Half of my total play time is off-Steam, so this review would read something more like 1500+ hours, but here goes anyway. Out of all the mmo's I've seen or played, this one appeals to me the most because the horizontal progression system the game offers means that all of my years of effort I've put into my character(s) is still relevant to this day even when a new expansions comes.

I bought the game around 9 years ago and have over the years acquired all of the expansions as well, which are a one time payment mind you and priced reasonably too, which means that even a poor student like myself can easily afford this game in its entirety. Aside from the expansions, I've never bought the in-game currency (gems) as that can be earned via trading gold into it in the game, meaning that all of the qol-items can be and have been earned by me entirely for free. Of course this way of acquiring gold and trading it for gems takes a lot longer than, say, paying for gems with real money, but to me playing the game has never been about simply skipping the grind, so to say, which in on itself isn't even that bad once you get into it. The game also has no p2w items or similar, only cosmetics and qol-items, which again, can be earned for free. The player numbers are also a bit skewed due to most players playing via the ArenaNet launcher and not Steam's and I think the game has a healthy population as I've seen players and groups doing all content I frequent even during 3am. Most often there are so many players in cities and big fights that my fps tanks dramatically below 30, but I'm already used to it. I do have an older PC with 8gb ddr3 RAM so there's no surprise here but otherwise the game runs great.

As for the negative parts, some of the graphics, whilst over all great, look a bit dated due to the game's age. They do IMO look better than some games like WoW, but nowhere near the level of games like Black Desert, for example. I am also a bit sad that they have still not added, at the time of writing this review, a greatsword for the elementalist class as that is my main but maybe I'll be blessed one day. My class fantasy demands the ability to shoot elemental sword-beams at my foes (elite skill fiery gs doesn't count).

For the aforementioned reasons I would have to give this game a solid 8,5/10. I'm fast approaching my tenth anniversary with the game and can't wait to receive the in-game gift for that sweet sweet cake buff.

*edit. typo

Half of my total play time is off-Steam, so this review would read something more like 1500+ hours, but here goes anyway. Out of all the mmo's I've seen or played, this one appeals to me the most because the horizontal progression system the game offers means that all of my years of effort I've put into my character(s) is still relevant to this day even when a new expansions comes. I bought the game around 9 years ago and have over the years acquired all of the expansions as well, which are a one time payment mind you and priced reasonably too, which means that even a poor student like myself can easily afford this game in its entirety. Aside from the expansions, I've never bought the in-game currency (gems) as that can be earned via trading gold into it in the game, meaning that all of the qol-items can be and have been earned by me entirely for free. Of course this way of acquiring gold and trading it for gems takes a lot longer than, say, paying for gems with real money, but to me playing the game has never been about simply skipping the grind, so to say, which in on itself isn't even that bad once you get into it. The game also has no p2w items or similar, only cosmetics and qol-items, which again, can be earned for free. The player numbers are also a bit skewed due to most players playing via the ArenaNet launcher and not Steam's and I think the game has a healthy population as I've seen players and groups doing all content I frequent even during 3am. Most often there are so many players in cities and big fights that my fps tanks dramatically below 30, but I'm already used to it. I do have an older PC with 8gb ddr3 RAM so there's no surprise here but otherwise the game runs great. As for the negative parts, some of the graphics, whilst over all great, look a bit dated due to the game's age. They do IMO look better than some games like WoW, but nowhere near the level of games like Black Desert, for example. I am also a bit sad that they have still not added, at the time of writing this review, a greatsword for the elementalist class as that is my main but maybe I'll be blessed one day. My class fantasy demands the ability to shoot elemental sword-beams at my foes (elite skill fiery gs doesn't count). For the aforementioned reasons I would have to give this game a solid 8,5/10. I'm fast approaching my tenth anniversary with the game and can't wait to receive the in-game gift for that sweet sweet cake buff. *edit. typo