Guild Wars: Factions

Game review by Jeremy Gieske, Common Sense Media
Guild Wars: Factions Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

Fun, fee-free role-playing game for teens and up.

Windows 2006
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 4 reviews

Kids say

age 8+

Based on 10 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this is a role-playing game featuring constant (but bloodless) battles with enemy creatures and other players using swords, axes, hammers, etc. Characters can be scantily clad. The game does encourage teamwork and strategy. Parents should also be aware that it is played exclusively online; Common Sense Media does not recommend online play for anyone under 12.

Community Reviews

usaf1a8xx
usaf1a8xx Adult
January 27, 2009
age 13+

Great game for people 13-99!!!!!

I own all 4 Guild Wars installments and they are fun, imaginitive, have great graphics, and are very immersive! A must own in my opinion. The game does allow you to remove your armor and walk around in underwear. The chat channel allows people to talk freely, but you can set your chat filter to maximum and block any curse words or questionable words. You can also change "districts" in a city to avoid people cursing, or block their individual communications entirely. There is a report feature for obscene language built into the game too. Basically it is very easy to keep the game clean for yourself by easily avoiding vile people. Great teambuilding and friendmaking venue too. I definitely recommend!
soccer girl7
soccer girl7 Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

Hey I haven't played this

Um i haven't played this, and I don't own it. I was just wonderin if the next reviewer could tell me if u have 2 play online w/ other ppl online, cuz my dad will prob say no if u have to play w/ other people, and also if u can like talk 2 the other ppl (if htere r) kk, Thanx
See all 4 parent reviews

What’s It About?

As in the original, GUILD WARS: FACTIONS offers a huge online world to explore, filled with mythical beasts, massive mountains, and cities teeming with other players. In this fictitious world, players constantly battle enemy creatures and other online players. In this installment, play takes place in a new land and there are two additional classes. The main difference here is that guilds can form alliances, taking sides in a war that's splitting the continent.

In role-playing mode, players develop a character through quests and battles. Player vs. player mode starts players off at the highest level with decent weapons and skills. Players battle it out in games such as capture the flag. To defeat a rival guild or an opposing team, players must use strategy and teamwork rather than depending on superior weapons and armor.

Is It Any Good?

This game is more family friendly than other massively multiplayer online role-playing games. For one thing, there's no monthly fee, and you don't need to buy the original game to play this installment. The game also alerts players when they've been playing for an hour, two hours, and so on.

The downside? When navigating to a city, players often lose the other folks they were playing with, and it can be difficult to get back in the same group. Also, some places in the game force players to play with random teams, instead of with known friends. In the end, though, Guild Wars: Factions is a fun, cheap alternative to other games in this genre.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the future of online-only games. Do you feel that online games are going to become the main way games are played? If so, how do you feel about it? What advantages and disadvantages are there to online-only games? Are there any dangers?

Game Details

  • Platform: Windows
  • Available online?: Available online
  • Publisher: Arenanet
  • Release date: June 23, 2006
  • Genre: Role-Playing
  • ESRB rating: T for Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Violence
  • Last updated: November 4, 2015

Our Editors Recommend

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