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Review: Guild Wars: Factions – First 15

by Nick Haywood on 31 May 2006, 09:22

Tags: RPG

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qafub

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It's Guild Wars... but new...



After taking Connor Shadowbane (My Ascended character from the Prophecies campaign) over to Cantha I set out to find Mhenlo the healer and get started on the Chapter 2 campaign. First impressions of Guild Wars: Factions is that it’s exactly the same as previous Guild Wars… this is no bad thing as, seeing as Factions uses the same engine as Guild Wars, you get all the nice graphics when you run at maximum detail.

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With a game like this a first 15 minutes of play goes right out the window… it just sucks you in! I headed through the streets to meet up with Togo and into the first mission. Overall it took me around 40 minutes to get through the mission start to finish and I have to admit even though it’s similar to Prophecies I sat there battling away and enjoying Factions as much as I did the original campaign.

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As you can see from the screenshots, Guild Wars: Factions is looking to have another promising story with many hours game play. I have to admit that Factions is exactly the same as the Prophecies campaign in the way it works; only difference is the setting.

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Fans of the original campaign may find Factions a bit tiresome as it still suffers from the problems encountered in Prophecies. Getting into parties comes straight to mind, you can spend a good while trying to get a team together. Unfortunately you will get team mates dropping out due to dying and getting penalties which at times really sickens you whilst playing. Thankfully you still have the trusty NPC’s there if you want to go solo on the missions, albeit human players are a lot more helpful if you can get them.

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For new players Factions is a great way to get into the Guild Wars world with it being a standalone expansion. Prophecies players may want to have a long think before purchasing Factions; it seems to be aimed at the die hard fans out there like myself. With no monthly fees it suits my pocket perfectly, now where are the HEXUS Guild members and has anyone seen my axe…

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HEXUS Forums :: 4 Comments

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Posted by kalniel - Wed 31 May 2006 11:59
You can hardly argue with no subscription costs! :p
Posted by Kanoe - Wed 31 May 2006 12:49
As i own the original i was worried that i was going to find Factions samey and boring but the first mission area quickly dispelled that.

Having been used to 8 players in a mission to find that it teams your 8 up with another 8 to have 16 of you in there and a monster battle that rages for half an hour it certainly gets the heart pumping!

Great game to follow on from a great game!
Posted by Ferral - Wed 31 May 2006 22:56
I really enjoyed doing that preview.

Factions is definately a great addictive addon. Thing I really like about it is the fact the players that have never played Guild Wars Prophecies can pick it up and play as it doesn't require the origional.

From what you see of the cutscenes on the first mission the story is definately one worth watching and following.
Posted by Whiternoise - Sun 04 Jun 2006 03:04
I wondered about getting Guild Wars (because of the “freeness” and i can get one over on my friends who play Wow :P). Since the exams are about to start and finish, it might be a good way to relax afterwards. Plus.. assassin classes are always good..