Guild Wars 2 is the follow up to ArenaNet’s Guild Wars, which was released for Microsoft Windows way back in April 2005. Aside from the usual graphic and performance enhancements, as well as added features within the game, Guild Wars 2 also employs a dynamic level adjustment system where characters are scaled up or down depending on the situation. This feature, which is also applicable during PvP modes, makes the game more fair especially with regards to lower level players, and it also makes for a more challenging affair as all content can be considered as “end game” content, regardless of how high your current level is.
With regards to leveling up, there is hardly any grinding necessary in order to achieve the maximum level of 80, replacing the low level cap of 20 from its predecessor, as it would only take about 90 minutes or less in order to level up. Guild Wars 2 also contains a variety of different ways by which players can earn experience points in order to reach the same level, and these can be attained not only during the player’s main storyline or quest, but also by making side quests and performing other tasks and actions available within the game.
You can fully explore the world of Guild Wars 2 and participate in quests, which are essentially tasks asked of you by NPCs. These are one of the main sources of experience within the game. Some tasks need not even require players to talk to the NPC in question, as being near them would automatically add that quest to your list, where you would be able to see your progress for each particular task, which may include killing animals, collecting items, or talking to other characters. These have to be done within the requesting NPCs vicinity, however, as progress would not be updated if you stray too far away. Come back, though, and you can pick up where you left off with the quest.
Multiple quests can also be done at a time, and one action can, in essence, move towards the progression of multiple quests lined up in the list. Quests can be found strewn all over different areas, and can be recognized with NPCs having a black heart symbol over their heads.
Events, in turn, are spontaneous occurrences that appear from time to time. Groups of people can participate in these Events, and each person in the group can cooperate with the team in order to complete the task at hand. Some Events even trigger a series of other Events, so you have to closely monitor these happenings on your map. Completing Events, regardless of your participation, will also earn you cash, experience, as well as karma, which is an alternate form of currency that you can use to purchase superior items, gear, and equipment. Events are also repeatable most of the time, so players can come back after some time and participate again and again.
Vistas are hard to reach locations that, once reached, will also help you earn experience. Reaching vistas would require you to think on how to traverse the location, and may even require players to talk to NPCs so that they may be teleported to another area which would bring them closer to their intended destination. Not only will Vistas help players level up, but they would also be able to enjoy the grand view at the location, granted that they can take full advantage of the great graphic and detail included within the game. Vistas are marked with a pair of red jagged lines resembling mountain peaks on your map.
Skill challenges are also available within the game, and these can also help you level up faster, as well as provide opportunities to further improve on your character. Skill challenges will earn players with skill points, which are in turn used to purchase the various skills that can be equipped in the game. Skill challenges, like Events, can also be done in groups, with all participants being rewarded, as well.
Another way to get extra experience points is by reaching certain Points of Interest within the map. Points of Interest act like Vistas, in the sense that they can provide you with experience simply by reaching them. These, which are marked off in your map via small squares, can also help players be able to better navigate through the levels, and they can also serve as markers for Events, especially when they are located in more obscure locations. Not only that, but you can also maximize and take advantage of the vast environment and world included within the game.
Lastly, Jumping Puzzles are paths that can be crossed by jumping, with traps and enemies most probably blocking your progression. Players will not be rewarded if they are knocked down, though they could repeat the challenge multiple times. Completing Jumping Puzzles will also earn players experience points, though it can be said that doing it this way can also be a bit of a challenge.
These are but some of the many ways that players can level up faster. Of course, they could just grind away and kill whatever enemies that they see, but doing the above can not only make leveling up more enjoyable, but it can also give you a sense of completeness as you and other members of your group cooperate towards a common goal, and it also provides players with full access to every single element of what is available within Guild Wars 2.
Leveling up is also extremely important despite the previously mentioned level scaling available within the game. Leveling up allows you to access certain skills and equipment, and quests require a certain level before a player can perform them. Thus, players are encouraged to participate in the above quests and missions aside from their respective main storylines so that they would be able to level up quicker, and they would be able to see what the land of Tyria has to offer them much more completely. All of these can be done alone, but it can be more fun when done as a group, adding a mix of cooperation as well as competition in the process.
Explore the land of Tyria and perform anything that is both implicitly and explicitly asked for you, and you are ensured of earning not only cash and loot, but experience as well. This way, players can fully appreciate the vast world that was designed for this game, and you will not miss out on all the elements strewn together to make Guild Wars 2 what it is. Do not be afraid to switch from area to area, and participate in quests and Events whenever you can. Guild Wars 2 encourages cooperative play, and you will be able to find the completion of tasks to be much easier and quicker. Explore hidden areas for a gold mine in experience as well, although the enjoyment can also come not only from the rewards, but from the journey as well.
Guild Wars 2 is available for both the Windows PC and the Mac OS. It was developed by ArenaNet and was published by NCSoft. It was released last August 28, 2012.