Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns
By Franklin Rinaldi,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Epic fantasy MMO expansion vastly improves gameplay, story.
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Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns
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GW2 Heart of Thorns & Base Game
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What’s It About?
GUILD WARS 2: HEART OF THORNS is an expansion pack for the popular Guild Wars 2 massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). Elder Dragon Mordremoth has been awoken deep in the Maguuma Jungle, and all are in danger as the Jungle Dragon spreads its tendrils out across Tyria. With new terrain, manufactured minions, and spreading distrust, players will be up against unimaginable odds to defeat Mordremoth and secure Tyria's future. This expansion allow you to design a character for one of the nine professions (including the newly added Revenant), developing skills over time as you level and progress through the rich story. The story is unique to your profession and choices made at character creation, allowing for many views of the overarching world story and how the different races all play their parts. Heart of Thorns brings Elite Specializations that allow for further customization of your character and new weapons that can be added to your chosen profession at level 80, which is where the story of Heart of Thorns begins.
Is It Any Good?
This is a feature-rich expansion aimed at adding content for the high-level characters while also providing numerous improvements to gameplay and functionality at all levels. Though having the expansion isn't required to enjoy many of the improvements, for both veteran and new players alike the additions that Heart of Thorns brings is well worth it. If you have never bought Guild Wars 2, buying the expansion does give you the Core Game. The expansion adds new allies, skills, magic, and resources to build on the rich skill-based combat system. A stunning jungle zone has been added and can be traversed on multiple layers with the addition of gliders that allow you to catch the wind to fly for a short time, which is awesome. A new profession has been added to the roster, one that channels and controls the power of the Mists. If you enjoy player-vs,-player (PvP), you will enjoy the new World vs. World zone, Desert Borderlands, and Strongholds. Guildhalls come to the Heart of Maguuma to provide a home for players to gather and progress as a Guild, which is great for the social and organized gameplay.
The additional story is very well done, and you'll be drawn in along your adventures in Tyria. The artwork and animations are phenomenal, and it's worth taking your time to explore the world, listen to the dialogue of the NPCs, or just take in the scenery. Arenanet continues its tradition of epic cut scenes that assist in relating the story and are beautifully orchestrated. The only detraction (which is also a huge plus, depending on your play style) is the sheer amount of activities you can do outside the story line. Information overload is a real possibility, but within the game you have the tools to minimize the impact. If you love immersion, stylized graphics and a huge world to play in, Heart of Thorns is well worth your time.
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Game Details
- Platforms: Windows , Mac
- Subjects: Language & Reading : reading, Social Studies : power structures
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning : applying information, collecting data, decision-making, investigation, problem solving, solving puzzles, Self-Direction : goal-setting, identifying strengths and weaknesses, time management, work to achieve goals, Collaboration : cooperation, meeting challenges together, teamwork
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Arenanet
- Release date: October 23, 2015
- Genre: Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG)
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Adventures , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- ESRB rating: T for Blood, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Last updated: June 30, 2022
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