In a landscape where many players first ventured into the realm of MMOs through titles like World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy 14, my journey began with Guild Wars 2. I still vividly recall the moment I downloaded it on my aging university MacBook, stepping into the enchanting world of Tyria with wide-eyed wonder. Since that initial experience, I have immersed myself in every facet of the game, including my review of the impressive End of Dragons expansion in 2022. Today, however, Guild Wars 2 has evolved, offering players shorter and more concentrated expansions that deliver fresh content at an exhilarating pace. Following the releases of Secrets of the Obscure and Janthir Wilds, we now find ourselves enchanted by the arrival of Visions of Eternity, which transports players to a magical island paradise.
Exploring Castora
Castora, often referred to as Guild Wars 2’s own Bermuda Triangle, is steeped in legend and mystery. This island, once thought to be merely a myth, has drawn the attention of the Inquest, an ambitious group of Ausurans determined to exploit the destructive powers of Eternal Alchemy. As players embark on a quest to unveil the Inquest’s sinister plans, they will encounter the island’s unique inhabitants—strange aquatic creatures eager to defend their territory.
The expansion introduces two new open-world maps and three mastery tracks, including a long-awaited upgrade for the Skimmer mount. Among the most thrilling features are the nine elite specializations, including the return of Guild Wars 1’s Paragon and Ritualist. This development promises to delight buildcrafters, offering them a wealth of customization options. The last introduction of elite specs in End of Dragons saw the Mesmer become a personal favorite, and now, with unique trait lines decoupled from specific weapons, players can tailor their builds to their liking, leaving the Inquest bewildered.
At Gamescom, lead competitive designer Cal Cohen shared insights into the new elite specializations, emphasizing that Visions of Eternity was the ideal moment to reintroduce these advanced build paths. “We felt that doing a new weapon type again wasn’t really going to add to the amount of build options,” he explained, referencing the spear’s addition in Janthir Wilds. “The amount of play styles that you can add with a weapon is a little more limited than an elite spec.” He further elaborated that the elite specializations draw inspiration from the diverse regions of Tyria, resulting in a rich tapestry of gameplay experiences.
Particularly noteworthy are the Ritualist and Paragon specializations, beloved professions from Guild Wars 1. Cohen expressed the team’s commitment to honoring the essence of these classes while adapting them for the modern game. “We definitely tried to be as true as we could to the source material,” he remarked. “We started with, ‘what are the iconic things?’ Those have to be there.” While the mechanics may differ from their original forms, the goal remains to evoke the same playstyle and emotional resonance that players cherish.
A New Homestead Experience
Another exciting addition in Visions of Eternity is the introduction of a new homestead map, which has captured my enthusiasm. Inspired by Castora’s oceanic themes, this new feature presents a magnificent ship nestled in the sand, offering three stories to decorate and breathtaking panoramic views. Players can traverse the island using various ley-line resonances or unwind in a serene pool, providing a perfect escape.
Building upon the housing mechanics introduced in Janthir Wilds, NCSoft has actively listened to player feedback and refined the building process. The new duplicate tool simplifies item copying, while the ‘modify existing decorations’ mode allows for effortless repositioning of pre-existing structures. Additionally, the layout feature enables players to save and transfer homestead designs, enhancing the creative experience. Senior gameplay engineer Sarah Davies highlighted the team’s vision for Comosus Isle, aiming to create an immersive island environment that captures the charm of an open-world Guild Wars 2 map.
Beyond these features, players can anticipate the Skimmer Mastery track, which equips their aquatic companion with the ability to engage enemies and uncover treasures using sonar. The expansion also introduces a new legendary weapon, an aquabreather, and an array of fresh rewards and armor sets. For those eager to embark on this new adventure, Visions of Eternity is available for .99 / £21.99.
For returning players, a comprehensive rundown of the Guild Wars 2 system requirements ensures your PC is ready for the journey ahead. Alternatively, if you seek a new enchanting experience, a curated list of the best fantasy games awaits your exploration. Engage with the community on Discord to share your excitement for Visions of Eternity and showcase your newly crafted homestead.
