Supposedly, Guild Wars 2 is bustling with activity and it’s alive and well. As someone whose max character is now level 20 in the game, I have to say that the newbie areas are a very solitary experience. I rarely see another player in the game, except in the main cities. I wouldn’t really have a problem with this (after all, I sort of like the solo nature of the WoW leveling experience) but there are so many exciting group events and Champion/Veteran mobs all over the place! It makes it very difficult for a lowbie running around trying to explore and adventure by themselves. It reminds me of back in the day with EverQuest 2 when there were linked group mobs everywhere with triple up arrows ^^^ and if you tried to pull the group while solo you would be creamed. That was an equally un-fun experience.
I remember playing GW2 the first week of release and it was so exciting to see all the people running around and working together on the group quests. I had some of my most fun ever when it was me, a ton of strangers, and a big baddy duking it out. But now, I can’t help but feel sad at the desolate zones and get disappointed when I have to walk away from some group events that are too difficult for me.
So, I found playing my level 20 Human Ranger to be kind of boring. I ran around Kessex Hills a bit, completed a few hearts. But then I found that I was level 20 and all the events were level 22 and I didn’t want to grind mobs to level up. I tried to explore but every vista I was attempting to discover was in a place that I couldn’t figure out how to get to! Argh! I decided to make alts. I tried out a Charr Guardian and decided that I really enjoyed the class but hated their newbie orange zone (a la The Barrens). I then decided that I wanted to try out a Norn and I liked it a lot but I hated the thief class. So then I made a Sylvari Guardian and really had a lot of fun with her. I’m only level 4, but I think I’ll stick with her for awhile.
I feel kind of ‘mixed’ about Guild Wars 2. On one hand, I love the exploration. I love the beautiful environments, and the graphics are gorgeous. I’m kind of moderately into the combat. I like the events that feel spontaneous, and the classes are interesting. On the other hand, the only time I’ve done WvW I didn’t understand how to play it. I’m just not sure that it’s for me. I wonder how fun this game is at end game if you don’t PvP? Or, could I learn how to be decent at PvP and actually have fun in it? Time will tell I suppose. If there are any great comprehensive and noob-friendly guides to WvW, I’d love to read them.
CuppyVille 
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