Only good for casual players.
This is my first game review ever written. I generally pass on getting involved into stuff like this. However, GW Factions is really asking for it.
Most of the reviewers on this site are hyping up this game, claiming that this is either the best MMO out there, or the cheapest MMO (since it does not have a monthly fee). And I want to correct that.
This is a good game all means. It is an online game which is free, and people rush to call this an MMO. However, it is not, and it was never meant to be an MMO.
It is simply a game, that is bound impress you at first, then keep you hooked for a while, after which you will get bored and grow out of.
The game does not charge a monthly fee. You can buy it and play it forever. However, A.Net plans to release this "expansion packs," every 6 months. Which means if you want the latest content you will end up paying $100 per year. That is cheaper than most MMO subscriptions but not amazingly cheaper (A WOW subscription for a year is $156, and there are MMOs cheaper than that. )
So most reviewers hype up this game a lot on this $56 difference on the game price. However, I doubt that most of them played an MMO, because an MMO has A LOT MORE to offer.
( A note here as an example: having the two GW games, gives you 6 character slots. A MMO gives you an infinite number. If you decide to purchase more, they cost $10 a piece. You can quickly see how the gap in price becomes even smaller.)
I have mention before, this game seems very impressive at first. However, if you played an MMO, you realize that this game does not have much depth behind it. The economic system is... inexistent compared to an MMO, the items are very dull, and never make you feel very powerful, or special... The story is very linear - play it one time, and the fantasy is gone... etc. There are way too many things missing in this game, in order for someone to bring it in the league of MMOs.
It is true that you pay less, but you get a lot less as well.
Also, the fact that the game does not force you to pay a monthly fee, but it gives you a choice to upgrade to the new "expansions," is not a good thing. Some people will decide to shell out the extra $50 for the new content while others won't. Thus the community splits every time between expansions. I was part of a clan of 8 people. I am the only one who wanted to buy factions... The others stuck to the original GW. In order to play with my friends... I'll still have to play GW, and not Factions.
If you have not played GW, this maybe worth checking out. However, if you did... you have to be very careful.
For example for me it's a really turn off, that out of factions, I'm not getting much, although I'm paid $50 for it (more than I paid for the first one).
1. I personally am not interested in the new character classes at all. I love to play as a Monk or a Mesmer. Assasin or Ritualist... are not for me.
2. Also the new skils that they offer, are not that new. As a general rule in GW, a lot of the skills are duplicate or very similar between themselves. The skills in Factions are no different.
3. PVP is pretty good, but nothing really new....
And thus from a $50 expansion pack, I got what? Just a couple more missions?
So if you are a GW player, be careful to find something in Factions that you want because otherwise, you'll pay for nothing.
As a new player that never played GW before, and does not have a lot of time for gaming, factions is worth checking out. It gives you access to all the character classes... skills etc from the original one, so you may have some fun.
However if you game a lot, and you have time for it, go buy yourself an MMO. The lack of depth in this game, makes it good for the casual player, but very boring for hardcore players.
I want GW to succeed. I really do. I think there are way too many MMOs that charge a monthly fee without offering much in return. However, before GW can succeed A.Net has a lot more work to do. This game simply does not compete with the good MMOs in the industry. Not even in price!