Secrets of the Obscure Breathes New Life Into Guild Wars 2 — GeekTyrant

In my humble opinion, they knocked it out of the park! I freaking love Secrets and techniques of the Obscure. Certain, there are some rising pains, however general it is likely to be my favourite enlargement. The 2 areas that I wish to handle are the story general in addition to new/improved recreation mechanics/options. I’ll do my finest to maintain spoilers to an absolute minimal. Should you’re actually involved about all of that, simply know that as a lot as I liked the content material I skilled within the preview occasion, I’ve come to understand it much more post-launch.

I wish to begin by addressing the story. I liked it. As a result of we’re finished with the dragon cycle, the workforce had to determine new instructions to take us gamers. This has breathed some new life into the story. We’re launched to the Kryptis, reunite with outdated mates like Zojja, meet new mates that blow our minds, and extra. General, the story missions have been numerous enjoyable and it felt just like the workforce determined to experiment extra with some horror vibes and it labored! I’m not an enormous horror man, however there was new rigidity as we explored unknown territory figuratively and actually. You’re not partaking with Dragon’s Watch which provides to that rigidity and creates extra of a sense of trepidation and loneliness. The story-telling is top-notch.

My one criticism surrounding the story has to do with Kryptis rift occasions. General, I actually like rift occasions. Nevertheless, you continuously hit part of the story that’s simply, “full rift occasions till this meter is full.” I perceive wanting to verify gamers are accustomed to a brand new recreation function, however I may’ve finished with these sections being a little bit shorter.

As for the brand new recreation mechanics and options, I actually like most of them. I’m nonetheless ready to see what individuals give you concerning Weaponmaster Coaching (I’m not good at crafting builds), however I like how courses are being opened up with approach as a substitute of simply throwing one other elite specialization at us. I additionally like how the Skyscale has been made simpler to acquire because it’s very important to the gameplay in Secrets and techniques of the Obscure. I’m bummed that individuals who already unlocked the Skyscale must basically unlock it once more if we would like both of two issues: the brand new Kryptis Skyscale pores and skin through A New Look achievement and for a ton of Astral Acclaim (the forex for the Wizard’s Vault). Talking of the Skyscale, as talked about in my piece in regards to the preview occasion, the brand new masteries in Secrets and techniques of the Obscure do loads to make the Skyscale infinitely higher with the brand new fireball assault, the flexibility to make use of updrafts, and even the flexibility to mount throughout fight.

I wish to again up a bit and discuss in regards to the Wizard’s Vault. I do know there was a combined reception to it. I personally adore it. It feels extra consumer pleasant in outlining the totally different aims in comparison with the earlier system and it’s a lot faster to entry with a keybind. I additionally actually just like the Astral Acclaim system. There are some unimaginable issues you possibly can seize just like the beautiful new Griffon pores and skin, the legendary starter equipment, and even some simple gold. I additionally wish to acknowledge that the Wizard’s Vault just isn’t excellent. There are gadgets within the retailer which are ridiculously unhealthy offers, we had an goal to finish a really buggy mini-dungeon, and extra. Fortunately, ArenaNet does pay attention not less than generally and lately introduced the removing of that bugged mini-dungeon and so they’ve introduced that they’ll be including further aims. With the September 12 patch, gamers will likely be given 5 attainable each day aims to finish, however will nonetheless be required to solely full 4 to unlock the chest. This provides some flexibility that gamers have been wanting. I’m excited to see what occurs because the workforce additional fantastic tunes the Wizard’s Vault system.

Let’s discuss Kryptis proper occasions launched with Secrets and techniques of the Obscure. Other than my earlier gripe concerning their barely pressured inclusion within the story, I feel these are a improbable function. They scale to satisfy your occasion so you possibly can even solo them in the event you can’t discover a group, they don’t take too lengthy, and so they’re simple to search out. I form of want that the Coronary heart of the Obscure would constantly observe a rift so that you don’t must maintain urgent the button for it sometimes to ensure you’re nonetheless headed in the proper course.

I do wish to talk about Relics briefly. I feel ultimately these will likely be good. Sadly, ArenaNet has made the choice to make the tooltips not very useful. The tooltips let you know a common concept of what the Relic will do, and for some it supplies sufficient data. Nevertheless, others just like the Relic of Cerus simply says that it’ll summon an Eye of Cerus that offers injury. There’s no details about how lengthy the Eye of Cerus will final, how a lot injury it should deal, and many others. Very like the Wizard’s Vault, that is one thing that I hope continues to be smoothed out to be made extra useful.

On the finish of the day, Secrets and techniques of the Obscure is strictly the enlargement that I wished. The story feels recent in just a few other ways. The brand new rifts are enjoyable. I benefit from the Wizard’s Vault, and a lot extra. I extremely suggest grabbing the enlargement in the event you play Guild Wars 2.