GW2 BWE - Needs Improvement List

Now that the heady pleasure of finally getting to play a bit of GW2 has worn off here are some additional improvements I’d like to see implemented. 

More Explanation of Basic Mechanics
I know GW2 is about a non-linear, experimental, free roam and exploratory experience.  However, there is so much that it borders on too much for the introductory experience.  I’d like to see the personal story cover some of the new/unique GW2 mechanics.  You’re set in a very immersive setting.  A bit too much has to be known going in or looked up somewhere external while you’re playing, which immediately breaks immersion.  Confusion is not entertainment. 

More Options for Key Binding
Increased key binding options – Doesn’t support alternative key settings or using multiple keys which means using CTRL or ALT + another key is out.  As someone who relies almost exclusively on the keyboard, I found this too restrictive. 

Set Default Left/Right to Turning
Reverse the default key settings for left/right movement interaction.  By default it’s set to strafing.  People who know how to strafe are more likely to be aware of options for setting up key bindings.  Whereas players who use the default game settings, have no clue about how to change them, which means they won’t know how to activate turning left/right.  Repeating it in local chat got old quick and these are proactive players since they obviously had been following GW2 enough to pre-purchase it and participate in BWE yet didn’t understand the issue and how to fix it. 

More Variety on Karma Vendors
Karma vendors in the game world had little to nothing I would see myself buying.  Dinging is great as a reward but with very few formal quest rewards, I’d like more desired items for purchase on these vendors.  It doesn’t have to be gear.  I’m not looking for huge, OP or “I win” items but something of interest. I’d be happy with fluff and cosmetic items.  I’d hate to find that all I want from the Karma is to be saving up for the 9.6K to 60K+ per item gear options I saw on three vendors in Divinity’s Reach.   I’m helping out the locals.  That NPC has been put there with items for sale.  I hope there are plans to increase the variety. 

Improved Introductory Experience
I’ve heard more complaints about the starting experience, especially the inability to get all of the weapons at the lower levels to see how a profession play-style and skills change.  The Garrison in the human zone had a really nice setup for this but you had to figure it out.  You could participate in the Garrison event plus there was skill point NPC.  The event starter NPC also sold all of the available weapons for coin.  He leaves as part of the escort event.  So if you don’t see him near the waypoint go out and join the event until he resets back to his idle location.  I really favored this location for all of the professions I tried after figuring it out.  It’s viable from level 3 to 7.  

Explain or Provide Feature for Moving across Instances of Zones
Absolutely no explanations how to get into the same content instance with members of your party who may have been were split across the overflow copies of a zone.  We attempted looking for features similar to other games such as EQ2 and AOC to no avail.  Eventually, we were successful by sending people back into the capitol city and exiting again, in which case, the game determined it would make sense to put you in the same instance.  

Raise Awareness of Lion's Arch
Early on, the content should include something that encourages players to visit Lion’s Arch to see that there are portals there to access the other racial zones.  Friends creating characters from different races didn’t know how to get to each other to play. 

Map Missing Iconography when outside your Racial Zone
You can complete the content from areas outside of your racial zone however, the map iconography isn’t displayed – hearts, skill points, points of interest, etc.  This might have been a bug. 

Provide Speed Buff or Mount for Exploration
So much to see in GW2 and it’s absolutely gorgeous but I want a mount.  Fast travel via portal is fine but when I want to roam to see all the wonderful and detailed areas – explore, I’d rather do it at some increased movement speed.  You can get a small speed buff inside Divinity’s Reach which helps navigating inside the city.  We need an increased movement speed outside as well.   I’d be perfectly happy if you’re dismounted inside the cities.  And honestly, with the technology on display thus far in the world, I can’t imagine they’d be hoofing it everywhere. 

Short list and no deal breakers but improvements in these areas would enhance my overall player experience.  I can hardly wait to play more.

Comments

[Yarr]

Yay, some new posts! Some good improvement ideas, I agree with them.

I had a lot of Karma from events but, as you said, didn't find much of anything to spend it on, at least for a low level character. The underground pirates hideaway in Lion's Arch had various gear for level 40s, and I found various Karma vendors for level 30 to 80 players with lots of stuff.

I admit I was a bit confused the first hour or so even though I've been following the game some. Also the bank and trading house map icons seemed to just blend into the background for me, as I didn't even notice they were there the first day.

Glad you are playing and look forward to more posts from you in future events, especially once you check out the crafting. :)

[Alysianah aka Saylah]

Thanks. I'll be posting more regularly soon. My real life crafting has fallen into a manageable rhythm and I want to be careful not to burn myself out on it.

:::blink,blink::: Underground pirate cove? That's a must visit on my next foray.