DESCRIPTION

This stand-alone second chapter in the online epic Guild Wars introduces brave gamers to the continent of Cantha, an Asian-inspired land where large parties of allied wizards and warriors do battle for glory and territory. Expanding on the guild structure set in the original game, Factions features four new mission types, which encourage large groups of players to form alliances, in order to complete challenging quests and to wage war against other player groups for control of strategically valuable towns and outposts.

Similar to the first Guild Wars game, Factions offers a hybrid of small-scale cooperative gaming and "massively multiplayer" role-playing. Individual quests are completed in instanced areas, generated exclusively for the players in the party, while public areas, such as cities and towns, are accessible to all and support thriving, player-driven economies.

In addition to the war-torn land of Cantha, this second Guild Wars chapter features 300 new skills, 50 more questing and battle locales, and two additional character professions. The Assassin uses a teleport-like ability to specialize in stealthy attacks and quick kills, making up in efficiency what he may lack in honor. The Ritualist can access a unique set of summoning spells that allow the conjuration of arcane beasts to aid in combat.

As with the initial Guild Wars game — but unlike most persistent-world online role-playing games — no subscription fee is required to play Guild Wars: Factions. A copy of the first Guild Wars game is not required to play Factions, either, although original Guild Wars players can use their existing characters embark on the new adventures featured in the follow-up, or lead their new Assassins and Ritualists back through the adventures presented in the first game. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide