Guild Wars 2’s final Living World season gave us a showdown for the ages: an epic battle between the defenders of Tyria and the followers of the Elder Dragon Kralkatorrik, moreover letting you’re taking to the skies your self on the majestic Skyscale dragon mount. Season 5, the Icebrood Saga, has rather a lot to dwell as much as, however appears to be like set to carry even meatier content material to get your enamel into. And talking of (large, sharp) enamel – the Icebrood Saga is all concerning the feline warrior race, the Charr (and the Norn, a bit).
The prologue chapter, Bound by Blood, introduces a brand new playable space, Grothmar Valley, which lies deep in charr territory. The charr High Legions are gathering to have fun Kralkatorrik’s defeat, although because the announcement trailer revealed, the ice dragon Jormag’s hordes are on the transfer – with these of the disgraced charr Flame Legion amongst them.
As the entry level to this subsequent Living World, Grothmar Valley is filled with new occasions and challenges to get caught into. It seems that the charr love their leisure time as a lot as they love a struggle, as I realized on a tour of the world with builders from ArenaNet as my guides. Some of the actions within the valley will not be solely difficult – they’re actually enjoyable, and naturally, there are some shiny new rewards on provide.
First up is one thing for individuals who get pleasure from a great ranged problem – a goal capturing occasion, however within the sky. An lovely litter of dutiful however not but very expert charr cubs are eager to learn to shoot, and also you’ll get to show them. Head to the coaching grounds, hop onto some flying platforms, and as soon as airborne, present the youngsters blast aerial targets out of the sky.
There are some challenges to finish and achievements to earn right here, however helpfully the targets are player-specific, so there’s no want to stress if one other participant takes yours out. Your ego may take a little bit of a success in entrance of these little cubs, although.
Another occasion that arrives with the chapter is unapologetically enjoyable – a demolition derby-style race. You get to roar round on armed bikes firing at different gamers, making an attempt to assert a win to your alternative of the Legions (the default choice will likely be your personal Legion, however you’ll be able to all the time decide one other…).
A trumpet sounds, a voice bellows: “Drivers, to your death machines! Bring glory to your Legion!” and I’m off. Drums and battle music sound as I tear across the makeshift area, chasing down victory. Win or lose, merely taking part provides me a charr-kart to rent to drive across the map as a once-daily reward.
Drums and battle music sound as I tear across the makeshift area, chasing down victory
Naturally goal capturing and destruction derby lends itself to a sure soundtrack, and as soon as once more, the charr present. Grothmar Valley rocks to the sound of Metal Legion, a steel band (clearly) who’ll carry out unique songs in an in-game dwell live performance, celebrating the heroism of the feline warriors – however you’ll must cease it being derailed by near-constant sabotage makes an attempt. ‘Crazed Fans’ attempt to storm the stage, and I pound on them till they develop into ‘Subdued Fans.’ My work doesn’t cease there, although – there are technical hiccups to repair, crowd-lurking enemies to take out, and even a mini mid-concert dance competitors to smash, all to please the gang, in fact. There’s even an ‘Audience Hype’ metre that tracks how properly the live performance’s going, and which determines the rewards you’ll get at its conclusion.
Just after I suppose I’ve saved the day, a boss emerges proper on the stage itself. A dragonesque beast solid of fireside, steel, and Bruce Dickinson’s wildest fever desires emerges with a signature transfer you’ll wish to keep away from – it’ll grasp you in its monstrous claws and hurl you throughout the world in a ball of flames if it will get the possibility.
Away from such enjoyable and games, I get the possibility to strive one of many Icebrood Saga’s new ten-player strike missions. There’s one out there in Bound by Blood (although extra are coming), which sees our group head into the ominous, wintry Shiverpeaks Pass to test if the way in which is obvious, because the Icebrood has been messing with it. The strike is available in two varieties, ‘Public’ and ‘Squad’ – the previous matching you up with different gamers if you happen to don’t have a gang shaped and prepared.
It begins with a reasonably robust leap puzzle. If you’re horrible at these (like I’m), concern not – it solely takes certainly one of your social gathering to achieve the highest, and once they do you’ll get the choice to be teleported as much as be a part of them, prepared for the large dangerous boss battle. If you do have the talent, there are some chests scattered concerning the platforms, laden with loot.
The boss struggle is not any imply feat, and also you’ll wish to have ten gamers to take it on. Named merely the ‘Icebrood Construct,’ the sinister, glacial golem creature sits huffing menacingly as our group prepares. During the battle it throws every little thing it’s received at you, fairly actually – after shedding half its well being, it begins ripping out crystalline chunks of its personal physique and hurling them at us. As with the live performance, beat it shortly and successfully and also you’ll earn extra goodies, with cool occasion gadgets up for grabs.
Beyond this, the devs promise that there’s much more to find in the way in which of issues to do and goodies to seize, however there’ll be extra onus on you to go searching – preserve a watch out for issues occurring all over the world, and immerse your self within the lands of the charr at floor stage. ArenaNet additionally teases one thing hidden within the map that’s tough to seek out, however guarantees to yield thrilling issues, although there’s no extra particulars on this but – you’ll must go discover the brand new lands and preserve your eyes open for no matter this thriller is.
The Icebrood Saga’s prologue, Bound by Blood, launches at present – and guarantees to be greater than a little bit charrming.
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