saying GW2 is the only MMO worth playing. Glad it's getting the renaissance it deserves.
Never have I played a game which feels made with such passion and love.
Guild Wars 2 is absolutely incredible, and it costs so little. Lately the game is just improvement and reworks every patch. Feels good to play a decent MMORPG.
So hyped to see a channel this big covering GW2! I've played since launch and absolutely love it, so the more new players the game gets, the happier I am!
I got into Guild Wars about a month ago because of you Austin and gosh darn you were right. I'm loving it!
My favourite MMO and it isnt close, the experience of exploring a new map for the first time is unmatched
Why exactly
@@Exel3nceonce you get past the base game the maps are insanely detailed and intricate. Full of secrets and jumping puzzles and layers to explore. But the main reason is the meta events and normal events. Having maps where everyone works together to assault a keep or defend camps from monsters overnight is just fun and makes each one feel like it's own unique game.
Great review! My friends have been playing this game for years and praise it all the time. I decided to try it with the new expac dropping, and I'm loving the game so far! I should have tried yet years ago. Definitely more of what I've wanted from an MMO that others like WoW never quite gave me. I like that there's much more content and focus on the open world aspect of the game rather than only having the good/relevant content in instances like raids. There's a lot more exploration and lore it feels like as well. It gives me more of that single player open world RPG feel that I prefer, kind of like ESO.
The past 3 years of gw2 has been fantastic. It warms the heart to see more people talking about this game.
have they worked on the optimization at all? just curious, love this game and considering reinstalling for this expansion either way
Yes, DX11 helped a lot. Its still no perfect tho but way better than it used to be@@dill_cream3015
Completing the original skyscale and Griffon collections is something that unites us all in the GW2 community. Most interesting mount system of any game by far.
Your passion is infectious
This video is so well done. I started playing about 3 years ago on and off. The game is so fun and always keeps me coming back and when I do I don't feel like I've fallen behind. It suits a life with responsibilities very well.
Guild Wars 2 is truly my forever MMO, and it's a shame that it's still so criminally underrated. It has been getting a lot more attention recently but it still doesn't get the recognition (or revenue) that it deserves. It's probably the only MMO out there that truly feels like an MMO in that it highly encourages people to play together and help one another, along with rewarding you for exploring the world and going off the beaten path. The combat is also a great mashup of action and tab-target combat so it just feels fun to play. GW2 as a whole has made it very difficult for me to enjoy other MMOs. Even when I try, I always end up coming back. It also helps a lot that it is the only MMO that respects your time so you can come and go as you please and not feel left behind.
Love this game so much, awesome video like always ^-^ Been a fan of the channel since forever, absolutely awesome to see you do reviews on here too!
Oh look who is here, love you videos Lara
If any new players are looking for a great GW2 streamer to watch go check out Lara - great, helpful community as well :)
Bahahahahaha
@@mortecai222 True! Lara is like the Austin of GW2 twitch. Simply the best...
I have been watching this channel for years and have never left a comment. This is the best thing I've ever seen on this channel❤
Awesome footage, great editing. You really did GW2 justice with this review!
Seeing Guild Wars 2 still holding strong really warms the heart! This vid makes me wanna jump back in!
I love GW2 and GW1. Such nostalgia and I’m so happy to see you give it attention. I always love returning to this game.
Ngl, I've never taken GW2 seriously just cause I was playing Warframe, FFXIV, WOW, etc and I always thought that the game was like 1-2 years before shutdown so I didn't want to get invested. That intro was hard enough for me to download the game, so props to y'all on that
I was waiting for GW2 video on this channel for too long. Such an underappreciated gem of a video game, thank you Austin (and the Ralph dude) !
It's time boys
Skillup is now a GW2-Dedicated channel.
I freaking love this game, as an MMO Veteran that sunked thousands of hours in a shit ton of MMOs i now rest in GW2 since i have a time consuming career and can't play hardcore every single day anymore, i love just how chill or hard i can play in a day depending on how much time i have, i love the freedom and the goals i set for my self, i used to not stick to a MMO too long but now i just can't start other MMOs because GW2 gives me that freedom that not a lot of them does... Ty so much for this video
Leveling in Guild Wars 2 is an experience unlike anything I've had before. It's incredibly self-driven, allowing you to explore every nook and cranny of this beautifully crafted world. From Vistas, to side quests to dynamic world events, everything captures your attention and is equally rewarding. Hell, even the jumping puzzles are incredibly fun if you are into it.
I got to 100% world exploration shortly after leveling and gearing my main character, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Having both of you fabulous reviewers putting out stellar review after stellar review is just so awesome! Props to your editor for keeping up with it all!!!
I'm already a GW2 player, but I've been convinced yet again to play. I was so excited to hear Austin was getting to review SotO, I hope we get to here him gush about GW2 even more
Hey it's me! 13:45 😅 Great review, hopefully ANet sticks the landing with the rest of SotO and beyond!
Congrats Austin! I played GW2 recently because of Ralph saying how much you loved it. I can confirm that it is indeed an excellent game!
GW2 is the best MMORPG right now imo
The thing with GW2 is that it's gone through some pretty rough years in the past, even coming to a point where it was very close to shutting down. However, with new management and a clearly defined vision and roadmap, the game has never been stronger. It's no exaggeration that GW2 has a bright future ahead of itself and that now is the best time to start playing.
As someone who didnt think much on GW2, you really sold me with not only with the game premice as a new player an the overall review, but from the footage as well! You should be their marketing guy XD
I just want to find someone who looks at me the way Austin looks at GW2...
I'm pleasantly surprised that now skillup chamnel has 2 reviewers
Hoping for you and ralph expand and basically try to grow together because both of your styles are really close which is nice with of course different tastes.
Idk why i watched a whole review for an expansion of an MMO i never played, but I did!
I played hundreds upon hundreds of hours of the first GuildWars and it's expansions (especially Nightfall). When this one came out i was burned out with mmos and only played it for a few tens of hours and never got back to it. Now this review makes me want to dig it out and give it another try. Keep up the good work Austin!!!
Me- Why am I watching guild Wars 2 review in 2023?
Also me- smack like button and watch entire video while installing GW2.
Austin did a great job but there are two things I personally would like to add as a long time player of this pretty damn awesome MMO:
1) The soundtrack is honestly Hollywood movie-scale epic. Maclaine Diemer and the entire team at ANET work magic each and every release and SotO is no exception, especially the main theme.
2) The community is, on the whole, super wholesome. Have a question? Shout in map chat and it'll get answered. Ask for help and people will start swarming. Streamers of the game regularly run end game training sessions (shout out to Snebzor and his guild for getting me into Raiding despite being timid as hell at the start). There's helpful guides all over the place and honestly the game fosters an inclusive and diverse community with player run events such as our Pride Parade and music festivals.
Conocí GW2 por éste canal y principal por la constante recomendación de Austin el cuál era imposible no probar el juego y bueno 😮 la experiencia a sido INCREÍBLE , el juego no pide tanto internet, no hay season pass , entro y mis builds siguen haciendo daño , el mundo es grandísimo , simplemente asombroso , muchas gracias Austin
Bloom doing the lords work
Never played but am maxed on OSRS and must say that you shouldnt feel any shame in showing off GW2 if you truly believe its being slept on, Will definetly be giving it a go now
The fact that I played GW2 for years on and off since launch, and am just now learning that there is a fourth expansion, goes to show that something is broken in the marketing.
Whats funny is I played GW2 about 5 years ago for maybe a year and had an absolute blast playing it while barely ever touching the content that Austin talks about here. I played in a PVP guild who were focused on World vs World fighting and leveled 3 characters in my time doing basically nothing but PVP.
The part of the game at that the time that most shocked and impressed me was the events. It seems like every 2 weeks there was some brand new event going on which new things to collect and almost always some kind of event area with unique mechanics inside it. Every 2 weeks for the while time I played a fully fleshed new stuff to do. I'm sure once you've played the game for a couple years it gets kind of old hat but this game has an amazing amount of things to do for new players.
Easily one of the best MMOs I’ve ever played. Some really clever ideas and great art direction. If I hadn’t completely burnt out on the MMO genre, I’d still be playing.
Glad to see it getting some press! Well done Austin!!
Austin!!! Been waiting for your GW2 video for a decade now!
Glad to hear the expansion story is popping off. I failed to get any of my friends into the game and the Guild I joined stopped playing so I've been a solo player for 99% of my time in this MMO, so the story's easily become the part I enjoy the most. But a darker tone, solid writing and a Mursaat? Hell yes.
Okay, I'll go play Guild Wars 2. You win Austin
Guild Wars 2 is the most underrated MMO.
Thanks for putting this on the SkillUp channel. I adore Guild Wars 2, and it's undoubtedly one of my favorite games of all time. Up until this latest expansion and the rework of its content cadence I've always felt like it was a ferrari caught in a parking lot, destined to never get the recognition it deserves.
Waited for this video Austin, and it is nothing short of spectacular. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Austin! GREAT video and review. Thanks Skillup for making space for this, too! Man, this channel is good.
This video made me try Guild Wars after I stumbled upon it this week. I played about 25 hours over the weekend and had so much fun. Looking forward to hitting Lvl 80 and playing the expansions!
Ight, fine, goddamnit Austin. You've convinced me, I'm downloading GW2 rn and me and a buddy are gonna hop on soon.
Just started back GW2 recently, forgot how awesome the horizontal progression is in this game
That's probably the most comprehensive high level overview of the game and the new expansion. I think it's fair to say that most of us were concerned about the new cadence and the quality of the expansion. It's so far exceeded my expectations by a large margin. I find myself enjoying the overall theme and aesthetics of the new map. I agree with you about the story being more interesting too.
Loved this Austin! Smashed it. Look forward to hearing more from you! 🙌
This is one of the best GW2 and Soto Reviews I have seen to date. Amazing job!
GW2 was my first real dive into MMOs and goddamn does it hold a special place in my heart
When I meet someone new, I say hello, give my name, then spend at least 2 hours spreading the word of GW2
Well tbh, with how much passion Austin talks about Guild Wars 2, i would really really love a full review, talking about every aspect of his beloved game!
Never really played the game that much, but the one thing that always stood out to me was the mount system. The animations, the movement and the integration into combat is soo satisfying. By far the best mounts in any mmo out there.
I got into this game round 5 months ago, it completely consumed every bit of free time i had, now it looks like i’ll be jumping back on it, so freaken good!
Austin killed it. Where do I pay to have my previous ten-squillion hours in GW2 taken away so I can start fresh and experience this masterpiece again?
One of the only games I keep coming back. Started playing on beta. Gave it 3k hours of my life in the two first years before a tiny burnout, but always come back after a short break! WvW was my thing, we had core group from our guild who I ran there with. It was the best! Nowadays I play mostly solo and just explore things and do events etc. Still need to finish all the expansions 😅 One day I will! Just a great wholesome game! And very good review!! You are even bigger shillup than the original one! 😂😂❤
This makes me so happy that you reviewed this game. GW2 is my favorite game that keeps delivering. Just need to find a good guild and I'm set
Thank you for your review!!!
I'm a new-ish player, played years ago and stopped a few times, never felt right for whatever reason .... But the new expansion and my own timing in life have me sucked into GW2... and I'm so happy for it 😊 been searching for an MMO home for so long and GW2 really just does so much right from pvp, to pve to story to exploration and combat. It really is as he said, the end game mmo. Wish I gave it a fair shot sooner
My first playthrough of this game when it came out was one of the most magical gaming experiences. Glad to see it's still doing well. This was the first MMO I reached a max lvl in. Maybe time to head back in.
You did better marketing for this game than arenanet themselves xD Fair play...
Getting back into it since release. Diablo 4 fell off after end game and this game picked me back up. The community is awesome very friendly and kind. Not toxic cause even though there is group play it’s still a skill check. Live and learn. Die and learn. Play what you want and everyone is pretty much welcome to join. There’s no standard you need to do this or be this. Do you and have fun is key.
There is soooo much to do in Guild Wars 2.
So happy to see GW2 in the well deserved spotlight.
+1 for awareness around use of the word "fondle"
It's crazy what a long life cycle the truely great MMOs have. I remember picking this up at launch day 11 years ago! I played it for several months and had a wonderful time.
17k hours in GW2 here. Pretty happy about SotO.
I quit WoW around 2013 because of the endless grind and the "vertical progression" model is just too demanding, I prefer a progression of skill and content than get the gear so you can preform ABC.
I found GW2 in 2016 and I got hooked, yes the content release is slow because they cannot compete with empires like Blizzard but this is the superior game none the less.
my problem with the game is having played GW2 in the past, I log in with a full inventory, full hotbars, and no clue what I was doing or where to begin.
I think i clocked like a thousand hours from last year until june this year. I had always had a feigned interest in GW2 but i think Austin's little guild wars 2 segment on the EoD expansion is what made me give it a proper try. Haven't tried out SOTO yet but I'll save it for winter.
Glad to hear it's going well. Arenanet really had their work cut out for them being sandwiched between Baldur's Gate 3 and Starfield.
I played a tonne of GW1, and was amazed with GW2 when it first came out. Very different play styles, but all good fun. I’ve not played any of the expansions though. Maybe that changes after BG3. Thanks for bring this out. Great work!
I think the way you deliver lines of dialogue from the script this time around is so so much better, your inflection and tone changes to show how enthused you are as your speaking about something. Keep it up!
Im ten minutes in this video and I’m really impressed by this game, never heard of it before. I will give it a try 💪🏻
yeah i was just doing my dailies in amnytas and didnt really want to jump into a big boss fight but i saw the big bad monster almost from across the map so i just went in anyway. really got my adrenaline going. even if you dont really know what you are doing rn, its stil fun and rewarding to take part. so good.
I love Guild Wars 2, and pre-ordered the expansion. That said, between Zelda, Diablo, Destiny, Baldur’s Gate, and Starfield, it’s been a bit hard to find the time for it this year :( Can’t wait to jump back in though!
an that's the beautiful thing. u do not have to start right now :) u can start after you finish all those games and you will not be any more behind then than you are now :D
@@xyr3s Amen! The lack of fomo and needless grind in GW2 is what made me stay with the game for a decade without ever burning out. Well maybe once, back in the day when I decided to go for my first legendary :)
@@winKoneR i never bothered with it :D but i might start now lol. legendary just seemed like too much of a grind :p
FINALLY! Here for the GW2 content!
Man, this was a great review! Even among BG3 and Starfield times, I might still return to GW2!
If you’re looking for an mmo with tons of actual skill based combat, that you never feel pressure get the best gear right now, and that you can always put down and come back to, this is the game for you.