Common Sense Media Review
By Carolyn Koh
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Beautiful fantasy MMO with rich story but violent combat.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Guild Wars 2
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say the game is recognized for its educational potential and creativity, often helping players improve their vocabulary and math skills while interacting in a social setting. Many reviews highlight its impressive graphics, engaging storylines, and dynamic events, though they also caution about minor violence, language, and mature themes, suggesting it’s suitable for teens and older with some parental guidance.
- education benefits
- creative gameplay
- social interaction
- minor violence
- suitable for teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
GUILD WARS 2 is a sequel to the original Guild Wars and advances the story of the mythical, fantasy world of Tyria. Set some 250 years after the defeat of the Great Destroyer in the Eye of the North expansion, the various races must unite in order to defeat the elder dragons who are set to take over the world. Guild Wars 2 is a true MMOG with an open and persistent world. Gamers have a personal story and quest line, and they will create a character from a combination of eight races and five professions. The race and profession determines the skills the character has access to and like the previous game, Guild Wars 2 uses a skill-based combat system where players choose the skills they want to bring into combat with them from a wide pool.
Is It Any Good?
Guild Wars 2 has a fully fleshed out story and players have a personal story line to play through, which is determined at character creation by selection of pieces of story that form the character's background and personality. The game art and animation is second to none and realistic enough to keep immersion high. Voiced cutscenes using the player's character keep players involved as the story unfolds, and dynamic events make the world seem alive. While there were some issues at launch with server stability and the player auction house, the game is fun, immersive, and there's plenty to do (crafting, trading, socializing, exploring, mini-games) outside of combat. The trend of dancing in town squares continues in Guild Wars 2 with the large number of dance animations that are available.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about personal safety while online. What should you not share online? How can you trust someone you just met online?
Families can also talk about online etiquette and behavior. What effect does online anonymity have on people's behavior?
Game Details
- Platform : Windows
- Subjects : Language & Reading : reading , Social Studies : power structures
- Skills : Collaboration : cooperation , meeting challenges together , teamwork , Responsibility & Ethics : learning from consequences , Self-Direction : work to achieve goals
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : NCsoft
- Release date : September 3, 2012
- Genre : Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG)
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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