There may be a while to wait yet before Guild Wars 3 delivers an “evolution of the MMO,” but until then Guild Wars 2 players have a swathe of new content to enjoy courtesy of today’s Code of Creation update, the final chunk of Visions of Eternity.
The conclusion to Visions of Eternity’s narrative arc opens up a fresh explorable zone named Leyspring Hollows – a title that’s practically vibrating with the potential of magical escapades. In the deep and sometimes dark of this new region, adventurers can train Rift Amplification Mastery and hopefully put a halt to the Inquest’s machinations. Six new story chapters are available, with the Asura Vloxx waiting to be stopped across the lot of them. Fortunately, the mysterious Stewards of Galdra are on hand to help.
Leyspring Hollows plays host to a new multistage meta-event titled Depths of Cruelty. Tasking players with facing off against the Inquest and its new head honcho Director Kuda, it plays out over a three-hour cycle instead of the typical two. There is, of course, new gear to be grabbed as well, including new relics, the Tenebral Ward armor, the Shining Ward weapon set, and the Wages of Stars legendary sword.
Outside of the main narrative and region, Code of Creation also introduces Nexus of Eternity, a ten-player raid encounter to take on with your party. It’ll be updated to include both Challenge and Legendary modes “in the weeks after launch.” Smaller parties of five can take on the Solitary Throne Fractal, and those who prefer a grander scale can tackle the Nexus of Eternity Convergence, in which up to 50 players work together in a time-based challenge to defend the continent of Tyria.
Code of Creation might be the end of Visions of Eternity, but it’s far from the last addition Guild Wars 2 has planned. Updates are scheduled to arrive from September through to December, kicking off with the Dismount Rush event later this month.
With Guild Wars 3 planning to innovate within the MMO genre, it’s an exciting time indeed for Tyrian adventurers. ArenaNet’s hotly anticipated sequel will bring a new momentum system which includes clambering up trees and even wallrunning. Move faster during fights and you can even punt enemies about, stunning them on scenery.
For those who have been patiently waiting to enjoy the entirety of Visions of Eternity in one go, the expansion costs $24.99 / £21.99 for the standard release, $49.99 / £43.99 for the deluxe edition, and $74.99 / £64.99 for the ultimate edition.