Guild Wars is a very flexible game. There are a lot of ways to have fun in it, some of which don't involve fighting. Guild Wars is built to make a lot of the "griefing" (for example,loot stealing) that can happen in older games like Diablo II less likely. It's possible to play the whole game using computer-controlled henchmen, but it's more fun to play with others that you know, and the game supports "Guilds" to let you stay in touch with your friends and help you play together. The online chat is configurable so you can shut off various aspects of it (for example, you can set it up to only show the player "guild chat"). If a parent were to link the child's guild wars account to the parent's email account and got the child into a family friendly guild, the game would be pretty safe as far as Massively Multiplayer Online games go. Having no monthly fee is a bonus if you think your child may lose interest in the game.
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Guild Wars
(2005, Online Video Game - Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOG), Rated T, Play it on: Windows)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Free-to-play online fantasy role-playing game.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–15
The good stuff
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What to watch out for
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of Guild Wars was written by Dwight Odelius
Parents need to know that combat is an integral part of this massively multiplayer online game (MMOG), and players will attack and kill computer and human-controlled opponents with swords and other medieval weaponry. There is no blood. Parents also should be aware that costumes can be mildly racy and players can take off their character's clothes down to their underwear. Like all MMOGs, Guild Wars is an online game with online communication can be unpredictable. Parents should take note that, unlike other MMOGs, this game does not charge a monthly subscription fee.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about online safety with their teenage children. Why shouldn't you give out personal details online? Is everyone always who they claim to be? What does effect does online anonymity have on people's behavior? Families can also discuss Guild Wars' unusual business model. How can a company make money if no one pays a subscription fee?
More on Guild Wars
What’s the Story?
GUILD WARS, also known as Guild Wars: Prophecies, is the first in a trio of games that allow the player to explore and quest in an online mythical fantasy world. The story, which is surprisingly engaging, concerns an ancient prophecy on the fictitious continent of Tyria and puts the player in the role of champion. Tyria is part of a vast fantasy world that includes other regions and continents. Those areas are also available for play in other Guild Wars games: Factions and Nightfall.
Players take on the role of a heroic character and battle against monsters and other players. They can design their own character using a mix-and-match system of skin colors, hair styles, magical abilities, and fighting skills. By questing and defeating computer-controlled monsters, the player's character gains experience, new abilities, and improved clothing and weapons. The quests are fairly easy, even if completed without the aid of other players. By the end of the main story, the character will reach level 20, the highest level in the game.
CloseIs It Any Good?
Outside the main storyline, players can fight against each other in player-versus-player (PvP) combat. Unlike many MMOGs, successful PvP play does not depend on players having better equipment or higher skills. In PvP mode, characters are outfitted with the highest level of equipment and skills, so that success in combat is largely dependent on the players' strategy and teamwork, and not just on the quality of their gear.
Guild Wars is a MMOG in a very loose sense of the term; the only thing that's "massively-multiplayer" about it are the large towns where players can meet to go on quests or PvP. The actual game areas are "instanced," meaning that teams get their own copy of the world to quest in. The upside of this is that it keeps costs down; the downside is that random encounters with fellow adventurers happen only in the city areas, providing less opportunity to form casual pick-up groups. That said, the benefit of playing such a game online is that players can team up with other players to tackle more challenging obstacles.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 04/28/2005, price $29.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T (for Use of Alcohol, Violence)
ESRB rating: T (for Use of Alcohol, Violence)
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
lots to do in the game and opportunity to interact online
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
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