Guild Wars Nightfall - Control More (Guild Wars: Nightfall (PC))

Member Name: AndyCreighton

Product:	Guild Wars: Nightfall (PC)
Date:	25/05/09 (16 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Heros Are A Great Addition, Story Is Great, 2 Good New Professions

Disadvantages: No Disadvantages

Guild Wars Nightfall is the second expansion pack for the original Guild Wars. While it can be used as a standalone package and does not require the original Guild Wars to play, you get the most benefit from owning the both of them. However I will be reviewing Nightfall as an expansion to the original Guild Wars, if you would like to find out what Guild Wars is all about check my previous review here:

http://members.dooyoo.co.uk/pc-game/guild-wars-pc /1245313/

Nightfall in similar to the previous expansion Factions, it uses the same sort of template in that we get 2 new professions, 2 new character slows, a new map, new storyline and new skills. On top of that, for the first time we get to use Heros. These are NPCs, similar to Henchmen, however we can upgrade their weapons, armour and more importantly their skill bars.

This time around the new professions are Dervish and Paragon. The Dervish is a scythe wielding warrior who relies heavily on Enchantments to increase his damage and make him more resilient to damage. The Paragon on the other hand is a spear throwing team player, who's shouts and chants provide every team member in ear shot with a bonus. Both are great characters and useful in their own way. Unlike Factions that basically brought us 2 PvP players, the Dervish and Paragon can be used in both PvE and PvP effectively. Again you have the ability to transfer your character your either of the 2 previous campaigns, however doing so will again skip the tutorial section of the game and jump forward in terms of the story.

Lets talk about Heros. Heros are a stroke on genius. While previously you only had Henchmen to help you out, you found yourself calling for Guild members and friends for help with a quest or mission. This was fine if they were online, if not you probably played a waiting game for them to come online. Now with the introduction of Heros those days are over. You can select up to 3 Heros for your team, customise their skill bars to suit your needs and even control them during battle, telling them where to move and what skills to use. Although while it does sound great, it generally means you can finish the whole game by yourself, thus greatly reducing your need to interact with other players. In a MMORPG, this may not be the best idea, however Heros seem to be more of a help than a hindrance to the game.

Along with Heros come Hero Battles, a new type of PvP, a one on one where each player chooses 3 heros to battle off. You must capture important points on the map providing you with bonuses and such like. Hero Battles are a slight distraction from the game and while some take it more seriously than others its probably not going to fulfil your PvP needs or replace Heros Ascent.

Based in a land not too unlike the terrain of Africa, Nightfall is set in Elona, follows the story of the Sunspears, an elite order who protects Elona from all threats. Here you join their ranks. When Elona falls victim to an evil, outcast god, its down to you to rescues the world from its demise. The story improves again, with much more likeable characters, unlike Factions story this one is engrossing. The thing I liked about Factions that on a few occasions it presents you with a path, you can choose between 2 missions to complete and each may lead to a different place. While this means you may miss a couple of missions (you can always go back and do they later), it also lets you feel as though your in control of the game and where the story goes, as if your choices effect the outcome.

Overall I think Nightfall is a very impressive addition to the Guild War arsenal. The introduction of Heros is a revolution in terms of gameplay, allowing to get a lot more done by yourself. The story is great, as are the 2 new professions. Certainly worth the money.

Andy Creighton

Summary: A Great Expansion, I Would Recommend It To Anyone Who Enjoyed The Original Game