When Guild Wars was initially released in 2005, it brought with it the kind of gameplay that was a bit unique in the sense that the game was not completely another MMORPG title that competed for players on the Internet at the time. Though sporting the usual MMORPG features like multiplayer gaming, grinding to level up, and the pervasive "Hack and Slash" PVE trademark exploration which defined such games of the kind, Guild Wars was more of a solo/multiplayer Online RPG adventure game that players could thoroughly enjoy.

The Guild Wars Gameplay

At its basic core, the game follows the true and tried concept of a party-based RPG adventure game popularized by such classics as Dungeon Siege, Baldur's Gate, the Ultima Series, and other games of the sort. Being online, Guild Wars provided the opportunity for cooperative gameplay between gamers who logged into the game, however, Guild Wars added a couple of unique features that endeared the game to players back then.

Party-based didn't necessarily mean other online players. A player could play the game and complete quests in Solo mode and recruit AI-based Heroes and/or Henchmen to accompany you on a quest, thus forming a party. This is normal with single-player-based RPG adventure games where your companions are bots with their own storylines, personalities, and special abilities which contribute to the group.

The other feature is what Guild Wars is well known for, "Guild Wars", the guild-based PVP mode which provides multiplayer tournament-based gaming separate from the adventure aspect of the game. Many players played (and still play) the game for this party-based combat match mode which gave Guild Wars an additional aspect or plus to its core gaming features as a player could switch from an ongoing main adventure to joining one's party to a tournament and alliance match should one decide to do so.

The Guild Wars Environment

Guild Wars however is nostalgically well known and remembered for its character creation and attributes, and the awesome huge, and exotic world environments not to mention the unique denizens and immersive narrative of the game that kept players returning for more.

The game released three additional expansions to the initial episode called Prophecies, which featured a Western Medieval environment. The expansions were released in succession through the years and include Guild Wars Factions, Nightfall, and Eye of the North. Each one added features, narratives, and new environments for the loyal following to enjoy.

The game, however, has been left unchanged for more than a decade, so those coming back to the game will basically find practically everything familiar from when they left off. This provides a very strong nostalgic influence, especially for the veteran players who dutifully played the game during the years it was first introduced. Many of whom were kids back then, and have kids of their own today.

The Guild Wars Characters

Character creation in Guild Wars is a complex yet also a fun and immersive process. One has to take detailed care in creating their character build by combining just the right attributes, skills, and professions to ensure as many advantages their avatars will possess throughout the game.

Creating the best (or perfect character build) is not easy and sometimes, trial-and-error may be the only way to know. Characters do level up so attributes and skills can be added as the game progresses, but nevertheless, thinking out your character's characteristics from the very start may practically make or break your combat encounters and adventures.

The Guild Wars Longetivity

As Guild Wars was released in 2005, it's a wonder that the game (and its expansions) are up and running with a dedicated, loyal, and sizeable enough player base to keep the game going for a lot longer. That's 20 straight years of being online and something a few games are able to achieve like say CounterStrike.

In instances like this, besides the game being a bit old with its defined well known limitations like Guild Wars character movements can be clunky at times as not being able to directly climb and have to go around instead, the fact, however, that players are still very much into the game says it all.

Recently celebrating its 20th anniversary with a strong and dedicated player community who regularly engage in event challenges and continue to visit/revisit the lands, the dungeons, and go questing with the campaigns, the game looks to be holding itself up very well.

The Guild Wars Interation

The popularity of Guild Wars over the years has led to its enhanced MMORPG iteration, Guild Wars 2. Guild Wars 2 is still Guild Wars yet different and advanced in many ways to the point that it can no longer be considered as an expansion of, or the same game.

Guild Wars 2 is more of an action and combat-based MMORPG that relies heavily on skill-to-weapon-based leveling abilities like dodging, combo-based combat mechanics, target aiming, and other fluid and dynamic gameplay actions and responses. These features are what make Guild Wars 2 stand out even among many of the modern MMORPGs of today.

Though continuing to provide awesome and beautiful gaming environments as its predecessor, the lands and expansions differ from Guild Wars in that they are player-reactive worlds that are continually updated to provide fresh content to the game as compared to the static (though nostalgic) lands that Guild Wars will continue to have.

Guild Wars 2 retains the PvE and PvP features the original game has and has acquired its own loyal following and community over the years since its first release in 2012. Regardless, whether gamers have played the original Guild Wars or have no experience whatsoever with the original, the Guild Wars 2 player base nevertheless continues to support the legacy that was started in 2005.

To this, whether one decides to play Guild Wars 2 or the venerable original Guild Wars, both are available and active with a loyal following of their own, ensuring that the game is very much worth getting into in today's gaming world despite the classic status that they have.

Guild Wars is available on Steam for those who are interested.

Note: Images on this article are from Steam.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1284210/Guild_Wars_2/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/29540/Guild_Wars_Game_of_the_Year_Edition/