Another thing people need to realize is the fact that when you play this game. You are the one that decides what you will do.
After each fight no need to go to town to change skills or traits. ( traits are like you talents in wow ) you just change them right there and now.
So each fight is personalized to your liking. You got beaten by the mob this first time you tried to kill it, then change your skills and traits and try again. There is even hidden quest or treasures as i call them.
But be careful if you die too often you get penalties. You dont want the penalties as per they slow you down on the leveling process. ( how did you like that part of it )????
Can't say I got immersed into the game, GW2 felt far more "game" to me than I prefer in an RPG. The setting itself isn't something that really hits any chords with me, so that may be why. If there's one negative I"d have to give toward gw2's lore/setting it's that the world doesn't exactly seem to be consistent, too much of a mix-up between fantasy and steampunk for my taste. I'd have preferred a consistancy of one or the other rather than a mix.
Story wise the game is pretty weak as well IMO, VO and such doesn't add to that part of the experience.
curious as to which MMO for you felt immersive and why it felt that way to you
SWG and EVE are really the only two that I've been fully immersed in. Why? Most likely due to the way in which the player is(was) incorporated into the world/universe.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
i feel immersed when the zerg is not around. i feel like they also need more things that you can find around the area so you can find out more about the world/people/history.
Most memorable games: AoC(Tryanny PvP), RIFT, GW, GW2, Ragnarok Online, Aion, FFXI, FFXIV, Secret World, League of Legends (Silver II rank)
All my favorite games have been due to immersion. Everquest, Age of Conan, Mortal Online, and most recently, DayZ. Even a game as broken as Mortal Online had me hooked based on how real the world felt.
Does GW2 feel like a living, breathing world or does it feel like a video game?
No, but then it's not that kind of game.
Expresso gave me a Hearthstone beta key.....I'm so happy
That's the trick distopia, if you are tired of the fantasy setting then it would be near impossible to engage with the virtual world and therefore not immersive. That's no criticism of you, you are self aware enough to know that you are getting bored of the fantasy setting. Myself I still love the phantasy setting, so I love getting immersed in it. I think this is the nub of the matter, many are fed up of the fantasy setting, or equate the current stale end game cycling with the fantasy setting.
rpg/mmorg history: Dun Darach>Bloodwych>Bards Tale 1-3>Eye of the beholder > Might and Magic 2,3,5 > FFVII> Baldur's Gate 1, 2 > Planescape Torment >Morrowind > WOW > oblivion > LOTR > Guild Wars (1900hrs elementalist) Vanguard. > GW2(1000 elementalist), Wildstar
Anet has given a wonderful platform, by setting up a huge living world for you. Putting out fires or picking apples lends real world character to the game, it's not always all about killing mobs, but being involved. If you are waiting for something to reach out of the game and be mind blowing and nothing happens then it may be your fault for not being immersed.
I think the thing is to just about any mmorpg, is take your time and be part of the game, not just play it to get gear or experience points. If you want a game to be fun, then accept it for what it is, and then you become engaged in it.
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
All my favorite games have been due to immersion. Everquest, Age of Conan, Mortal Online, and most recently, DayZ. Even a game as broken as Mortal Online had me hooked based on how real the world felt.
Does GW2 feel like a living, breathing world or does it feel like a video game?
It's not immersive at all. It feels like a video game.
As you noted, games like Mortal Online, EvE, and EQ1 have that immersive, virtual world feel. Player interaction in such games was much more meaningful, and much more "real".
GW2 feels like I'm blundering from ride to mechanistic ride. The world has no soul. Too much flash, too little substance - it's a single-player game you play AROUND other people, not WITH other people.
I love it when I pass by NPCs and they seem to have conversations on their own. I love it when I run around away from towns, some NPC will approach me for help and point me to a dynamic event. The world really feels alive. This is one of the most if not the most immersive MMOs I've ever played.
Can't say I got immersed into the game, GW2 felt far more "game" to me than I prefer in an RPG. The setting itself isn't something that really hits any chords with me, so that may be why. If there's one negative I"d have to give toward gw2's lore/setting it's that the world doesn't exactly seem to be consistent, too much of a mix-up between fantasy and steampunk for my taste. I'd have preferred a consistancy of one or the other rather than a mix.
Story wise the game is pretty weak as well IMO, VO and such doesn't add to that part of the experience.
I can see what you mean. And that's definitely one of the downsides to having any specific artstyle. Some people just won't like it.
I will say, though, that the 'steampunky' aspects of the game you don't seem to think mesh well with the rest, actually do have a lot of lore behind why that is. One of the reasons for this disconnect, is that GW2 is one of the MMOs that actually puts a lot of emphasis on different cultures. Most games, even with different races, are all distinctly human feeling, with only slight variations on that theme.
In this game, there's a whole persona, and backstory to each of the races. Some of the races are new to the world, and thus introduce things that aren't native to the environment (i.e. the Asuran technologies are actually heavily suggested to be built off of those from another race called the Mursaat. It's still unknown as to if we will even see the Mursaat in GW2, as in GW1 you spend a significant portion of the game trying to whipe out their whole species).
The charr have also always been a highly industrial race, however the humans surpressed a lot of that during the first game, which is why you see a lot of ruined buildings & such near the charr areas. It only makes sense that now that the Charr & Humans aren't at war anymore, that the Charr will have grown / expanded quite a bit.
There is a lot of mix-matching of different aesthetics, but it makes sense in a game that's as culturally diverse as this one.
Originally posted by Bladestrom That's the trick distopia, if you are tired of the fantasy setting then it would be near impossible to engage with the virtual world and therefore not immersive. That's no criticism of you, you are self aware enough to know that you are getting bored of the fantasy setting. Myself I still love the phantasy setting, so I love getting immersed in it. I think this is the nub of the matter, many are fed up of the fantasy setting, or equate the current stale end game cycling with the fantasy setting.
Good points, I'd add I think I also miss having "jobs" to do in these games, rather than being a hero out to save the world. I miss that feeling of being a random joe just setting out to do something for a friend, IE: gathering hides, protecting them on resource runs etc.. In other words I want a little more sand .
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
While this is a pretty subjective topic, I want to share this story, so everyone can make a conclusion upon it:
South of Divinitys Reach on a little hill above the water pumps there is some large tree. Below that tree sit some girl, having a picnic. As i approached to hear, i heard a growl of the bear that appeared right out of the nearby bushes. The girl started to scream and hid behind the tree, scared. As i defeated a bear, she "cheered" and returned back to go on with her picnic (not really sure how to spell this, english is not my language lol)
Actually, THESE little things were those that got me immersed in world. Not the everyones cup of tea though. Many players here would get actuall immersion only in a sandbox world full of player-made stuff. Not even the story i wrote above may not be immersive for someone.
To each their own. The best way is to actually try the game by yourself.
Main MMO at the moment: Guild Wars 2 Waiting for: Pathfinder Online
All my favorite games have been due to immersion. Everquest, Age of Conan, Mortal Online, and most recently, DayZ. Even a game as broken as Mortal Online had me hooked based on how real the world felt.
Does GW2 feel like a living, breathing world or does it feel like a video game?
It's not immersive at all. It feels like a video game.
As you noted, games like Mortal Online, EvE, and EQ1 have that immersive, virtual world feel. Player interaction in such games was much more meaningful, and much more "real".
GW2 feels like I'm blundering from ride to mechanistic ride. The world has no soul. Too much flash, too little substance - it's a single-player game you play AROUND other people, not WITH other people.
It's no different than any other game you play with others. You have the choice of grouping up if you would like or you can jump right in and join a group already involved with an event. Like I posted above, it is all up to you on how you choose to play. If you feel like you are just running around or blundering as you put it, then don't. You are trapped in the hand holding loop and need direction. Don't do it! Slow down and follow the entire DE and see where it leads you and you will possibly feel less like you are lost.
Edit: sp
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
Much like reading a book, immersion requires great content that entices the consumer, but also engagement by the consumer. Some players have been drip fed in games like wow that in latter years has had development teams that don't understand immersion, they think it means 'exciting content' which is a crude and basic understanding at best. The immersion factor is there, but you have to love the subject matter (fantasy/tyrian lore) and be prepared to enter the world as an avatar not as a game player that expects entertainment on tap. I'm other words like a great book.
rpg/mmorg history: Dun Darach>Bloodwych>Bards Tale 1-3>Eye of the beholder > Might and Magic 2,3,5 > FFVII> Baldur's Gate 1, 2 > Planescape Torment >Morrowind > WOW > oblivion > LOTR > Guild Wars (1900hrs elementalist) Vanguard. > GW2(1000 elementalist), Wildstar
Here are a few more screen shots showing off the level of detail in the world, since a picture is indeed worth a thousand words:
Your character, other characters, NPCs, Wildlife and monsters all feel a part of the world. Exploration is rewarded. NPCs will run up shouting for help and you aren't just being directed to some static scene with enemies standing around waiting to be vanquished, an attack will actually be occuring and you can actually stop it.
The world space is beautiful, immense and immersive, but it's also well supported by every other element in order to enhance your sense of immersion in that world.
Can't say I got immersed into the game, GW2 felt far more "game" to me than I prefer in an RPG. The setting itself isn't something that really hits any chords with me, so that may be why. If there's one negative I"d have to give toward gw2's lore/setting it's that the world doesn't exactly seem to be consistent, too much of a mix-up between fantasy and steampunk for my taste. I'd have preferred a consistancy of one or the other rather than a mix.
Story wise the game is pretty weak as well IMO, VO and such doesn't add to that part of the experience.
curious as to which MMO for you felt immersive and why it felt that way to you
SWG and EVE are really the only two that I've been fully immersed in. Why? Most likely due to the way in which the player is(was) incorporated into the world/universe.
I can see swg to an extent but EVE to me is one of the least immersive games around.. its fun but nothing I'd call immersive.. but just differn't perspectives.. this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wYSzYSqd68 he talks some about other themeparks mostly and gives examples of how GW2 offers a much more immersive enviornment than other MMOs
I angered the clerk in a clothing shop today. She asked me what size I was and I said actual, because I am not to scale. I like vending machines 'cause snacks are better when they fall. If I buy a candy bar at a store, oftentimes, I will drop it... so that it achieves its maximum flavor potential. --Mitch Hedberg
If many can immerse in the game ( and that's not very common in mmorgs) but you don't, then considering immersion is 50% game effort and 50% player engagement, you need to ask yourself honestly, what is it about myself that prevents my immersion- because that's the variable element here.
rpg/mmorg history: Dun Darach>Bloodwych>Bards Tale 1-3>Eye of the beholder > Might and Magic 2,3,5 > FFVII> Baldur's Gate 1, 2 > Planescape Torment >Morrowind > WOW > oblivion > LOTR > Guild Wars (1900hrs elementalist) Vanguard. > GW2(1000 elementalist), Wildstar
DE for me add pretty much to immersion of the game. They actually made the whole content somewhat... i dont know, well dynamic lol. You could actually tell that if that big Giant stays in that camp at Charr area, you will lose all those vendors and WP as long as he is there... a territory lost.
I dont know... i just stopped looking at them as DEs... i see them rather as random encounters in PnP, something that happen to your character in a world 'all of a sudden'. Maybe if one stop actually "hunting" them and rather just get into them on the fly, they can add to immersion.
Or, is it maybe just me...
Main MMO at the moment: Guild Wars 2 Waiting for: Pathfinder Online
From my limited one hour play time, I feel the immersion is similar to Aion - a very beautiful, detailed world that seems like a living painting. It doesn't really feel like a real world, though. It's very beautiful and very artificial.
Highly subjective question will get only highly subjective views. This is one of those things only you can answer for yourself. Either buy it and play it, befriend and borrow someone's account, or take an educated guess from youtube videos.
"Forums aren't for intelligent discussion; they're for blow-hards with unwavering opinions."
I can see swg to an extent but EVE to me is one of the least immersive games around.. its fun but nothing I'd call immersive.. but just differn't perspectives.. this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wYSzYSqd68 he talks some about other themeparks mostly and gives examples of how GW2 offers a much more immersive enviornment than other MMOs
I think the key here is what you get immersed in doing, and somewhat seeing. I can see why some may feel GW2 immerses them more than typical Themepark MMO's. THe world is designed in a way that simulates it as living. That makes perfect sense to me.
However, for me NPC's and world layouts aren't what immerses me into an MMO. Rather the tools in place for player interdependancy is what I look for and what "brings me into the experience". EVE and SWG do(did) this well, by simulating a living atmosphere between players. Need something, seek out a player to make it, or visit a player run shop to buy it, that kind of thing. EVE has the whole shipping/protecting/pirating thing going on, not to mention deep player politics. These are the types of things that Immerse me.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
I can see swg to an extent but EVE to me is one of the least immersive games around.. its fun but nothing I'd call immersive.. but just differn't perspectives.. this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wYSzYSqd68 he talks some about other themeparks mostly and gives examples of how GW2 offers a much more immersive enviornment than other MMOs
I think the key here is what you get immersed in doing, and somewhat seeing. I can see why some may feel GW2 immerses them more than typical Themepark MMO's. THe world is designed in a way that simulates it as living. That makes perfect sense to me.
However, for me NPC's and world layouts aren't what immerses me into an MMO. Rather the tools in place for player interdependancy is what I look for and what "brings me into the experience". EVE and SWG do(did) this well, by simulating a living atmosphere between players. Need something, seek out a player to make it, or visit a player run shop to buy it, that kind of thing. EVE has the whole shipping/protecting/pirating thing going on, not to mention deep player politics. These are the types of things that Immerse me.
ill repeat myself a little here Distopia:
'If many can immerse in the game ( and that's not very common in mmorgs) but you don't, then considering immersion is 50% game effort and 50% player engagement, you need to ask yourself honestly, what is it about myself that prevents my immersion- because that's the variable element here.
To add, in Beta there is no real community, community evolves over time with real emotional commitment, so far far too early to judge on that, but considering the mechanics in place to encourage co-operative rather than competitive or 'silo' behaviour it looks like the game is fullfilling its requirements, down to the players now.
rpg/mmorg history: Dun Darach>Bloodwych>Bards Tale 1-3>Eye of the beholder > Might and Magic 2,3,5 > FFVII> Baldur's Gate 1, 2 > Planescape Torment >Morrowind > WOW > oblivion > LOTR > Guild Wars (1900hrs elementalist) Vanguard. > GW2(1000 elementalist), Wildstar
I can see swg to an extent but EVE to me is one of the least immersive games around.. its fun but nothing I'd call immersive.. but just differn't perspectives.. this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wYSzYSqd68 he talks some about other themeparks mostly and gives examples of how GW2 offers a much more immersive enviornment than other MMOs
I think the key here is what you get immersed in doing, and somewhat seeing. I can see why some may feel GW2 immerses them more than typical Themepark MMO's. THe world is designed in a way that simulates it as living. That makes perfect sense to me.
However, for me NPC's and world layouts aren't what immerses me into an MMO. Rather the tools in place for player interdependancy is what I look for and what "brings me into the experience". EVE and SWG do(did) this well, by simulating a living atmosphere between players. Need something, seek out a player to make it, or visit a player run shop to buy it, that kind of thing. EVE has the whole shipping/protecting/pirating thing going on, not to mention deep player politics. These are the types of things that Immerse me.
differn't strokes I suppose.. I get what you are saying and I know how sandbox games can be immersive. Sandbox can be great and very immersive but it still depends how its implemented and what the games worlds are like. Single player games to me can be very immersive in games such as Skyrim or even the Mass Effect games. For me in this respect it's more of how the world is presented and how the npcs interact with the world. When you run through a zone in most games you will pretty much see the exact same npcs/mobs in the exact same areas doing the exact same thing each time you visit that zone. GW2 to me breaks this up this better than any MMO I have played and honestly I could talk about it all day but think the videos I have in my Sig in "The World" section and the "DE" section show it better.
I angered the clerk in a clothing shop today. She asked me what size I was and I said actual, because I am not to scale. I like vending machines 'cause snacks are better when they fall. If I buy a candy bar at a store, oftentimes, I will drop it... so that it achieves its maximum flavor potential. --Mitch Hedberg
I can see swg to an extent but EVE to me is one of the least immersive games around.. its fun but nothing I'd call immersive.. but just differn't perspectives.. this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wYSzYSqd68 he talks some about other themeparks mostly and gives examples of how GW2 offers a much more immersive enviornment than other MMOs
I think the key here is what you get immersed in doing, and somewhat seeing. I can see why some may feel GW2 immerses them more than typical Themepark MMO's. THe world is designed in a way that simulates it as living. That makes perfect sense to me.
However, for me NPC's and world layouts aren't what immerses me into an MMO. Rather the tools in place for player interdependancy is what I look for and what "brings me into the experience". EVE and SWG do(did) this well, by simulating a living atmosphere between players. Need something, seek out a player to make it, or visit a player run shop to buy it, that kind of thing. EVE has the whole shipping/protecting/pirating thing going on, not to mention deep player politics. These are the types of things that Immerse me.
ill repeat myself a little here Distopia:
'If many can immerse in the game ( and that's not very common in mmorgs). But you don't, then considering immersion is 50% game effort and 50% player engagement, you need to ask yourself honestly, what is it about myself that prevents my immersion- because that's the variable element here'
To add, in Beta there is no real community, community evolves over time with real emotional commitment, so far far too early to judge on that, but considering the mechanics in place to encourage co-operative rather than competitive or 'silo' behaviour, it looks like the game is fullfilling its requirements, down to the players now.
I agree Bladestrom. Plus some people go in with negative attitudes and grudges and thats how they will feel when they logout. If you take your theory of 50% game developers effort, 50% player engagement, and then throw in 100% positive attitude, you will have 200% fun at a small price of $60 for the rest of your life.
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
I can see swg to an extent but EVE to me is one of the least immersive games around.. its fun but nothing I'd call immersive.. but just differn't perspectives.. this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wYSzYSqd68 he talks some about other themeparks mostly and gives examples of how GW2 offers a much more immersive enviornment than other MMOs
I think the key here is what you get immersed in doing, and somewhat seeing. I can see why some may feel GW2 immerses them more than typical Themepark MMO's. THe world is designed in a way that simulates it as living. That makes perfect sense to me.
However, for me NPC's and world layouts aren't what immerses me into an MMO. Rather the tools in place for player interdependancy is what I look for and what "brings me into the experience". EVE and SWG do(did) this well, by simulating a living atmosphere between players. Need something, seek out a player to make it, or visit a player run shop to buy it, that kind of thing. EVE has the whole shipping/protecting/pirating thing going on, not to mention deep player politics. These are the types of things that Immerse me.
ill repeat myself a little here Distopia:
'If many can immerse in the game ( and that's not very common in mmorgs). But you don't, then considering immersion is 50% game effort and 50% player engagement, you need to ask yourself honestly, what is it about myself that prevents my immersion- because that's the variable element here'
To add, in Beta there is no real community, community evolves over time with real emotional commitment, so far far too early to judge on that, but considering the mechanics in place to encourage co-operative rather than competitive or 'silo' behaviour, it looks like the game is fullfilling its requirements, down to the players now.
I agree Bladestrom. Plus some people go in with negative attitudes and grudges and thats how they will feel when they logout. If you take your theory of 50% game developers effort, 50% player engagement, and then throw in 100% positive attitude, you will have 200% fun at a small price of $60 for the rest of your life.
I sense a half full glass of milk
rpg/mmorg history: Dun Darach>Bloodwych>Bards Tale 1-3>Eye of the beholder > Might and Magic 2,3,5 > FFVII> Baldur's Gate 1, 2 > Planescape Torment >Morrowind > WOW > oblivion > LOTR > Guild Wars (1900hrs elementalist) Vanguard. > GW2(1000 elementalist), Wildstar
in before some jaded, burned out, sick of this kind of genre states something over simplified and unreasonable.
never mind already happened...
The games world is incredibly immersive. yes the starter zones are simple to help you get the hang of the game but I guess if you can't see past "start zones" which typically in any game are simple and easy, then there is no use trying to debate how wonderful this game is.
I'm all about immersion and if anything breaks that for me I can't play a game. like TSW the lore and world are amazing but the movement, character animations and combat animations / mechanics are totally horrid so it breaks immersion for me because you spend 90% of your time watching your character in action. Also TERA and its clunky choppy stop and go combat which is supposed to be sooooo amazing just gave me a headache for the entire 32 levels I played...
I'm not the type that overlooks garbage, as stated above, just because other aspects of the game supposedly "make up for it", to me that is giving excuses for more devs to provide yet more crappy games... No Thank You!!!
This game your character feels part of the world, you feel connected to everything around you. Sounds, attention to detail, and so many other hidden little treasures make this, Tyria, feel incredibly alive. Your character even talks, telling you to heal your pet, move out of damaging aoe circles or exclaiming celebrations of activity. NPC's are not static and you can find hidden NPC's who can offer you events to set out on an adventure you wouldn't otherwise have known of.
I really get tired of reading people who can't figure out that they are burned out on MMORPG's, / Theme parks and take it out on the game instead of being reasonable about their expectations. I guess I can't expect much because I'll just be called a fanboi... Cars are all cars but there is a difference between a Toyota corolla and a Ferrari... everything up until now has been a toyota corolla compared to the GW2 Ferrari!!! >_<
If you aren't tired of themepark with a great feel of open world exploration fantasy MMORPG then this game will blow your socks off. On the other hand if your burned out on this type of genre then of course your going to over simplify, generalize, and think same ol same ol blah blah blah.
Don't judge this game as a Sandbox, because it simply isn't, it is a Themepark with a GIGANTIC world that gives you reward for exploration. Trying to judge this game compared to sandbox is an injustice to this game. Compare apples to apples not apples to chile peppers.
IamApropos See where adventure will lead you! My PC Specs: i5-3570k oc'ed @4.2GHz 8GB 1600 RAM GTX670 oc'ed @ 1.25Ghz Samsung 830 SSD.
Comments
Another thing people need to realize is the fact that when you play this game. You are the one that decides what you will do.
After each fight no need to go to town to change skills or traits. ( traits are like you talents in wow ) you just change them right there and now.
So each fight is personalized to your liking. You got beaten by the mob this first time you tried to kill it, then change your skills and traits and try again. There is even hidden quest or treasures as i call them.
But be careful if you die too often you get penalties. You dont want the penalties as per they slow you down on the leveling process. ( how did you like that part of it )????
SWG and EVE are really the only two that I've been fully immersed in. Why? Most likely due to the way in which the player is(was) incorporated into the world/universe.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
Most memorable games: AoC(Tryanny PvP), RIFT, GW, GW2, Ragnarok Online, Aion, FFXI, FFXIV, Secret World, League of Legends (Silver II rank)
No, but then it's not that kind of game.
Expresso gave me a Hearthstone beta key.....I'm so happy
rpg/mmorg history: Dun Darach>Bloodwych>Bards Tale 1-3>Eye of the beholder > Might and Magic 2,3,5 > FFVII> Baldur's Gate 1, 2 > Planescape Torment >Morrowind > WOW > oblivion > LOTR > Guild Wars (1900hrs elementalist) Vanguard. > GW2(1000 elementalist), Wildstar
Now playing GW2, AOW 3, ESO, LOTR, Elite D
Immersion is a frame of mind in my opinion.
Anet has given a wonderful platform, by setting up a huge living world for you. Putting out fires or picking apples lends real world character to the game, it's not always all about killing mobs, but being involved. If you are waiting for something to reach out of the game and be mind blowing and nothing happens then it may be your fault for not being immersed.
I think the thing is to just about any mmorpg, is take your time and be part of the game, not just play it to get gear or experience points. If you want a game to be fun, then accept it for what it is, and then you become engaged in it.
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
It's not immersive at all. It feels like a video game.
As you noted, games like Mortal Online, EvE, and EQ1 have that immersive, virtual world feel. Player interaction in such games was much more meaningful, and much more "real".
GW2 feels like I'm blundering from ride to mechanistic ride. The world has no soul. Too much flash, too little substance - it's a single-player game you play AROUND other people, not WITH other people.
Hell hath no fury like an MMORPG player scorned.
Yes!
I love it when I pass by NPCs and they seem to have conversations on their own. I love it when I run around away from towns, some NPC will approach me for help and point me to a dynamic event. The world really feels alive. This is one of the most if not the most immersive MMOs I've ever played.
I can see what you mean. And that's definitely one of the downsides to having any specific artstyle. Some people just won't like it.
I will say, though, that the 'steampunky' aspects of the game you don't seem to think mesh well with the rest, actually do have a lot of lore behind why that is. One of the reasons for this disconnect, is that GW2 is one of the MMOs that actually puts a lot of emphasis on different cultures. Most games, even with different races, are all distinctly human feeling, with only slight variations on that theme.
In this game, there's a whole persona, and backstory to each of the races. Some of the races are new to the world, and thus introduce things that aren't native to the environment (i.e. the Asuran technologies are actually heavily suggested to be built off of those from another race called the Mursaat. It's still unknown as to if we will even see the Mursaat in GW2, as in GW1 you spend a significant portion of the game trying to whipe out their whole species).
The charr have also always been a highly industrial race, however the humans surpressed a lot of that during the first game, which is why you see a lot of ruined buildings & such near the charr areas. It only makes sense that now that the Charr & Humans aren't at war anymore, that the Charr will have grown / expanded quite a bit.
There is a lot of mix-matching of different aesthetics, but it makes sense in a game that's as culturally diverse as this one.
Good points, I'd add I think I also miss having "jobs" to do in these games, rather than being a hero out to save the world. I miss that feeling of being a random joe just setting out to do something for a friend, IE: gathering hides, protecting them on resource runs etc.. In other words I want a little more sand
.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
While this is a pretty subjective topic, I want to share this story, so everyone can make a conclusion upon it:
South of Divinitys Reach on a little hill above the water pumps there is some large tree. Below that tree sit some girl, having a picnic. As i approached to hear, i heard a growl of the bear that appeared right out of the nearby bushes. The girl started to scream and hid behind the tree, scared. As i defeated a bear, she "cheered" and returned back to go on with her picnic (not really sure how to spell this, english is not my language lol)
Actually, THESE little things were those that got me immersed in world. Not the everyones cup of tea though. Many players here would get actuall immersion only in a sandbox world full of player-made stuff. Not even the story i wrote above may not be immersive for someone.
To each their own. The best way is to actually try the game by yourself.
Main MMO at the moment: Guild Wars 2
Waiting for: Pathfinder Online
It's no different than any other game you play with others. You have the choice of grouping up if you would like or you can jump right in and join a group already involved with an event. Like I posted above, it is all up to you on how you choose to play. If you feel like you are just running around or blundering as you put it, then don't. You are trapped in the hand holding loop and need direction. Don't do it!
Slow down and follow the entire DE and see where it leads you and you will possibly feel less like you are lost.
Edit: sp
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
rpg/mmorg history: Dun Darach>Bloodwych>Bards Tale 1-3>Eye of the beholder > Might and Magic 2,3,5 > FFVII> Baldur's Gate 1, 2 > Planescape Torment >Morrowind > WOW > oblivion > LOTR > Guild Wars (1900hrs elementalist) Vanguard. > GW2(1000 elementalist), Wildstar
Now playing GW2, AOW 3, ESO, LOTR, Elite D
Here are a few more screen shots showing off the level of detail in the world, since a picture is indeed worth a thousand words:
Your character, other characters, NPCs, Wildlife and monsters all feel a part of the world. Exploration is rewarded. NPCs will run up shouting for help and you aren't just being directed to some static scene with enemies standing around waiting to be vanquished, an attack will actually be occuring and you can actually stop it.
The world space is beautiful, immense and immersive, but it's also well supported by every other element in order to enhance your sense of immersion in that world.
Want to know more about GW2 and why there is so much buzz? Start here: Guild Wars 2 Mass Info for the Uninitiated
I can see swg to an extent but EVE to me is one of the least immersive games around.. its fun but nothing I'd call immersive.. but just differn't perspectives.. this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wYSzYSqd68 he talks some about other themeparks mostly and gives examples of how GW2 offers a much more immersive enviornment than other MMOs
I angered the clerk in a clothing shop today. She asked me what size I was and I said actual, because I am not to scale. I like vending machines 'cause snacks are better when they fall. If I buy a candy bar at a store, oftentimes, I will drop it... so that it achieves its maximum flavor potential. --Mitch Hedberg
rpg/mmorg history: Dun Darach>Bloodwych>Bards Tale 1-3>Eye of the beholder > Might and Magic 2,3,5 > FFVII> Baldur's Gate 1, 2 > Planescape Torment >Morrowind > WOW > oblivion > LOTR > Guild Wars (1900hrs elementalist) Vanguard. > GW2(1000 elementalist), Wildstar
Now playing GW2, AOW 3, ESO, LOTR, Elite D
If i may add this too
:
DE for me add pretty much to immersion of the game. They actually made the whole content somewhat... i dont know, well dynamic lol. You could actually tell that if that big Giant stays in that camp at Charr area, you will lose all those vendors and WP as long as he is there... a territory lost.
I dont know... i just stopped looking at them as DEs... i see them rather as random encounters in PnP, something that happen to your character in a world 'all of a sudden'. Maybe if one stop actually "hunting" them and rather just get into them on the fly, they can add to immersion.
Or, is it maybe just me...
Main MMO at the moment: Guild Wars 2
Waiting for: Pathfinder Online
From my limited one hour play time, I feel the immersion is similar to Aion - a very beautiful, detailed world that seems like a living painting. It doesn't really feel like a real world, though. It's very beautiful and very artificial.
"Forums aren't for intelligent discussion; they're for blow-hards with unwavering opinions."
I think the key here is what you get immersed in doing, and somewhat seeing. I can see why some may feel GW2 immerses them more than typical Themepark MMO's. THe world is designed in a way that simulates it as living. That makes perfect sense to me.
However, for me NPC's and world layouts aren't what immerses me into an MMO. Rather the tools in place for player interdependancy is what I look for and what "brings me into the experience". EVE and SWG do(did) this well, by simulating a living atmosphere between players. Need something, seek out a player to make it, or visit a player run shop to buy it, that kind of thing. EVE has the whole shipping/protecting/pirating thing going on, not to mention deep player politics. These are the types of things that Immerse me.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
ill repeat myself a little here Distopia:
'If many can immerse in the game ( and that's not very common in mmorgs) but you don't, then considering immersion is 50% game effort and 50% player engagement, you need to ask yourself honestly, what is it about myself that prevents my immersion- because that's the variable element here.
To add, in Beta there is no real community, community evolves over time with real emotional commitment, so far far too early to judge on that, but considering the mechanics in place to encourage co-operative rather than competitive or 'silo' behaviour it looks like the game is fullfilling its requirements, down to the players now.
rpg/mmorg history: Dun Darach>Bloodwych>Bards Tale 1-3>Eye of the beholder > Might and Magic 2,3,5 > FFVII> Baldur's Gate 1, 2 > Planescape Torment >Morrowind > WOW > oblivion > LOTR > Guild Wars (1900hrs elementalist) Vanguard. > GW2(1000 elementalist), Wildstar
Now playing GW2, AOW 3, ESO, LOTR, Elite D
differn't strokes I suppose.. I get what you are saying and I know how sandbox games can be immersive. Sandbox can be great and very immersive but it still depends how its implemented and what the games worlds are like. Single player games to me can be very immersive in games such as Skyrim or even the Mass Effect games. For me in this respect it's more of how the world is presented and how the npcs interact with the world. When you run through a zone in most games you will pretty much see the exact same npcs/mobs in the exact same areas doing the exact same thing each time you visit that zone. GW2 to me breaks this up this better than any MMO I have played and honestly I could talk about it all day but think the videos I have in my Sig in "The World" section and the "DE" section show it better.
I angered the clerk in a clothing shop today. She asked me what size I was and I said actual, because I am not to scale. I like vending machines 'cause snacks are better when they fall. If I buy a candy bar at a store, oftentimes, I will drop it... so that it achieves its maximum flavor potential. --Mitch Hedberg
I agree Bladestrom. Plus some people go in with negative attitudes and grudges and thats how they will feel when they logout. If you take your theory of 50% game developers effort, 50% player engagement, and then throw in 100% positive attitude, you will have 200% fun at a small price of $60 for the rest of your life.
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
I sense a half full glass of milk
rpg/mmorg history: Dun Darach>Bloodwych>Bards Tale 1-3>Eye of the beholder > Might and Magic 2,3,5 > FFVII> Baldur's Gate 1, 2 > Planescape Torment >Morrowind > WOW > oblivion > LOTR > Guild Wars (1900hrs elementalist) Vanguard. > GW2(1000 elementalist), Wildstar
Now playing GW2, AOW 3, ESO, LOTR, Elite D
in before some jaded, burned out, sick of this kind of genre states something over simplified and unreasonable.
never mind already happened...
The games world is incredibly immersive. yes the starter zones are simple to help you get the hang of the game but I guess if you can't see past "start zones" which typically in any game are simple and easy, then there is no use trying to debate how wonderful this game is.
I'm all about immersion and if anything breaks that for me I can't play a game. like TSW the lore and world are amazing but the movement, character animations and combat animations / mechanics are totally horrid so it breaks immersion for me because you spend 90% of your time watching your character in action. Also TERA and its clunky choppy stop and go combat which is supposed to be sooooo amazing just gave me a headache for the entire 32 levels I played...
I'm not the type that overlooks garbage, as stated above, just because other aspects of the game supposedly "make up for it", to me that is giving excuses for more devs to provide yet more crappy games... No Thank You!!!
This game your character feels part of the world, you feel connected to everything around you. Sounds, attention to detail, and so many other hidden little treasures make this, Tyria, feel incredibly alive. Your character even talks, telling you to heal your pet, move out of damaging aoe circles or exclaiming celebrations of activity. NPC's are not static and you can find hidden NPC's who can offer you events to set out on an adventure you wouldn't otherwise have known of.
I really get tired of reading people who can't figure out that they are burned out on MMORPG's, / Theme parks and take it out on the game instead of being reasonable about their expectations. I guess I can't expect much because I'll just be called a fanboi... Cars are all cars but there is a difference between a Toyota corolla and a Ferrari... everything up until now has been a toyota corolla compared to the GW2 Ferrari!!! >_<
If you aren't tired of themepark with a great feel of open world exploration fantasy MMORPG then this game will blow your socks off. On the other hand if your burned out on this type of genre then of course your going to over simplify, generalize, and think same ol same ol blah blah blah.
Don't judge this game as a Sandbox, because it simply isn't, it is a Themepark with a GIGANTIC world that gives you reward for exploration. Trying to judge this game compared to sandbox is an injustice to this game. Compare apples to apples not apples to chile peppers.
IamApropos
See where adventure will lead you!
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