Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure has been live for about a week now, and I’ve immersed myself in the enchanting world of Tyria with enthusiasm. Although this expansion is billed as smaller compared to its predecessors, it still delivers a compelling experience with its two new maps, engaging storylines, and a duo of Strike Missions. The fresh content enriches the already expansive GW2 universe, offering enough to captivate both new and returning players. While it's not without its flaws, the expansion has reinvigorated my enjoyment of the game, proving that even smaller updates can bring a lot of fun and excitement.
The main story of this expansion spans ten gripping chapters, and I’ve found myself thoroughly engrossed in its narrative. The character interactions are rich and dynamic, and the plot twists keep me eagerly anticipating what happens next. Without giving away any spoilers, I can say that the storyline’s depth and the emotional weight of its events have made for a compelling experience. Each chapter unfolds with intriguing developments that enhance the overall experience, making it clear that the writers have put significant effort into crafting a memorable journey.
Unveiling the Story of Secrets of the Obscure
Without giving away too much, I'll provide a brief overview of the story in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure. Set in the aftermath of the Dragon Cycle and the death of Soo-Won, the Elder Dragon of Water and Life, the expansion explores a world where Aurene, the sole remaining Elder Dragon, has assumed a dominant role. Despite her newfound status as the One Elder Dragon, peace remains elusive, and the story delves into the complexities and challenges that arise in this uneasy period. The narrative deftly navigates the repercussions of Soo-Won's death and the ongoing tensions, offering a rich and engaging backdrop for the new content.
In a startling turn of events in Guild Wars lore, the iconic Wizard's Tower has mysteriously vanished after centuries of hovering serenely over Garenhoff. This enigmatic disappearance coincides with the emergence of the Kryptis, a demonic race now invading both Tyria and Amnytas—the region where the Wizard’s Court and the Astral Ward, which protect the world from above, are based. The Wizard’s Tower, which floated miles high in the sky, was a symbol of arcane stability and guardianship. Its sudden absence raises questions and tensions, especially with the Kryptis threatening the stability of these crucial regions. The timing of these events suggests a possible connection, adding a layer of intrigue and urgency to the unfolding crisis.
The Kryptis threat has compelled the once-hidden Wizard’s Court and the Astral Ward to step out of the shadows and assist the common folk in facing the relentless demonic onslaught. As these powerful institutions reveal themselves, their involvement marks a pivotal shift in the struggle against the Kryptis invaders. The heroes of Tyria are now tasked with an immense challenge, as they work alongside these previously enigmatic allies to fend off the demonic forces encroaching upon their world. This new Guild Wars 2 expansion brings a fresh sense of urgency and scale to the conflict, highlighting the heroes’ critical role in safeguarding their realm from unprecedented dangers.
What’s Fresh in Secrets of the Obscure
Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure may be a shorter expansion compared to its predecessors, but it still offers a wealth of engaging content. Players can delve into two new maps, each rich with exploration opportunities, and discover the newly introduced Wizard’s Tower Outpost. This outpost not only acts as a central hub for crafting and organizing group activities but also provides a space for players to unwind, socialize, and connect with others in the game. Despite its more concise scope, the expansion effectively balances depth and breadth, ensuring that players have plenty to do while enjoying a refreshed and interactive central locale.
The two new maps in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure are expansive and brimming with adventure, featuring numerous floating islands that beckon exploration. While the Skyscale mount, with its impressive ability to navigate these aerial landscapes, enhances the experience, players without one need not worry. The game thoughtfully offers the option to temporarily borrow a Skyscale mount while exploring these new areas. This ensures that all players can fully immerse themselves in the grandeur and complexity of the floating islands, making the exploration both accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their mount collection.
One of my favorite new features in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure is the streamlined Skyscale acquisition process. Having missed out on the mount when it was originally introduced, I’m excited to finally have the opportunity to unlock it permanently by completing the Skyscale mastery track. This feature not only provides a clear path for new and returning players like myself to obtain the Skyscale but also offers additional benefits and enhancements for those who already possess it. This approach ensures that both new and veteran players can enjoy and benefit from the Skyscale, creating a rewarding experience for everyone involved.
A significant gameplay addition in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure is the introduction of Kryptis Rifts. As players progress through the story, they gain the ability to detect these rifts, which act as gateways for the demonic forces invading Tyria. The core challenge of this expansion revolves around sealing these rifts to prevent further incursions from the Kryptis. This mechanic not only adds a new layer of depth to the gameplay but also integrates seamlessly with the narrative, offering players a direct and impactful way to combat the demonic threat and restore stability to the world.
The Rifts in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure come with tier levels, escalating in difficulty as Rift Leaders reach Champion Level power. However, even at these higher tiers, the challenge diminishes quickly when multiple players join in, leading to the content becoming almost trivial. This ease of completion has led to complaints from some players who struggle to land enough hits on enemies to receive credit for participating in the rifts. While this issue highlights the need for better balancing, it's something that can be fine-tuned over time to ensure a more rewarding experience for all participants.
The core combat mechanics in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure remain largely unchanged, but each profession now has access to a new mastery or weapon, offering fresh options for players looking to diversify their playstyle. While I didn't delve deeply into these new additions, preferring to stick with the weapons I was already comfortable with, I appreciate the flexibility this provides. It's a neat addition that gives players the opportunity to experiment with different combat strategies, even if, like me, they choose to stick with their tried-and-true setups.
To locate the Rifts in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, you'll need the Heart of the Obscure, which is unlocked early in the story. However, the icon for the Heart is small and positioned at the bottom of the screen, making it easy to overlook—a design choice that detracts from the experience. Despite this minor frustration, the Heart of the Obscure offers more than just Rift detection. It can also be used to open special doors and reward chests, and it even enables players to create items that make exploring the floating islands more manageable. This versatility adds depth to the gameplay, even if the UI could use some improvement.
Clearing the Rifts in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure is a satisfying gameplay loop, providing a sense of accomplishment each time one is closed. However, the enjoyment can be tempered by the sometimes frustrating distance between Rifts, which can feel tedious to traverse, especially early on when Skyscale Mastery points are still being earned. To save time, I often found myself teleporting to a nearby waypoint in hopes of getting closer to the next Rift, as the travel time between some of them could be quite lengthy. While this workaround is effective, it highlights the need for better placement or travel options to maintain the momentum of the Rift-clearing experience.
The Wizards Vault in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure adds a compelling layer of engagement through its daily, weekly, and quarterly goals. I found myself logging in specifically to tackle these challenges and earn the enticing rewards they offer. This system even pushed me to explore aspects of the game I usually skip, like PvP, adding variety to my routine. While the expansion itself might be short, the Wizards Vault ensures there's always something to do, keeping the gameplay fresh and encouraging players to engage with different facets of the game they might otherwise overlook.
Visual Wonders in Secrets of the Obscure
The visuals in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure are truly incredible, and I feel they deserve special recognition. The various environments across the floating fractals are beautifully crafted, each one seemingly telling a different story from the MMO's rich history, with its own unique aesthetic. Visually, Guild Wars 2 really shines in this expansion, and the voice cast complements this with performances that bring the world to life. I've always appreciated the sound and look of GW2, and Secrets of the Obscure continues that tradition with stunning artistry and design.
Not having a Skyscale before this expansion meant I had to traverse Secrets of the Obscure at a much slower pace, which quickly became frustrating as I tried to navigate the vast floating islands. However, this slower pace had an unexpected upside—it gave me the opportunity to fully absorb the breathtaking sights and sounds of the environment. The lack of fast travel forced me to engage more deeply with the world around me, appreciating the intricate details and atmosphere that might have been missed had I been flying by on a Skyscale.
Verdict
There's been much debate about whether Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure is worth the investment, especially given its smaller size compared to previous expansions. Some fans have expressed disappointment over its brevity, but for me, returning to the game has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Despite the expansion's size, I've found myself deeply engaged with the story, which has rekindled my love for the MMO. With limited hours in the day to dedicate to MMORPGs, I'm glad I chose to spend them in Secrets of the Obscure, as it's reminded me why I loved Guild Wars 2 in the first place.
Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure delivers a rich storytelling experience, complemented by sharp gameplay and brilliant visual design. The Rift Bosses add an interesting dynamic, but their difficulty can be inconsistent—easily defeated with a group, yet potentially frustrating when tackled solo by less powerful players. While some might be disappointed by the limited number of Strike Missions, the ones available are engaging and fun. Despite a few shortcomings, the expansion successfully combines narrative depth with exciting combat, making it a worthwhile addition to the game.
Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure demonstrates that an MMO doesn’t need to raise its level cap with every expansion to stay engaging. Instead of focusing on increasing the level cap, the game enriches the experience by expanding its Masteries system. This approach allows players to advance their characters in meaningful ways without the need for constant level cap increases. Moreover, if you’ve missed out on previous expansion content, the Masteries system ensures you can return and catch up at your own pace, making the game more accessible and flexible for both new and returning players.
