Last week, MMORPG.com staff had the opportunity to check out the Sylvari starter zone in an exclusive first look at what the final beta weekend for Guild Wars 2 will entail. We've got even more terrific reports and footage so keep reading!

These aren’t your everyday elves, that’s for sure. Like Garrett, I had the special chance to play as the Sylvari during this past week in Guild Wars 2. I didn’t really expect to have but a passing interest in the plant-like creatures of Tyria, but now having had the chance to dabble around Caledor Forest and Grove (their home city) I can’t help but think I’ll be rolling an Elementalist or Ranger as a Sylvari at the end of August. Make no mistake, the Sylvari are ArenaNet’s answer to the elven race in its fantasy setting. But as a player who’s long grown tired of the Legolas mystique nerd culture seems to be caught up in, I’m happy to report that these beings who are quite literally one with nature are gorgeous, hauting, and downright fun when you get down to brass tacks.

Read more of Garrett Fuller's Guild Wars 2: Hanging with the Sylvari.