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How Metascores Are Calculated
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4 Elements
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
 GAMES: 
Guild Wars takes the best elements of today's massively multiplayer online games and combines them with a new mission-based design that eliminates the tedium of those games. You can meet new friends in towns or outposts, form a party, and then go tackle a quest together. Your party always has its own unique copy of the quest map, so camping, kill-stealing, and long lines to complete quests are all things of the past. Within a quest you have unprecedented freedom and power to manipulate the world around you: your magic can build bridges and open up new pathways, or it can burn down forests and tear the ground asunder. You don't have to spend countless hours on a leveling treadmill to get to the interesting parts of the game, because combat is designed to be strategically interesting and challenging right from the beginning. You don't have to spend hours running around the world to prepare for a quest, because Guild Wars allows you to instantly travel to the beginning of any quest that you've previously unlocked. You'll never spend days playing only to discover that choices you made early on have left you with a permanently uncompetitive character, because the unique skill system in Guild Wars allows infinite experimentation but doesn't allow bad decisions to ruin a character. And you'll never meet new players only to discover that you can't play with them or compete against them because their characters are on a different server than yours; in Guild Wars, all characters live in one seamless world. [NCsoft]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 100
Detroit Free Press
We were overwhelmed by the huge range of top-quality gameplay that's available here for $49.99 (USD) with no online fees.
 100
Computer Games Magazine
The look of Guild Wars is magnificent. [Aug 2005, p.84]
98
Xequted
A revolutionary title that has completely redefined the possibilities contained within this oversaturated and rather tired genre.
96
Loaded Inc
Guild Wars will be in my hard drive for a very long time. I anticipate that this game probably will pull quite a few people away from the pay-per month MMORPG’s that are currently out there and will develop a very strong following.
95
BonusStage
Anyone looking for an engrossing online RPG experience without a monthly fee draining your wallet, Guild Wars is the game you simply must own.
95
Computer Games Online RO
The success of Guild Wars lays in the lack of a monthly fee as well as in its core principles and game mechanics. This has attracted an important number of casual players, which are very happy that they can play PvP without having to invest a lot of time into repetitive actions, focusing instead on learning and developing new tactics and strategies.
94
Computer and Video Games
Guild Wars is all about the gaming experience and that experience is one of absolute pleasure from moment to moment. [PC Zone]
94
Gamer's Hell
One of the best MMORPGs on the market today. Whether you are drawn in by the unique guild system, the intense PvP battles, or the even the visually stunning graphics, any gamer can find a reason to play Guild Wars.
93
ActionTrip
Everyone can enjoy the easily accessible combat, the deep-as-you-want-to-go strategy elements of the skill and spell system and amazing visuals.
93
GameZone
A thoroughly enjoyable, fast-paced adventure in a wonderfully rendered world. Guild Wars does a lot of things very right, including some of the best PvP in a current MMO, and does so with a flair and style that is addicting and a joy to play.
93
netjak
Guild Wars is an incredibly immersive and addicting gaming experience, and with new quests being added to the game and the promise of expansion packs for the game, it looks like we’re all going to be hooked for a long, long time.
92
Pelit (Finland)
A great online RPG with no monthly fee.
Requires real skill unlike its competitors. [July 05]
92
GameSpot
It innovatively and successfully combines many of the best, most addictive properties of action RPGs, online RPGs, and competitive multiplayer games in one beautifully produced package, which offers a tremendous lasting value yet none of the monthly fees typically associated with online-only games.
92
Gamers' Temple
Masterfully blends the best of MMORPGs and collectible card games into a unique and enjoyable online gaming experience.
91
Gamezilla!
Guild Wars is extremely pretty, with some amazing art design, an excellent graphics engine, and a unique glow system.
91
Worth Playing
While you're trying to decide whether or not to throw down the $50, I'm going to keep thanking ArenaNet for making such an exceptional game and raising the bar on other developers, particularly in terms of the graphics engine, patching and content streaming.
91
Jolt Online Gaming UK
You just really need to know that it plays brilliantly, like an action-orientated version of more traditional MMORPGs. The scope of the PvE alone would justify the price, but the PvP aspect truly sweetens the deal to the point where you really can’t say no.
91
PC Format
Nearly perfect drop-in, drop-out fantasy fun. Top-notch stuff. [July 2005, p.91]
90
PALGN
The graphics in this virtual world are amazing. The characters are rendered beautifuliy, and they move and interact with the environment perfectly. The system requirements for this game is low but the graphics are still spectacular.
90
Pelaaja (Finland)
Guild Wars is a beautiful product on every level. It’s technically faultless, the plot is exciting and the many small improvements to the genre, which are too many to name here, help make this a game that comes highly recommended to all fans of online RPGs.
And there’s not even a monthly fee to pay! [July 2005, p 73]
90
RewiredMind
To not buy this just because you don't 'see the point', want to 'use guns and rockets and stuff' is just cutting your nose off to spite your face. You will have fun playing this, and with no monthly fees, you can afford to.
90
Games Radar
You won’t experience the same feeling of immersion that you’d get from playing World of Warcraft or EverQuest II as the game loads you and your party to areas separated from the rest of the players online every time you leave town, which makes playing Guild Wars feel more like a 3D version of Diablo II at times.
90
eToychest
A great game. It has a few problems, but the gameplay is fun, the PvP combat is balanced and refreshing, the storyline is engrossing, and the entire experience is superb.
90
GameShark
While it is unquestionably about fighting other guilds after you reach the cap, there is also a very solid PvE (player vs. environment) game as well.
90
AceGamez
Everything about this game is slick and snappy, so there's never a dull moment. If the quest you're on gets a little boring, sign up for some PVP action and kick some human ass.
90
Play Magazine
You don't need to be an experienced MMO player to have fun with this game, and you don't need a beast of a PC to run the game smoothly. [July 2005, p.80]
90
Game Chronicles
The world of Kryta is still evolving, as is the game of Guild Wars. This first Guild Wars falls short of legendary status, but from what I’ve seen the Guild Wars series may yet find its place in the PC Hall of Heroes.
90
Computer Gaming World
The player economy, crafting aspects, and general sociability aren't nearly what they are in a full-fledged MMORPG, and even ArenaNet labels Guild Wars a "competitive RPG." Still, for less-social gamers thirsting for high-octane, real-time online action without a monthly fee, Guild Wars is a solid choice.
90
Yahoo! Games
If tedious leveling up, dull combat, or uninspired player vs. player gaming are your quibbles with today's massively multiplayer offerings, Guild Wars is the cure.
90
Inside Gamer Online
It’s impossible to describe the joy playing Guild Wars offers. It isn’t particularly deep, but it’s highly rewarding nonetheless. A friendly design and interface, and the simple, elegant combat, are bound to appeal to a wide range of gamers.
90
1UP
Few games of this nature began their life so smoothly, as even the massive influx of players on launch date and beyond did little to disrupt the enjoyment of the game.
90
Boomtown
The game does look quite good, especially considering that it’s not very taxing on your computer.
90
IGN
Aggro is aggravating, and party organizing could use a tune-up, but combat, travel and general smoothness are excellent.
90
Gamers Depot
The graphics, sound, playability and diverse atmosphere make it one of the more compelling RPGs we’ve played to date. It does a decent job of being a lot of things to many and does so with ample amounts of grace.
90
GameSpy
It's totally new and different. There's nothing else like this on the market. And it's a PvP fan's dream. But the big thing that pushes Guild Wars into must-have territory is the fact that there's no monthly fee.
90
2404.org
I said it before but I’ll say it again, not having monthly fees is awesome! That way I don’t feel compelled to have to play it as much as possible to get my money’s worth.
90
EuroGamer
The array of character builds and focus on warring guilds makes it a dream for those who enjoy online rucks. The more off-line adventurer has a huge world and extensive plot to fight their way through.
90
Cheat Code Central
Guild Wars is my kind of MMO RPG game. It's as though my complaints have been addressed and someone has crafted an almost perfect example of an online, multi-player, role-playing game.
88
Game Informer
Just don't go into it expecting to satisfy your raging leveling and loot addictions. [July 2005, p.124]
88
Armchair Empire
What really makes the game work so well is the pacing of the combat, coupled with a story that one actually wants to experience.
86
The New York Times
The game is easy to learn and immediately engaging, but also offers more complex features like the ability to break down refuse into component parts for making armor. The game's graphics are gorgeous, with grand ruins set in ravaged deserts.
86
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
And because much of the content streams directly from the servers, it is also endlessly flexible, completely modular and ripe for future developments. It's going to be one of the most important games of this year and years to come. [PC Gamer UK]
85
PC Gamer
A superb multiplayer RPG that moves the boundaries of what an MMO can be. [Aug 2005, p.64]
85
Gamers Europe
It manages to balance player vs. player and co-operative modes far better than its competition, simply by having two types of character.
84
VGPub
It does succeed at offering something very unique: a cross between team-based action and RPG elements. It simply depends on what you’re tastes are.
82
My Gamer
The character creation flexibility is a real strong point in an overall solid title, one that I hope other developers take note of.
80
G4 TV
Casual gamers can feel free to jump in and play for a few hours a week without worrying about getting their money’s worth, while more dedicated players can spend hours and hours earning abilities for their characters through quests and recognition for their guild through tournaments.
80
games(TM)
Although it may lack the sense of immersion that titles like World of Warcraft and City of Heroes provide, it’s a classic example of an ‘easy to pick up, hard to put down’ title. [July 2005, p.120]
80
GamePro
One area where Guild Wars sets itself apart from other MMOs are the environments; they are flat-out the most impressive, especially when seeing that even lower-end rigs can run the game at a respectable frame rate.
80
GamerFeed
The classes are well balanced, and there is an impressive list of spells and skills available to players to pick and choose from.
80
Total Video Games
Guild Wars represents a continued refinement of the staple concepts that the genre is built around; it may not shake the apple-tree, but the experience does feel refreshingly different to other games in the genre.
75
Game Revolution
The story isn’t compelling, the PvE gameplay isn’t deep and it definitely won't feed you grapes, but this double-edged sword mostly cuts the right way.
70
Edge Magazine
At its best only when the structure is there to support it. Find eight people to play with regularly, and invest in voice communications to streamline tactical discussions, and Guild Wars offers an intelligent and demanding thrill - bringing the best of the skill and strategy of FPS deathmatches to the grandeur of a role-playing world. [Aug 2005, p.88]
BS G. gave it a10: Alberto gave it a10: zdogjr gave it a10: Joe S. gave it a7: [Anonymous] gave it a7: Johnny M. gave it a10: Philip BS gave it a9: |
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