GW:EN First Look [image heavy]

Post by **Tami** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 11:47 am

<r><img src=\'<URL url="http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... <LINK_TEXT text="http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... /blink.gif">http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... TEXT></URL>\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':blink:\' /> 
 
Okay...I only played for two hours the first go 'round - partly because I *do* have to work tomorrow, partly because I wanted to get something up on the forum about the Guild Wars: Eye of the North sneak peek. 
 
First, we were treated to early entry by ANet...then we discovered why...all I can say is, be prepared for a HUGE file download. Even still, we were able to start the preview prior to midnight. 
 
Second...the MUSIC IS AWESOME!!!! If you don't have good stereo headphones, get some. The soundtrack alone is worth their price. Josh & Wayne - you two will truly appreciate the symphonic orchestration in GW:EN, it's astounding. 
 
I started my adventure into the Far Shiverpeaks from Lion's Arch. Amid earthquakes. The first quest is really quite simple. Accept it from the NPC in any of the three capitol cities: Lion's Arch, Kamadan, Kaineng Centre. 
 
This is what you get to do:
<ATTACHMENT filename="startquest.png" index="3404"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

So you wander off into North Kryta Province, but just for a little ways, because there seems to be a new pathway. 

<ATTACHMENT filename="thisisnew.png" index="3405"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

So you wander on through this new path, and guess what, there's a crevass to be viewed. 

<ATTACHMENT filename="wheredoesthisgo.jpg" index="3406"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

Okay...so you click on the yellow text.....and get a sinking feeling... 
 
...and another big file download... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="letsfindout.jpg" index="3411"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

<ATTACHMENT filename="kindadark.jpg" index="3407"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and you take a look around...or you try to...as the earthquake shakes things up some more... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="earthquake.jpg" index="3408"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and once the dust settles.... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="letsgoinhere.jpg" index="3409"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

you wander on in, and wander a bit more...and you find some mid-level hellhounds and hellhound keepers who think you're the new playtoy, so you kill them all and wander on a bit more. Next you find the Grasping Ghouls who would dearly love to give you a hug. So you kill them too. You wander down another hall, only to be greeted warmly by your friends from the skeleton crew. You know the ones - skeletal rangers, monks, sorcerers, mesmers - they don't think you should venture any further. They need killing. So you oblige. Once you've cleared the hallway... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="whosinhere.jpg" index="3410"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

A large room full of dwarves...and other creatures...strange creatures....but don't get distracted by all of the powder kegs, you need to learn something here. Here also is your introduction to Ogden and Vekk, the new monk and elementalist heroes. 
 
Remember I said you needed to learn something? Well here it is.... 
 
RUN!!!! 

<ATTACHMENT filename="run.jpg" index="3412"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

Your initial quest will be completed when...if...you make it to...and through...the gateway... 
 
and into your first outpost...and your next big file download... 
 
Boreal Station 

<ATTACHMENT filename="wherearewe.jpg" index="3413"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

At this point in time, if you had any henchies from Lion's Arch, Kamadan or Kaineng, they will depart. 
 
Vekk and Ogden will join your band of heroes 

<ATTACHMENT filename="vekkdialogue.jpg" index="3414"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>
<ATTACHMENT filename="vekkdialogue1.jpg" index="3415"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

<ATTACHMENT filename="ogdendialogue.jpg" index="3416"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>
<ATTACHMENT filename="ogdendialogue1.jpg" index="3417"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

Signet of Devotion will unlock - or at least that is the skill *I* got... 
 
You can grab the Hero Tutorial from Burol Ironfist (and you should, it's an easy 1000xp) here, as well as your first real Eye of the North quest - and it's a Primary Quest, so it's kind of mandatory. 

<ATTACHMENT filename="primaryquest1.jpg" index="3418"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

Oh, and you will see some familiar faces... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="familiarfaces.jpg" index="3419"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

And now we move on to Part Two of our First Sneak Peek... 
 
Let's go outside and have a look at the sights in Ice Cliff Chasm... 
 
Oh look, it's Jora.... (and we all know who is getting the next new graphics card in this house, don't we?) 

<ATTACHMENT filename="jora.jpg" index="3420"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

Oh...and the Norn can turn into...bears...really really big bears.... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="bears.jpg" index="3421"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

Outside is so purdiful... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="purdiness.jpg" index="3422"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

by the way, I still hate wurms.. 

<ATTACHMENT filename="hatewurms.jpg" index="3423"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

...and imps... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="hateimps.jpg" index="3424"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

but I did find Battledeep, even though it didn't appear that anyone was home... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="battledeep.jpg" index="3425"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

Make sure you talk to the people at the res shrines - you get to fight them 

<ATTACHMENT filename="nornatres.jpg" index="3426"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

Did I mention that Norn can turn into bears? 

<ATTACHMENT filename="nornatres1.jpg" index="3427"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

But you can get a new title... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="nornreputation.jpg" index="3428"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

<ATTACHMENT filename="nornreputation1.jpg" index="3429"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

...see? 

<ATTACHMENT filename="newtitle.jpg" index="3430"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

Oh, and you get a nifty icon in the upper left corner, similar to the Sunspear & Lightbringer rewards icons. It looks sort of like a Celtic symbol and it's green. You'll see it in screenshots. 
 
The first boss I ran across was just outside of the main capitol, Eye of the North - it's like Sunspear Command in Nightfall. I didn't take a screenie of him though. But his name was Johon the Oxflinger and he's a ranger. He also has a pack of Stonewolves. They were hungry and mean. So I killed them. 
 
Oh...but look at who I found just outside the tower...a pet trainer. I wonder if he was related to the ranger I just killed. He didn't say anything, and he didn't want to fight, so I guess not. 

<ATTACHMENT filename="pettrainer.jpg" index="3431"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and look at what else I found... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="redirisflower.jpg" index="3432"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

Oh, and here's the tower... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="eyeofthenorth.jpg" index="3433"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

<ATTACHMENT filename="eyeofthenorth1.jpg" index="3434"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and the interior... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="eyeofthe...interior.jpg" index="3435"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

There is a new merchant...not very friendly though... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="newmerchant.jpg" index="3436"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and there's another doorway...seems to go to the Hall of Monuments...let's go in there... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="hallofmonuments.jpg" index="3437"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

<ATTACHMENT filename="hallofmonuments1.jpg" index="3438"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

<ATTACHMENT filename="gwen.jpg" index="3439"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and she talks.... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="gwen1.jpg" index="3440"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>
<ATTACHMENT filename="gwen2.jpg" index="3441"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>
<ATTACHMENT filename="gwen3.jpg" index="3442"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and she talks.... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="gwen4.jpg" index="3443"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and then she won't talk... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="gwen5.jpg" index="3444"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and we can pick up some more quests from the Tower... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="artificerdialogue.jpg" index="3445"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

<ATTACHMENT filename="gedreldialogue.jpg" index="3446"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>
<ATTACHMENT filename="gedreldialogue1.jpg" index="3447"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>
<ATTACHMENT filename="gedreldialogue2.jpg" index="3448"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>
<ATTACHMENT filename="gedreldialogue3.jpg" index="3449"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

or we can go on a solo quest, similar to the Accession in the Crystal Desert...but without the Accession part...and without the doppleganger...but it's still a duel... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="duel1.jpg" index="3450"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>
<ATTACHMENT filename="duel2.jpg" index="3451"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>
<ATTACHMENT filename="duel3.jpg" index="3452"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and unlock Deft Strike...whatever it's for... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="deftstrike.jpg" index="3453"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and then we can go back outside and get another quest... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="joraquest.jpg" index="3454"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and find some treasure chests... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="treasurechest.jpg" index="3456"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and some gold... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="firstgoldchest.jpg" index="3457"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and a grave or three... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="gravestone.jpg" index="3458"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and some Charr... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="ohcrapcharr.jpg" index="3459"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

Wait...CHARR??? 
 
Let's go...in here... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="gunnarshold.jpg" index="3460"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and talk to the Collector...oh look, something new... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="newcollectables.jpg" index="3461"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

ohhhh a storyteller.... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="storyteller.jpg" index="3462"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>
<ATTACHMENT filename="storyteller1.jpg" index="3463"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>
<ATTACHMENT filename="storyteller2.jpg" index="3464"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

hmmm....another new title to be won? 

<ATTACHMENT filename="anothertitle.jpg" index="3465"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and Dwarven Boxing... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="dwarvenboxing.jpg" index="3466"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and Polymock... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="polymock.jpg" index="3467"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>
<ATTACHMENT filename="polymock1.jpg" index="3468"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and Hero Armour... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="heroarmour.jpg" index="3469"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and more purdiness... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="purdiness1.jpg" index="3471"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and a new location on the map... 

<ATTACHMENT filename="gwengatewaymap.jpg" index="3470"><s>

startquest.png

</e></ATTACHMENT>

and now I'm going to bed...... 
 
<img src=\'<URL url="http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... <LINK_TEXT text="http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... igwink.gif">http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... TEXT></URL>\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\';)\' /></r>

Post by **Marko** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:08 pm

7.0mb is not really that huge?
Yeh i was bored, so I scrambled through what you posted, and you kept saying huge... I thought you meant 100's of mb's.

Post by **Tami** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 3:52 pm

I meant as new areas of the game were downloaded online, Marko - not the photos in the post <img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... igwink.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\';)\' />

Post by **Marko** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 4:34 pm

So did I <img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... igwink.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\';)\' />
In one of your screen shots it says downloading 7.0mb. <img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... >/blum.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':P\' />

Post by **Tami** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 5:20 pm

Oh...yeah...that one is relatively small compared to the others, believe me; and in some cases it downloads, then you have to wait while it extracts or whatever process it goes through. The initial download was by far the largest, though. Makes one wonder just how big the expansion really is, because they've been doing streaming downloads for the past couple of weeks in preparation, and there will undoubtedly be more yet before the expansion is officially live on the 31st.