Guild Wars Nightfall

"Nightfall; newest child in a bloodline of success."

As a fan of the Guild Wars series since its release, I was excited to learn of the third 'chapter' in the franchise: Guild Wars Nightfall. Although I didn't enjoy it as much as the first two (specifically Factions) it was still a great experience for me, and I haven't tired of it yet.

Gameplay: 8.9
Not much has changed in the way the game works, or the user interface. Saving templates (a feature fans have been dying for since a month after the release of Guild Wars Prophecies) is very cool, but do expect some load times.

Graphics: 8.8
While beautiful in terms of character looks and environments, the game does have the occasional odd animation. Some of the text screens fly by as well.

Sound: 8.7
The musical score is still very good, and the battle sounds are expected. The narrative was a pleasant surprise and the voice work is generally very well done.

Difficulty: Medium
The game is still very challenging and PvP is always fun, and quickly paced.

Concept: 8.5
While the expansion does add a new look, new professions and so on, nothing truly substantial has changed from the way the game is presented or the way it plays.

Multiplayer: 8.8
The fan base is still strong and you can find players to team up with. As players age, though, the perception of inexperience GW gamers seems to be creating a bit of a separation when it comes to looking for a team.

Overall: 8.6 (rounds to 9)
Of course, the big draw is that there is no monthly subscription fee, but more than that, Guild Wars continues to expand the story of this land and with Nightfall, the game takes on a decidedly different flavor, but still manages to convey that feeling of encroachment of evil. The game looks good, and still plays well. The game does not substantially send the franchise forward with innovations, but rather adds to what is already there. It is a great title for fans of the Guild Wars games, though, in that it adds to the lore and characters.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/13/07