Recently, it feels like there is a new game or new beta inviting to play just about every month. It feels like each game I play these days which takes up the Free-to-Play Model keeps having less and less content. Even the most recent closed beta I attended offered extremely expensive starter packs for the game that allow you to buy into the unfinished, no-content beta test.

In addition, I feel that any game that includes the term “Online” in the name should have a world for you to walk around in. Even if that world is a static hunting ground where monsters just stand around, at least it’s something to explore. The most recent game I played did not have any world and nor does it plan to ever have one. Yet it is the same price and in many ways more expensive than most MMOs. Because on top of the expensive package, the no-content beta even offers a premium account for a monthly fee. 

You have to understand one thing about my playing style. I like to take my dear sweet time and I’m something of an Alt Whore. The most recent example I have to provide is my experience with Star Trek Online. Within that game I have nineteen characters and it took me roughly a year to reach max level. Keep in mind other players would typically reach max level in about two weeks or less. I know I thoroughly enjoyed playing Star Trek Online as it was my kind of game — that is until Guild Wars 2 came along.
 

Over the one weekend I made four characters and the highest level I acquired was thirteen. But even then I found myself wanting more, especially after they turned off my access at the end of the weekend. I was heart-broken, because I was really starting to get into my Human Thief’s personal storyline.
 

I also found the animations for combat exciting to watch, especially for the thief. My character was literally flipping over the baddies and stabbing them with his dual daggers. Just watching it happen and feeling like I was the one doing those flips and stabs really got my adrenaline going. And to make my experience even better, Guild Wars 2 has really great graphics too. They reminded me of a better, cleaner version of Final Fantasy XI.  

I’d also like to point out that the most recent game I’ve been testing offers three packages for their customers. Each one is steadily more expensive than the rest, with the final package being offered for $120. On top of these packages, there is also a monthly fee for premium access and other benefits. I realize now that Guild Wars 2 also offers three packages, and while the most expensive of the three is $150 — there is no monthly fee.

Even better, the $150 package for Guild Wars 2 is more rewarding in my opinion than the $120 of the other game. This is because the $120 offers exclusively in-game items for that game, roughly four pieces of free armor. You get something similar to that with the $80 package for Guild Wars 2. The Collector’s Edition of Guild Wars 2 feels more rewarding because it offers you a tangible art book, art prints, sound track, and of course a 10-inch-tall action figure.

By my standards, if I have $150 to spend on a game. I wouldn’t spend $120 of that on purely in-game items. I’d rather go for broke and get the tangible stuff too, because let’s face it — I’m just the kind of guy who likes to feel like I have something I can touch when I spend that kind of money. As it is, I’ve already pre-purchased Guild Wars 2 for myself and my wife. This is one game that I feel is really living up to all of the hype, and I look forward to playing more Beta Weekend Events in the future.