Curse

misthero · May 11, 2006, 10:12 AM // 10:12

I prefere both, I mean, having the 2 games make GW a more complete game, togeter is best than any of them alone.

Magda · May 11, 2006, 10:18 AM // 10:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by UndeadRoadkill

If it's an expansion, why is it full-price?

Because it's got a hella lot more content than any other "expansion pack" that I've seen. While I don't play tons of different games, here's some expansions that I've actually bought.

Diablo 2: LOD- expansion pack, added a medicore amount of new areas(compared to factions, approximate equal to the starter island), new items(also in factions, but at least in GW they aren't sickeningly overpowered), runes, and charms. In my judgement, ~1/3-1/2 what was added in Factions.

Civ 3: Play the World- Added some mediocre multiplayer support(which should have been in the original), about 4 new game types(regicide, etc), and half a dozen units. In my judgement, ~1/16-1/8 what was added in Factions.

City of Villains: Also released as a stand-alone, added some new classes, and content that was basically identical to CoH(new missions, but in the same 4-5 levels that all the other missions were in). Added PvP as well. In my judgement, ~1/2 what was added in factions

Warcraft 3: Frozen Throne- Added a few new units and half a dozen new heros. Expanded the single-player story by about 1/3-1/2 of what was in the original game. In my judgement, ~1/8-1/6 what was added in factions.

Heck, even one of the greatest games/expansions of all times:
Starcraft:Brood wars- Added ~4 units per race, some more storyline missions(which few played, but were good for 10-15 hours or so of solo playing when your connection was down). In my judgement, ~1/6 what was added in factions.

Regardless of how much you whine that GW:Factions is an "expansion" of GW:Prophecies, it doesn't change the fact that ANet added far more in their "expansion" than is in expansions to other games. To be similar to an expansion to another game, they'd have to cut out 4-5 storyline missions(say everything up to Tannakhai Temple), the Challenge Missions, the Elite Missions, Fort Aspenwood/Jade Quarry, about 1/2 the quests, and the new skills for the old classes. Then it would be similar to what other companies sell you for your $29.99 expansion pack. Since I see probably at least double the content in Factions as I see in expansions to other games, ANet is quite justified in charging more for it than the typical expansion.

As for time it takes to finish the game, I can run a character through Prophecies in a similar amount of time as I can through Factions(~20 hrs)- the sad thing is that in doing so, I've already played most of the Prophecies content(not counting stuff added months after release), whereas with Factions, playing through the game in 20 hours, that's not touching things like Fort Aspenwood/Jade Quarry/Altrumn Ruins/Zos Shivrous Channel/etc or half the quests.

baal80 · May 11, 2006, 10:28 AM // 10:28

Meh. Silly question. Prophecies wins, hands down.

Quote:

Yes, I can find a game with less level grinding than Guild Wars: Prophecies, it's called Guild Wars: Factions.

LMAO.

devils wraths · May 11, 2006, 01:16 PM // 13:16

i like both games i think they both are cool. it doesnt bother me how big the game is along as its good. games to me that are big you normally get bored either when you gettign to the end or when u do a new char.

at the moment though i dont think that will happen with factions because it is small but its fun. and it can get hard in some places unlike the first one

AxeMe · May 11, 2006, 01:31 PM // 13:31

First, I'm enjoying Factions and like the ability to add new skills for the characters I had in Prophecies.

Second, if I could just own one of the two it would be a no-brainer: Prophecies. I think new players who only buy one of the two - people who don't own either - would be much happier just buying Prophecies.

With Prophecies I like the fact that I can play in an non-linear way, making my own decisions about where to go next and what to do. With Factions I feel as if I'm a train on a track, forced to play the game in just one way, just follow one path.

On the plus side, I think some of the missions with Factions take more skill and are more rewarding. But things move really fast between creating a character and finishing the game.

I've been playing for a year and I'll still be playing months from now. But if I had only purchased Factions I don't think that would be true.

Disclaimer: Prophecies changed a lot over the time I played it with new areas and new content. That could happen with Factions and, if it does, it could end up being every bit as good as Prophecies.

Ken Dei · May 12, 2006, 12:59 AM // 00:59

Prophecies hands a crushing defeat to Factions.

ju6ganutz · May 12, 2006, 06:21 AM // 06:21

Factions - because i got bored of prophecies and there is less grinding and seems to be higher chance of getting gold drops and closer to perfect items. The elite missions are the best PVE experience ive had since those UW and FOW days were no one knew what to do.

12 man teams are ridiculously fun in PVE and fighting 100s of level 28 monsters. I hate the new alliance battles and no longer participate in those since they are now parties of 4. too much grind in prophecies to get to lvl 20.

Symeon · May 12, 2006, 06:39 AM // 06:39

I'm not usually one to give a balanced answer, but...

Prophecies could be considered better because:

Pre-Searing was just wonderful
Tyria had a big range of unique landscapes and cities and outposts that were 'nice' to be in - we could believe it was basically an entire world until Factions came in, especially with all the different races and architectural styles etc.
It was the first Chapter, and lasted 12 months before Factions, leaving lots of time for changes in free updates
We were newbies then
I, personally, felt more enjoyment going around questing and doing missions in Tyria
Tyria felt far less cramped
Tyria contained more creatures and races that we are generally familiar with, such as dwarves, minotaurs, hydras, giants, trolls, gargoyles, etc.
Generally more content in the first chapter, even without all the free updates.

Factions, because:

PvE gameplay is more of a challenge
Several features have been implemented according to player feedback
(I believe) The gap has been narrowed successfully between PvE and PvP players
Alliance Battles, even though the system has some flaws,.are enjoyable to play in
Massive big city
Locked doors prevent running
Shing Jea is a fairly nice Pre-Searing equivalent (though it gets you all the way to lvl 20)
Kurzick/Luxon cultures, factions wars, alliances forming provide some excitement
New content
Different styles of missions are interesting
Landscapes are nice, though I feel there is less of a range compared to Tyria
New enemies

However, my vote might shift slightly towards Prophecies because I feel as the first chapter with a large continent, it felt less limited than Factions does (which seems limited to just a few cultures and not so many landscapes). Plus, I was a total newb to the Guild Wars style of play back in Chapter 1 as were many others, and it was just fun to play through.

UndeadRoadkill · May 12, 2006, 06:47 AM // 06:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by ju6ganutz

seems to be higher chance of getting gold drops and closer to perfect items.

I believe gold drops and drop quality was increased universally with that update right before Factions was released.

TimberOwl · May 12, 2006, 08:31 AM // 08:31

My vote goes to Prophecies.

broodijzer · May 12, 2006, 09:21 AM // 09:21

Haven't played this long enough to see if factions is still amazing in half a year.. But I have more fun playing this.. actually, I have the most fun switching and doing quests in both worlds with all my chars

Editor Warrior · May 12, 2006, 09:44 AM // 09:44

Prophecies no questions asked.......
There is tons more to do in prophecies and I have to say I'm dissapointed in Factions. I know the interest level in our guild is down and the membership is declining so what does that tell you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jackie · May 12, 2006, 09:45 AM // 09:45

Tyria is much more explorable place than Cantha. Therefore my vote goes to Prophecies.

TimberOwl · May 12, 2006, 10:22 AM // 10:22

I wonder if Gaile will pay a visit to this thread soon, with the majority of votes going to prophecies and not factions.. Hmm.

Teh Monkeys · May 12, 2006, 10:24 AM // 10:24

I'll take the massive, beautiful tyrian lands over that horribly cardboard city any day.

samifly · May 12, 2006, 10:41 AM // 10:41

Factions is too linear. But its better to have both.

yesitsrob · May 12, 2006, 11:26 AM // 11:26

Hmm, both have their positives.... factions has a more challenging pve, though it's still relatively easy and the AI is still horrible. But I think it's significantly better than the prophecies one

Factions added some nice new PVP alternatives, sadly all of them have some horrible random factor to them and GVG still shines above any other option, unless you like the thought of having 6 dolyak signet tanks on your team in which case The Jade Quarry is for you. I think Alliance battles are really good fun though, very rarely are all 8 of your other team mates completely terrible, at least not on Luxon's, I've only been in a couple of losses anyway.

Factions has some really interesting skills too, I have fallen in love with Deaths Charge and it hasn't left my warriors bar. In a recent alliance battle I teleported next to an ele and tore him apart in a second... he blamed lag because he didn't see me coming ^^.

The storylines of them both needed a bit more work in my opinion, but I can't really say I play GW for any form of story so couldn't care less

allience · May 12, 2006, 02:13 PM // 14:13

prophecies

Eden2k5 · May 12, 2006, 02:29 PM // 14:29

Factions sucked pretty much, went through it twice, did challenge missions *yawn* bored now. Look at the damn world map... 50% of it isen't even explorable, just there to look pretty. I can't beleive the lack of content... you'd think since they already had the engine completley developed and can devote alot of time to just creating content you would get more than prophecies at least? Especailly since its the same price.

Apparently not.

Im not getting chapter 3 unless it has some new classes or something I might really enjoy. Factions was overhyped and let me down. I was really excited to hear about challenge missions, till I finally did them when the game was released and diden't enjoy them too much. Can the possibly make the areas any smaller or more mundane?

The general artwork for Factions was great though besides the city area.

But oh, to answer the question: Prophecies

Silent Kitty · May 12, 2006, 02:53 PM // 14:53

Prophecies, because I don't like to fight in ugly towns. Also Factions is not very playerfriendly. I get the feeling that the mob spells are tweeked to do more damage and be faster casted than the ones on my own skill bar.
Ritualist defending spirits don't have enough life to be effective and the assassin is easy nuked when trying to kill the enemy caster. Not even to mention that many aggro mobs have multiple casters, making the assassin kinda useless. Having multiple assassins in your party doesn't help, because they are often so easy to kill.

Prophecies runs much smoother on my computer. No graphics (Not even the boring black and brown cities of Cantha) can beat the awesome scenery of Kryta.

Pets are cool, but still do as much damage as a mosquito bite.

Prophecies an 8 of 10 and Factions a 6.