ArenaNet has given players a massive world to conquer and explore. Last weekend we were shown that this world in Guild Wars 2 will continue to expand over time, as new threats crawl out of the cracks. Some threats in the world of Tyria are just animals found in the wild and small in size. Others are mighty warrior centaurs and other opposing factions. But the really exciting enemies are the big ones. The giants and the dragons being the largest. Well, one should get excited from fighting them anyways.
I spent a ton of my time playing video games. Defeating goombas and slaying ninjas became an everyday activity. But I lived for the boss fights! It doesn’t matter what genre of game of you play, the big boss is always waiting around the corner to put your skills to the ultimate tests. With ArenaNet throwing dragons into Guild Wars 2, you will fight against one of the most powerful creatures in fantasy. For me, the larger the enemy is, the more rewarding it is to bring them down.
The first time I faced off against a dragon it was an exciting experience, but when I ventured off to slay the other dragons they didn’t seem so tough. Here I was fighting a dragon that could alter the very ground I stood on just be flying above it. Why was this dragon standing on the ground so much? Why was I able to stay alive so easily during the fight? I’m fighting a great beats called the Shatterer! My character should /wetpants whenever the dragon looks in its general direction!
Even Jacobs own people, who are described as being NOT barbarians, seem to be suffering from a dreadful force of some kind, an affliction of blood. In a rather dark but intriguing scene we discover why Jacob has left his home, being forced into combat with his own father. Then, just like that we are back in the present and are introduced to a woman who seems likely to be Jacob’s constant companion throughout this unfolding story. Whether this wizard, named Shanar, truly means well for Jacob is open to debate. I certainly was left with the sense that she was not telling young Jacob everything. Regardless her introduction does serve to inform the reader of some more grandious lore behind the Diablo universe, the Crystal Arch. First discussed in the Book of Cain, this artifact of perfect beauty resides in the High Heavens and resonates with a song that not only brings Angels into being but also somehow can shape the paths of humans. Again I was highly intrigued and can’t wait to find out more.
But before we can find out more Jacob’s past catches up with him and his pursuant countrymen attack. It seems they too possess this strange affliction of blood that drives them to act like wild beasts more than civilized men. Jacob takes up the Sword of Justice to defend himself but is reluctant to kill any of his attackers and ends up being captured and forced to witness more of his countrymen’s depravity. Luckily he is rescued by Shanar and the chase continues. I particularly appreciated the blast from the past as Jacob and Shanar flee through the black marsh, stumbling upon the ruins of the Forgotten Tower (of Diablo 2 fame). In typical comic book cliff hanger fashion, the final page introduces us to a new unforeseen foe. I guess we’ll have to wait for the next issue to find out more.
