In my humble opinion, they knocked it out of the park! I freaking love Secrets of the Obscure. Sure, there are some rising pains, however total it may be my favourite growth. The two areas that I need to handle are the story total in addition to new/improved sport mechanics/options. I’ll do my finest to maintain spoilers to an absolute minimal. If you’re really involved about all of that, simply know that as a lot as I cherished the content material I skilled in the preview occasion, I’ve come to understand it much more post-launch.
I need to begin by addressing the story. I cherished it. Because we’re accomplished with the dragon cycle, the crew 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 previous buddies like Zojja, meet new buddies that blow our minds, and extra. Overall, the story missions had been so much of enjoyable and it felt like the crew determined to experiment extra with some horror vibes and it labored! I’m not a giant horror man, however there was new stress as we explored unknown territory figuratively and actually. You’re not partaking with Dragon’s Watch which provides to that stress and creates extra of a sense of trepidation and loneliness. The story-telling is top-notch.
My one grievance surrounding the story has to do with Kryptis rift occasions. Overall, I actually like rift occasions. However, you continuously hit a component of the story that’s simply, “complete rift events until this meter is full.” I perceive wanting to ensure gamers are conversant in a brand new sport characteristic, however I may’ve accomplished with these sections being slightly shorter.
As for the new sport mechanics and options, I actually like most of them. I’m nonetheless ready to see what individuals provide you with concerning Weaponmaster Training (I’m not good at crafting builds), however I like how lessons are being opened up with manner as an alternative of simply throwing one other elite specialization at us. I additionally like how the Skyscale has been made simpler to acquire because it’s important to the gameplay in Secrets of the Obscure. I’m bummed that individuals who already unlocked the Skyscale need to basically unlock it once more if we would like both of two issues: the new Kryptis Skyscale pores and skin by way of A New Look achievement and for a ton of Astral Acclaim (the foreign money for the Wizard’s Vault). Speaking of the Skyscale, as talked about in my piece about the preview occasion, the new masteries in Secrets of the Obscure do so much to make the Skyscale infinitely higher with the new fireball assault, the capacity to make use of updrafts, and even the capacity to mount throughout fight.
I need to again up a bit and speak about the Wizard’s Vault. I do know there was a combined reception to it. I personally like 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 like the Astral Acclaim system. There are some unbelievable issues you’ll be able to seize like the beautiful new Griffon pores and skin, the legendary starter package, and even some simple gold. I additionally need to acknowledge that the Wizard’s Vault isn’t good. There are gadgets in the retailer which can be ridiculously dangerous offers, we had an goal to finish a really buggy mini-dungeon, and extra. Thankfully, ArenaNet does pay attention at the very least typically 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 might be given 5 attainable every 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 as the crew additional effective tunes the Wizard’s Vault system.
Let’s speak about Kryptis proper occasions launched with Secrets of the Obscure. Apart from my earlier gripe concerning their barely pressured inclusion in the story, I feel these are a improbable characteristic. They scale to satisfy your get together so you’ll be able to even solo them for those who 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 Heart of the Obscure would constantly observe a rift so that you don’t need to preserve urgent the button for it now and again to be sure to’re nonetheless headed in the proper course.
I do need to focus on Relics briefly. I feel finally these might be good. Unfortunately, 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 gives sufficient data. However, others 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 is going to deal, and many others. Much like the Wizard’s Vault, that is one thing that I hope continues to be smoothed out to be made extra useful.
At the finish of the day, Secrets of the Obscure is precisely the growth that I needed. The story feels contemporary in a couple of alternative ways. The new rifts are enjoyable. I get pleasure from the Wizard’s Vault, and a lot extra. I extremely suggest grabbing the growth for those who play Guild Wars 2.
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